24.
Justin
These days, Crystal and I are pinching ourselves with disbelief. Just a year ago, we were struggling to make ends meet and living with three other roommates. We worked unending hours to make an electric vehicle battery that is more environmentally friendly. But then we did, and the automotive industry took notice in a big way. Since then, we’ve become billionaires practically overnight. And SHN has helped us find a home for our battery technology in several additional industries, beyond just electric vehicles. I know for certain now that EnergiFusion is going to have an impact on the world and revolutionize the battery industry.
Thankfully, despite all we still have to do as we move toward production, we’re able to afford a day off here and there and a real weekend most of the time. So, after a Saturday spent wrapped in the luxury of the fancy shops we wandered when we first arrived in San Francisco—this time buying Crystal a new wardrobe and a few baubles—Seven Hills restaurant looms before us, promising still more elegance. We’re greeted with warm smiles and led to a cozy table by the window, where the last traces of dusk paint the sky in hues of purple and orange.
Once we’re seated, Crystal studies the menu, her eyes sparkling in the soft candlelight. She decides on the tagliolini, the word rolling off her tongue as if she’s been ordering dishes like this all her life. The server nods approvingly and turns to me.
“I’ll have the market fish,” I say, trying not to sound too eager. I’m mostly in it for the risotto and artichokes that accompany it.
“An excellent choice, sir,” the server responds.
Once he departs, we toast with glasses of Chianti. I watch Crystal as she savors each sip, her eyes closed. It’s still strange, this ability to simply enjoy life and make choices without the shadow of financial constraint looming over us. I look forward to enjoying it for the rest of my days.
“Here’s to new experiences,” I say, lifting my glass.
“And not forgetting the old ones,” Crystal adds with a wink.
“Never,” I agree, and our glasses chime together, the sound as clear and promising as our future.
As the first course arrives, I lean back into the plush embrace of my chair. I’m struck by how far we’ve come, how different this is from our usual haunts.
“You know,” I begin, twirling my fork in the air, “we don’t have to slum it at the House of Ramen anymore.” Even as I speak, though, I feel a small pang at the thought of leaving behind a piece of our past.
Crystal looks up from her plate, a gentle frown knitting her brows. “I hope we don’t change too much, though. I still want takeout from there. Their ramen has seen us through some tough times.”
I nod, understanding the sentiment and not surprised that we feel the same way about this rapid change in circumstances. “Of course. We keep what matters, always.”
After a few minutes, the server sets down our entrees with a flourish, and the aroma is intoxicating. But food suddenly seems less important as I notice the hesitancy in Crystal’s eyes, a seriousness that wasn’t there before.
“Justin,” she begins, pausing as if searching for the right words. “There’s something I need to tell you.” Her hand trembles slightly as she sets down her fork.
“Hey, whatever it is, we can handle it,” I assure her. “You can tell me anything, remember?” I reach across the table, offering my hand for support, even as I wonder what this could possibly be about.
She takes a deep breath, steadying herself. “I have bipolar disorder,” she confesses, her voice barely above a whisper. “I didn’t tell you sooner because… Well, there never seemed to be a good time. And I understand if you want someone without complications like mine.”
I sit there for a moment, taking in her words, watching as the weight of her secret lifts and uncertainty takes its place. It’s clear how hard this confession has been for her. It must have been equally difficult to carry this knowledge alone for so long.
“Crystal,” I say, squeezing her hand, “we do whatever we want, remember? And that includes facing challenges, together. Your disorder doesn’t change how I feel about you. Nothing could.”
She blinks, eyes glistening, and I hope my words are enough to reassure her. Because in this new world of ours, where dreams are now within our grasp, it’s not just the success of EnergiFusion that matters. It’s the journey we share and the promise to weather any storm, side by side.
I move my chair closer and slide my arm around her. The warmth of her body seeps into mine as I kiss her softly, a gentle brush of lips. For a moment, we are cocooned in a bubble of intimacy, the murmur of the restaurant fading into insignificance around us.
“Crystal,” I whisper against her cheek, “I’ve known for a while.” Her body stiffens in my embrace, so I hold her tighter. “Back when we were driving out from Georgia Tech, I saw the pills in your makeup bag.”
The confession hangs between us—my acknowledgment of her fight, the secret she’s guarded so closely. The tension remains coiled within her, waiting for rejection or shock, but there’s none to give.
“I understand why you didn’t tell me sooner,” I continue. “But it doesn’t change anything. I love you, and I’m here for you. Always.”
Her eyes widen, surprise on her features as if she’s seeing me for the first time. She lets out a breathy laugh, laced with disbelief and relief. “You were rummaging through my makeup bag?” she teases, a playful accusation that dances in her still-watery eyes.
“Nope,” I reply, shaking my head. “I did no such thing. You left it open one morning. I zipped it up and packed it.” It’s good to see the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The lightness returning to her gaze tells me she believes me—believes in us.
As Crystal’s laughter fades, it’s as if the world has slowed down, allowing me to take it all in—the success of EnergiFusion, the pride that swells in my chest, and more than anything, my gratitude for the woman sitting with me, her eyes sparkling like stars in an evening sky.
It’s strange how life can pivot on a dime. One day you’re scrambling for funds, and the next, you’re part owner of a game-changing company. I turn my wine glass slowly between my fingers, watching the deep red liquid swirl, thinking about the four of us—me, Austin, Rhys, Theo—owning eighty-five percent of what we’ve built. The rest is in SHN’s hands now, a necessary partnership that comes with its own set of golden handcuffs.
I have my own secret I’ve been keeping from Crystal. She doesn’t actually have a stake in the company. The guys wouldn’t budge, so I drew up paperwork to give her a portion of my shares. I couldn’t let her dedication, her sacrifices, go unrecognized. Not by me. But since then, I’ve learned that no matter what the paperwork says, I can’t change the ownership of the company without everyone agreeing. So, I’m back to square one. I can’t bring myself to go through it all again with the guys, and I don’t have any idea how to explain what happened to Crystal, so I’m stuck. Paralyzed, actually. Part of me hopes I can just ride this out and marry Crystal eventually. Then she’ll own half of what I own anyway, and it won’t matter what the guys think…
“Justin?” Crystal reaches across the table, searching for my hand.
“Sorry,” I tell her. “Just got lost in my thoughts for a second there.”
“Good thoughts, I hope?” There’s a hint of concern in her question.
“Great thoughts,” I assure her, and it’s the truth. Because no matter the success, the money, or the share of the company, it’s her presence in my life that pays the highest dividend.