Twenty-Six #2
that what matters is finding a good partner, a man who will be a good husband and father, and there’s no doubt Arjun is all
of those things. I don’t even know that it’s about love. I’m honestly not sure I even want to get married. We’re reaching
a point where that’s all our families are talking about, and I guess we’re going to have to either get married or move on.”
I think back to my joke about Jerome proposing, how awkward it was for both of us, how it doesn’t even have that much to do
with Jerome, but that I have never seriously considered spending the rest of my life with anyone.
“What about you?” Preeti asks. “Are you and Jerome talking about weddings?”
“God, no!” My voice is more vehement than I intended. “I think I probably feel much the same as you do. I’m not sure I’m ready
for that kind of commitment. I don’t have the family pressure, though. My parents love Jerome, but they separated when I was
a baby, so I’m pretty sure they’re aware they’re no example.”
“That is so much easier. I wish my parents would stay out of it.”
“So, which is it?” I ask.
She frowns. “What?”
“Are you going to get married, or move on? Or, as we say in the West, are you going to shit or get off the pot?”
We both turn at the same time to see the movie star heading toward us with a martini in each hand. He smiles at Preeti and
she turns to me, leaning her head toward me and lowering her voice.
“Uh-oh. I think it might be time for me to get off the pot.”
I lose Preeti to flirting with the movie star, and take myself off to explore the boat, squeezing through gridlocks of people
standing around, chatting. I plant a smile on my face, because I am so awkward not knowing anyone there, and it feels like
everyone is staring at me. You don’t know me, I want to say; I am no one, but within ten minutes three separate people approach
me to tell me how much they love ipryy, how it has changed their lives, or saved their lives, and it is clear that they do
know me.
They say there is no such thing as bad publicity.
The Journal article may not have been flattering, and it was easy to think it would blow over from the safety of Cupertino, but here I am, in Cannes, with the rich, famous, and beautiful, with everyone seemingly recognizing me.
For the first time in my life, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
For the first time in my life I am not standing in the shadow of my father.
For the first time in my life I am standing on my own two feet, beginning to realize what it is to be powerful.
I continue walking around the boat, helping myself to mineral water, relieved that I am growing more comfortable, that I do
not need alcohol to take the edge off things, when I come to the swimming pool on the top deck. It a bright turquoise circle,
surrounded by a plush white leather bench. A bunch of gorgeous men and women with tanned, perfect bodies and skimpy swimwear
are floating on promotional inflatable rings or standing in the shallow end with drinks. I kick off my sandals and sit on
the edge. Preeti appears and joins me.
“Are you having fun?”
“Yes. I’m feeling insanely powerful. Is that weird?”
“No! That’s exactly how you should feel. You are insanely powerful. You’re the CEO of ipryy for heaven’s sake! It’s not something to be ashamed of.”
“What happened with sexy movie star? I thought you might be leaving with him.”
“I was tempted, but first of all, I don’t want to make things messy with Arjun. He doesn’t deserve that. If I’m going to play
around, even with my hall pass, I think I should end it first. Also, the movie star just wanted to talk about himself and
how fantastic he is. I definitely didn’t feel quite the same attraction after a few minutes of conversation.” She makes a
face. “I wish I hadn’t met him now. I was happier thinking he was as wonderful as the roles he plays.”
“I like that you’re not leaving with him. Not that I would be judgmental with you, but it shows you have integrity. It’s the
right thing to do.”
“Who’s your hall pass?” She tips her head to the side.
“I don’t know that I have one.” For just a second, an image of Noah flashes in my head, and I find myself smiling.
“What? Who did you just think of?”
“No one,” I lie. “I don’t have a hall pass.”
“Yes, you do, but it’s okay if you don’t tell me. I just met a guy from Mackenzie Bezos’s foundation. He’s here for the tech
conference, but knows a bunch of people at the film studio. It got me thinking . . .” She pauses, puts her drink down and
turns to me. “I know you are doing great things philanthropically at ipryy, and we’re going to do things together, but what
if we made it official? What if we started a foundation together? Something that’s linked to our companies, but operates semi-independently,
fully focused on women and children in the developing world, on educating them with skills specific to their region . . .”
she trails off, her face falling. “Are you not interested?”
I have been staring at her, unable to speak, and I open and close my mouth, aware that I look like a fish, but I can’t find
the words.
“Preeti!” I gasp. “Are you kidding?” I realize as I hug her that I’m crying and now she is too.
“This is what I’ve dreamed of my whole life,” I say, and it’s only as I say those words that I realize how much truth is in
them.
“Let’s go and celebrate.” She pulls me to my feet. “A crowd of people are moving on to Gotha.”
“Gotha?”
“A club in Cannes. Let’s go!” She raises her hands and does a little dance, and as much as I want to continue this night,
it’s late, and Jerome will be wondering where I am.
I check my phone, horrified that it is almost 1:00 a.m., and that I have a ton of missed calls from him. “I can’t. I have
to get back to Jerome.” A quick scroll through my texts tells me he is back at the hotel, and not happy that I am staying
out so late without staying in touch.
“Let’s get you into a car then,” says Preeti, and we link arms and make our way off the boat, where she organizes the movie director’s car and driver to take me back to the Carlton.
“You’re drunk,” says Jerome reprovingly as I let myself in. I had presumed he would be in bed, but he is on the sofa, in boxer
shorts and a T-shirt, his computer open on his lap, his jaw set with unhappiness. I never had a father who waited up for me
and gave me a hard time when I came back late from parties, but I imagine this is exactly what it would have felt like.
“I’m not drunk.” I kick off my shoes and pad on the thick carpet toward him. “I’m just happy.”