Chapter 6
PHOEBE
Ishould be overwhelmed by what happened the other night with Dominic, August, and Theo, but I’m not. I’m excited. I’m curious. And I want more. They keep a certain pace to our dynamic. A flow that is both delightful and irritating.
Today, for instance, we’re off on a hiking trip through the Pu’u Maka’ala Natural Reserve on the eastern slopes of Mauna Loa, a gorgeous rain forest that sprawls over thousands of acres of lush greenery.
It looks as if we’re trekking through the very heart of nature while talking, walking, and connecting on a deeper level with one another.
“I’ve seen my share of tropical rain forests,” Theo says as he leads the way up a winding path. “But this right here, this is special.”
“What makes it special?” I ask.
“Its history, first and foremost,” Theo says.
Dominic chuckles as he walks beside me. “Theo is quite the history buff. He makes it a habit to brush up on the background of every place we visit. Our own walking, talking, breathing brochure of interesting facts, right there.” He points at Theo.
“Pardon me for taking an interest,” Theo mumbles.
“We always appreciate it,” August says. “It’s just a little funny. Out of the three of us, nobody expected you to turn out like this.”
“Like what?”
“All our money was on you staying the beach bum version of yourself,” Dominic teases. “I mean, you got the hair down to a T.”
“Hey, don’t pick on his hair,” I reply with a giggle. “I know women who would kill to have hair like his.”
He gives me a playful wink. “Thank you, Phoebe.”
“Do you use a 3-in-1 shampoo to keep that gorgeous mane?” I ask.
“Oh, no. Separate shampoo and conditioner, the occasional Moroccan oil, hair mask…”
“Wow,” I gasp. “Then all those internet memes about guys with long hair are lies.”
Theo brings an index finger up to his lips. “Just don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my macho beach bum reputation. Between this and my knowledge of history and geography, they’ll crucify me in public.”
We all laugh out loud, almost doubling over as we continue on our journey.
It’s always like this with the four of us, and I’m thrilled to be able to fit in with such ease and joy.
I’m comfortable with them and feel as if I can finally be myself.
I only wish we’d done this sooner. Maybe I would’ve gained enough clarity to see what Matthew was doing, how bad he actually was for me.
“So, what’s this part of the reserve called again?” I ask Theo.
He checks his phone, where he keeps copious notes. It only makes me like him more—he’s like me because I have a similar habit—and it has kept me ahead in almost everything I do.
“I am absolutely terrible at pronouncing this, but I’m going to try,” he says, then reads the name out loud. “The Ohi’a/Hapu’u Montane Wet Forest.”
“And it’s the prettiest, by far,” I whisper, looking around.
Trees as tall as giants rise around us, their branches stretching out while their emerald-green crowns filter the sunlight.
I see patches of blue sky here and there, reveling in the cool shade as we move up the narrow stone path.
Moss covers pretty much everything on the ground around us while a variety of ferns spread out, their quivering tips appearing to reach for us.
I catch glimpses of exotic birds with yellow plumage and long, curved beaks. They scuttle across the ground before chirping and taking flight to hide high up in the trees. Here and there, a Hawaiian goose rears its head up from the bushes, only to quickly disappear upon seeing us.
“Look up,” Theo whispers as he stops and points to an ancient acacia Koa tree. “See it?”
Resting on one of the branches is a big, black bird, nestled between clusters of spherical pale-yellow flowers. I hold my breath and watch the creature for a while, mesmerized by a single beam of sunlight poking through and adds a hint of blue to its feathers.
“It’s beautiful,” I say.
“It’s the black-crowned Night Heron, native to the island,” Theo replies. “There are a lot of rare and endangered species here. The heron is one of the more popular birds.”
“See? What did I tell you. Walking brochure,” Dominic says, but I can tell he’s proud of Theo, that he and August respect him for his passion and his dedication.
“Where are we headed, exactly?” I ask.
“There’s a tributary not far from here,” Theo answers, checking the offline map on his phone again. “It’s got a gorgeous view. It’s cool and secluded, and according to one of the island guides I spoke to at the sporting goods store, one of the best spots in Hawaii.”
August smiles. “Leave it to Theo to find the hidden gems.”
“Funny, that’s what Manny called it too. The hidden gem of Hawaii.”
“Manny?” August asks.
“The sporting goods guy.”
