Yet, it’s because of graduate school that I’m doing this. Due to Carver’s deal, I stand to get a recommendation letter from the Pope himself as well as all of my future tuition paid. That means I’ll be accepted into my first choice school no problem, and be able to live comfortably for the six years of the program.
But is it worth it? I guess I’ve been compartmentalizing during my stay on the island. I keep telling myself that this is a different Ava from the real Ava who lives in the real world. Here, no one knows who I am so I can act out and do things I’d never even consider in my real life. Even more importantly, the moment I step onto the plane to get back to the mainland is the moment that I “forget” everything that happened here. I’ll never tell anyone where I disappeared to, or the source of my newfound riches. Instead, this is a past that I’m planning to bury.
But now, I’m here to win because my future depends on it, and because I know that’s what my Daddy wants. What Daddy wants is what Daddy gets.
Besides, Carver has been good to me. He’s used my body day and night, but at the same time, he’s also exceedingly kind and generous. He makes daily deposits into my bank account, as if they’re nothing to him.
“Again?” I ask when he steps over to his cell phone, getting ready to type in his bank account number.
“Again,” he confirms. “You did so well today, sweetheart. You took ten inches no problem, so I just want to give you a little reward.”
I lie back and sigh. To be honest, sometimes I have doubts. What girl wouldn’t in my place? I keep telling myself it’s about the money and the recommendation for graduate school, but who am I kidding? Carver is irresistible and I’d probably do this all for free, if he asked.
After all, it’s hard to keep my hands off Carver Temple. With his deep growly voice, laser-blue eyes and rough, strong hands, my body often melts into a mess before he’s even touched me. I adore the way he laughs too, and how he explains situations that I’d never be able to figure out on my own. Take the federal government’s Economic Opportunity Zone program, for example. You’d never think I’d be interested in something having to do with tax cuts and capital investment, but Carver actually made it interesting for me.
“What are EOZs?” I’d asked one day at breakfast as he read the paper. “Are they some weird alien?”
My lover chuckled, his blue eyes glancing at me over the paper.
“No, sweetheart, they’re a new investment vehicle designed to spur investment in downtrodden areas.”
I nodded. I’d gotten that much on my own.
“But why are they so popular now?”
Carver smiled wryly and closed the paper.
“They’re popular because they make rich people like me richer, even though they’re designed to help the poor. You see, capital naturally flows to the highest return yet lowest risk opportunities, and EOZs represent that.”
I nodded, trying to absorb everything.
“Yes, but what does that mean?”
Carver thought for a moment, and then began to explain.
“It means that rich people who invest in downtrodden areas will get tax deferrals on the original capital invested, and their investment gains will be tax-free if they keep their money in place for ten years.”
I wrinkled my nose. That was all well and good, but there were still a lot of questions floating through my mind.
“But how are particular areas designated as EOZs? Isn’t that what determines what helps people?”
Carver grinned and winked at me.
“Smart girl, because you just got to the crux of the conversation, sweetheart. That’s what all this hullabaloo is about. Some zones designated as EOZs actually aren’t poverty-stricken or downtrodden at all. Lobbyists for large real estate firms as well as major investors pushed this legislation through Congress, and that’s why there’s an exposé about it in the New York Times now. Because basically, rich people have created a tax shield for themselves, and it’s being marketed as a “once in a generation” opportunity.”
I nodded, thinking.
“So all these luxury condo developments and mega-malls aren’t going to benefit the working class, are they?”
Carver nodded.
“Probably not, sweetheart. There will be some trickle down, certainly, but most of the residents of EOZs wouldn’t be able to afford a luxury condo.”
Suddenly, I squinted at him a bit, shaking my head with confusion.
“Wait a minute, are you also investing in EOZs?”
He remained calm, taking a sip of his coffee.
“I am.”
I squinted at him some more.
“Are you building luxury condos and mega-malls and the like using EOZ money?”
To my relief, Carver shook his head.
“No sweetheart. I’m a billionaire but I’m not a heartless bastard. My money’s invested in EOZ funds that are looking to give back to the people who live there. We’ll be investing in small businesses in EOZ communities with an environmental bent, or which purpose includes some social benefit function.”