Free Silicon Valley Sweetheart by Alyssa St. Claire Page B

working at Woodham Industries. It’s one thing to pull off this charade at social occasions. It’s something completely different to do on a more frequent basis in a work environment.
    Mark was insistent that I think about the job. “Do you understand how this position will help your career? Why do you think Fred Woodham is so well-known in Silicon Valley? It’s because he can spot people with talent. It’s a gift. He can see things in people they cannot even see themselves. You would be amazed by the number of highly successful, influential people who got their start interning with Fred Woodham.”
    It did sound like an attractive offer. But, I still didn’t think it was a very good idea.
    “Mark, what are you going to do if your dad finds out we’re trying to deceive him? Don’t you think it’s too risky for me to be around him too much?” I asked, nervously tapping my foot.
    “Shirin, I know you can do this. Trust me, this will be good for your career. Even if we didn’t have an arrangement, you would be crazy to turn down this internship opportunity. Take my word for it.”
    He may have had a point. It’s true, I was creating good relationships at Stanford, but I would need to have even better connections when I graduated to get a good job. Suddenly, I felt a knot in my stomach. I knew the internship made sense, but I was afraid I might do something that would let the cat out of the bag.
    “I have another problem. Even if I agreed to the internship, I have no way of getting there. Public transportation isn’t nearly as good here as it is in New York.”
    “My father already thought about that. Sometimes, we bring in engineers from other locations for several weeks. The company has a few cars for people who are visiting. My father wants you to take the company’s Camry. That’s how you can get to work. You do have a driver’s license, right?”
    I did get licensed in New York. I hadn’t driven very much, because traffic was so heavy in New York, and it was nearly impossible to find a parking space. More often than not, it was easier just to take public transportation or a cab.
    “Yes, I have a driver’s license. Do I have to interview or something for the internship?”
    “Nope, my father has already made the decision to hire you. He’s seen what you’re capable of. He’d like you to start Monday.”
    “I have class until 2:00 Mondays and Wednesdays.”
    “Then, when you’re finished, you’ll go to Woodham Industries. My father will help work out the scheduling details.”
    “But, I won’t get there until 2:30 or 3:00. That isn’t a lot of time.”
    “You know what they say... be careful about companies offering free breakfast and dinner... there’s usually a reason. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time. Most people work late, anyway. I’ll pick you up tomorrow after class to take you to get the car.”
    “Ok. Gotta go, have studying to do.”
    Under any other circumstance, I would have been ecstatic about the prospect of an internship with Woodham Industries. But, I was feeling more and more guilty about the spider web of lies we were creating.
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    A bbey , Kyle, and I went to get coffee after our English class. We’d gotten our term paper back. Almost everyone in the class seemed disappointed with their results.
    “What did you get on your paper?” Abbey asked.
    “I got a C+,” lamented Kyle. “I thought I did better than that. This professor is a hard-ass.”
    “I got a C+, too. What did you get Shirin?”
    “I got a C. Not good…” I had no idea why my grade hadn’t been better. I’d worked really hard on that paper, too.
    “Urghhh!” Abbey said. “We should go out for a little retail therapy! My father just sent me some extra money. Want to go with me to Stanford Shopping Center after class Monday?”
    “Oh, Abbey, I would love to. I’m starting an internship at Woodham Industries Monday, so I won’t be able to. Maybe Kyle can go with you,” I said,