For the next two hours—you’re my wife! He said to the cleaner, taking her on a bet for the deal, but when she spoke—the room went silent…

The next morning met Helen with a headache and mixed feelings. She slept poorly, replaying the evening’s events over and over in her head. Part of her was pleased with the successfully played role and the earned money.

Another part felt bitterness from having to confront so clearly the injustice of the world, where some are born with privileges, and others are not. She took a shower, quickly breakfasted, and went to work. Today, according to the schedule, she had to clean the floor where Alexander’s office was located.

She didn’t know how to behave now when meeting him. Return to the role of an unnoticeable cleaner. Or had something changed after last evening? In the office, everything was as usual.

The same corridors, the same desks, the same trash bins full of crumpled paper and empty coffee cups. Helen mechanically did her work, trying not to think about anything. Her colleagues in the cleaning service noticed her detachment and depressed mood.

«Why so gloomy today, Helen?» asked Gloria, an elderly woman working the same shift as her. — Something happened? — No, just didn’t sleep well, — Helen brushed it off. Lunchtime was approaching, when offices were usually empty, and cleaners could quietly do their job without disturbing employees.

Helen was just finishing mopping the floor in the corridor when she saw Alexander coming out of his office, accompanied by two men in business suits. Their eyes met. Helen felt color rush to her cheeks.

She instinctively lowered her eyes and stepped to the wall, making way, as she always did when meeting management. Alexander slowed his step. It seemed he wanted to say something, but the presence of colleagues held him back.

He nodded to her, barely noticeably, but still a nod, a sign of recognition, and passed by. Helen exhaled. She didn’t know what she expected, but clearly not this silent, strange moment of recognition.

On one hand, there was relief that he didn’t highlight her, draw attention. On the other, bitter understanding that nothing had changed. She was still just a cleaner.

Finishing her shift, Helen returned home. In her room in the shared apartment, it was cramped but clean and cozy. She gave part of the earned money to Susan and Olivia, paying for their help, and now pondered how to dispose of the remaining sum.

She could save for better housing or qualification courses, or just create a safety net for a rainy day. In the evening, Susan dropped by, eagerly awaiting the story of the performance. «Well, how did it go?» she asked, settling on the small couch with a cup of tea.

«Did you manage to impress that rich guy?» Helen smiled. «More than. But you know, it was a strange experience.

Like for one evening I peeked into another life, the one that could have been mine if circumstances had turned out differently. And did you like it? In a way, Helen answered thoughtfully. I liked feeling equal to those people.

Liked that they listen to me, that my opinion matters. But at the same time, there was something fake in all of it. Not in my behavior, in the situation itself.

In how easily money and external polish open doors that are tightly closed for others. Susan shrugged. That’s how the world works, dear.

There have always been poor and rich, tops and bottoms. Be glad you were at the top for an evening and earned well. You’re probably right, Helen sighed.

The next day at work, a surprise awaited her. During lunch break, she was called to the business center manager’s office. The elderly man with a neatly trimmed gray beard met her with a polite smile.

«Have a seat, Helen Victoria. I have an interesting offer for you. Helen tensed.

Had her experience with Alexander surfaced somehow? Maybe they were going to fire her? I’m listening, — she replied cautiously. Alexander William Harlan called me, the manager began. He spoke very highly of your organizational abilities and suggested considering your candidacy for the floor administrator position.

Helen blinked in surprise. — Administrator? — Yes, — the manager nodded. — This is a new position in our structure.

The administrator is responsible for order on the floor, coordinates the cleaning service, monitors equipment functioning, solves minor household issues for tenants. Salary — 60 thousand dollars plus bonus. Social package — official employment.

Helen was silent, trying to process what she heard. — 60 thousand — that’s three times more. Than she was getting now? Why me? — she finally asked.

The manager smiled. Alexander William said you possess exceptional intelligence and organizational skills. That you know how to find common ground with people and quickly solve problems.

— That’s enough for me, I trust his opinion. — I? — need to think, Helen said slowly. — Of course, — the manager nodded.

— Think about the offer until tomorrow. If you agree, you can start your new duties on Monday. Helen left the office with mixed feelings.

On one hand, it was an opportunity to break out of the vicious circle of hard, low-paid work. On the other, this opportunity came not thanks to her real achievements or education, but because an influential man noticed her. There was something humiliating in that.

By the end of the day, she still hadn’t come to a final decision. Thoughts were tangled. Accepting help from Alexander seemed wrong, as if she admitted she couldn’t change her life without his intervention…