India


    Three blistering weekster I toe my heels off and lean into the plush leather of my father’s office chair.


    Since kindergarten and my color-by-number days, I always considered this spot magical, and right now I can use all the mojo, juju, woo woo- whatever-I can get. Anything to help me finish this damn code and get on with my life.


    I rub at the throbbing pulse in my temples, knowing another migraine is on the way. I think I’m going on three hours straight staring at this damn screen.


    I tap at a couple of keys and my eyes unfocus. All I can do is just sit here.This is property ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    Growing up, my father would pass hours in this very chair, fingers steepled in front of him as he searched and worked to resolve one issue or another. Come to think of it, I’m certain I am the cause behind a lot of time he spends here to this day. Raising a daughter while building and operating a multi-million-dor securitypany couldn’t have been easy.


    For years I was convinced this chair gave him magical powers to see into the future, but right now I wish it would heal a broken heart. I change from rubbing my temples to pressing a palm over my chest.


    I would do close to anything right this minute for that childhood fantasy to be true. Three weeks without them feels like an eternity in hell. I huff. Well, I totally understand that freaking cliched saying now. Not that it is worth anything. After a light dinner in my tiny kitchen, we returned to my bedroom for the sweetest lovemaking and I fell asleep pressed between all three. Sometimeter I woke to find the bed empty and a text message on my phone asking for a date that night.


    Ending our rtionship over text isn’t exactly how I wanted it to end, but a modern version of a Dear John letter ended my connection with the three mafia men. If I had allowed us one more night I wouldn’t have had the strength to walk.


    And I’ve regretted it ever since. There was no reply, just pure undisturbed radio silence. Like a total ckout.


    I let out a sigh. Could I have been any bigger of an ass?


    I got what I wanted, though, right? Aplete severing of ties so no one found out my deep, dark secret?


    “Focus, India. Get your head together al-fucking-ready.” I eyeball myptop’s screen, which is filled with the source code for the security software I created.


    I waffle on that idea. Better stated will have created if I can ever finish.


    Hence the need for some additional brainpower.


    The finalyer of heuristics should have been finished long before now and I’m starting to believe I’ll never resolve the issues. Which can’t happen.


    I measure out a hearty handful of Tic Tacs and toss back the tiny mints all at once and consider my next steps.


    Once I lock down the coding the simtions tests across multiple mobile devices can happen and that’s just the beginning. I only hope I’ve been able to code the operating system in anguage that can be understood across the sphere of devices it’s meant for in the end.


    A problem for another day.


    “What’s the point of security software if it’s hackable?” I mumble to myself and scribble a new line of coding on a sheet of paper. I don’t want to make any changes before I can test myst changes, so I take notes.


    If I manage what I set out to do with the original idea my brother created before he died, this software will be the next big thing in the tech world. Everyone from banks to automotivepanies to the freaking Pentagon will want it as part of their arsenal as an imprable shield of protection against every shade of hacker looking to create havoc.


    This software is capable of generating millions for the right people and, in turn, me. Then I’ll no longer be under the scrutiny of my father’s judgment. Then maybe when that dayes, I can break off and create my ownpany and no longer be controlled by the Cambridge name and have an endless source of funds to open a foundation in my brother’s name.


    When all thates about, I will have kept my promise.


    Before the usual unbidden thoughts of my brother can take over my mind a small window pops up on my screen blocking my work, and the familiar smiling face of my best friend beams back at me.


    “Holy shit, India, you look hot.”


    Piper presses her face close to the screen and gives a low wolf whistle in appreciation of the way my dress hugs the contours of my full bust.


    “You mean I look like a hooker. An expensive one but still…a hooker. Like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman if she had her dad’s ck credit card from the beginning.”


    Piper snorts at myparison. “Funning all aside, you’re doing that rapid talk thing you do when you get nervous. Take a breather. It’s just a g, not a blind date your mom orchestrated. Now let me see!”


    I snort. “There’s not much difference. She’ll expect me to flirt and dance all night.” I stand and do a three-sixty for her benefit since she helped me pick out the dress.


    Piper leans in. “Damn, there won’t be a limp dick or dry pussy in that ballroom, tonight. Your mom just wants help loosening people’s purse strings. Besides, it’s not like you have to fuck anyone. Well, unless you want to, that is. There are plenty of ces in that mansion to get busy. And don’t give me that ‘I have no time for sex and men anymore’ look. Everyone needs a dick now and again. You’re a hot mamacita.” Piper teases, “If I were into chicks, I’d do you in a heartbeat.”


    My head falls back and I let out the first crack ofughter I’ve felt belly deep since my time with them. “Piper! Give your V-card to that boyfriend of yours yet?”


    “That is a negative. He hooked up with another chick so I am blissfully unattached.”


    “As of when? Did I lose track of time somewhere? You guys had dinnerst night.”


    A corner of her mouth dips into a frown. “Yep. After you left this morning, he sent me a text that he found someone else who can fulfill his needs.”


    Sadness sweeps over me for my friend. This makes something close to four boyfriends who have dumped her because she refuses to sleep with them straight out of the gate.


    “Don’t give up hope. You’ll find someone who understands what you are looking for.”


    “Doubtful. Seems men only want pussy and a p on the back with a hearty attaboy.”