21

The next day, I wake up in the morning; Carol and Louis sleep. I have a coffee for breakfast, collect my belongings and start my journey to Hills Corporation. The city is a bit crowded and that makes it difficult for me to get to it, although I manage to get there on time and in the right way, just the way Mr. Hills likes it. As soon as I set foot on the top floor, Julia comes over to greet me.

"Good morning, Eve.

"Good morning Julia.

"How are you? We haven't talked much these last few weeks.

"Very well," I reply. “I'm sorry. I was a little overwhelmed with work and...

"Don't apologize, please. "He gives me a kind smile." I just wanted to let you know something has arrived for you. I left it in your office, on the desk.

“Did something arrive for me?

I frown.

"That's how it is.

"Thanks for your notice.

"No reason.

Julia walks away and I move towards my office as I take the moment to examine the top floor of the building and the people who live in it. I have noticed that all the women who work here are -mostly- blonde, slender and very beautiful. They seem exotic. There are some black-haired women and some redheads and brunettes on the first floor.

I wonder if that would be the taste of Mr. Hills.

What the fuck? I dismiss that intrusive thought and head into my office. I put my bag on the desk and my gaze falls on the white envelope lying on the desk. How weird. Out of inertia, I take it in my hands and open it, revealing what is inside and...

I freeze when I see it.

It just can't be.

Anger activates my nervous system and I reach for the tasteless black rose. There is only one author behind this... and I verify it by reading his initials on the small card that hangs from the stem:

-JB-

Jonas Bogdanov.

I drop the rose and reach for my phone. It doesn't take me long to tag Carol, who answers on the third whistle.

"What's going on? “She speaks, a little sleepy.

"It's behind me. She wants me.

"Hey? Eva please, be a little more specific, it's eight in the morning. I can't understand references.

“Jonas. He sent me a black rose.

"What, are you sure?

“Yes.” I run my hands through my hair. "I knew he came back for me, that this would happen the minute I saw him. I'm screwed. He's going to…

"Take it easy...

"Can't.

“Maybe he just wants to scare you.

“Don't try to be positive, please. That man is wrong... "I let out a sigh." I have to hang up, bye.

"Bye.

He put the phone on the desk and...

“Miss Miller.

Shit! I hide the rose, crushing it with my bag, and turn to Mr. Hills. What if he heard me speak? Maybe he got angry.

"Mr. Hills" I clear my throat. "She scared me...

He stays silent. His look makes me nervous and makes me swallow hard.

“Do you tend to talk on the phone during work hours?

"No! "He exclaimed, raising an eyebrow." I mean, it's the first time I've done it, sir. It was something important, but...

“Is a phone call more important than his job in a building like mine?

“I absolutely “deny” it. My work here is very important to me.

An awkward and sepulchral silence settles in the room.

"He needs something?

He takes a few steps forward. My pulse races and I feel small.

"Yeah. And she looked up when I spoke to her. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's that my employees don't know how to look up to see their superiors.

Fool. I repeat it so much in my head that I want to yell at him.

I look up as requested. It looks too tall from my perspective and I'm starting to hate eye contact. His gaze is too penetrating.

"Sure, I'm sorry" I swallow saliva. “You can continue...

“We will travel to Los Angeles.

The news leaves me speechless.

*

"The Angels? “I mumble. I do not hide my surprise.

I feel like I'm completely pale. I had forgotten that detail, that detail that they had told me. Sometimes you have to travel and being his secretary, I am forced to accompany him.

"Does it have a problem?

“Not at all, it just took me by surprise. When is the exact date and duration of the trip?

“Next Monday, the flight leaves at eight in the morning. My driver will pick you up and take you to the airport. We will be there for two or three days at the most. That's all.

She doesn't let me ask anymore, as she turns and leaves the room. I put my hands to my face and suppress the urge to scream from the stress. What am I going to do now?

I have to take care of Louis, he just got home and I'll have to travel. I know it's a short trip and the destination is not far away, but still, I wanted to stay here in New York.

What am I supposed to do now?

Carol has a job and she won't be able to keep an eye on Louis... I mean, she can stay sometimes, but... I don't think she can all the time.

Shit. I need to get someone to give me a hand with this. I try to put my thoughts aside and get to work before my boss shows up again and sees me doing absolutely nothing by overthinking. He could fire me very easily.

My working day is based on that; accompanying Mr. Hills to meetings, scheduling new events, making calls and taking notes. When it starts to get dark, my working day comes to an end. I collect my belongings and go down to the first floor of the building, which is somewhat uninhabited.

I walk towards the exit, but a voice interrupts me.

"Miss.

I turn around and there I see Camille. She is wearing a tight dress and her blonde hair is loose, this time she has it wavy. She smiles in amusement as she gazes up at me. In short, I think I'll never be able to understand why this woman smiles so much when she sees me.

"Miss.

I return the greeting and leave.

When I get home, I set my belongings aside, sanitize my hands, and change my clothes before going to say hello to Louis, who is in the living room, staring at the television.

He notices my presence after a few seconds and runs to greet me, which manages to raise my mood remarkably.