The rain had been falling over Manhattan since sunset. By 10:45 p.m., the streets were nearly empty. Skyscraper lights reflected across the wet pavement, and inside Sterling Global, only a handful of employees remained. Daniel Carter was one of them. He was 42 years old, a single father, and one of the hardest-working employees at Sterling Global.
He wasn't an executive. He wasn't wealthy. He didn't have a luxury apartment or an expensive car. Daniel worked in operations, and every evening he rushed home because his 10-year-old daughter, Lily, was waiting for him.
But tonight, his phone showed three missed calls from his manager. "Daniel, can you stay another hour?" Daniel sighed. He looked at the photo of Lily on his phone. "Just one more hour," he whispered.
At 11:30, Daniel finally left the building. He was walking toward the parking garage when he noticed someone standing beneath the entrance canopy: Victoria Sterling, the 43-year-old billionaire CEO and one of the most powerful women in Manhattan. But tonight, she didn't look powerful. Her expensive coat was soaked at the shoulders, her phone was dead, and her usual security driver hadn't arrived.
Daniel stopped. "Ms. Sterling?" Victoria turned. "Daniel, are you okay?" "My driver canceled," she said, looking toward the empty street.
"This weather," Victoria said. She nodded toward the rain. "I've been trying to get a car for 20 minutes." Daniel glanced at his old sedan, then at her. "I can drive you."
Victoria looked surprised. "You?" Daniel smiled. "Unless you know another employee standing in the rain." For the first time that evening, Victoria laughed. "Fine."
They walked toward Daniel's car. Victoria stared at the vehicle. "This is your car?" "Unfortunately." She smiled. "It has character."
"It has problems," Daniel replied. He opened the passenger door. "Careful. The window only works when it feels respected." Victoria laughed again. They drove through the rainy streets.
For several minutes, neither spoke. Then Victoria noticed a child's backpack in the backseat. "Your daughter?" Daniel nodded. "Lily."
"How old?" "Ten." "She waits for you this late?" "No, my neighbor watches her when I work late." Victoria looked out the window.
"You work too much." Daniel smiled. "Says my CEO." Victoria glanced at him. "Are you criticizing me?" "I'm just making an observation."
She smiled. "Fair enough." When they reached Victoria's building, Daniel pulled over. Victoria reached for the door, then stopped. "Would you come upstairs for a minute?"
Daniel looked confused. "Why?" "I want to thank you." "You don't have to." "I insist."
Daniel hesitated. He glanced at the clock, then followed her upstairs. Victoria's apartment was enormous, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a breathtaking view of Manhattan, expensive furniture, and beautiful artwork. But somehow, the place felt empty.
Victoria walked into the kitchen. "Sit." Daniel sat at the island. Victoria opened a cabinet, then turned toward him. "What drink do you want?"
Daniel smiled. "Water is fine." Victoria laughed. "Water?" "Yes."
"I thought you'd ask for something expensive." Daniel shrugged. "I have a daughter waiting at home. I don't have time to become a sophisticated man tonight." Victoria smiled.
She poured him water, then sat across from him. For the first time, Daniel noticed something unusual. There was only one glass in the entire room. "Victoria?"
She stared at it. "I hate this place sometimes." Daniel looked surprised. Victoria nodded. "Everyone thinks money solves loneliness."
Daniel remained quiet. Victoria continued, "Every room is beautiful. Every meal is expensive. Every person around me wants something." She looked at him. "Except you."
Daniel smiled. "I want to go home." Victoria laughed softly. "Exactly." They talked for almost an hour about work, about Lily, about family, and about how difficult it was to keep going when nobody noticed how tired you were.