“I co-wrote a script for a short film with a friend of mine, and I’m gonna direct it.”
“Um… I’m not sure I understand. I thought you quit working with me because you wanted to write…books.”
“Yeah. I…thought so, too.” A sigh escaped my mouth. “But I wanna try directing now.”
He nodded, his brows pulling together. “Have you directed anything before, Mags?”
I stared at him for a moment and shook my head. “I did an internship and helped a few friends who go to film school with their projects. They loved my work.”
“I don’t think that’s enough.”
“I know. That’s why I’m making this movie. I wanna show the world what I can do. It’s like when actors have showcases.” I clenched my teeth. “Only a little more expensive.”
“How expensive?”
I bit my fingernail. “Ten grand?”
His lashes fluttered. “What?”
I held up a hand. “I know it’s a bit much.”
“A bit?”
“Okay, it’s a lot,” I admitted. “But not to you. Like you said, it’s only one third of what you used to pay me a month.”
“If you want to make movies, why don’t you ask your mother to help you? She can network you—”
“Please don’t ever say that again.” A surge of anger ran through me. Years and years of awful pain came rushing in. Andrea and I had issues beyond repair. They didn’t only start right before the year I finally left. They weren’t just about her constant criticism or never liking anything I did either. It was… “You know I’d die before I’d askherfor help.”
He set his jaw, his eyes sad.
“Dad, I know it’s a lot to ask for since I don’t make you money anymore, but consider it a loan. An investment. I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”
“With what? The revenues of your blockbuster?”
“Please don’t make fun of me. I just told you it’s a showcase. There’s no money there.”
He combed his fingers through his gray hair. “How about you come work with me again, just for a few weeks?”
I squinted at him as if he’d asked me to sell my soul to the devil. “You want me to design rich people’s houses again?”
“Well, you have the degree for it.” He smiled. “And the talent.”
“And I hated every minute of it. Dad…I thought you supported my decision to quit.”
“I did. I just hate to see you waste another year doing something you’ll eventually get bored with…again.”
Ouch. I expected that attitude from Andrea, but coming from him hurt like a slap on the face. “Not everyone is so lucky to figure out what they want the first time. Some of us have to try again and again and again, and just hope they’ll finally find it.”
“I don’t know why you keep saying that when it’s just right in front of you. C’mon, Mags. Just come help with a project or two. Maybe your passion for architecture will be renewed. Consider it amutualinvestment.”
More like a trap.
I was wrong. I thought the meeting at the house was another attempt to make me see Andrea and work things out with her. But no.Thiswas the ambush.
“This whole thing isn’t about Andrea or the money or my choice of career. You just want to lure me back into your company,” I said.
“Is it so wrong that I want my daughter to carry my legacy? Especially when she’s so good at it? You’re made for this, baby.”