“The sporting goods guy,” August laughs, making me giggle as well.
Theo takes it all in stride as he continues to guide us through marvelous trails. We’re surrounded by songbirds and rustling leaves, whispers of Mother Nature herself as we observe and admire her beauty, ceremoniously and respectfully passing through under her watchful eye.
“You know, I’ve traveled to a few places over the years but nothing quite like this,” I say. “Hawaii is something else. It’s got a whole vibe of its own.”
“You’re right, and the people are so kind and welcoming,” Dominic points out. “The weather is almost always perfect. This would be nirvana were it not for the volcanoes and hurricanes.”
“The people of this island are also remarkably resilient,” I say, remembering the tragedies that have marred Hawaii over the past few decades.
“Being able to literally rise up from the ashes and rebuild the way they always do takes a certain kind of collective, community strength you don’t often see. ”
“You’re just as resilient, Phoebe,” August says. “You just don’t know it yet.”
“Losing my father and being dumped on my wedding day hardly compares.”
He shakes his head and takes my hand in his. The touch alone is enough to start fires burning beneath my skin, making my heart skip a beat and my stomach tighten. At the same time, it fills me with a sense of peace, comfort, and safety. Something I’ve never felt before.
“Don’t trivialize your losses,” he says. “Just because your house didn’t get gobbled up by hot lava doesn’t mean your pain and your suffering aren’t valid. On the contrary. You’re as much of a fighter as anybody else.”
Dominic gives me a curious look. “Have you ever considered working for another company, Phoebe?”
The question surprises me. It sounds unrelated, but I know it’s connected to this conversation somehow. They know enough about me to consider better options for my future. Hell, I’ve considered them myself. I’ve just never found the courage to pursue any of them.
“Baldwin Enterprises is all I’ve ever known,” I reply with a shrug.
“I remember staring at the company logo on my dad’s papers when I’d sneak into his office.
He’d always tell me that I would take over for him someday.
My mother argued that statement, saying that Crystal would be the one to take over because she’s the eldest daughter. ”
“The high seat should go to the most capable, not the eldest,” Dominic says.
“I suppose so. I’ve questioned their decisions since Dad died, but I never really had a say in any of them.
When I turned sixteen, I started a part-time internship there in the financial department,” I tell them, remembering my early days in the company.
“It helped with my admission file for Columbia. But once I graduated, Mom and Crystal refused to let me back into the financial department. They said the only job opening they had was in marketing.”
The guys exchange curious glances, and August mutters, “That was a bald-faced lie.”
I shrug, still feeling the need to defend them. “They did the best they could with what was given to them.”
Dominic exhales sharply. “They were given a powerful company. Under Helen’s direct command, Baldwin Enterprises has been steadily losing stock value over the past six years. They got a charging ship and they turned it into a sinking ship.”
“I wouldn’t know. I don’t have access to any of the financial records, remember?”
“And that should make you angry,” Theo says. “Doesn’t it?”
“Of course it does.”
“Well, are you going to do something about it?” he asks.
The answer is right there, shining in the back of my head.
We reach the stream and walk along the crystalline water as I declare my intentions, emboldened by the anger of Matthew’s betrayal and by my mother and sister’s lack of support.
“Yes. On my twenty-fifth birthday, I will be doing something about it. Once I come into my trust fund and my twenty-five percent share of the company, I’ll be making some changes across the board.”
“Who’s voting on your behalf on the executive board?” August asks me.
“A fiduciary. I don’t know the guy personally. My mother assured me that he operates solely in my best interest.”
Dominic grunts, his brow furrowed with concern. “No offense, but I highly doubt that. He’s most likely paid to vote however your mother tells him to.”
“My birthday is only a few months away. He won’t be voting for me too much longer.”
“If Phoebe starts voicing her concerns now, Helen might try to knock her off the board altogether,” Theo warns the twins. “It’s better if she keeps her head down, at least for the time being.”
I’ve been keeping my head down for far too long and frankly, I’ve grown tired of being the good, obedient girl.
Where has that gotten me? Mending a broken heart and a tarnished reputation.
I’m constantly being labeled as “the lesser Baldwin” at every public event.
I hear the whispers, see the looks they give me.
But as much as I hate to admit it, Theo makes a valid point. I need to continue to keep quiet until I have actual voting power.