Page 53 of Writing Mr. Right

“We’re about half a million dollars away from our goal,” the woman says. “Our cardiothoracic surgical team is excellent, but we could really use a new lab.”

The old man scrunches his face, and I guess the other man can tell it’s not going their way, because he adds, “This, of course, would be a naming opportunity for your foundation.”

“I don’t know…” The old man shakes his head.

At the despair twisting their expressions, I point toward the group. “Do you know those two?” I ask Emily.

She follows my pointing, then raises a shoulder. “I think I recognize the girl, but I don’t really know them.”

“Then let’s go meet them!” I lift my chin and start walking toward the group.

“Ziya, wait!” Emily calls after me, but I don’t stop until I’ve sidled right up to the trio. I place my arms behind my back, encircling my wrist with my hand. I offer my best, brightest smile. “Hello!”

The three of them basically jump at my abrupt greeting. The man and woman exchange confused stares, and the old man looks a little grouchy as he gives me a once-over. He holds a half-drunk glass of scotch in his fist, but with the way pink flushes his cheeks, I’m confident it’s not his first glass. My grin grows bigger anyway. “My name is Ziya, and this is Emily.” I gesture to Emily beside me, who can only stare. “What are your names?”

I’m met with silence, but the woman is the first to speak. “Dr. Kira Yukimura,” she answers.

Taking his cue from Kira, the man says, “Dr. Antonio Madrigal.”

“Nice to meet you.” I turn deliberately to the old man, who takes another long sip from his glass before finally speaking. “Finn Whitman the Third.” Not wanting to be one-upped by the two doctors, he quickly adds, “I’m the current CEO of the Carissimi Group, which is an investment company. My grandfather established it in 1919.”

“That’s a wonderful name,” I tell him, and I can tell my sincerity is weirding them out, but I can’t help it. “All of your names are lovely. There’s a lot of power in a name, and it’s important to have a good one.” I place my hand on the space between my collarbones. “For example, my name, Ziya, means light. What do your names mean?”

Miguel and Kira share a strange glance, but Kira says, “Well, Kira means ‘glittery’ in Japanese.”

“That’s certainly a fitting name, because your dress is so glittery and makes you glow.” I nod at her magenta dress. The color itself doesn’t stand out very much, owing to it matching the shade of the lights above us, but the shimmer of the intricate beadwork makes her shine. “It’s like you’re a mirror ball.”

Kira’s eyes, cautiously wary before, melt into something softer. “Oh, uh…thank you. That’s very kind of you to say.”

“And what does Antonio mean?” I ask, turning to him.

“‘Highly praiseworthy,’” he answers.

“How nice,” I say. “It goes well with your occupation.”

He raises a brow. “How’s that?”

“Well, being a doctorishighly praiseworthy,” I start. “It takes a lot out of a person—energy, time, money. But it’s all in service of helping to heal the sick and injured.” I gesture to the whole room. “All of the medical professionals here have dedicated years of their lives and sacrificed so much to take care of others. And that is highly praiseworthy, don’t you all think?”

Everyone is a little speechless, including Emily, who’s still staring at me like I’ve grown two heads. I wait for someone else to say something, but when no one does, I turn to Finn. “And you? What does your name mean?”

Finn grunts, but reluctantly replies, “It means ‘fair.’” He points a finger at me from the glass holding his scotch. “But don’t go making some profound statement. Finn is a plain name. Its meaning isn’t anything special.”

I pause. “Forgive me, but you said you are Finn theThird, correct?”

“Yes.”

My lips lift upward. “Don’t you see? That’s where the meaning comes from. Your father’s name is Finn, and so is your grandfather’s.”

“So?” Finn gruffs. “If anything, it means my grandfatherwas selfish. Thought he was great enough to name his own kid after himself.”

“I don’t think so,” I counter. “I think it means he cared very deeply for your father, and in turn your father cared very deeply for you. In giving your father his name, and in receiving your father’s name in turn, it allows for all this.” I give the whole room a once-over, and the others do as well. “You receive a life of privilege, of opportunity. Everyone knows you’re the grandson of Finn Whitman, CEO of an investment company. And it’s with that privilege that you’re afforded the opportunity to share what you have with others. It’s why you come here, is it not? You get to see the rest of the world in ways many human beings never do. And you get to remember why it’s important to support each other.” I lift my shoulders. “That’s how your name has meaning.” I lean forward. “And Finn Whitman truly is a lovely one.”

The lines in Finn’s forehead wrinkle, and he tilts his head. “That is oddly…insightful, Miss Ziya,” he muses.

“Yeah,” Antonio says. “What department are you in?”

“Oh, I don’t work at the hospital,” I reply. I point to Emily. “Emily does, though. She’s a NICU nurse. I’m a writer.”

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