That.
For a second, I just stared at the conch again, even though it hadn’t really moved enough to justify how long I looked at it.
“I—yeah,” I said carefully. “I mean… I’ve been thinking about it.”
Which wasn’t a lie.
I’d been thinking about it a lot.
Too much, maybe.
The idea of working with his private aquarium still felt strange in a way I didn’t entirely know how to explain. Notbadstrange. Just… big. Personal. Like stepping into a space that wasn’t meant to include me. It also just didn’t feel like a real job? I mean, I guess rich people hired maids and chefs and stuff, so maybe it was legitimate? There was just something about it that kept tugging on my brain.
“I still think I need a little more time to think about it,” I added, trying to keep my voice steady and normal. “It’s just… a lot to decide all at once.”
“That’s reasonable,” Tobias said.
“I don’t want to make the wrong decision,” I admitted, quieter.
“There is very little risk involved,” he replied calmly. “You would be compensated appropriately, and your responsibilities would be limited to the care of the collection. I would sponsor you. You wouldn’t have to worry about your visa anymore.”
“That’s allowed?”
“Yes.”
“Oh…”
There was a brief pause.
“You should come see it.”
“See it..?”
“My aquarium,” he said simply, as if it were obvious that this was the logical next step. “You don’t need to decide immediately. It would allow you to become familiar with the environment before committing to anything.”
“You mean just… visit?” I asked.
“Yes.” He tilted his head. “I also think your opinion may be swayed once you see what you’ll be caring for. It would also allow you to determine whether the position suits you.”
I hesitated, but just a visit couldn’t hurt.
I was nervous about going to someone’s house—someone I didn’t know all too well, someone who also happened to be a freaking billionaire.
But if nothing else, I’d probably enjoy viewing his private collection. He probably had the best of the best equipment.
“You mean before my contract ends?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I looked back at the conch again, watching it inch forward with absolute commitment to wherever it had decided it was going.
One month.
That was all I had left here.
And after that—
Nothing was guaranteed.
