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Daniel already knew how and where and when everything had begun, but the true dilemma had been knowing how little Jia could get away with telling him. She didn’t want to reveal the minute details of her home situation no matter how helpful he wanted to be, or even genuinely seemed to be.

But without the proper context, it was impossible to make him understand why she had been so afraid of getting the police involved, why she had begged Atlas to let it all go.

But above all else, Jia knew her priority was to extricate herself from Atlas Grayson’s powerful grasp. She had responsibilities, two kid siblings who depended on her back home. Whatever Atlas’s game was, she knew it couldn’t possibly be good for her.

There was no reason to believe this bogus “position” he had given her as the assistant of his assistant would even pay her any wages, much less a fair one. She should be out there looking for reliable employment right this very second instead of wasting her time in this posh building she certainly didn’t belong in.

She needed to get out of here and out of his life. Fast.

And so the decision. The decision to throw caution to the wind and trust Daniel, because there was no one else who could possibly help. And because, she had to admit, he had already proven himself willing and able to help once before.

“I wasn’t aware you’re responsible for two dependents. I...can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to raise them for this long. Unbelievable.” Daniel’s voice was quiet, pensive, and sympathetic. While Jia would never dare to ask anyone to feel sorry for her, she felt a warm rush of gratitude for his compassionate words.

“It’s been a hard road,” she said with a small smile. “But I’m thankful every single day that the state allowed me to take them. I had just turned eighteen when our parents passed. I was still in the middle of my senior year in high school, so as a dropout with no stable prospects, there’s no reason for the court to have been so generous. Someone was looking out for me, I think.”

Daniel nodded. “Then I’m happy to take on that mantle now that the opportunity has presented itself.”

A small breath of laughter escaped Jia’s nose. “I’m really grateful, but I want you to know I understand if there’s nothing you can do. You already told me you and Mr. Grayson aren’t on great terms, so I’m not expecting you to change his mind so easily.”

But to her surprise, he shook his head at her reassurance, rejecting her doubts. “You misunderstand,” he told her. “I do want to make sure we resolve this existing imbalance between you and Atlas, but my priority is your well being. Jia, I want you to understand that despite the terrible experience you had here before, this is possibly the best chance you may have of being able to continue providing for your family."

He pointed at the glass wall, gesturing out at the city.

“You said it yourself, Jia. It’s difficult to get your foot in the door in these parts. And yet, from my understanding, it’s just as difficult to relocate.”

A nervous tingle of apprehension worked its way down to Jia’s toes, but why was it that she felt so drawn to the sincerity she thought she could hear in his every inflection? She shouldn’t even be listening to the things he said - she should be working on a strategy to get out of this place and find a real job. Jisu and Jini were depending on her, depending on her ability to keep her head firmly on her shoulders and not up in the clouds, dreaming of improbabilities.

“Yes,” she heard herself saying. “In this country, it even costs money to be poor.”

What was she doing? Why was she trusting Daniel so implicitly?

Suddenly, a knock on the door made both of them turn around. “Daniel, your coffees?” The voice through the door was muffled and quiet, but Jia was sure it belonged to the brunette secretary she remembered meeting on the way in. Meghan, she thought.

“Yes, please, come in.” Daniel rose as the door opened, and he met the woman halfway to collect the two foam cups from her. “Thank you, Meghan.”

“My pleasure.” The woman gave him an open smile, all red lipstick and pale foundation, before turning to glance down at Jia. There was no overt hostility in her eyes, but there was an unmistakable guarded quality shadowing her expression. “Anything else I can do for you? Daniel, Ms. Moon?”

Jia hastily shook her head. Despite the woman appearing to be at least similar in age to her, something about the woman’s tone made Jia feel like a recalcitrant child caught scribbling on a wall in permanent marker. “No, I’m fine,” she said. “Thank you so much for the coffee. It smells delicious.”

Not that she knew what coffee was supposed to smell like, but she wasn’t lying. The aroma was definitely pleasant.

The woman paused, as if surprised by the unrestrained expression of gratitude from her. “Oh. Well, you’re very welcome. I’ll be outside if you need me.”

“Which I will, no doubt. Thank you, Meghan.” Daniel watched as the woman retreated from the office with quick, clipping footsteps before settling back down onto the couch.

“Now,” he said. “We should probably figure out what to do about Atlas, shouldn’t we?” He leaned back in the chair again and rested his hands on his knees. “What is it that he’s having you do here? Did he explain himself at all?”

Jia shook her head. “An assistant to his assistant, that’s all I know. I’m actually confused myself -”

Suddenly, another knock at the door. Daniel looked up, mildly surprised. “Yes?”

“Um…” Meghan’s muffled voice again, but decidedly more nervous this time. The hairs on the back of Jia’s neck rose, and if asked, she would have sworn she knew what was coming next:

“Daniel, Mr. Grayson is waiting to see you,” the woman said. “He’s...here.”