The Arrangement

Chapter 22

Enjoy my darlings!

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Chapter 22

I opened the door and saw Director Hildebrandt thumbing through my research.

"Director Hildebrandt?" I announced myself as I walked in.

"Mikaela, you're in later than usual."

"Yes, sir."

"You've had quite a few changes recently, haven't you?"

"Yes, sir."

"That is something I wanted to talk with you about."

"Okay."

"Have a seat." I took a seat on the couch as he was occupying the seat behind my desk. "How have things been going for you?"

"Very well, sir. I saw you looking through the research. I am pretty sure the FDA will allow me to test my theory soon."

"I understand your grant was lost."

"Yes, sir."

"How did that other team get your money?"

"I don't know what argument they used."

"How are things still progressing then?"

"I believe you know about my husband."

"Yes, I do in fact."

"He's offered to privately fund my research."

"And how is that benefitting the aquarium?"

"When I get my research approved, it will bring a great deal of media attention to the aquarium."

"Do you know that we have been running short on the funding for the refurbishing of the tanks?"

"I was not aware."

"We're going to have to relocate several of the animals."

"Okay,"

"That will cause two problems, the popularity of the aquarium will go down while the animals are away and of course the cost."

"Director, it's not like you to beat around the bush. What is it exactly your saying?"

"I think you know what I'm saying. I'll expect your cooperation should we need more publicity or funding."

I froze. "What exactly do you want?"

"You'll know when the time comes." Director Hildebrandt got up and left my office. I sat down at my desk and my mouth was dry and I had to process. My breathing came in short breaths and I felt overwhelmed. I reached in my desk and found my inhaler and took two puffs as I put my head between my legs and let panic attack subside.

Great. This was just great. I was being cornered in from another angle. Once my breathing had returned to normal I grabbed a bottle of water and tried to calm my racing heart.

"Hey," Rory jogged up. "What did the director want?"

I glared at him. "I don't want to talk about it."

"That bad?"

"Worse."

"Ouch. So, what's next?"

I glanced at my watch. "I have to get some paperwork to send over. And I have about an hour and a half to get everything ready for next week."

"An hour and a half?"

"I've got some dinner thing I have to do with Trent."

"Some dinner thing?"