Because you took your own value seriously when they tried to make you doubt it.
Alejandro said, “There’s one more thing.”
You narrowed your eyes.
“I dislike that phrase.”
He handed you an envelope.
Inside was a check.
You looked at the number.
$730.
You stared at him.
His face remained serious.
“I had it framed first, but Nina said that was ‘too villain museum.’”
You burst out laughing.
He looked relieved.
“What is this?”
“A reminder,” he said. “For your office. Or your fireplace.”
You looked at the check again.
Seven hundred and thirty dollars.
The number that was supposed to shrink you.
Now it looked pathetic.
Almost cute.
You placed it back in the envelope.
“I’ll keep it.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
You smiled.
“Because someday, when someone tries to convince me to accept less than I’m worth, I want to remember how badly that worked out for them.”
