Somehow word had gotten out about Bella Pelle working with NASA, and they’d had several magazines and podcasters emailing, asking for more information and interviews. While they couldn’t give too much detail, Bella knew the advance publicity was something she needed to take advantage of, so she gladly handed those off to Jerome and Carrie to handle.
“Oh wow - that’s crazy. Did you want to handle that one? Oh - have Luis do it with you too - they will probably have all sorts of technical questions.”
“I can answer technical stuff too, you know. Well, maybe if it’s not too technical. You know what? You’re right. Let me go speak to Luis now so we can get it scheduled.”
“Okay - don’t forget our meeting at 10am!” Bella called as he walked out the door.
Jerome threw a thumbs up over his shoulder without turning around, and Bella turned her attention to answering a few emails, going over February’s sales figures, and double checking the paperwork she'd had drawn up weeks ago was all in order for the meeting. At 10am, Bella, Carrie, and Jerome headed into the conference room, with Jerome closing the door behind them.
“Okay, boss, what’s this all about?” asked Jerome.
“I want to say thank you to you both. I had a vision and a dream when I started Bella Pelle. We are moving into our third year of business, and we are considered one of the top five beauty brands in the country, and the best part is we haven’t even hit our stride. Our growth has been astronomical” - she paused, hearing Jerome's voice in her head, snickering at anything space related these days - “and much of that is down to you two. I’d like to give you each something to show how much I appreciate you.”
“As you know, I am the sole owner of Bella Pelle. But as of today that changes. I’ve had these papers drawn up, and if you agree and will sign, then you will both be co-owners with me. You will each own thirty percent of the company. I will have the remaining forty percent and the deciding vote, but we move forward as a team, as a family. I want you to own a part of whatyou’ve helped to build.” She slid the papers across the table. “What do you think?”
Jerome and Carrie sat, stunned. Never had they imagined something like this would happen.
“OMG - yes, YES!!” cried out Carrie.
“Bella, are you sure? This is a big step,” said Jerome.
“I’m positive. Now, there are a few caveats. We will stay a privately owned company. If either of you ever decide you want out, I will buy your shares back, at a fair market value. And if the time comes that we decide to go public or sell, then we agree together or it doesn’t happen.”
Carrie and Jerome both took the pens that were laid on the table, read the contracts quietly and thoroughly, then signed.
“Group Hug!” yelled out Jerome, and through their happy tears they stood and hugged each other tightly.This was the right thing to do, thought Bella.
Later that night, Bella recounted the meeting to Jack during their FaceTime call, while he told her about his own day — spent inside a full-scale model of the capsule, going over the spacecraft's systems. They would run through this many times before liftoff - until every one of them knew it like the back of their hand.
“Hey Dad, is that Bella on the phone?” came Sloane's voice from the doorway. "Can I talk to her for a sec?"
“Sure honey - Bella, Sloane wants to talk to you” he said, handing the phone to Sloane.
“Um, hello, privacy please?”
“Oh, excuse me - I’ll just leave my own room because heaven forbid your old dad overhear your conversation with my girlfriend!”
“Thanks Dad, I knew you’d understand.”
“Hi Sloane, what’s up? Is everything okay?”
“I wanted to ask you a question. So, like, this guy from school asked me out, his name is Tom. Anyway, he used to date my friend Heather, and like, I wasn’t sure, is that okay? I mean, they didn't even, like, go out that long, but I don’t want it to be weird.”
“Let me ask you a question. Do you really like him? Is he worth breaking the ‘girl code’ for?”
“The girl code? What’s that?”
"So, the girl code is just the unwritten rulebook for being a solid friend. It’s that 'we’re in this together' energy—like never going after a guy your friend likes or dating her ex, it’s telling her she’s got a stain on her shirt even if you don't know her, and never, ever leaving the party without the person you came with. It’s basically just looking out for each other, so nobody gets left behind or embarrassed."
“Oh — then no, definitely not worth it, like, Heather and I have been friends since middle school.”
“Okay, well there is your answer.”
“Thanks, Bella - I appreciate you.”
“You’re welcome, and listen, ask your dad, and if he says it’s okay then you and Piper put my number in your phones, and you can call or text me anytime you like if you have a question. As long as it's nothing that would mean keeping something from your dad then I’m happy to help. Sound good?”
“Sure, I’ll ask him. I’ll put him back on the phone. Dad - you can come back in!”
