The results of my Space A investment were finally in.
Shares Held: 0
Average Selling Price: $296.50
Cash Balance: $154,180,000
With a single trade, I had earned a return of over 2,000%.
After closing out my position, I headed to The Pink Door, one of my favorite restaurants.
The table by the center window.
The table I always reserved.
Back when I was with Hannah.
Back when I was with Naomi.
Today, however, was different.
This was my own private celebration.
A celebration of success.
Lasagna and Sangiovese.
The food-and-wine pairing that worked best in this restaurant.
Naomi and I had discovered that combination after dining here countless times in the Room of Choices.
As I poured wine into my glass, a server approached my table.
In that instant…
It felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over my head.
A variable had appeared.
“Ellen?”
The woman standing before me was Ellen.
The woman I had met in the Room of Choices after choosing not to join William Investment.
The woman who had become my wife.
The woman with whom I had spent the rest of my life.
But that wasn’t possible.
I hadn’t met Ellen here.
So why was she here?
“Excellent choice, sir.
You’ve picked the restaurant’s best pairing.”
She smiled warmly.
“You seem to know this place well.
I don’t think I’ve seen you here before.”
Of course not.
This was my first visit to this restaurant in reality.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“Huh?”
She blinked.
“Oh, I’m Ellen.
I’m one of the servers here.
I usually recommend our house wines based on what customers order.
You looked like a first-time guest, so I was going to suggest one.
But you already chose the perfect pairing on your own.
It’s actually pretty rare for first-time customers to order that combination.”
She gave a small bow.
“Well then, enjoy your meal.”
“Ellen.”
She stopped and looked back.
“Yes?”
“Have you worked here for a long time?”
“Let’s see…”
She tilted her head as she counted.
“As of today…
Three years, six months, and twenty-six days.”
Then she smiled.
“Is there something you’re curious about?”
My chest tightened.
Honey, today marks six years, two months, and five days since we met.
Back in the Room of Choices, Ellen had always counted the days.
Every anniversary.
Every milestone.
Every ordinary day.
That was exactly how my wife spoke.
People hadn’t changed.
The IPO date hadn’t changed.
The result of the investment hadn’t changed.
But Ellen’s workplace had changed.
The place where I met her had changed.
A variable had appeared in the Room of Choices.
A serious one.