Mira

"You were only supposed to serve as director temporarily," Diane says with a broad smile. "What happens if we approve these plans and you change your mind in a year? After all, you were the one who previously reduced wages and benefits."

Damn, Diane. Put away the claws.

My eyes dart from her to Elliot. I expect to see irritation on his face, but I nearly have a heart attack when I discover a slight smile there.

"Another good question. Wondervale's employees will be my priority, since I intend to remain here as director for as long as they'll have me."

I nearly fall out of my chair. What is happening?

The man seated beside Malcolm Vale asks,

"Are you no longer interested in the company's CFO position?"

"No."

The same man turns to his companion and begins whispering.

Elliot's father folds his hands and asks,

"Why should I vote in favor of your plans when I can vote no and take your twenty-five billion dollars?"

"Twenty-five billion?" I croak.

I think I'm going to be sick.

"Have some water," Diane suggests.

Malcolm Vale's eyes settle on me. He appraises me, and I feel as though I'm being examined from every angle.

I gulp down half the glass at once, so quickly that some water escapes and runs onto the table in front of me.

"My main reason for wanting to receive my shares of the company is to retain enough power to defend my employees' interests. Wondervale accounts for twenty percent of the Vale Company's revenue. As its new director, I intend to push us past new boundaries while protecting our staff. As I said earlier, I developed numerous projects in collaboration with the creators, including an expansion of Wondervale beyond a single park." He looks at each person present, one after another. "I have the slides ready to present if you need more reasons to approve my proposed changes. Although I'd like to renovate Wondervale to surpass anything we've seen before, the employees are my absolute priority."

WHAT?! Is this how board meetings usually go? I almost regret making fun of them when I met Elliot because what's happening here is deadly serious.

"That won't change my decision," Malcolm Vale says in a neutral voice.

It's like being doused in ice water. Nausea grips me. Elliot remains impassive, but the small vein above his right eye becomes visible.

Would his own father really vote no? After everything Elliot just shared? I know he's heartless and all, but even he must be impressed by his son.

If it wouldn't be ridiculous, I'd stand up and applaud him.

The two strangers shake their heads. Diane raises her wrinkled hand.

"I'd like clarification on one point, please."

The corner of Elliot's mouth curves upward.

"Yes?"

"I'd like to know what you plan to do for employees with disabilities."

For the first time since the presentation began, Elliot's stoic facade cracks. Looking stunned, he stares at Diane, who wears a mischievous smile.

"I thought you were on his side?" I whisper in her ear.

"I am," she answers with a wink. "There's still one point he hasn't discussed."

Elliot clears his throat while scrolling through several slides. He finally stops on a photograph that takes my breath away. It's Lena. My beautiful, incredible sister has one arm around J-P's shoulders.

"This is Lena. She is one of our youngest employees, and she happens to come from a family whose members all work at Wondervale. I partnered with her for an experimental mentorship program. She quickly taught me everything there is to know about the park and drew my attention to the lack of diversity in our hiring process."

I don't know why, but tears rise to my eyes. One escapes, and ever attentive, Diane discreetly hands me a tissue. I'm sure she asked that question on purpose to make me cry.

"I was puzzled because I knew our procedures and knew we were trying to maintain an ethnically diverse staff. Lena pointed out that there were no employees like her,people living with a visible or invisible disability. So during the time when I was supposed to be mentoring Lena, she was actually mentoring me. She taught me what it means to live a life like hers. Then I conducted my own research. To answer your question, Diane, I plan to broaden our hiring process to include more people with disabilities. I would also like to establish a mentorship program to address their needs. I want Wondervale to lead the way."

More tears stream down my cheeks. I'm overwhelmed as I stare at the photograph of my sister and her boyfriend. I never imagined my idea would lead to such an important change.

"I intend to implement these changes in three major phases, beginning with the new mentorship program. Once that is established, I'll move on to a creators' project that will emphasize Wondervale's promise of inclusivity. We'll expand our range of costumes and souvenirs to include wheelchairs, crutches, and prosthetic accessories to represent the children who are too often overlooked. In addition, we'll affirm our new promise to families by creating the first celebration for autistic children, who will finally have an opportunity to enjoy Wondervale."

I wipe my tear-covered face. I'm touched that Elliot included my final proposal in his presentation when so much is at stake for him. The fact that he's willing to risk his twenty-five billion dollars means so much to me. It's such a beautiful way of showing me that he genuinely cares about me.

"Any other questions?" Elliot asks, looking at me.

I shake my head, hoping my expression conveys how happy and proud I am of him.

"Thank you again for your time today."

He turns off the projector and leaves the room.

That's it? Elliot isn't staying for the deliberations?

Then a stranger enters carrying a briefcase. He gives each of us a sheet of paper bearing our name and a pen.

The document contains so much legal jargon that I have to read it twice before I'm sure I understand. Beneath it is a simple box to check if I approve the revisions for Wondervale.

No matter how deeply Elliot hurt me personally, I have no doubt that he is the right man for the director's role. Voting against his proposal would be foolish and petty of me.

Besides, you love him.

No. My feelings have nothing to do with this. He proved he deserves a chance to transform Wondervale, and I won't stand in his way.

---

I wait outside the conference room. Everyone trickles out except the person I've been waiting for for ten minutes.

What the hell is he doing?

Suddenly, the door opens and Malcolm Vale strides out as though he owns a personal runway at home on which to parade. For a second, I wonder whether carrying out my plan is really a good idea.

Of course it is.

"Mr. Vale?" I say, touching his shoulder.

"Yes?"

He turns toward me, one eyebrow raised suspiciously. Ugh. His eyes have a strange power that makes me feel tiny.

"I wanted to tell you that although you have a reputation as an excellent businessman, you're a terrible father. One day, you'll look back and regret the way you treated your children, and I hope it hurts you as much as you hurt them. Go fuck yourself."

As I turn on my heel, I catch Diane's eye. She gives me a thumbs-up and a broad smile. I blow her a kiss as I step through the doorway while giving Malcolm Vale the middle finger with my other hand.

I can't imagine a better way to end my final day working at Wondervale.