Love Like Her (Against All Odds #3) - Claudia Y. Burgoa Page 0,21
United States. The possibilities are endless. You find a craftsman that creates beautiful jewelry and find a buyer that will pay fairly and not just a couple of dollars and then resell the item for hundreds.”
“It’s a great idea. We need to polish it, and you have to work on your pitch skills if you want to get an investor on board.”
“Clearly, which is why I’m working for Dad.”
“I know where to find people, land, and… it’s really doable.” Gil has connections all around the world. I could help her with that part.
“Is it?”
“Definitely. It’d require a lot of planning and a huge investment though.” I scratch my chin.
“Hey, if you get the money and get it started, I’ll buy half of the company when it’s established and I have the money.”
“Didn’t you hear that I’m broke?”
“Find an investor,” she says, as if it’s simple. “It’s a lot better than working for some soul-sucking financial institution and going back to the hamster wheel.”
She stops in front of a hotel. “Here we are. Do you have plans for tonight?”
“Probably. It seems like you are just making decisions for me.”
She chuckles. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“You are bossy.”
She waves at me. “Good luck with your interview.”
Chapter Eleven
Eros
I probably aced the interview, but I didn’t like the place. It’s back to wearing suits, making money for already wealthy people, and spending ten to twelve hours a day in the office.
I have another round of interviews tomorrow, and there’s a test. A fucking test. What am I, twelve? I almost flipped them the finger and said, “Keep your fucking job.” I would do it, of course. It irritated me to no end that they need to make sure I can perform according to the company’s standards. Didn’t they see my credentials?
When I arrive at the hotel, there’s a message on the phone.
“Hi, it’s Liv. I… I have to cancel tonight. Dad’s in the hospital. Maybe I’ll see you in a couple of years.” Her voice is nothing like the woman I spoke with a few hours ago. She sounds broken. I want to reach out to her and make sure she’s doing fine.
I call the front desk to see if they can track the number, but they don’t have anyone who can look into it at the moment. If I want, they can help me tomorrow. Tomorrow might be too late. I decide to do my own detective work.
I google hospitals in San Francisco and start calling them. San Francisco General is the one that transfers me to Otto Sierra’s room.
“Yes?” a female voice answers.
I believe it’s Olivia, and I dare to say, “Liv?”
“Uh-huh,” she answers.
“Good, I’m on my way. What room is your Dad in?”
“Who is this?”
“Eros.”
She gives me directions on how to get to the room. It’s easier if I go through the second entrance, take the first elevator to the third floor and go to the left. Twenty minutes after I hang up with her, I’m on my way to the hospital. It’s not too far from the hotel, and I decide to walk instead of calling a cab or an Uber. Her directions are pretty on point. When I arrive at her father’s room, I spot her right away. Olivia is on the phone barking orders. Her dad sleeps on the bed. Sitting by his side is his husband, Dan.
I knock on the open door. Liv turns around and waves at me. “If you have any questions, call me. I’ll send you an email later tonight.”
“How is he doing?”
She takes a deep breath. “According to the doctor, he’s going to be fine. He had a heart attack and is having triple bypass surgery tomorrow morning.” She swallows hard. “It sounds scary, but the doctors assured us that he’ll be fine.”
I step in, kiss her cheek and then shake Dan’s hand. “How are you doing, sir? Is there anything I can bring you?”
He shakes his head. “Why don’t you take her out to dinner?”
“You need to eat too, Dan.”
“We can bring him something on our way back,” I offer.
“I like that idea,” Dan agrees.
“But what if you need me?” she argues.
I grab her hand, squeezing it reassuringly. “We won’t go too far.”
“You heard the doctor. He’s stable.” Dan looks at his watch. “If you leave now, you might skip the scene where your Dad complains about the bland food and demands coffee and a burger.”
Olivia grins. “He’s not going to like the change of diet, is he?”