Margaret nodded slowly.
“Compensation?”
You named a number.
The room shifted.
Alejandro looked down, hiding what might have been a smile.
Margaret said, “That is higher than industry standard.”
You said, “So am I.”
No one argued.
The offer came in writing the next morning.
You did not sign immediately.
You took three days.
You talked to Nina.
You talked to a lawyer.
You talked to your mother, who did not fully understand the corporate details but said, “Baby, make sure they can’t play in your face twice.”
Excellent legal summary, honestly.
On the third night, Alejandro came to your apartment again.
This time, he texted first.
May I come by? No pressure. If not, I understand.
Growth.
You almost smiled.
You met him downstairs instead of letting him up.
He stood near the curb holding two coffees.
“I guessed oat milk,” he said.
“You remembered.”
“I remember more than you think.”
