A Struggling Dad Agreed To Feed A Woman’s Pet, Not Knowing She Was A CEO Who Would End Up In Love

A Chance Encounter and a New Beginning

Zayn Keller was down to his last 20 bucks when the flyer caught his eye. Feed my cat for one week. Generous pay.

He was pushing a stroller through the Upper East Side. He was trying to get baby Zuri to sleep while calculating if he had enough gas to make it to his next construction gig.

The flyer was taped to a lampost outside a row of brownstones that looked like they cost more than his entire life. It was handwritten on thick paper, the edges clean, neat, and precise.

Just like the woman who must have written it. Zuri stirred in the stroller, grumbling. Zayn bent down and gently rocked her.

“Hang in there, baby girl. Daddy’s trying.” He stared back at the flyer.

Feeding a cat couldn’t be that hard. And if generous pay meant even a couple hundred bucks, it could cover groceries for the week. Diapers too.

He dialed the number on the flyer before he could second-guess it. “Hello.” The voice on the other end was smooth but clipped, professional.

“Uh, hey, my name’s Zayn. I saw your flyer about feeding your cat. I’m interested.”

“I’ve got experience with animals. Grew up with two dogs and a cat.” That last part was a stretch.

His sister had the cat, but close enough. There was a pause. “Are you available to meet today? I leave tomorrow morning.”

“Yeah, I can be there in 20 minutes.” She gave him the address. He looked down at Zuri.

“Guess we’re meeting a cat, baby.” 20 minutes later he was standing in front of a tall ivy-covered townhouse with gold trim on the door. A security camera blinked at him.

This place screamed money. He rang the bell. A few seconds passed before the door opened and there she was.

The woman standing in front of him wore a navy blazer over a white silk blouse and heels. They probably cost more than his truck. Her hair was perfectly slicked back into a low knot.

She held a tablet in one hand like it was an extension of her arm. But her eyes, green and sharp, narrowed the second they landed on him.

“Your Zayn,” he tried not to feel self-conscious about the flannel shirt he’d thrown on over a t-shirt. He also worried about the fact that Zuri had a cheerio stuck to her cheek.

“Yep,” he said, adjusting Zuri’s strap. “And this is Zuri.” Her eyes briefly flicked to the baby, then back to him.

“I wasn’t expecting a child.” “Don’t worry, she’ll be with her babysitter if I’m coming over. I just didn’t have time to drop her off before this.”

She studied him for a beat, then stepped aside. “Come in.” He followed her into the foyer, his boots sinking into plush cream carpeting.

The place was massive, sleek, modern, but somehow still warm. A wall of windows bathed the room in sunlight.

A cat, as white as snow with one blue eye and one gold, sat perched on top of a marble console. “That’s Cashew,” she said.

“He eats twice a day. Wet food in the morning, dry at night. He gets anxious if you don’t talk to him and don’t let him near the balcony.”

Zayn nodded, crouching slightly. “Hey Cashew. You’re a fancy little guy, huh?”

Cashew blinked at him, tail flicking. The woman was watching him again. “You’re not allergic, are you?”

“Nope. And my sister’s cat hated everyone. If I survived that, I figure I can handle this guy.”

She almost smiled, almost. “I’ll be gone for 7 days. I’ll leave a key with the doorman downstairs.”

“I’ll be reachable only in emergencies. Payment will be left in an envelope.” “Got it. I’ll take care of him like he’s my own.”

She looked at Zuri again for the first time. Her expression softened. “How old is she?”

“14 months.” “She’s beautiful. Looks like you.”

“Thanks.” He hesitated. “I didn’t catch your name.”

She paused. “Giana Hail.” He held out a hand.

“Nice to meet you, Giana.” She shook it, her grip firm. “Likewise.”