A Poor Dad Drove An Elderly Neighbor Home, Not Knowing The Woman He Passed Was A CEO Falling In Love

Building a Foundation

He worked construction during the day and drove for a ride share app at night. Ever since Theo’s mom left two years ago it had been just the two of them. He made peanut butter sandwiches and cut Theo’s into triangles.

He sat across from him. “You ever think about superheroes Dad?” “All the time.”

“I think you’re one,” Theo said through a mouthful of sandwich. Darren chuckled. “Yeah what’s my superpower?”

“You help people even when your car is broken.” “That’s kind of awesome.” He didn’t say anything just reached across the table and ruffled his son’s hair.

Two days later Elina saw him again. She was walking out of the same outreach center finalizing some details for the company’s charity event. Her company Foster Global was backing the entire renovation of the old neighborhood library.

It wasn’t something she did for press because she hated press. She just remembered what it was like growing up in a house where rent was always late. She remembered when peanut butter sandwiches were dinner.

He was across the street loading bricks into a wheelbarrow at a construction site. His shirt was damp with sweat and his jeans were dusty. That same little boy from the other day was sitting under a tree with a worn superhero coloring book.

Elina didn’t even realize she was walking toward them until she was already halfway there. “Hey,” she said stopping a few feet away. Darren turned squinting.

“Hi I sorry i saw you the other day helping that woman.” “I just wanted to say that was really kind.” He wiped his hands on his jeans.

“Oh yeah that’s just Mrs. Hartley.” “She’s my neighbor.” “I figured.”

She glanced at the boy. “Your son?” He smiled. “Yep that’s Theo.”

Theo waved. “Hi are you a superhero too?” She laughed. “I wish i just work a lot.”

“I bet you fight crime in that jacket,” he said seriously. Elina glanced at her designer blazer and gave a real laugh this time. “Only corporate crime.”

“You need something?” Darren asked not unkindly just cautious. “I just came to say thanks that’s all.” She hesitated then added “I’m Elina.”

“Darren,” he said. “Nice to meet you.” She smiled and then her driver pulled up in a sleek black SUV behind her.

He raised a brow. “You from around here?” “Not exactly.”

Before she could say more her assistant stuck her head out the SUV window. “Miss Foster we’re going to be late for the board meeting.” Darren blinked.

“Foster as in Foster Global?” She gave a small shrug. “Yeah that Foster.”

She saw the moment the wall went up behind his eyes. He nodded. “Well nice meeting you Elina.”

And just like that he turned back to his work. Later that night Alina couldn’t stop thinking about him. She thought about how quickly his face changed when he realized who she was.

She thought about that little boy with his superhero drawings. She thought about the way Darren didn’t try to impress her. He didn’t flirt or act like most men did when they found out she ran a billion dollar company.

He didn’t need her for anything and that made her want to know him more. Darren tried not to think about her. He’d been around money before not personally but he’d seen it.

Women who wore $5,000 shoes didn’t belong in his world. They didn’t know what it was like to pick up extra shifts just to cover daycare. They didn’t know what it was like to stretch ground beef for four nights.