Chapter 16
“Derek, can you stay for a minute?” Greg asked after Zoe excused herself for her meeting with the costume shop manager.
“Sure, what’s up?” Derek stopped in the doorway, but Greg pointed at the chair Derek had vacated a minute before.
“I don’t know how to say this, but—” Greg stopped and sat on the edge of his desk. He sighed heavily.
“Just say it.” Derek braced himself.
“I’m concerned about Zoe,” Greg finally said. His forehead furrowed as he pursed his lips.
“I’m not,” Derek replied without missing a beat. He sat up straighter. “Her designs are great and you know it.”
“Her designs are fine. Nothing to write home about.” Greg shrugged. “I’m worried she won’t be a team player.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s obvious that she has a hard time taking constructive feedback. On a production like this, you want everyone to be on
the same wavelength.”
“We are. This is the first time I’ve worked with an all-Asian design team and the experience has been affirming.”
“I get it. Asian pride and all that. But I’m talking about us”—Greg gestured as if to encapsulate the entire building—“and
the board. They’re going to have a lot of opinions after the meet and greet. And if she fights back at every suggestion—”
Greg stopped.
“What? Then what?”
“It’s not a good look for us. For Prestige.”
“I see.” Derek didn’t. He tamped down the anger bubbling up inside him.
“We gotta think about the big picture. They help fund the entire season, not just T ? m Cam .”
“It’s pronounced thum kham .” Derek corrected him through gritted teeth.
“Can you help her understand how all this works? The unwritten rules.” Greg ignored Derek’s correction as he walked around
behind his desk. He sat down and put his feet up on his desk.
“I have complete faith in Zoe and how she’ll handle herself. But if it makes you feel better, I’ll work closely with her to
make sure she’s prepared for the meet and greet next week.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page.” Greg smiled warmly at what he assumed was Derek’s agreement.
“You know what? We should hire an assistant for her,” Derek announced.
Why hadn’t he thought of this sooner? He and Th ? o still had scenes to polish, so he couldn’t be with Zoe every day. An assistant would be the next best thing.
“That’s a good idea.” Greg sat back up. His entire tone had changed from solemn to excited. “We should hire someone who has
more costuming experience to work with Zoe. Someone who can keep an eye on her for us.”
“Greg, you misunderstood.”
“I think I know just the right person for the job,” his mentor continued as he riffled through his desk.
“Greg.” Derek stared down the man until he stopped.
“Yes?” For once Greg waited for Derek to speak instead of talking over him.
“We’ll provide the budget, because it’s a costume-heavy show, and she’ll need more support. Zoe will choose her own assistant,” Derek said in a way that left no room for discussion.
“I see.” Greg set down the notebook he’d pulled out of his desk drawer. He pressed his lips together and looked Derek up and
down before nodding approvingly. “Someone’s learning how to lead properly. Good for you.”
Derek said nothing. Greg had to work things out on his own, but both of them knew he’d agree to hire someone for Zoe.
“All right then. If this show fails, you’ll have a tough time landing prominent gigs.”
“You don’t have to keep reminding me.” As if the pressure didn’t keep him up at night. “That’s why I’m doing everything in
my power to make sure T ? m Cám succeeds.”
Greg nodded and waved him away. The meeting was over. Derek’s shoulders slumped in relief once he shut the door to Greg’s
office. He was exhausted and the morning was barely half over.
Derek had to keep pushing to stay true to their vision, but it felt like an uphill battle. If Greg challenged him on every
decision, what would it be like when the producers and Prestige’s board members came to their first rehearsal next week?
He tried to push his insecurities aside as he walked down the hallway. Th ? o was expecting him after lunch. She had a different take on the opening number that she wanted to show him. Maybe it was
the breakthrough they needed.
“Hey, is everything okay?” Zoe stood up as he rounded the corner.
She’d waited for him. He closed the distance between them with a bounce in his step.
“Of course.” He smiled reassuringly, even though his talk with Greg had left him frazzled. “Why would you think otherwise?”
“You had a worried look on your face.”
“Oh, I was thinking about the opening number.”
It technically wasn’t a lie, but Zoe didn’t need to know what Greg had said about her. She was already nervous about her work.
He didn’t need to mention Greg’s so-called issues with her. Derek would do whatever it took to protect Zoe from Greg.
“Still having problems with it? You and Th ? o will figure it out,” she said confidently as she wrapped her arm around his shoulders.
“Thanks.” He leaned into her as her hand slid down and rubbed soothing circles on his back. Derek was surprised by how affectionate
Zoe had become, but he didn’t mind at all.
His earlier anxiety began to fade. Zoe always had high standards and wasn’t one to falsely cheer someone on. When she said
things like that, she truly believed in his ability.
“Thanks for sticking up for me in there,” Zoe added quietly. “Greg is—”
She stopped herself as if worried she’d offend him. She also stopped mid-circle on his back. Derek’s anxiety tiptoed back
in at the mention of his mentor.
He looked down the hallway in both directions to ensure they were alone before pulling her closer.
“Greg is a lot,” he whispered. “But he’s our best bet at getting T ? m Cám out into the world.”
“I know,” she whispered back, her breath warm against his neck.
“Remember, I’ve always got your back, no matter what.”
Derek pulled her tighter into a side hug, but she turned around and used both arms to make it a full one. He closed his eyes
and inhaled deeply as he etched this moment into his brain forever. With Zoe by his side, he felt like he could conquer the
world.