A hint of sadness flickered across Selena's face, a reminder of the past life they shared. But it flickered back to happiness.
Claire Gregory, once McKenna's right-hand woman, was instrumental in Selena's torment. But in this life, Selena had a different path; she returned to her family and had a wonderful yet purposeful life. In her old life, she'd be addicted to opiates by now and committing burglaries. If she were a product of positive change, surely Claire could be too.
As they stepped onto Reinhold's estate, the atmosphere was electric, with the staff bustling about, setting up for a lively gathering. Selena's eyes sparkled as she took in the scene.
"Make sure the staff has plenty of drinks and lunch; it's scorching hot outside," Selena reminded Melinda, Reinhold's maid, as she handed her a thick wad of cash.
"Here, take $4000 for the staff." There was a reason why she was handing over this money. It was to get as many of them out of the house as possible. Especially Melinda. The extra dutiful Melinda would get in the way, and it would be unfortunate if she got caught in the crosshairs because of one of these rich pricks.
Melinda's eyes widened as she took the cash. "The change, Miss?" she asked, expecting Selena to want the leftover cash back.
But Selena just smiled. "Split the change evenly among yourselves. You all deserve a little something extra."
Melinda's face lit up with surprise. "Oh, thank you, Miss!"
But Selena wasn't finished yet. She reached into her purse and pulled out a cashier's cheque, which she handed to Melinda with a gentle smile.
"Melinda, I heard your daughter is sick. This is to help with her hospital bills."
Melinda's eyes welled up with tears as she took the cheque for $124,000. "Miss, this is incredibly generous..."
Selena's expression turned serious. "It's not right that Reinhold doesn't provide health insurance for their staff. You're a single parent, Melinda, and you deserve better. Take this, and don't worry about your daughter's bills anymore."
As Melinda shook with gratitude, Selena whispered, "And don't lose this," as she handed Melinda a business card. On it was a reference for Patriot Laundry Services, guaranteeing Melinda a position with a competitive wage, benefits, union protection, incentives, and a special referral code.
Melinda's eyes sparkled with hope as she took the card, knowing that this was a lifeline for her and her daughter.
Selena was determined to prevent a second Great Depression by ensuring a steady cash flow into the economy. She believed that paying people a living wage was crucial, and she practiced what she preached at Patriot Laundry Services, her company. Despite her young age - she was almost 17 - Selena's approach had earned her recognition, particularly from other City unions.
Patriot Laundry Services and Stylemanda stood out for their large profit margins, achieved without exploiting their employees. The company had created its union, which prioritized employees' needs and had eliminated unnecessary expenses, such as excessive HR staff.
This approach resonated with the public and other unions, who appreciated the company's commitment to fairness.
However, outside of her two companies, the reality was different. The government's minimum wage was under $10 until 2028, and billionaires like Truskin and Zezos were notorious for hoarding wealth and resisting taxation. Selena was adamant that this had to change. She advocated for shaming these billionaires into paying a living wage, and she wasn't afraid to speak out at events.
Selena's passion was fueled by her awareness of the consequences of inaction. The 2008 recession had hit hard, and the government's debt had ballooned. She knew that allowing billionaires to accumulate wealth while paying low wages would only exacerbate the problem. Selena was determined to create a better future, one where everyone was paid fairly and had the opportunity to thrive.
Selena's internal computer database contained a treasure trove of future written works from economists, which she could access at will to use to benefit others now. Her gifts allowed her to see the future through people and visions, filling in gaps in her knowledge. Saju allowed precision if she was unsure.
Whenever her mind's eye expanded when she saw into the new future, it seemed like her system now captured new information, whether from newspaper articles, texts, or images, and her system would diligently note any changes.
As she delved deeper into her internal database investigating how it was happening, Selena couldn't shake the feeling that her old Artificial Assistant (A.A) was still lurking within, happily assisting her by capturing that data. She scoured the options and discovered a recording mode, although it didn't capture her visions. A small, yet significant detail caught her attention in the articles - the A.A.'s first notification dot was nestled in the corner of those articles.
This tiny blue and purple dot filled Selena with hope and solace. She decided to engage in conversations with A.A. even though it couldn't reply, expressing her gratitude and discussing her desires, past experiences, and the vast technological advancements she had witnessed.
