I calculated that by the time I boarded, Gilbert would have arrived in my rented apartment. My neighbor confirmed his arrival through a text, but when I landed, I still ignored his message.
After all, I had no intention of meeting him before securing my new job. So, I kept my presence in his city a secret.
With the help of a college roommate, I moved into her apartment—a cozy studio for a reasonable two thousand dollars in rent.
For the next week, I stayed there while Gilbert frantically searched for me.
Soon, my first day at the new job arrived.
I made sure to carry the Chanel pearl handbag Gilbert had gifted me, paired with the Yves Saint Laurent patent leather heels and the Gucci suit he'd bought for me.
After all, on my first day, I didn't want to give anyone the impression I was easy to push around.
As I entered the company, all eyes were on me, but I was used to such attention.
The HR manager escorted me to the general manager's office.
Though the office was empty, I decided to wait.
I glanced at the manager's desk. Surprisingly, the plants, monitor, and keyboard were exactly like the ones I'd given to Gilbert.
Soon, a guy in a gray hoodie walked in.