The restaurant at the hotel was full of happiness and joy. The startup that my wife helped fund finally went public. Everyone in the room was worth more on paper than they had ever imagined. The fact that they hadn't turned a profit yet would be tomorrow's concern.
As I mingled with the new millionaires and their backers I watched my wife work the room like the shark she was. Folks that were there for the payout would be on a fast track out the front door while the dedicated would get the opportunity to magnify their roles within the company. She'd done this before and she knew how to sort the players from the workers.
I was no different than in her masterplan because she chose me. I have no doubt that she loves me now, but understanding her manipulative skills and emotional wrangling, I know that I started as merely a useful asset in her life.
Don't get me wrong. I jumped in with both feet. Not wearing the pants in the family was never a problem for me. Plus, she always went out of her way to show her affection, trust and friendship. I was a pawn, but the perks were beyond generous.
These affairs were the culmination of my wife's hard work and business acumen. The monetary success was dizzying for most people in the room. The high made them let down their guards in ways they didn't notice. That's when she found your true passion. That's when she was able to see what you really wanted in life.
My wife's ventures were known for going public but relished for their ascent shortly after. These parties were the reason. No matter what angle they played at the office, their commitment to the next stage became clear at this restaurant.
I loved watching her body language as she swam through the sea of celebration. The nervous few were obvious keepers because they understood the work was just getting started. The overjoyed were trying to figure how to spend their money. They had 3 months tops.
Shark.
"Who do you think will be first?" asked a familiar voice. "I'm guessing that entire table with sunglasses and no shirts won't make it to next Friday."
I laughed.
Valonda had been my wife's assistant for the last six of these launches. She knew who was on and off the boat but enjoyed watching as much as I did.
"That will be you at the next launch," I said with a smile as we watched my beloved shark head to the next table with a bottle of champagne.
"I'm not sure I'll be as cutthroat but I'm excited for the opportunity," she said as we watched my wife sit next to a pensive programmer in need of a drink. A keeper.
"After the first bloodbath I'm sure you'll be fine," I replied as we identified the next table for consumption from the bar.
"I have another offer," Valonda blurted out with all of the courage her empty shot glass could spare. "Less money, but I'd get stay in the Bay and not share leadership responsibilities."
I took a slow drink to let her words hang in the air a little. "Sounds like you're not sure," I offered with another shot.
The music got louder as my wife continued to work her current table. She must have gotten mixed signals from someone. I knew the feeling.
"For two years I've dreamed of having everything that came with that job," she began as she leaned in to counter the louder music.
My wife discovered Valonda at one of these parties and recognized that she was more than a keeper. At 6 feet in heels, her Dominican personality was a shock to most people who couldn't look beyond the surface. Underneath, she was far from a shark, but she was usually smarter than everyone in the room.
"And now?" I questioned with wild curiosity. Groomed under one of the savviest women of color in tech, she was faced with her first real decision. My wife owed much of her success of late to Valonda's dedication and tenacity. "Have you told her?"
As the conversation got tougher it felt like the music was getting louder. So Valonda got closer. "We are in negotiations," Valonda replied.