Chapter 32 - Unexpected Windfall and the Long-Overdue Plea Selene's POV: The dying light of the sunset spilled into the kitchen window like molten gold. I was humming that old tune as I pushed open the door-a melody that'd popped out of Granny's ancient record player, lighthearted enough to poke fun at the exhaustion of my day. First day at Thompson Publishing wasn't half bad: Brian's enthusiasm felt like a thin layer of candy coating over something sticky underneath, but I'd gritted my teeth and powered through. Files stacked up like mountains, colleagues' stares curious but not cutting-I even snuck in a quick cover sketch near quitting time, lines so fluid it surprised even me. Back home, I kicked off my heels, bare feet hitting the cool tile, and the whole world finally let out a breath. "Something simple tonight," I muttered to myself, rolling up my sleeves and yanking half a dozen eggs and a bag of fresh spinach from the fridge. Fried eggs with a veggie salad, plus a slice of toasted bread-healthy enough, quick enough. The pan clattered on the stove as I chopped, swaying my hips to the rhythm in my head. Life's like that sometimes: little joys hiding in the steam, waiting for you to dig 'em out. Footsteps echoed from the hall. I peeked through the kitchen glass-Aaron, home. He shrugged off his jacket, tossing it onto the couch with that tired-but-satisfied grin, and sauntered in. "Hey, short stuff. How'd it go? Your new boss drive you nuts yet?" He still carried that familiar musk, mixed with the grit of city hustle. His tall, broad frame loomed over me in a way that pressed in, all commanding presence. I smiled, tossing the chopped spinach into the pan-oil spat and sizzled, filling the air with savory warmth. "Not bad. He's overly eager, like I'm someone he needs to schmooze. But I'm just the newbie, the hired help-he's ridiculous. You? What fancy ride you chauffeuring today?" He sidled up to the kitchen island, leaning against the edge, hands braced on the counter, those green eyes lazily raking over me. "Drove a honest-to-god Toyota today-no flash, but orders rained down like cats and dogs. Made a killing." He fished a fat envelope from his pocket, thick as a secret, and slid it my way. "Here. Go grab some stuff for the place. Curtains, dishes, or those books you like. Don't argue." I froze, spatula hovering mid-air. The envelope's edge peeked out a wad of bills, green and crisp- easily a few grand, by the look. I swallowed hard, forcing a grin. "Aaron... a cab driver pulling in this much in one day? Kinda... over the top, don't you think?" He shrugged, that playful smirk tugging his lips-the kind that always skipped my heartbeat. "VIP service, Selene. Those suit-and-tie types, airport runs, gala shuttles-they tip like it's burning a hole in their pockets. Got lucky today, jawed with some oil baron about stocks, and boom-five hundred bucks. Besides," he lowered his voice, all gravel, "gotta keep the home fires burning. Can't have my short stuff going hungry." I eyed the envelope, wheels turning. Cab driver? Hardworking, yeah. Reliable, sure-he showed up right when I needed a guardian angel. But this cash... I shook my head, shoving half back. "Thanks, but half's plenty. I'm no freeloader, Aaron. I've got a job-I'll pay you back." 23502 86.49%