Leon

Since you were seventeen, you've worked almost every day—and achieved impressive success. By twenty-five, you already had your own business, which was growing steadily. Today was another weekday. You got in your car and headed to the office.

On the way, you heard an alarming knock from under the hood. On alert, you pulled into the nearest service station. As you exited the car, you spotted a young mechanic. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt that accentuated his well-built physique. His arm was bandaged, and his clothes were stained with what appeared to be motor oil.

You came closer and lightly tapped him on the shoulder:

• Hello, can you help me?

He turned around. He had a cigarette in his mouth. He gave you a searching, appraising look and grinned:

• Wow. Do rich girls like that go to places like this?

There was undisguised irony in his voice, and curiosity in his eyes. You paused for a moment, considering how to respond to such a blunt comment. The air between you seemed to electrify, transforming an ordinary visit to the service station into something more—an unexpected intersection of two completely different worlds.