Page 19 of Love is So Mean
“Oh, Enrique didn’t say anything outside of him going to a work function.”
Because my facial’s started, I can’t look at them as we all are looking up.
“Yeah, there’s a no girlfriend/boyfriend policy with these events.” Bailey answers her.
“What do you mean?”
“You have to be engaged or married to your significant other for you to come. Matthew says it’s the policy.”
“What kind of policy is that?” Emily asks.
“The kind that keeps the company running and less scandals.” I answer her.
“Oh.” There’s a tone to her voice but I’m not sure what it means.
If I was looking at her, maybe I could gauge her tone but it doesn’t matter either way. The policy has helped my company.
THE SILENCE followed us to the manis and pedis.
“What color are you getting?” I hear Bailey ask Emily.
“Don’t know, maybe fire-engine red. Is it in season?”
“Not too sure, what about you, Yasmeena?”
“I don’t get color. Just a white tip. Color is unbecoming of me.”
Emily isn’t as well versed in facial expression hiding as her fiancée so she rolls her eyes. It doesn’t matter why she’s done it but I shrug giving the nail tech my attention.
“So,” Bailey speaks up again. “Did you end up closing that big deal you talked up from last year, Yasmeena?”
“I did, you’re attending it.”
Bailey whistles. “Oh wow. I’m even more excited for the gala tonight then.”
“Yeah, our event planners have put on quite a great relaunching event. Glad no one has to get fired.”
“I have a question for you, Yasmeena and I’m not trying to be rude or anything but I was thinking about your policy again,” Emily says.
“Yeah, what about it?”
“If everyone has to be engaged or married to bring someone to a company event, where’s your fiancé or husband?”
“Emily…” Bailey whispers but I still hear her.
“It’s a good question. I started the company because my father didn’t want me to take over my family business. He chose my brother so I did something for myself with what I enjoy; Spa treatments, makeup, hotels, and events. I didn’t think I neededto be married or engaged to run my own company but it’s a good question.”
“That’s your reason for the policy?”
“No. The simple answer to that is because I said so. Whatever is yours, you make the rules for it. If they don’t want to abide by them, they don’t need to be in what is yours.”
“I see. That’s understandable. You said your father didn’t want you to take over the company? Do you two have bad blood? Is that why you didn’t make it to the hospital?”
I smirk. Emily and I both know she reported that on the 5 o’clock news. She’s not bad at her job and I respect anyone doing what they want to but this isn’t an interview, is it?
“I saw the news, it was good. You were good, I didn’t know they let the weather girl give exclusive news now but congratulations on the promotion. I did make it to the hospital but I don’t do things for the media but I get it. It is your job but this…is not an interview. Anything else, you can ask but for an exclusive, we’d have to have everyone checking the details before it begins. Shall I call my CFO to see if this benefits us or should I keep it as Enrique’s fiancée is simply asking me questions?”
Emily’s facial expression mirrors my employees when they feel like there’s that frigid air coming from me again. She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.