Page 68 of The Name Drop

It’s like the world stops in the seconds before she answers.

“He told me to go home now and that he’ll contact me in a few weeks, after Sky High. He said he needs time to set some things up for me, to take care of what I need. There’s no use for me to stay here in New York while I wait anyways...”

“He’s kicking you out? Of the company? Of New York?”

She shakes her head. “No, it’s not like that.”

That’s when it hits me what my dad is planning. It’s as if my father’s own hands are reaching into my chest and taking hold of my heart, strangling it. He’d do anything to keep me from being happy on my own terms. “No, he’s kicking you out of my life.”

“Elijah, it’s not like that either. He actually, um, didn’t mention you at all.”

“Jessica. C’mon.” I throw my hands up in the air. “What in everything that I’ve told you about my dad makes you think he’d give anyone something for nothing in return?”

“I’m certain, Elijah. He didn’t ask me for anything.”

“For now. But he will,” I say without doubt.

“Why can’t you just believe this is something your dad wants to do? Why can’t you acknowledge that the work we did this summer could be enough to impress the CEO of the company?”

“I can’t believe how naive you’re being. You only agreed to this plan in the first place because you needed it. But now it seems like you want it,” I say. “Enough to believe whatever my dad promises you...at whatever cost.”

“Honestly? I don’t know what I want. But what about you? You wanted time to figure out who you are. And now that you’ve figured it out, what are you gonna do about it? You talk a lot of talk, but are you actually gonna leave the security of your life? Are you gonna tell your dad that you don’t want to be set up with this girl? That you don’t want to be CEO of Haneul Corp? That you don’t want everything he wants from you?”

“It’s not as easy as just saying it, Jessica.”

“But it won’t ever be easy if youdon’tsay it, Elijah.”

We’re at a standstill.

“I leave tomorrow,” she says, a finality in her tone. Well, at least one of us has the guts to take what they want. I just didn’t believe she’d toss me aside so easily to get it.

I’ve got to find out exactly what my dad is up to. Rip off the Band-Aid and get it over with. Accept whatever punishment he wants to give me as long as it’s not one he doles out on Jessica too.

“I have to go,” I say, quickly getting up from my seat. I have to leave now or I never will. “Jessica, go and talk to your dad. See what he thinks about all of this,” I say.

“And what are you going to do?”

“I’m also going to go talk to my dad. He and I have got some unfinished business.”

24

jessica

I knock on the door marked 214 at the Courtyard Marriott in Times Square. The room is right next to the elevator, and I can hear the chatter of people below through the elevator shaft along with the ding at each floor as it arrives. I wonder if my dad requested this much less desirable room location for a discount.

There are stains on the carpet in the hallway and some scratches on the door near the peephole. The lighting is slightly yellowed and I notice a tiny corner of the wallpaper starting to pull away from the wall. All in all, the place is well used, but clean and serviceable. Before this summer, I would have thought we splurged on a hotel like this.

But apparently things like room location and minor signs of wear and tear are different to me now. These details make me judge the person associated with them. As if a summer pretending to be the one percent has made me actually think like them.

I’m nervous. My palms are sweating and my heart’s trying to pound its way free from my chest. I don’t think it’s that I’m afraid my dad is mad at me.

It’s more that I’m afraid he’s disappointed in me.

The door clicks open. My father looks tired. There are dark circles under his eyes.

He reaches for me and pulls me into a hug. It’s awkward. I’m stiff. Our family doesn’t really show outward signs of affection. But it only takes me a second before I let go and melt into him. I circle my arms around him and place my head to his chest. His heartbeat is strong and steady.

“I’m glad you’re here, Dad,” I say as we pull apart. “There’s so much I want to tell you.”

---