So you did.
You told her about Lucia’s cold office. The fake performance review. The salary reduction from $12,500 a month to $730. The file you were expected to sign. The way Lucia avoided your eyes. The way you quit before your anger could turn into humiliation.
Nina listened with both hands pressed against the counter.
When you finished, she said, “I’m sorry, what?”
You nodded.
“That was my reaction too.”
“Seven hundred and thirty dollars?”
“Yes.”
“A month?”
“Yes.”
“In New York?”
“Yes.”
“For running the entire artist division?”
“Apparently, I was not meeting standards.”
Nina stared at you.
Then she began laughing so hard she had to sit down.
You laughed too.
Because if you did not laugh, you might start thinking about the years you had given that company.
The tours you saved.
The artists you protected.
The scandals you buried.
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?”
