I stood abruptly from the park bench, startling a nearby pigeon.
The salary. The research he had done on my career.
That didn't explain the job offer.
If he just wanted a date, he wouldn't have offered me $300.000 a year.
This was something else. Something I couldn't quite figure out.
I pulled out my phone and stared at Daniel's card again.
Then I typed a message.
Me: I need to know something. Why did you really reach out to me? Was it because of my mother's matchmaking, or was there another reason?
I hit send before I could second guess it myself.
Three dots appeared immediately.
Daniel Tan: Your mother's friend made the introduction. But I had already been watching your career for months. The matchmaking was just the excuse I needed to reach out without being inappropriate.
Me: Watching my career? Why?
Daniel Tan: Because you're talented. And because I believe in investing in people who deserve more than they're getting. The matchmaking was incidental. The job offer is real.
I read it multiple times.
He said the matchmaking was incidental.
So he didn't actually want to date me. This was purely professional.
Relief flooded through me, but it was followed immediately by something that felt uncomfortably like disappointment, which was ridiculous.
I didn't want to date him. Or anyone.
Right?
Me: If I accept the job, what happens with the… other thing? The matchmaking?
Daniel Tan: That's entirely up to you. I won't pressure you either way. But for what it's worth, I think you're interesting, both professionally and personally.
My head did something stupid in my chest.
Me: I need another day to think.
Daniel Tan: Take all the time you need. But if you want my advice? Stop thinking and start trusting yourself. You already know what you want to do.
Damn him
He saw through me, and he was right.
*******
I went back to Jensen & Partners' office at 2 PM.
The atmosphere hadn't changed. I still could feel the cold stares and heard whispers that stopped when I passed. I could even see Sarah's smug smile from across the room.
Jenny intercepted me at my cubicle. "Are you okay? You look…"
"I'm fine." I dropped into my chair and woke up my computer.
"You don't look fine. You look like you're about to murder someone or cry. Maybe both."
"Jenny."
I turned to her. "If you could leave this place right now, just walk out and never come back, would you?"
Her eyebrows shot up. "That's a weirdly specific question."
"Would you?"
She chewed her lip while glancing around. "Honestly? Sometimes I fantasize about it. Just… disappearing. Starting over somewhere that doesn't slowly kill your soul."
She let out a hollow laugh. "Why? Are you planning something?"
"Maybe."
"Lulu—"
"I can't talk about it yet." I squeezed her hand.
"But if I do leave… it's not because of you, I assure you that. You're the only good thing about this place."
Jenny's expression shifted to concern. "You're scaring me."
"Don't be scared. Be happy for me."
"For what?"
I smiled. "I'll tell you soon. I promise."
*******
That night, I sat on my couch with a notebook and pen.
I wrote all the things that I should consider, weighing them logically.
The pros were that I would get a $300,000 salary, leave a toxic workplace, career advancement, a mentor (Vivian Zhang), and a fresh start.
Meanwhile the cons were—Daniel investigated me without permission, everything about this seems too good to be true, what if it is a trap, secrecy requirement is suspicious, and I'd be in his debt.
I stared at the list, finding that the prose outweighed the cons.
But that last one of the cons nagged at me. In his debt.
'Was that what this was? Some elaborate way to own me?'
My phone suddenly buzzed.
Daniel Tan: One more thing I forgot to mention. You will have your own office with a corner view. And your first project would be analyzing our investment portfolio in Southeast Asia. Thought you might enjoy that.
I had been sharing a cubicle for three years, and now I would have my own office.
Me: You're not making this easy.
Daniel Tan: I'm not trying to. I want you to want this job, not just need it.
God, he was infuriating, compelling.
And he was right. I wanted this. Not just the money or the escape.
I wanted to prove I was worth more than Jensen & Partners had ever given me credit for. I wanted to walk into Marcus's office and quit without an ounce of regret. I wanted to see Sarah's face when she realized I was ascending.
I picked up my phone, and replied to him.
Me: I accept. When do I start?
Three dots, and he gave his answer in a matter of seconds.
Daniel Tan: Two weeks from today. Give your notice tomorrow morning. And Lulu?
Me: Yes?
Daniel Tan: Welcome to Tan Industries.
I set the phone down with shaking hands.
It wasn't from fear, but from adrenaline. Excitement. Terror.
All of it mixed into something that felt dangerously close to hope.
I just changed my entire life with only text messages.
*******
Every time I closed my eyes, trying to sleep, I imagined walking into Marcus's office. Imagining all the words I would say. And of course, the look on his face when I asked him for resign.
By 6 AM, I gave up on my sleep entirely and got ready to come to office.
I chose my armor carefully.
A black blazer, a white blouse, and three inch heels.
I put my hair up in a simple bun, and used minimal makeup, but today with red lipstick.
I looked like someone who had her life together. Fake it till you make it.
On the train, I practiced the words over and over in my head.
I'm resigning. It will be effective two weeks from today.
It would be simple, professional, and clean.
A text message arrived, and I opened my phone.
Daniel Tan: Good luck today: Remember. You're doing them a favor by giving notice. They should be grateful for two weeks.
I smiled despite my nerves.
Me: Easy for you to say. You're not the one walking into their office.
Daniel Tan: True. But you're stronger than you think. Prove it.
Damn him and his perfectly timed encouragement.