Chapter 6
The following day, Mila stepped into her father’s office, wondering if he was going to mess up everything she’d been working on several months ago. She’d received word on the flight home this evening that the Altair government had signed the documents agreeing on the countries’ two major universities exchanging ideas as a first step in gaining each others’ trust. She’d been negotiating with them on trade agreements for over a year, talking with the Altair Trade Minister. But they’d refused to sign, hemming and hawing about various issues that didn’t seem particularly relevant. She’d worked through every issue, coming up with an agreement that seemed fair to both sides. But how had all of this come about? The last word she’d gotten from her counterpart had been that the Altair government was still reviewing all of the terms.
As soon as she stepped through the doors of her father’s office, she felt as if something was off. She couldn’t put her finger on the issue, but there was a strange vibe to the palace at the moment.
“Mila!” her father exclaimed as soon as she greeted him, bringing her in for a gentle hug. “You look radiant!”
“Thank you, father. What was the urgent call about?” she asked, accepting the glass of champagne a servant offered her.
“You’re not going to believe this,” he gushed, and nodded when someone stepped into his office. Mila turned and smiled a greeting at her father’s economic advisor.
“What’s the news?” she asked, eager to hear anything that had put her father in this good of a mood. Usually when she came home from an extended trip outside the country, he grumbled about her single status and how she should be married, how she would be happier if she had several children already. How her mother had given birth to five children by the time she was Mila’s age. Blah blah blah!
“We have a trade agreement with the Altair government!” he announced, turning to clink glasses with his Economic advisor.
Mila stared at her father, stunned by the news. A full trade agreement? That’s what she’d proposed initially, but…!
Then, her distrust of her father and his advisors kicked into high gear. She might love her father, but she didn’t trust him. He was wily and tenacious when he wanted something. Besides, he had that gleam in his eyes that told her that he was up to something.
“A trade agreement? That’s amazing! What are the terms?” she asked, not having heard any of this since her last conversation with the Minister of Trade in Altair about two months ago. She’d worked hard for this agreement, refusing to budge on several issues, but conceding on other terms that would benefit both countries.
The advisor outlined several items in the trade agreement, all of which Mila had negotiated with Altair. But the man was taking the credit for her work! How dare he?!
Furious, she tamped down on her anger. But nor was she going to allow them to claim credit. She used to give in to these silly games they preferred to play, thinking that at least they were agreeing to something productive. But not any longer. She wasn’t going to be a doormat to their ambitions any longer.
“That’s great,” she said when her father finished up the recitation of the terms – everything she already knew, since she’d negotiated every clause. “And how did all of this come about?” she asked, wondering if her father’s advisor would ‘fess up.
Her father chuckled. “They came to us with a practically finished contract! Can you believe it?” he laughed, and then he downed the rest of his champagne, waving to the servant to pour another glass.
“That’s wonderful news, Father,” she agreed softly, putting her still-full glass down on the table. “I’ve been working with the Altair government for several months, trying to get this agreement in place,” she announced, turning to look at the other man, daring him to claim credit. “I’m relieved that it has finally come to fruition,” she continued, then she turned and left of her father’s office. But she paused at the door and turned back. “It’s one thing when you refuse to give me credit for anything that I’ve done, Father.” She looked up at the advisor, who looked worried now. “But it’s something completely different when you allow someone else to take the credit for my hard work.” With that, she turned on her heel and stalked out of the office.
An hour later, her father knocked on her door. She didn’t call out to him, but he entered anyway. She’d been trying to text Tavon, but he wasn’t responding. So Mila was extra sensitive at the moment. Her father’s strange expression didn’t bode well that this conversation was going to ease her frustration. Mila suspected just the opposite. Her father looked like he was up to something she wouldn’t like.
“What can I do for you, Father?” she asked, turning to focus on her computer. She’d never find out what he was doing behind her back until he revealed himself. He was a wily, old fox, she knew from experience. He had his good points too. She knew that he loved her. She knew that he only did what he thought was best for Sidoon and for her and for everyone he came into contact with.
The problem was that she didn’t agree with him on what was best for her. Nor did they agree on what would be a good future for the country. She wanted more modern ways and he wanted to maintain the status quo. Hence, the perpetual clash of ideology.
Her father sat down on the other side of her desk. “I didn’t know that you’d been working on this deal, Mila. I didn’t realize that this was your baby.”
She shrugged, feeling slightly mollified, but still wary. He’d never acknowledged any of her work, but today, she was just…anxious. Why wasn’t Tavon responding?
“Tomorrow, I’m flying to Altair to sign the agreements. There’s to be a press conference where the agreement is announced and explained. Will you come with me?”
Her temper eased even more. “Thanks, Father, but you know I don’t attend press conferences.”
He nodded. “Yes, I know that you prefer to stay behind the scenes, but this is important. You’re always telling me how women need to be acknowledged for their hard work. This is my way of acknowledging your value in my government. You made this happen, honey. You should get credit. You should be on that stage with me.”
Mila didn’t know what her father was doing. He never listened to her when she tried to explain that women needed more credit for how they contribute to the world. So what was he up to now?
No way to find out other than to be there. Besides, he had a point. She often told him that women needed to be respected. Being in front of reporters as a trade deal was announced would be an excellent time to be seen. “Fine. I’ll stand beside you when you sign the agreements.”
“Excellent,” he replied, clapping his hands together. “This is going to be perfect,” he announced. A moment later, he was gone. Mila had no idea what was going on, but she was cautious and wary. No doubt about it, her father was up to shenanigans.