Chapter 1
Ding—
The sudden notification sound on my phone nearly sent me tumbling off the shared bike. I slammed the brakes, barely avoiding a collision with a fire hydrant on the sidewalk.
"Holy shit!"
When I saw the number displayed on the delivery app, I froze completely.
$500!
I rubbed my eyes, making sure I wasn't seeing things. The order details read: [Deliver precious gift to Le Bernardin restaurant in Upper East Side. Recipient: Sebastian Blackstone.]
"Five hundred dollars! Jesus, that's three months of ramen money!" My hands were literally shaking with excitement. "Please don't let someone else snatch this order!"
I pedaled frantically, my mind racing with equal parts excitement and anxiety. This has to be a system glitch, right? Or some kind of scam? Five hundred bucks to deliver a gift? That's insane! But what if it's real? This money could save me from ramen hell next month, plus I could finally pay back my roommate!
Whatever, I'll give it a shot. Worst case scenario, I waste a trip. It's not like I have anything worth scamming—I've got a whopping twenty dollars to my name!
The Columbia University financial aid barely covers anything. I work three jobs just to scrape by: library work at $15/hour, coffee shop at $12/hour, and delivery app jobs that usually max out at $50 per order. But today—$500! I can't believe this is happening!
Twenty minutes later, I burst through the doors of Le Bernardin, completely out of breath. The place screamed expensive, and here I was in my Uniqlo t-shirt and jeans, feeling like a peasant who'd wandered into a palace.
"I'm here for a delivery," I said cautiously to the hostess, terrified they'd kick me out.
The hostess looked me up and down like I was some exotic creature. "Are you the delivery girl? Mr. Blackstone is at table 12."
I nodded eagerly and hurried toward table 12. Before I even got there, I could hear heated arguing.
"You brought me to this place for our anniversary? Sebastian, are you kidding me?"
I peeked around the corner to see a blonde bombshell laying into a dark-haired guy. The guy had to be Sebastian Blackstone—definitely handsome, but currently looking like death warmed over.
"Vivian, listen, I prepared a surprise—"
"A surprise?" The woman named Vivian let out a harsh laugh. "What kind of surprise can your pathetic $8,000 salary buy me? Marcus just bought me a Cartier diamond bracelet worth a hundred grand yesterday! And you? You bring me to this second-rate restaurant?"
I nearly lost my footing.
A hundred-thousand-dollar bracelet?! Is this woman insane? She's complaining about an $8,000 salary? That's four times what I make in a month!
I work three jobs—library, coffee shop, delivery app—busting my ass to make barely over $2,000 a month. And this woman thinks $8,000 is chump change?
"I told you, I have a surprise—"
"Stop it!" Vivian shot up from her chair, sending silverware clattering. "I'm done! Poor people shouldn't pretend to be rich! I need a real successful man, not a loser like you!"
I stood there gaping. This woman is absolutely vicious! Humiliating her boyfriend in front of everyone like this?
Wait... I suddenly remembered the beautifully wrapped gift box in my hands. Could this be Sebastian's "surprise"? The packaging alone looks expensive—probably jewelry inside.
Maybe I could help them make up? Sure, this woman is completely awful, but Sebastian seems to really care about her. Plus, if they reconcile, I'll definitely get my $500 delivery fee.
Steeling myself, I stepped forward to interrupt: "Excuse me, are you Mr. Sebastian Blackstone? I have a delivery for you. Maybe... maybe this is the surprise you mentioned?"
Sebastian looked up, a glimmer of hope flickering in his angry eyes. "Yes, that's me. Thank—"
He reached for the gift box, but Vivian snatched it from my hands and hurled it to the floor. "What surprise?! I don't want it!"
The outer wrapping split open, revealing an elegant Tiffany blue box inside.
When Vivian saw the box, her laugh became even more cutting. "Ha! So that's it! You even got a Tiffany box to fake it? Sebastian, you're pathetic! Using a knockoff box to package some cheap garbage to fool me?"
Sebastian's face turned ashen, that flicker of hope completely extinguished. "Vivian..."
"Don't say another word!" Vivian was completely unhinged now. "Look at you! You can't even give me a gift without having it delivered during our date! And using a fake Tiffany box to show off? Ridiculous!"
She grabbed the champagne glass from the table and smashed it on the floor. "We're breaking up! Don't ever contact me again!"
CRASH!
