At 5:30, he started getting ready. The anxiety he’d managed to keep at bay all day came rushing back. He showered, shaved, changed shirts twice before settling on a dark gray button-down Emma approved of. His hands shook slightly as he tied his shoes. “Daddy, you look nice,” Emma said from his bedroom doorway. “Thanks, kiddo.
” “Are you scared?” He looked at her little bit. “It’s okay to be scared. That means it matters. Noah had no idea where she got this stuff.” “When did you become a philosopher?” “I don’t know what that means. It means you’re wise beyond your years.” She grinned. “I know.” Tessa arrived at 6:00. Noah went through the bedtime routine even though it was hours away.
Double-ch checked that his phone was charged. Kissed Emma goodbye approximately 17 times. Go, Tessa said laughing. We’ll be fine. Call if anything. I know. Go. Have fun. Be a person. The restaurant was across town, a 30inut drive that felt like 3 hours. Noah’s mind raced the entire way. What if this was a mistake? What if Richard found out? What if Victoria realized he was just a broke single dad with nothing to offer? What if she didn’t? Ember was smaller than Russos’s, warmer, low lighting, exposed brick, the smell of wood smoke and garlic. Victoria was
already there sitting at a corner table looking at her phone. She wore a simple black dress, her hair down around her shoulders. When she looked up and saw him, her smile was genuine. You made it. Did you think I wouldn’t? Honestly, little bit. She gestured to the chair across from her. How’s Emma? Better. Fever’s gone.
She’s back to being a tiny tornado of opinions. Victoria laughed. She sounds amazing. She is. She also asked if I was going to marry you. The words were out before Noah could stop them. Victoria’s eyes went wide. That’s direct. Sorry, I didn’t mean I’m not suggesting Noah, breathe. Victoria’s smile was amused. What did you tell her? That we barely know each other and it’s complicated.
What did she say? That people aren’t puzzles and they don’t have to fit perfect. He shook his head. She’s six. She shouldn’t be this insightful. Maybe she’s on to something. Victoria’s expression shifted, became more serious. I spent all day in meetings thinking about this, about us, about all the reasons it’s a bad idea. Noah’s stomach dropped.
And and I don’t care. I should. I’m supposed to be smart and calculated and risk averse, but when it comes to you, I just don’t care about the reasons it won’t work. I care about the fact that it might. A waiter appeared, breaking the moment. They ordered Noah letting Victoria guide him through the menu this time, accepting her recommendations, trying not to think about the cost.
When the waiter left, Victoria reached across the table and took his hand. “I need to tell you something,” she said. “About work.” “Okay, I did some digging into Richard Castiano into your division.” “You were right. He’s been stealing ideas for years, not just from you. At least six other engineers, all junior level, all people who didn’t think they had any recourse.” Noah’s heart hammered.
“How did you I have access to everything. every email, every proposal submission, every internal communication. I spent last night reading through four years of your work, your actual work with timestamps. And then I compared it to Richard’s presentations to senior management. Her jaw tightened. He’s been systemically stealing from his own team and taking credit.
It’s not just unethical, it’s theft, corporate fraud. What are you going to do? That depends on you. On me? Victoria squeezed his hand. If I fire Richard right now, it looks like I’m doing it because of you. Because we’re whatever we are. It compromises both of us. Makes you look like you went crying to the CEO. Makes me look like I’m playing favorites.
HR would have a field day. So, you’re not going to do anything? I didn’t say that. I’m saying I need to do it right. Build a proper case. Get HR involved. Make it about the pattern of behavior, not about one engineer’s complaint. But Noah, that takes time, weeks, maybe months. And in the meantime, Richard’s still your supervisor.
Still in a position to make your life difficult. He already threatened me. Told me to stay away from you. Victoria’s expression darkened. He what? Yesterday called me into his office. Basically said I was out of my league and this US was going to end badly. That’s harassment. It’s reality. He’s not wrong. I’m out of my league. Stop. Victoria’s voice was sharp.
Don’t do that. Don’t diminish yourself because someone else is intimidated by you. I’m a junior engineer barely making 40,000 a year. You run a billion dollar company. There’s no universe where I’m not out of my league. You’re also a single father raising an incredible kid. You’re talented enough that people steal your ideas because they know they’re good.
You’re honest and kind and you see me as a person instead of a bank account. That’s not out of your league. That’s exactly your league. Noah looked down at their joined hands. I don’t know how to do this. How to be with someone like you? Someone like me? Someone successful? Someone important? Someone who belongs in places like this? He gestured at the restaurant.
I’m used to mac and cheese from a box and budgeting grocery trips. This, he meant the restaurant, the wine menu, the life she lived. This isn’t my world. Then maybe we build a new world, one that’s ours. Victoria’s voice was soft. I’m tired of my world, the gallas and the board meetings, and the people who only see my net worth. I want something real.
