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I smiled as I sat back on the couch and watched as my best friend grunted and groaned as she pushed the heavy boxes across the floor. I was damn lucky to have her.
The next morning as I got off the subway to walk into work, I spotted Daniel’s face on the front page of the tabloid papers at the newsstand. My heart leaped to my throat as I considered what would be written inside. Had someone found out about us? Had someone found out about the baby? I swiftly walked over and grabbed one of the magazines, flipping through the pages frantically.
“Excuse me, you’re going to have to pay for that,” said the attendant.
“Right. Sorry.”
I pulled out my wallet and slid him a few bucks before turning my attention back to the magazine. I finally landed on the centerpiece spread that was collaged with photos of Daniel and a slew of Victoria’s Secret models after their runway show. I swallowed hard as I studied each photo. I couldn’t believe he was back to being his old self. How could I have been so stupid?
“Miss, this isn’t a library. Please take your magazine and move along,” said the attendant impatiently.
“I paid, didn’t I?” I snapped.
“Okay, okay. Just don’t crowd the counter,” he said, putting his hands up in defense.
I stepped aside and read the article, trying not to get distracted by Daniel’s dazzling smile and his carefree attitude about being photographed. He was never like that with me. Everything was always so secretive. Always sneaking out back doors or dressing down in sweats and a T-shirt. God forbid, someone recognized him in Brooklyn or with a nobody like me.
It seemed like a stupid thing to be upset about, especially when I had no interest in being in the papers or being hunted by paparazzi. That sounded like a nightmare. I guessed I just couldn’t help feeling like he was embarrassed of me. That was what hurt the most.
I scanned the article and read that these photos were from last year but had just now surfaced. I let out a mixture of a sigh of relief and laughter, knowing that this was not present day. Clearly, the tabloids were having a slow news day and were trying to hook their readers with misinformation. For a moment, I felt bad for him, but then I remembered everything that had happened.
I stuffed the magazine in my bag and walked around the corner to my work. When the elevator doors opened to my floor, I was met with a slow applause that quickened as I walked into the room. I looked around feeling very confused. I looked behind me to make sure they weren’t clapping for someone else.
Brian approached with a wide grin.
“There she is,” he said, clapping along with everyone.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I’m surprised you didn’t know, since you’re the one who landed Daniel Jacobs in the first place. He just doubled his donation.”
I stood there speechless as I tried to process what he was saying to me.
“When did this happen?”
“All of fifteen minutes ago.”
“But Shelley…” I said, looking for her.
She was the one who I had take over for me. Didn’t she deserve the credit?
“It’s all because of you, girl,” she said sincerely, walking up and giving me a hug. “I just finished up the fine print. You’re the one who got the deal in the first place.”
“Thanks, Shell,” I said shakily as I gave her a squeeze.
She let me go and everyone started to dissipate to their offices and cubicles, leaving me feeling dumbstruck. The original donation amount had changed the entire trajectory of our company, and now it had doubled. We now had more money than we knew what to do with.
I smiled meekly at everyone as I walked to my office, trying to hide the shock on my face. Once I was in the safety of my office, I closed the door and sat in my desk chair. What a whirlwind of a Monday morning. And another way of Daniel trying to get my attention. The man was persistent, if anything.
He was either trying to impress me or he was trying to paint himself in a good light after this morning’s tabloids. It wasn’t because he actually cared about the nonprofit or what we were doing, which suddenly made me angry. What was it with this man and thinking he could just buy his way out of any trouble he was in? Life didn’t work that way.
I had half a mind of telling him off, but decided to text Monica instead. He wasn’t worth wasting my breath.
Me:Mr. Moneybags is at it again.
Monica:What now? A car for when the baby turns sixteen. I’m sure we could find room for it in your loft.
Me:Haha. I wouldn’t be surprised, but no. He freaking doubled his initial donation with Leading to Learn.