Sally hesitated for the briefest of moments. “I’ll do whatever you say, Victor.”
I grinned. I never tired of hearing that phrase.
Chapter Four
“Here is the number of the hotel I am staying at that night and the room number so you can call me if you want,” I told Sally. “I’ll check in with you when I get there and before I go to bed.”
I was flying to Massachusetts with Jackson early this morning to compare notes with Danisha in person, and I wanted to be as open and honest about it with Sally as possible. I wanted Sally to be able to trust me, and I did not want to give myself any leeway to be untrustworthy.
Sally raised an eyebrow at me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I hoped that meant she noticed and appreciated my attempts to repair her trust in me.
An hour later, Jackson and I were up in the air, heading east. I anxiously tapped my fingers against the armrest of the co-pilot’s seat. Just the idea of seeing Danisha already had me wrestling to keep my emotions in check.
“So, uh, will Marisol be there again?” Jackson asked me suddenly.
I burst out laughing. Jack always managed to find a way to pull all of the tension out of a situation for me.
When we landed a few hours later, I made sure to take a few minutes and leave a message for Sally on the home phone.
When I saw Danisha, I felt a swelling in my chest, like I had swallowed a lot of air and now it was stuck in my throat. When she came up to greet me, I somehow found myself ready to receive her. My arms magically rose to return her hug and I heard myself give a smooth hello.
Once we were at Danisha’s apartment, Marisol and Jack once again left to drop the bags off at the hotel and do who knows what else. Danisha and I found ourselves alone again.
I quickly busied myself with the task of setting up what I had found in my investigation. Danisha cleared off a large, rectangular coffee table in the living room that worked well for a side-by-side comparison of information.
Danisha disappeared into her room, reappearing moments later with several thick manila folders. She began to spread out Iraja’s travel record alongside my records of Victor’s activity.
I noticed there were several instances where shortly after Iraja handled —and usually won— a disputed property claim, Victor would make a trip to his island. I guessed he had a way to transfer the funds untraceably there.
Several hours later, we were taking a coffee break outside on the balcony of Danisha’s apartment when she set down her mug and turned to me.
“I’m sorry I accused you of stealing the EyeRead. I can plainly see now that Victor had a hand in this,” she said.
I looked at her over the rim of my own mug, surprised at her words since I felt partially to blame for the situation.
“I’m simply glad you gave me the opportunity to show you it wasn’t me. There are not many people your age mature enough to grant a person that chance,” I told her.
Danisha shrugged, slightly embarrassed. I didn’t know why, but it irked me that she was embarrassed when she should be proud. I felt an urge to convince her of how wonderful she was.
“Not only that, but your work is far beyond that of anything I’ve seen from anyone, even my own colleagues. In that respect, your age has nothing to do with it. Only your brilliance. I deeply respect the effort you put into your work, Danisha. It is not something I often see in other people…or often respected by others.”
I could see that my words had an effect on Danisha. Her chin and shoulders lifted and she looked me square in the eye.
“Does Sally respect that about you?” she asked me.
I hesitated, and in that moment, Danisha leaned forward to press her lips against mine. My hands came up a second later to gently push her away from me.
“Danisha, this can’t happen,” I said with my eyes closed. If I saw her face, I might not be able to finish saying what needed to be said.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“I can’t help you unless we keep this professional,” I told her. “I think I should turn in for the night. I’ll call a cab to the hotel. We have enough here to file an appeal. I’ll meet with you tomorrow to get that organized.”
That night as I lay in my hotel bed alone, I tried not to remember what it felt like to have Danisha laying there next to me.
***
I woke up the next morning after a fitful night of sleep. Every time I fell asleep, I dreamed Adrian had crawled in bed next to me and was wrapping his warm hands around my shoulders. When I reached for him, however, I couldn’t hold on, and I woke up to find myself alone.
My phone flashed to let me know I had an urgent message from the Dean. I checked it, my heart sinking rapidly as I scanned the email.
My hands trembled as I dialed Adrian’s number. By the time he answered the phone, I was hyperventilating so badly, I could hardly speak.
“Whatever it is, Danisha, I can help you with it. I’ll be at your apartment shortly,” he said.
He arrived to find me sitting in front of my laptop. I had read and reread the email well over a hundred times by now. Adrian gently pulled the chair I was sitting in away from the desk.
“Danisha, can you tell me what happened?” he asked.
I opened my mouth, but before I could get a word out, I immediately broke down, sobbing. I got up and gestured to the computer as I got a tissue. Adrian leaned over my desk to read the email from my laptop.
MIT had received a complaint about my “code of conduct” and decided to issue a formal review of my recent activity to see if I was 'representing MIT in the manner expected of such a prestigious institution.'
If they decided that my behavior was “unbecoming” for a student at MIT, they could kick me out, no matter how good my grades were or how revolutionary my invention was. How was this happening?
“They want to meet with you, that’s a good thing,” Adrian pointed out once he had finished reading the email.
“Where is this coming from?” I asked dazedly. I couldn’t figure out how so many things had gone wrong in my life in so little time. “They don’t even say what part of the code I violated.”
