The Stand-In

by Lily Chu

I took my courage in hand and gave Fred the Employment Lawyer several hundred dollars to tell me exactly what I suspected: I didn’t have any proof my boss, Todd, was a fucking sexual predator, and without proof, I had no case.

“Have you gone to your HR department?” he asked after I’d outlined the situation. “No.” Why would I have bothered when I already knew they wouldn’t believe me?

That would have been better than no action and would have built the case up for the lawyer

think I’ve tried every system available to humanity that’s supposed to get your life under control, but none of them have helped.

but how? Even if I could outwit him, not only is he a vice president, but his dad is golf buddies with the CEO. And Garnet Brothers Investments isn’t the most feminist organization out there. I bet even a dick pic would only get a “Boys will be boys,” and Todd’s smart enough to not say or do anything that I can call out specifically. Standing too close? Feeling uncomfortable? I was reading into the situation, end of story. The pay is also better than anywhere else I’ve looked so I’m stuck. Between Mom’s private room and saving for the new home, I’ve burned through all the cash I’d managed to put away.

if there’s one thing I’ve been taught, it’s that you find meaning and value from life through yourself, not a man or anyone.

It’s not a bad thing to want to keep peace in your life and care for the people in it. That a bad person can manipulate it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. To be kind and generous is a gift.”

I like the Gracie who stood up for Fangli and made sure she got help when the rest of us were tiptoeing around it. I like the woman who is obsessed with time management techniques and whose towels fall off on a recurring basis.”

I want, the one who picks up the towel like it’s no big deal and doesn’t fuss about it. I want the one who, when asked to take part in the most idiotic plan I’d ever heard, decides to give it a go because she has enough confidence to pull off being Wei Fangli.”

When Riley kissed me, it was always as if it was preparation for the main event. Sam kisses me as if it’s the destination, not the journey.

What a wonderfully fluid word that is, depending on the tone. Give it an emphasis at the end and you have joyful triumph (o-KAY!). Draw out the beginning for a nice dose of doubtful hesitation (ooo-kay?). Then there’s the way Sam says it now, hushed and vulnerable as if the O is a window through which he can see a road he never knew existed.

If Fangli can forgive that kind of betrayal from someone she trusted, so can I.

“Like the woman I’m with now. Should I point out you’re a CEO, surrounded by brilliant people?” He shrugs. “I trust you, Gracie. Do you trust me? Trust that what I feel for you is real?” He pulls back completely like he doesn’t want to sway my answer. I grab him because I know. “I trust you.”