The champagne glass exploded on the marble floor, crystal shards flying everywhere. The entire restaurant fell silent, all eyes focused on our table. I wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.
Vivian clicked away on her heels without looking back.
Sebastian sat frozen, his face cycling through pale and flushed, trembling hands picking up the little Tiffany blue box and clutching it tightly.
I didn't know what to say, just stood there awkwardly. The stares and whispers from other diners made the whole scene even more mortifying.
God, what a horrible woman! Whatever's in that box, at least Sebastian put thought into getting her a gift. And humiliating someone like that in public? Just cruel.
Suddenly, Sebastian stood up and strode toward the restaurant exit.
I quickly followed, anxiety creeping in. In this situation, will he still pay my delivery fee? Please don't let this be a wasted trip.
Outside the restaurant, I nervously spoke up: "Um... Mr. Blackstone, about the delivery fee..."
Sebastian didn't turn around. "How much?"
"Five hundred dollars," I said carefully.
He pulled out his wallet and handed me several hundred-dollar bills. I quickly counted them—exactly $500.
"Thank you!" I said with relief, finally heading toward my shared bike.
Just as I was about to unlock it, Vivian came charging back: "Sebastian! How much did you give her? Five hundred dollars? You always said you had no money! Now you're casually handing out $500 to some random delivery girl? Have you been lying to me?!"
I turned around to see Vivian's furious face—she'd obviously witnessed Sebastian paying me.
Sebastian froze, then his face turned thunderous.
"I didn't lie to you!" he said through gritted teeth. "You have no idea what I—"
"No idea what?" Vivian sneered. "No idea that you actually have money but pretended to be poor to manipulate my feelings? Or no idea that you'd rather give $500 to a stranger than buy me a decent gift?"
That comment completely set Sebastian off. He suddenly pulled a black credit card from his suit jacket: "You want money? I'll show you real money!"
The black card gleamed in the evening light.
Holy shit! That's a legendary black card! An unlimited credit card! I've only seen those on TV!
Sebastian strode over to me, wrapped his arm around my waist, then turned to face Vivian:
"Be my girlfriend," Sebastian said, looking at me but speaking to Vivian. "$200,000 monthly!"
My eyes nearly popped out of my head: "What?! Two hundred thousand?!"
I must have heard wrong! $200,000? Per month? This can't be a joke!
"That's right! Two hundred thousand dollars, every month!" Sebastian held up the black card. "Just be my girlfriend!"
I stared at that card, my brain completely blank. I'd gone from being thrilled about a $500 delivery fee to suddenly jumping to $200,000 monthly! The shock was more intense than being struck by lightning!
My brain frantically calculated: $200,000 a month, that's $2.4 million a year! I could pay off all my student loans, move out of that crappy shared apartment, buy designer clothes, eat at fancy restaurants, and still have money left over!
"Holy shit!" I dropped the bike and threw my arms around Sebastian. "Yes! Yes! I love you, honey!"
I know it sounds shallow, but I couldn't care less! Two hundred thousand dollars! I've never seen that much money in my entire life!
When Vivian heard the number, her face went pale as a ghost: "Sebastian! Are you insane?!" She pointed at me, shrieking, "You'd rather give this delivery girl $200,000 than treat me right?!"
Sebastian sneered as he held me tighter: "Regretting it now? Too late, bitch."
I mentally thanked this beautiful woman. This is what real "girls helping girls" looks like! If she hadn't been such a drama queen, how would I have gotten the chance to grab onto this golden opportunity?
"Two hundred thousand dollars..." she whispered, her body trembling slightly.
Sebastian didn't spare her another glance, looking down at me instead: "What's your name?"
"Rebecca Miller!" I answered excitedly.
He pulled out his phone and checked the delivery order information: "Is this your phone number?" He read out my number.
"Yes! That's it!" I nodded frantically.
"Perfect." Sebastian put away his phone. "I'll contact you later."
"Okay, honey!" I nodded enthusiastically.
He's giving me $200,000—calling him honey is nothing! Forget honey, I'd call him daddy if he wanted!
Looking at Vivian's regretful expression, I felt absolutely triumphant.
Weren't you so high and mighty before? Now that you see Sebastian can offer $200,000 monthly, how's that slap in the face feel?
Starting today, Rebecca Miller officially says goodbye to poverty!
Sure, it sounds like being a sugar baby, but who cares? Money in hand is all that matters!