Chapter 18
Five years later, I stood in the gleaming corridors of Reed Aerospace Technologies, barely recognizing the woman I’d become.
The transition from MIT to Reed Industries had been swift and brutal. Within six months, we’d transformed a traditional aerospace manufacturer into a cutting–edge technology company, with Felix as CEO and me as his Executive Vice President of Research and Development. On paper, we were partners. In practice, I’d slowly watched myself become his very well–educated assistant.
“The Morrison Foundation contracts need your signature,” I said, entering Felix’s corner office with the quarterly reports in hand. The Boston skyline stretched out behind him, a testament to how far we’d climbed.
Felix looked up from his computer, and for a moment I caught a glimpse of the man I’d fallen in love with at MIT. Then the moment passed, and he was all business again.
“Just leave them on the desk. I’ll review them later.” His attention was already back on his screen, fingers flying across the keyboard. “Oh, and cancel my 3 PM. Something’s come up.”
“That’s the third meeting you’ve canceled this week,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. “The investors are starting to notice.”
“The investors can wait. This satellite contract is worth more than all their concerns combined.”
I set the papers down harder than necessary. “Felix, when was the last time we actually discussed research? Real research, not profit margins and market projections?”
He finally looked at me fully, and I saw irritation flicker across his features. “Drielle, we’ve been through this. Research doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We need revenue to fund innovation, and revenue requires commercial applications.”
“When did you start sounding like your father?”
The words slipped out before I could stop them. Felix’s expression hardened immediately.
“My father built this company into what it is today. Maybe it’s time I started listening to him.”
“And what about what we built? What about the Mars project, the deep space initiatives we planned?”
“Are all still in development, with better funding and resources than we ever had at MIT.” Felix stood up, his voice taking on the authoritative tone he used in board meetings. “Drielle, I appreciate your passion for pure research, but we have responsibilities now. Shareholders, employees, contracts worth billions.”
“Responsibilities,” I repeated hollowly. “Is that what I am now? Another responsibility?”
Bye Bye Lovesick Puppy: No Longer Chasing Your Glow, I Became My Own Sun
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