Chapter 6

I pulled my hair up in a final attempt to prepare myself. This was my last chance to convince my father to rescind his comments about my retirement. If he didn't I would have to tell the President and no doubt get sent off to be controlled by someone else. This hadn't been what I wanted. I had wanted my father's trust and to be able to race the way I knew best not the overly cautious way my father wanted. But I had made this bed and I would have to live with my consequences. Maria called when everything was ready. I crossed the back yard and entered through the back door. The house felt still and foreign now that I had moved out. I walked through the living room that was decorated in oil paintings and awards but otherwise devoid of personal mementos. I sighed. This was how my father lived without love.

Mom, what should I do? I thought, looking for her touch in this house.

As I stood there the front door opened and my father stepped in. For a moment we stood there staring at each other. The butler took his briefcase and jacket while neither of us said a word. I pressed my lips together as I tried to figure out what I was going to say. My father was a proud man, I knew that would make fulfilling my request difficult but that didn't deter me from trying. Finally, I set my jaw and stood as straight as I could. I had to face him without fear or I would lose.

"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?" My father asked coldly.

I tried to smile. "I thought we could talk. I asked Maria and the staff to help by making dinner for the two of us."

He grunted and turned to enter the dining room. Without a second thought, I followed him and allowed the butler to hold out my seat. Drinks were served and the salad course placed in front of each of us. The sound of forks on plates echoed throughout the room. I merely pushed the leaves of lettuce around the plate. Seeing my father's worried look I munched on a crouton. The worry on his face was a strange sight. He had not shown any such emotion in years. I tried not to dwell on the look. If I did I would lose my nerve to tell my dad off. I took a deep breath. I had to do this now or not or all.

"Dad," I started. "We need to talk about the race."

"I will not change my mind, Eva. You made your own choice," he replied coolly.

My heart sped up. "Please, you don't understand. I have to go through with this now and..."

"And what? What could possibly happen?"

Panic rushed through me as his voice rose but then it stopped. I felt cold. "I could be forced to leave Wei Industries and possibly forced into dangerous races that you would disapprove of and you would have no say. Your worst fear. My life will be out of your control. I may be emancipated and the President will back it. You could lose everything."

His face turned red with anger. "Get out. Get out of my home. Go to your backer and let him deal with you. I want you out of my house by the time I get home tomorrow."

I stood, appetite gone and nearly running over one of the staff. I rushed out of the house and to the pool house holding back tears. I should have known he wouldn't listen. At least I could tell the President I had tried. Once inside the pool house, I collapsed into sobs. I hadn't planned on getting myself kicked out. But of course, I hadn't planned on saying those things to him either. I did my best to calm myself down before I walked over to the phone and called the President's office. I wasn't even sure if he would be at his office still or if there would be anyone there but the least I could do was leave a message.

"Office of President McMullen, how may I help you?" his secretary asked.

"It's Eva Wei, I-"

"I'll pass you through to the President's personal line. One moment," she said.

Some music played as I waited for the President to pick up. It wasn't long. "Ms. Wei?"

"I'm still here, sir," I said quietly.

"I take it things did not go well with your father. How bad is the damage?"

"He kicked me out. I have until tomorrow night to have all of my stuff out of the house." I said feeling cold and calm at the same time. It was strange that talking on the phone with the man who was helping me ruin my life made me feel like that.

He hummed his understanding. "I had hoped for more time but don't worry about anything. Go to school like normal tomorrow and my people will handle everything. I'll contact a lawyer to get you out of your contract with your father. We'll also have to find a way to spin this in our favor with the media. Of course, my staff will handle all of this so you have nothing to worry about."

"Of course," I agreed numbly.

"Get some rest, Eva, we'll speak more tomorrow."

After he hung up I went to my room and showered before heading to bed. I wasn't sure how but I swiftly fell into a dreamless sleep. The next morning I woke up to a phone call from Chelsea checking in to see if I needed a ride. I told her to go ahead and pick me up with everyone else. I promised I would pay for coffee for the group to make up for running off the day before. By the tone of her voice when she agreed I could tell she knew something was wrong. I was thankful that she was letting it slide. Until I knew what was going on and what the next step was I didn't want to tell them. There was nothing they could do and their worry wouldn't help the situation any. With one last look at the pool house, I stepped out to stare up at my father's house.

I had never felt at home inside its walls and now, at the thought of leaving, I didn't really feel any remorse. The home I'd shared with both my parents, the simple house in the suburbs and my mother's smile was what came to mind when I thought of home, not the giant mansion my father had bought to escape my mother's memory. From outside I could see Maria doing dishes at the kitchen window. She met my eyes sadly. I knew I would miss her. Without me here she could find a place that she felt more comfortable working at least. It was the best consolation I could think up for myself. Someone would be happy in this messed up situation. I sighed and headed toward the drive to wait. As I did Chelsea pulled in and honked. Smile and act like everything is fine because everything is, right? I thought walking over.

"Hey, chica. What happened yesterday, you vanished?" Morgan asked.

"President pulled me out to meet the Nourasian delegation," I explained.

