The neon fog of the city mixed with the shadows as Damian’s black car pulled up and stopped in front of a tall glass skyscraper. Its dark windows reflected the lights above, climbing high into the night sky. Selina pressed her nose against the car window, trying to see better. She crouched and slid into the leather seat, her black top and blue jeans covered in dirt and dust from the street. It looked all wrong inside this fancy car. The smell of cedar filled the air, clean and expensive.

Her wild curls were messy, her pale face glowing with curiosity and awe. Her hazel eyes widened as she took in everything around her. She had never seen a place like this. Her sneakers squeaked against the spotless pavement as she stepped out of the car. Damian walked a few steps ahead, tall and sharp in his fitted coat. She followed quickly, her heart racing with a kind of hope she hadn’t felt in a long time.

They walked through a glass door with gold designs, and suddenly, the world changed. The floor was marble, glowing under soft chandelier lights. The walls were covered in navy blue velvet, and the air smelled rich, like old whiskey and sweet orchids from the overflowing flower arrangements near a fancy bar.

This place was like something out of a dream. It was nothing like the Rusty Anchor bar she worked at. That place was loud and grimy, even though the customers had money. But here, everything whispered power. The men wore neat suits, and the women flowed around them in silk like golden rivers, laughing softly.

Selina felt small and out of place, her hands fidgeting in front of her. A silent woman handed her a black uniform. The fabric was softer than anything she had ever worn. She held it close and whispered, “This is beautiful,” her voice trembling. She ran her fingers along the hem, still in shock.

Damian turned to face her. His gray eyes met hers, cold and hard to read. He gave a quick nod toward the bar. “Serve. Don’t waste time,” he said, voice low and sharp.

Selina nodded quickly and grabbed a tray filled with glasses of whiskey. Her feet moved fast as she made her way through the crowd. Her heart thudded with excitement. She looked over her shoulder and called, “Thanks!” Her words tumbled out too fast. “I mean it. This is... it’s everything. Ethan… this is his chance, and it’s all because of you. I don’t even know what to say. I’ve been so scared, and now..”

She gasped, her cheeks turning red. She held the tray tight, still talking. Damian didn’t respond. His eyes were already scanning the room. The way he ignored her made her pause. Her smile faded a little, but she still pushed through. “I’m going to try really hard. I promise. This place, it’s like a miracle.”

She served a man with slicked-back hair and a shiny gold watch. He gave her a short nod. Then she served a woman wearing sparkling diamond earrings who smiled kindly.

Selina felt like she was floating. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” she told Damian, who stood behind the bar. His broad shoulders were stiff, his face unreadable. “The Anchor was horrible. But this? This is beautiful. I can’t wait to tell Grace. She’s been so worried. But this is good, right? She’ll see everything’s okay.”

Her voice was full of excitement and hope. Her eyes sparkled as she put the tray down and came back to him. “You don’t know what this means. I’ve been so stressed about my brother and now I can,”

She stopped herself, biting her lip. Her chest rose and fell with emotion. Damian didn’t look up. He was already flipping through a ledger, not even glancing at her.

Her smile dropped a little more. That was rude, she thought. But then she shook her head. He was probably just weird. Cold and distant, like most rich people who didn’t understand how others felt. She rolled her eyes, tucked her hair behind her ear, and went back to work.

She moved quickly, filling glasses and wiping down the bar, even though her legs ached. The night passed in a blur of movement and noise. But inside, she felt light. Like maybe, just maybe, this was her chance. A golden door she had walked through by accident.

She pictured calling Grace in the morning. She would tell her everything. They would laugh about how scared they were and how things had turned out better than they ever expected.

Later, when the last guest had left and the bar was quiet, Damian handed her an envelope. It was thick with crisp bills, more money than she had ever seen.

“Go home,” he said. His voice was calm. His eyes locked onto hers again, sharp and unreadable, like he could see right through her.

Selina gripped the envelope, her heart pounding. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice full of relief.

He didn’t answer. He just turned and walked away.

She stood there for a second, holding the money like it might disappear. Still surprised by how strange he was.

But as she left the building, her mind spun with hope. With this kind of money, she could pay Ethan’s hospital bills in just a few months.

She smiled, already imagining Grace’s face when she told her everything that happened that night.