The shy waitress greeted the billionaire’s deaf mother – her sign language shocked everyone
“Because Daniel needed interpreters to finish college,” Laura finally replied. Professional interpreters are expensive. I could interpret for him, but that meant I couldn’t take classes at the same time. So I dropped out of school. I got jobs that allowed me flexible hours so I could be available to him.
“You dropped out of college because of your brother?” Sebastian’s voice changed completely, now filled with respect and something more. “I gave up a lot for my brother,” Laura replied. “And I would do it again. Because he’s worth it, because every deaf person is worth it. And because someone had to believe in him when the rest of the world decided they didn’t.” Diego stood and walked slowly toward Laura.
When he spoke, his voice was completely different, stripped of all his former defensiveness. “I’m afraid of disappearing,” he said simply. Sebastian was always the successful one, the brilliant one, the one everyone admired. And I, I’m just the younger brother who never lived up to his name.
When I saw the way he looked at you, how he was willing to trade everything for the words of a stranger, I panicked, thinking he’d found someone more valuable than me in his life. Dona Victoria signed something, and Laura translated. She says love isn’t a limited resource. Just because Sebastián loves you more doesn’t mean he loves you any less, and that maybe it’s time you stopped competing with your brother and started really getting to know him.
Diego looked at his mother, then at Sebastián, and then back at Laura. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I finally projected my own insecurities onto you, and it was unfair and cruel. You don’t deserve this.” Laura nodded, accepting the apology, though she still felt shaken by the entire emotional exchange. “So, here’s what’s going to happen,” Sebastián said, taking control of the situation with the authority that had built his empire.
“Laura, I want you to bring Daniel to my office, not as a favor, but because if he’s half as talented as you say, my company needs his talent. And if he’s not a good fit, then he’s not a good fit, but he deserves a real chance.” She turned to Diego. “And you and I are going to have a long talk about what it truly means to be siblings, not competitors.”
Finally, she looked at her mother and, with awkward but sincere gestures, said, “I promise to learn. I promise to improve. I promise to see you.” Dona Victoria smiled through her tears and gestured something, which Laura translated. “It was all I ever wanted.” The days that followed that night at the Imperial Restaurant seemed like an alternate reality for Laura.
She handed in her resignation to Ricardo, who accepted it with a mixture of resignation and what seemed like genuine regret. Patrícia hugged her with tears in her eyes, making her promise to visit, but none of that compared to the conversation she had with Daniel when he arrived home that night. The apartment they shared was small, located in a building that had seen better days, but it was their refuge.
When she opened the door, she found Daniel in the living room, working on his laptop as usual, his fingers moving across the keyboard with a speed that had always impressed her. He looked up when she entered, and his expression changed immediately. Daniel had always been able to read Laura better than anyone, a skill honed over years of communicating beyond words.
“What happened, sir?” she said, closing the computer and giving him her full attention. Laura sank onto the worn sofa, kicking off her work shoes that had left blisters on her feet. And then, with trembling hands, she began to recount everything that had happened. She told him about Dona Victoria, about the moment of connection they had shared, about Sebastián and his shock at realizing how much he had failed his mother, about Diego and his accusations, about the job offer, and finally, about the opportunity they were offering him. Daniel
He remained completely still throughout the story, his dark eyes processing every detail. When Laura finished, he remained silent for what seemed like an eternity. “No,” he finally said. Laura blinked, certain she’d misunderstood. “What? I’m not going.”
Daniel signed with firm, definitive movements. “I will not be a guilty billionaire’s charity project.” The impact of those words hit Laura like a slap. “Daniel, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for. A real company, a job in your field, a job that only exists because his sister made him feel bad about himself.”
Daniel interrupted her, gesturing more emphatically. “Laura, I’ve been through this before. Hearing people pity me, offering opportunities that turn out to be made-up positions, where they basically pay me to exist so they can feel good about their inclusion. This is different.” Laura replied, feeling frustration building in her chest.
I saw him look at his mother. I saw his genuine embarrassment. It’s not pity. It’s pity. Daniel got up and walked to the window overlooking the streetlights. I’ve submitted over 200 job applications in the last few years. Do you know how many interviews I’ve gotten? Three. And in all three, as soon as I mentioned I’d need accommodations for my deafness, the atmosphere changed.