"You met the President of the Earth Coalition?" Jordan asked.

"He was there but we really didn't talk. It was just me and the Royals for the most part. He introduced us and then sat back to watch." I lied.

Jordan nodded and I slid into the car. The ride was a little tense but no one pushed the topic of my, quote, retirement. I was thankful that they were holding back because the drama that was coming was certainly more worthy of their questions than this small problem. We stopped for coffee at a small cafe about a block from the school. As promised I picked up the bill after ordering a large coffee for myself. It was the only real sign I gave them that I was stressed to any degree. I managed to keep the act up all day. When I was time to leave I half assumed that the President's staff would be waiting for me but there was no one.

"Hey, we should go to that cafe and study," I suggested, covering for my lack of housing.

"Why not?" Michael asked.

"Sure, let's go." Morgan agreed.

Jordan followed me all day without anything happening but I knew the peace wouldn't last. Especially not when the announcement came out. If it came out. Something told me that the President would keep me from retirement somehow. There was a lawyer involved I knew. Considering I'd never actually seen the contract I didn't know if there were any loopholes for them to exploit. Us, I'm with them now. Pushing through the day I made it to our café date dreading my future.

"Let's sit outside!" Morgan said once we had our food.

"So, Lit," I said. "What am I supposed to be doing with this?"

"You read the book, right?" Chelsea asked. "Good, now you analyze it using the prompt that Mrs. James gave you."

I groaned to their amusement. While they were laughing at my struggle my phone rang. Despite not knowing the number I stepped away from the group to take it. They quieted as I did.

"Are you watching?" The President asked.

I found the nearest screen. There, featured prominently, was my father's broadcast. "Yeah, I see it."

"Don't worry. Be expecting another call as soon as the press conference is over."

My heart thundered as I watched. This could be the end of everything I'd worked for and the President's words did nothing to quell my fears. My father did a small overview of the company's dealings, acquisitions, and projections for racers. It seemed to last an eternity. Somehow I found myself back at the table with the group also watching the screen. Finally, he paused and became serious. Here it was. No turning back now. He had to deal with the situation he'd created. If he truly wanted to, he could stop. He could….

"Eva Wei will be leaving Wei Industries and seeking new management effective immediately." My father said without a second thought.

The press room erupted as he stood to leave. All around me people were stopping to stare at me. I tightened my grip on my cell phone as I waited. Just when I was getting worried that the call was not coming a woman took control of the conference room. I had never seen her before. She quieted the group and took the microphone.

"I am Eva Wei's interim agent. For the time being, we are fielding offers from multiple agencies on the matter." She said. "Ms. Wei will be participating in an exhibition match against Prince Aikka of Nourasia. This was contracted between Ms. Wei and President McMullen and therefore will continue as scheduled. We will not be taking questions at that time." The woman stood and walked away.

"Eva, what the hell?" Chelsea asked.

"My father and I had a fight. He kicked me out and was going to announce my retirement but the President…well you saw."

"The President did that? Why?" Jordan asked.

Before I could answer him my phone rang again. "Hello?"

"You do have several offers. My representative has been sorting through them and she is figuring out what contract will serve both our interests. I believe you will be pleased with the arrangements we have worked out. For example, we've found a place to live. I've sent you the address, you should head over as soon as you're done with your friends."

"Of course," I said. I took a deep breath as I put the phone down. Around us, people were beginning to stare as they recognized me and some were actually pointing me out. It wouldn't be long before there was media all over this place. "So?"

"What. The. Hell." Morgan reiterated.

"Which part? The part where my life is going down in flames? Or the part where the President is attempting to build something out of it?" I asked. "Look, he's got something about wanting to use races as a diplomatic strategy. He wants my help. Yes, a sophomore and a barely professional racer's help. Don't ask why. I don't know."

"Are you ok?" Chelsea asked.

"Maybe," I said. "I need to go. He sent me an address and I want to get out before the media descends and rips me apart."

"Bye, good luck."

I packed my bag and grabbed my helmet. The address was downtown, some kind of hotel, and as I pulled up a valet came to take my bike. Taken off guard, I let him. The lobby was traditional, a style that had come back in recent years. There was a little desk near the staircase and as I approached a man stepped out to greet me. His face showed that he had an idea of what was going on but knew the weight of what he knew and had been told to keep it quiet. His eyes watched the entire room as he came closer.

"Ah, Ms. Wei," he said. "Your agent just arrived to inspect your room. I'll take you up there now." With one more glance outside he ushered me away from the wood staircase. "The Apartment has its own elevator that goes only from the first floor to the penthouse. It can only be accessed with your room key card. The staff that will be working in your room has been cleared by the President's liaison and will have no contact with you. The only two people with permanent access will be the butler and your agent. Anyone else will have to be cleared."

"Right."

The elevator stopped. "This is your card there is a reader to the left of the doors. Your agent is waiting for you."

I stepped out into the hallway. The two blue doors at the far end of the hallway stared back at me. Swallowing, I stepped forward and opened them. This was the start of a new life.