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…

But refusing a real chance for a better future out of pride would be foolish. In the evening, returning home, she found an envelope in her mailbox. Inside was a note written in confident male handwriting.

Helen, I need to talk to you. This concerns not only last evening but also your future. If you’re ready for a conversation, I’ll be waiting for you tomorrow at 7 p.m. sharp at the Prague restaurant.

Alexander Harlan. Helen stared at the note for a long time. She was increasingly gripped by the feeling that she stood on the threshold of important changes.

Changes that could take her life to a completely new path or tangle everything up for good. The decision had to be made now. The «Prague» restaurant was located in a historic mansion in downtown New York and was known for its exquisite interior in the style of a 19th-century American library and impeccable service.

Helen arrived exactly at seven, dressed in a simple but elegant dark green dress she bought on sale before moving to New York. It was one of the few expensive things she kept from her past life. The maitre d’ met her at the entrance and, learning her name, led her to the second floor, where in a small private room at a table by the window sat Alexander.

Seeing Helen, he stood and politely pulled out a chair for her. «Thank you for coming,» he said, — when she sat. «Your note intrigued me,» Helen replied with a light smile.

«Besides, it’s hard to refuse an invitation to such a place. Do you like it here?» — asked Alexander. Very sincerely she answered, looking around the antique bookcases filled with leather-bound folios, the soft light of antique lamps, heavy velvet drapes.

«Here you feel real history, not props.» The waiter brought the menu, and Alexander suggested Helen make the order. «I’ll trust your choice,» she said.

«Last time you handled that task well.» Alexander smiled and ordered appetizers, main courses, and a bottle of white wine. «So,» he began when the waiter left, «I was told you received an offer for a new position.»

«Yes,» Helen nodded. «I guess who initiated that offer.» «Guilty,» Alexander admitted.

«But I assure you, it’s not charity. I really think you could handle this job excellently. After seeing your abilities in action.»

Alexander William interrupted her Helen, «let’s be frank.» «You offered me this job out of guilt. Or curiosity.

Or maybe,» her voice became slightly mocking, «you decided I could be useful in some other situations?» Alexander looked at her attentively. «Not that, not the other, not the third. I just saw a person whose abilities clearly don’t match the position held.

And decided to fix it. There’s nothing special in that. I often move employees if I see they can bring more benefit in another position.»

«But I’m not your employee,» Helen objected. «Technically, no. But you work in the building owned by my company.

And we’ll be your main client, so to speak.» Helen pondered. There was logic in his words.

But something in this situation still seemed wrong to her. «You know,» she finally said, «since childhood, I’ve hated feeling obligated. My mother worked a lot to give me an education, and since then I’ve been used to achieving everything myself.

When the events began, and I had to leave everything and move, it was hard. But I managed. Myself.

Without anyone’s help. And now. Now you’re afraid that by accepting help from someone who by chance is in a more privileged position? Finished for her Alexander.

And that it somehow diminishes your independence? Something. Like that,» Helen nodded. The waiter brought the wine and poured it into glasses.

Alexander took a sip and thoughtfully looked out the window, where evening New York sparkled with lights. «You know what I’ve been thinking about all last evening and today?» — he finally said. «About how many like you have passed by me unnoticed…