The brand deals you rescued.
The revenue that flowed because you understood people before they became problems.
Nina wiped her eyes.
“They tried to humble you and accidentally set the building on fire.”
“Looks like it.”
Your phone buzzed again.
This time, the message was from Alejandro’s executive assistant.
Mr. Lujan is on his way to your apartment.
Your laughter stopped.
Nina looked at your face.
“What?”
You showed her the phone.
She stood immediately.
“Oh, absolutely not.”
Fifteen minutes later, Alejandro Lujan was standing outside your apartment building in a black coat that probably cost more than your couch.
You watched from the window as he looked up at the brick facade, visibly uncomfortable. He was used to penthouses, private elevators, and conference rooms with silent assistants. Your building had a broken buzzer and a front door that stuck when it rained.
Nina stood beside you with a bagel in one hand.
“He looks stressed,” she said.
“He should.”
Alejandro called your phone.
You did not answer.
Then your buzzer rang.
Nina raised her eyebrows.
“You want me to bark?”
“No.”
“You sure? I can do a very convincing unstable neighbor.”
You almost smiled.
The buzzer rang again.
You walked to the intercom and pressed the button.
“Yes?”
Alejandro’s voice came through, rougher than usual.
“Sofia. Please let me up.”
“No.”
A pause.
“I need to speak with you.”
“You can email.”
“I have emailed. You’re not responding.”
“That was intentional.”
“Sofia.”
Hearing him say your name like that almost reached you.
Almost.
Alejandro Lujan was not an easy man to ignore. At forty-two, he had built Lujan Entertainment Group from a boutique talent management agency into a global machine representing musicians, actors, influencers, athletes, and celebrity brands. He could charm investors, intimidate executives, and turn unknown artists into household names.
But he had also let HR reduce your salary to $730.
So charm was currently under review.
“You have five minutes,” you said through the intercom.
“Here?”
“Yes.”
“In the lobby?”
“You’re not in a lobby. You’re on the sidewalk.”
“Sofia.”
“Four minutes and fifty seconds.”
Nina whispered, “I love this version of you.”
Alejandro took a breath.
“I didn’t approve what Lucia did.”
“Then your company is badly managed.”
Silence.