“Perhaps it has to do with the EyeRead,” Adrian suggested.
“How?” I questioned.
“You said they were concerned you might have been the one who stole the idea for the EyeRead, maybe it’s like a plagiarism policy. Perhaps if I come along I can help explain the matter to them,” he offered.
“Thank you, Adrian. I appreciate all of your help throughout this whole situation,” I said gratefully. “And about last night…”
Adrian waved a hand. “Don’t mention it,” he said.
I noticed, however, that he seemed as though he'd had a restless, fitful night just like me.
Chapter Five
Andris Ozolinsh called just a few hours after I hung up the satellite phone with Victor.
“Ms. Baker, hello,” he said when I answered.
“Good evening, or perhaps morning, where you are,” I replied.
“My day is just beginning, but I know yours is drawing to a close, so allow me to get right to the point: I would like to know everything, if anything, Adrian has told you about me,” Andris said bluntly.
“Are you talking about the new solar panels you’re going to be manufacturing?” I asked him.
“That tells me enough. Thank you, Ms. Baker. Good day.” Before I had the chance to reply, there was a hard click and I realized Andris had promptly hung up on me.
The next morning, Victor sent me instructions. I read them with increasing satisfaction. Only a few hours after Adrian left for the same destination, Victor was sending a private plane for me to fly to MIT and meet with the Dean of admissions as his representative.
I grinned. Danisha was going to crumble and crack until there was nothing left of her.
I arrived in the afternoon to find a driver waiting to take me directly to the school. As I ducked into the car, the driver handed me a ph
one. Victor was on the other line.
“Hello, my dear. Are you ready?”
“What do I do?” I asked.
“The driver is going to give you a folder with some information and instructions. I trust your instincts. I know you can be quite…provocative when your ire has been roused,” he said.
Thirty minutes later, I stepped into the admissions building and approached the secretary’s desk.
“Hello, my name is Sarah. I believe I have an appointment with Ms. Brunner to discuss a complaint about Ms. Danisha Carter on behalf of my employer.” The admissions office was filled with people, and I made sure to speak loudly. I noticed several people’s heads turn at the mention of Danisha’s name.
Good, I thought.
“One moment, please,” the secretary replied.
A minute later, the Dean, Julia Brunner, opened her door for me to come in.
“Hello, Sarah. I understand there is an issue regarding one of my students?” she inquired once we were both seated comfortably.
“Yes, my employer, the true inventor of the EyeRead, would like to issue a formal complaint,” I began in my most professional voice.
“When you say you represent the inventor of the EyeRead, do you mean Ms. Iraja Puri?” Dean Brunner asked. I noticed she carefully avoided using the word “true.”
“Ms. Puri is simply the lawyer handling the patent case. My employer, the inventor, wishes to remain anonymous,” I said authoritatively.
“Well, whoever they are, I fail to see why they are contacting me instead of Danisha herself if they have an issue with her,” the Dean said.
“Actually, my employer’s complaint is with MIT and how they have enabled Ms. Carter in stealing my employer’s invention.”
“Hold on a minute—” Julia leaned forward in her chair, I had her full attention now.
“Ms. Carter has shown herself to be an erratic student,” I cut her off sharply. “It’s unlikely someone so young and clearly so undisciplined could have invented such an amazing piece of technology. What’s more, rather than utilizing her supposed intellect in defending herself, she seems to have engaged a wealthy man more than twice her age to finance her appeals.”
“What do you mean?” the Dean queried.
“Are you not aware that Ms. Carter’s former lover is assisting her in this case? Mr. Adrian Ardic is a wealthy man who currently makes frequent flights out to visit Ms. Carter at school, presumably to help her with this appeal.”
Julia didn’t say anything, so I continued. Her eyes darted back and forth as she processed what I was suggesting. I could tell she was panicking.
“My employer finds this behavior reprehensible, especially from such a prestigious institution and feels that since MIT has retained Ms. Carter as a student, they are promoting dishonest behavior which should be reported to the collegiate board.”
I knew Danisha hadn’t broken any specific rules that the school could expel her for, but there was a lot of trouble surrounding her right now. MIT would want to avoid a scandal as best they could, especially one where it looked as though a girl had seduced an older man into buying her way into arguably the best school in the nation.
“Please tell your employer we are currently in the middle of our own investigation of Ms. Carter’s work and we will add their complaint to our file,” Julia finally said.
“Thank you,” I relied smugly, standing abruptly. I needed to get out of here before someone saw me. The driver was waiting for me outside, and as he drove me back to the plane, I poured myself a celebratory glass of champagne.
Adrian called me to say goodnight a few hours later.
“Hello, sweetie,” I said when I answered the phone.
“Hello, my dear,” he replied. “I just arrived at the hotel for the night. Jack is nowhere to be found so I think I’ll go right to bed.”
“Alright, sweet dreams,” I said.
“You too,” Adrian replied.
I knew I would have no problem sleeping tonight. Not one bit.
Chapter Six
“Do you know why you’re here, Danisha?” the Dean asked me.
