Chapter 4

Mariah

I’m still seething by the time I get home. My plan’s only half-formed, but I know the first step. So, I head to my room and pull out the massive suitcase I haven’t used since that school trip to Germany in college. Why do so many schools send students to Germany? I never really got that.

I’m throwing clothes into the suitcase when I hear the front door bang open and footsteps coming up the stairs. “Mariah! Mariah, where are you?!” I don’t answer my Dad’s shouts.

He rounds the door and sees me packing. “What the hell are you doing?!”

“Exactly what it looks like!” I snap at him. “I spent years following you around like an obedient puppy, watching you, learning everything you would teach me - and now you want to  marry me off so you can give our business to some guy you just met? I’m out.”

“You’re out?” For the first time, my dad looks incredulous…and confused.

“Yup! If you won’t take me seriously, I’ll find someone who will! I’m not just your little girl anymore. I have a business degree, and I’m good at what I do!”

Incredibly, Dad laughs. With real mirth this time. “Oh, Mariah, I know that. But look at you! You’re so impetuous and immature, is it any wonder I can’t give the business to you?”

“Immature and impetuous?” I stare at him, fury rising again, along with tears. I hate that. I hate that he’s the only person I’ve ever met who can make me feel so small and so childish.

“Exactly.” He places his hands on my shoulders and sighs. “I mean, look at you. I offer you a future on a golden plate, and you turn it down and start packing a bag? Come on now.”

“If I was a man, you’d call this daring.” I stare back at him. “I thought you of all people would take me seriously, Dad. Did you think I was just shadowing you at work, going to the same college, learning the same things, for fun? I did it so that I could be like you. I thought you knew that. I thought you believed in me! I guess I was wrong. What do I have to do to make you believe that I deserve this?!”

Dad steps back. Adopts his ‘thinker’ pose - hands clasped behind his back, head tilted up. Then meets my eyes, crosses his arms. “Fine.”

“What?”

“Fine. If you want to prove that you can handle this, that you deserve this business… you only have to do one thing.”

He’s got my attention. I stop throwing clothes in my suitcase long enough to ask, “What?”

“Simple. Sell a million-dollar house. And do it without my help.”

“And if I do that, you’ll leave the business to me?”

He nods. “Yes.”

I smile so wide that it almost hurts. “Deal?” he asks.

“Deal.” I stick my hand out, and after a slightly surprised pause, he shakes it.

“There. It’s official. No take-backs, and definitely no marriage proposals. Charlie can find his housewife somewhere else!”

I think for a second, and then keep tossing clothes into my suitcase.

“What’re you doing?” Dad raises an eyebrow.

“If I’m going to sell a house without your help, I can’t be staying in the same room I’ve had since I was a little kid. If I’m doing this, I’m doing it for real.”

“You’re leaving.”

“Just the house, Dad. I was on my own for four years in college, I can handle this.”

He almost looks… impressed. But just for a split second. Then it’s gone, replaced with his usual stoic businessman face. I’ve seen it a thousand times at the office, in meetings. But never directed at me. Until now.

“I think that’s a mistake, Mariah. You’ll never make it in this city by yourself.”

Those words sting. Pride is replaced with anger in my head. “God, Dad! You really don’t think I can do anything, do you? I’m just your stupid little girl who can’t tie her own shoelaces.”

He doesn’t disagree with me. The silence is somehow worse than if he’d just said yes, or even pretended to deny it.

“You know what, Dad? I’m going to do it. I’m going to live on my own, and I’m going to sell a million-dollar house, and I’m going to do it without you.”

I zip my suitcase up, haul it off the bed, and glare at him. “Starting now. Goodbye.”

With that, I walk past him and out the door.

Once it closes behind me, I sag against the wall, drained. I have no fucking idea how I’m going to pull this off… but I will. I have to.