Page 2 of Return on Love

Naturally, my brain starts firing warning flares. “And if my horse doesn’t win the race? I’ve just squandered three months, is that it?”

He’s quick to counter, “Not really. They’re shelling out a consulting fee for our insights. So we get paid either way.”

Coming from Weber, I know there has to be a catch somewhere. There’s no way he’d be handing me a good prospect. “Which start-up is this? Is it in the fintech arena?”

“Online gaming. A growing industry. An exciting business with a great founder. I’m sure your inputs will help him tremendously.”

So that’s the catch. Our firm has never invested in online gaming. I open my mouth to argue, but before I can get a word in, he’s already forging ahead. “You don’t have a choice, Eva. Hayden is resigning. So that opens up a place for a Vice President on my team. My suggestion? Give this deal everything you’ve got. You’ll find the company’s specifics on the server; I’ll shoot you the link via email. Plus, it’s based in Boston. A perfect chance to catch up with your brother. I’m thinking you’ll want to be on site with the client during the workweek for around three months. But, of course, weekends are your call. If you want to jet back here, go ahead.”

I want to say no. I want to ask him about the other client. It could be my job on the line, after all! I should show him I’m not okay with this and in no uncertain words. Give him an excellent speech about it, just like Hayden used to do. I open my mouth with all these feelings. Unfortunately, nothing comes out except, “but it’s gaming. Is the firm now eyeing that sector?” and that too in a very civil tone.

“Well, the deal’s here, and we’re in the game now. If you can’t do it, I’ll hand it to someone else. Plenty of folks itching for this type of opportunity.”

He could be bluffing, but it could be true as well. The deal flow is tapering off, and the whispers of downsizing are getting louder. I can’t risk arguing further, especially considering I’m not one of Weber’s best pals. At least that’s what I tell myself, though deep down, I know I’m not arguing because I don’t have it in me. Once again, I'll rely on my good work to make its case.

“I’ll do it.”

He lowers his head and begins working on his system, a sign that the meeting is over, as if it was the answer he expected and never doubted. I exit his office and saunter back toward my desk, mulling things over, and crash into Bernard. He’s my ex-boss and my mentor and also a Partner at the firm. The man who’s been more like a father to me than my own.

“Weekly meeting done?” he asks, holding my shoulders to steady me after the impact.

I smile as I see his beaming face. “Yeah. Some new deal in online gaming that I’ve to look into. I didn’t know the firm was interested in that space.” I reply to get his perspective.

His brows furrow a little. “So that’s the one Weber gave you? I’d have thought the fintech one was more up your street. Well, to answer your question, let’s just say that the firm is not averse to it any more. You’ll need to make a good case, though. If it gets through, it’s in both our interests.”

“Both our interests?”

“Well, yeah. Some years ago, I met the Founder and CFO of this company at a conference. They impressed me and I invested a little of my personal money in their startup. They need more financing now, so I put their name here. Honestly, I didn’t think the firm would take it forward. It was more of a courtesy thing. But if Weber’s put you on it, they have a chance now.”

“That’s interesting. Can we talk about it sometime?”

“Nope. Conflict of interest. I don’t think I should talk to you about this at all.”

I nod. Bernard is uncompromising when it comes to integrity and business ethics. Just as we’re about to part ways, he says, “And Eva, watch your back. Weber’s been saying you’re slipping up in your work. Show them what you got. This could be that opportunity for you, the one that sling-shots you forward.”

I walk away. I know Weber has been saying these things. Lily told me about it, though he’s never said it to my face. But hearing it from Bernard hurts me a little. It’s as if I’m letting him down. My clients have all been making us money. None of them are in trouble. Weber's rating last quarter for me mentioned room for improvement but lacked specifics. It had been different with Bernard, with whom I’d worked until six months ago. He appreciated my work, and I was always one of the best performers. With Weber, I don’t know what he wants, except a yes-man or woman, and that is a skill I’m yet to learn. But, as Bernard said, it was up to me to show them all this time.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom. Online gaming is an enormous market, with over USD 250 billion, and it’s riding a steady growth trajectory of 13% year on year. That’s a fast-growing sector if you want one. And thanks to the pandemic, it’s become even more of a goldmine. Landing that first client for my firm could be a career game-changer for me. I mean, think about it—any future clients in this field would be routed through me, especially if I snag Hayden’s position. I nod to myself and let a smile creep in. This might just work out better than I thought.

And it’s gaming. Funny thing is, no one in the office has a clue about it, but I’m an avid gamer. That’s my secret second life, the one I live on the web. Since grad school, I got hooked to these online games, especially when I realized I was one of the few women who were so darn good at it. Slowly but surely, I’ve built up a squad of pals and followers—well, more accurately, my avatar, YodaPrincess, has. I even post videos of my games on YouTube and have a decent subscriber list. In fact, I enjoy gaming as much as reading. Of course, my job offers me none of the pleasures unless you count reading presentations and annual reports and playing with the future of start-ups.

On top of that, the company’s in Boston. The weather will be cold, I agree. I mean, if you’re used to the cozy climate of LA, anything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit feels like an ice bath. But at least Alex will be there. We used to be tight, sibling-wise, but working in different cities on the opposite sides of the country has taken its toll. Maybe this whole Boston thing could be a golden chance to rekindle the sibling camaraderie. I try to forget that Dad will also be there.

By the time I reach my desk, I’m actually excited about it. All I have to do is my karma, and the benefits will come to me. Yes, Master Yoda, the force is with me. I sit down and open my email. Weber has already emailed me the link to the files.

I open my notebook and put it beside my laptop. A freshly sharpened pencil finds its place, ready for action. A little nudge for Master Yoda clears space for my post-it pad. I can’t help but smile at my setup. I’ve got this. Online gaming is my area. I can already envision a great rapport forming between me and the startup’s founder. I mean Bernard likes him, so he must be good, right? Just imagining playing their games and offering insightful feedback puts a spark in my eyes.

See, here’s the thing: I’ve got this nit-picking tendency, and when it comes to games, I can spot areas for improvement a mile away. And believe me, that’s saying something. I, or rather YodaPrincess, has even dropped her two cents on some major titles, and wouldn’t you know it, the creators actually incorporated the suggestions. Now, I have a chance to make my mark under my own name. Not too bad, I’ll say.

I copy the files onto my system before opening them. I like to have my files so I can carry work home. After the whole messy affair of my last relationship with Bob, I’m content steering clear of any romantic entanglements. These days, I’m wedded to my job. It’s not like the exciting honeymoon period, but more like a few decades into it, where I just go through the motions. Even then, work is all I need right now. It’s a steady relationship that keeps me on track.

I open the introductory deck once the download is complete, excited to know about the company. Maybe I’ve even played some of their games before. But the sight of the first slide itself makes me choke on my tongue. In a split second, all the enthusiasm, all those bright dreams of a promising future, and the ambitious goal of snagging the Vice President position disintegrate. I’m left staring at the screen as if it might offer some solution. In a futile attempt, I close the presentation and open it again, almost willing the content to transform before my eyes. I check if I’ve accidentally copied the wrong files. Nope. No such luck. I wonder if I should resign from the firm instead of working on this deal because right there, staring at my face, is the name I had hoped I would never again see in my life—Ryan Moore. The man I hate with an intensity that would put Princess Leia’s hatred for the Empire to shame.

Chapter 2

“Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our viewpoint.” — Obi-Wan Kenobi

“Ryan!” Lily almost screams as we sit in the cafeteria. “Ryan Moore?”

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