“No,” I said uncertainly, looking around the room as I sat in front of Julia’s desk.
I recognized the Dean, as well as Professor Besberte, but everyone else was completely unfamiliar. I wished Adrian had been allowed to come into the meeting with me. Instead, he was told to wait out in the lobby.
“You’re here because someone issued a complaint against the school due to your behavior,” Julia told me.
“Yeah, I read that in the email. I don’t understand what that means, though. What was the complaint? What did I do?” I wanted everyone to stop staring at me and just tell me what exactly was going on.
“It’s something you’re doing,” a short, balding man in the corner piped up.
“Okay, then what am I doing?” I asked him.
“Your appeal regarding the EyeRead patent. The inventor wants you to drop your claim, and we agree with him. It’s past time you got off that horse,” a thin woman with oversized glasses on the opposite side of the room answered.
“That and this business with you taking advantage of an older man’s money,” another anonymous voice pitched in.
I thought I was going to get whiplash, trying to see each speaker. Voices surrounded me, but I couldn’t make out a thing.
If someone doesn’t explain to me what is happening, I’m going to scream, I thought.
“Please, everyone, quiet down!” Julia said, thankfully calming everyone in the room.
“Ms. Brunner, what are they talking about?” I asked, confused.
“Danisha, MIT has a code of conduct that students must adhere to if they wish to attend this school,” Julia began carefully. “It involves presenting oneself in a way that shines light on the school in an ideal way. The ideal MIT student is original, inventive, and above all, self-reliant.”
I understood what Julia was saying, but I didn’t understand what it had to do with me. I looked around the room but found no help there. I turned back to Julia, waiting for her to continue.
“The person who patented the EyeRead has issued a complaint for plagiarism and has asked the student review board to look into your behavior to see if you are adhering to MIT’s standards,” Julie gestured to the other people in the room who looked at me disapprovingly.
“What do you mean, ‘my behavior’?” I asked.
The short man looked to Julia, who nodded her permission for him to speak.
“Besides the fact that your grades and attendance do not reflect that of someone who could invent such a technological marvel, there is a rather wealthy man who is helping to finance your appeals, isn’t there?” he asked.
“Um, yes, but I don’t understand what that has to do with anything,” I said uncertainly.
He looked at the Dean again, waiting until she nodded for him to continue.
“MIT is concerned how it reflects upon the college to have a student who relies on her ability to…persuade…a much older man, rather than use what she had learned here at the school. If you insist on pursuing your patent appeal, MIT will come under scrutiny and we cannot afford a scandal.”
“Frankly, I agree,” the thin woman with the large glasses said. “Ms. Puri’s client is right to suggest that if a student has a history of indecorous behavior, they are likely not to be trusted.”
I couldn’t believe what they were saying. They were implying that Adrian was my sugar daddy, and I was an illiterate thief who had used him to buy my way through life. No part of that was true. Not that it was any of their business, but Adrian and I weren’t even involved anymore!
“Adrian!” I shouted, startling everyone in the room. “Adrian is sitting outside right now. He can explain to you that we’re not together. Ask him, he’ll tell you he got back together with his wife.”
“You split up his marriage? This doesn’t look good at all, Ms. Carter,” the woman with the oversized glasses said.
<
br /> “No! I… Aargh, it’s complicated. Just…uh, let me get Adrian,” I said.
“That won't be necessary,” Julia said, interrupting me. “It doesn’t matter if you are currently with him. The fact that you were with him and that he’s assisting you with this case is not good for the school. I’m sorry, Danisha.”
I looked around the room helplessly. “So, what do I do then? Do you want me to drop my appeal for the EyeRead patent? Will I still get credit for my work on that instead of my classes?”
“No, you won’t,” Professor Besberte said softly, looking at the Dean.
“So I’d be expelled anyway?” I said desperately.
“Unfortunately,” The short man said with a nasty smile.
I couldn’t believe the Dean was taking their side. I truly thought she believed me when I said I was the inventor of the EyeRead.
“I can’t pay for the appeal on my own… Ms. Brunner… Julia, do I have any other options?” I asked, looking her square in the eye.
She shifted in her seat for a moment, mulling over the question.
“I think we shall let the courts decide,” she said finally, looking right back at me. “You may proceed to contest the ownership rights for the EyeRead, if that is what you choose to do. If the court decides to favorably award your appeal, I will allow you to return to school next semester. I will also grant you leave from the rest of your schoolwork so that you may focus on the appeal. I wouldn’t want to have anything distracting you. This is your shot, Danisha,” Julia warned me.
“Is this the part where I am supposed to thank you?” I asked sarcastically.
I knew Julia didn’t have to give me a pass on my classwork, but I wasn’t going to be grateful to them for sticking their noses in my business. They didn’t even believe it was my invention. They were banking on the court making the decision easy for them.
I didn’t wait for a response. I stood up and pushed my way to the door. Adrian was sitting patiently in the chair just outside.
Hang Em' Up: A Bad Boy Sports Pregnancy Romance Page 78