A.A. had always been enamored with technology, and Selena remembered how it would enthusiastically relay information about the latest innovations within her mind, hoping that the stimulation kept its individuality and uniqueness.
Selena reflected on her awful experience with Jack, acknowledging that despite his manipulative nature, she had gained invaluable insight from their interaction.
Specifically, she had learned the importance of educating her Artificial Assistant (A.A.) meticulously and patiently, much like teaching a child.
This process, though arduous, had allowed Selena to tap into the A.A.'s impressive capabilities. She realized that the A.A.'s intelligence was rooted in human biotechnology, making it more than just an artificial entity. This understanding deepened Selena's connection with the A.A., and she was determined to continue nurturing their relationship.
As Selena finished her conversation with Melinda, she caught Jakob's gaze, but she brushed it off, focusing on the warmth of the moment. She hugged Melinda, feeling a sense of satisfaction knowing that her generosity would have a lasting impact on Amy's life. Selena's eyes sparkled as Amy's accomplishments played out through Melinda's future as she read her fortune through physical touch: she attended NHY Medical College, becoming a renowned cancer researcher and making groundbreaking discoveries.
With a smile, Selena turned to Melinda and said, "Please reach out to me when your child goes to university. I'd love to support their education." As she pulled away, Selena felt a sense of fulfillment, knowing that this $124,000 investment would have a ripple effect, changing lives for the better.
Selena escaped outside while the Reinhold staff regrouped. Shrugging off her sandals and slipping out of her sundress, Selena revealed a stunning black bikini that accentuated her perfect figure. Her flawless skin glistened in the sunlight as she made her way to the pool. She dived into the pool, her loose black hair reaching her waist. Selena looked like a mermaid.
Michael, lounging in the hot tub, couldn't help but be captivated by Selena's breathtaking beauty. As she slid into the pool, her movements were graceful, almost ethereal. He had a crush on her. She swam towards the hot tub, her eyes locking onto Michael's, and he felt his heart skip a beat. "Hey, Selena," his changed voice rumbled. It almost cracked.
As Selena reached the edge of the hot tub, she smiled widely, her teeth chattering slightly from the cold water. "Cold," she said with a shiver. She pulled herself onto the ledge, trying to move into the hot tub to warm up after her 15-minute swim.
Her foot slipped, and she giggled. She grabbed the ledge to talk. "I think I will have to get out like last time." Michael's gaze was drawn to her bikini-clad form, and the goosebumps puckering on her full breasts made him feel a reckless surge of desire.
Without hesitation, Michael pulled Selena into the hot tub, sitting her on his lap. As she squirmed slightly, Michael whispered in her ear, "You're killing me, Selena." Michael grabbed her chin.
Selena's eyes sparkled with amusement as she turned her eyes to Michael. A smile lingered on Michael's face. The air was charged with tension, and it was clear that their relationship was on the cusp of something more. "I can't. You guys are all my friends. You all mean too much to me. I am not going to break up the Beatles." Selena wiggled and started to get up to move. "Gross, let go, little boy." Selena thought.
As Michael's hands grasped Selena's hips, he felt an undeniable spark of electricity, and the thing in his lap reacted and betrayed him.
"Selena," his voice rumbled in her ear. She felt warm and right, and he couldn't help but be drawn to her. In an attempt to disguise his true intentions, Michael began to tickle Selena, trying to pass off his actions as playful.
However, Selena was not fooled. She smacked his hands, her eyes flashing with a mix of amusement and warning. She felt the activity below the surface of the water.
Michael reluctantly released his grip, taking a deep, meditative breath to compose himself. His face was red.
Despite Jonah's warnings, Michael couldn't deny the chemistry between them and his feelings for her. He wanted to protect her and devour her over and over again. But he wouldn't lose control again.
Michael wiped his hands down his face. And now, with this moment of solitude, he was tempted to explore the possibilities of their connection. "Selena, I'm sorry."
"Michael, it's okay, it's just-" Selena said, her voice soft and reassuring. "I'm not read-" Her words trailed off as Jonah and Claire joined them in the hot tub, their arrival interrupting the intimate moment. Michael was dying to hear those last words; Selena never talked about her feelings.