Her Astronaut

✯12✯

Fifteen Hours Prior

"Are you sure you are okay to work?"

"Yes, for the eighteenth time. I need the distraction."

"You also were on the verge of an anxiety attack."

"So I should coddle myself and take a sick day every time my anxiety rears its ugly head? C'mon Rodrigo, that's not fair. Just because I become dysregulated doesn't mean I'm useless."

"I know. I get it. I just don't want you to overextend yourself again."

"I appreciate you looking out for me Roddy. If it helps, Soo-Young gave me the day off tomorrow."

"Good, I don't want you anywhere near the hotel. Take the day to yourself."

"My plan is to head over to see Cass in the morning and then take the afternoon checking off my own personal to-do list. The first order of business is seeing Cass though. I want to talk about this decision with her. She has the right to know."

"Good, Mama Cass might greet you with morning mimosas."

"I already asked for them with breakfast."

"Omelets?"

"Duh."

"It becomes too much tonight, please excuse yourself and return to the hotel. Or even go home to see Mama Cass. Just promise you won't push yourself. Okay?"

"I promise Mr. CEO."

"You're a menace."

"You love me."

"Goodbye Nova."

"Talk to you tomorrow Roddy."

Nova laughed as she hung up the phone. She was still uneasy about the major decision she just made but took comfort in the fact that Rodrigo was the best person to take over leadership of the company.

For the first time, Nova felt like she could relax and just focus on her job.

"Are you ready Nova?" Soo-Young asked from the seat next to her.

"Absolutely, again I'm sorry to have delayed everything today. I hope we are not too far behind schedule."

"Oh, please don't apologize my dear. If anything, it should be us. Mr. Lee can be rather intimidating."

"I get it. In the cutthroat idol world where gossip magazines are trying to find the next by-line and the never-ending war against Sasaeng behavior, you need someone like him. I just got caught in the crosshairs. Par for the course, especially since we weren't upfront about our ownership."

Soo-Young turned her body so that she was now facing Nova. Gently placing her hands on top of the younger's, she held a soft yet fierce gaze.

"Harassing a colleague like that is NOT par for the course. Nor was it any of our business to know that information up until the point we wanted to hire you personally."