Episode 5

The first week passed quite quickly, as was somewhat expected. I fired my secretary; apparently, she enjoyed telling my dear sister all the projects I would be working on with the management team, so I no longer needed her. But luckily, Yani arrived in her place; she was incredibly organized, kept my schedule up to date, and managed to have people reschedule meetings I couldn’t attend without them getting upset. She was exceptionally clever and friendly, so she would be staying with me for quite a while.

Fortunately, Florencia did not come back to the office, although security had already been informed, with a threat of termination involved, that they could not allow her entry. What surprised me was a message from her father saying he hoped everything would go well and that he fully trusted me. A damn lie, I knew perfectly well that all he wanted was to receive his salary every month and fill the pockets of the hypocrites on the management committee, but that wasn’t going to happen, at least not now. First, we had to return to the golden years, and perhaps then I would share some profits with them.

Today, I was to go see the advertising photos of some lipsticks that would be hitting the shelves in less than two weeks. I must admit that thanks to certain contacts, I was able to secure one of the best models to launch it into the market. The great Ximena Diaz would do me the favor of posing for several photos and then filming a mini-commercial; it’s incredible how some things can turn out so well.

You’re beautiful, my god, my camera loves you—I could see the cameraman's happiness right away with the beauty of the model; her makeup was subtle but complemented the matte red lipstick very well. I noticed on the computer that they had already taken photos with matte pink and matte burgundy colors. This girl was very pretty, and those colors suited her well. Once the sessions were finished, they reviewed all the photos together and selected the best ones.

I loved working with you both; my agent already knows that he must accept whenever you call—she told Juli, who I must admit captured people’s images remarkably well.

You will be in the best magazines, my dear—he replied.

I’m pleased that you both get along so well; we hope to have your presence for the photos of the new eyeshadows. Did they inform you that besides your pay, you also get to keep everything you model, right?—I said after giving her a warm hug. She was a very good person, and it was evident that despite her fame, she still retained her humility.

After that, I headed with my secretary to the laboratories where the tests were being conducted; luckily, Guillermo had stopped testing on animals. There were several new products, from eyeshadows to anti-aging creams; we just needed the final checks and then the necessary advertising to boost sales, which I hoped would occur before six months. If everything developed as it should, then I could meet the assigned deadlines.

Giselle, I have several messages from the secretary of one of the largest technology companies; apparently, they are buying new investment sectors and had made an enticing offer to Florencia for this company. Do they want a response before Saturday?—she told me while scanning various texts they had sent.

Yes, I saw all the offers the company received, and I’m not interested in any of them. They have received the response; it’s just not the one they wanted to hear—I replied as we headed back to my office. —Do you want to have chicken with salad for lunch?—

Yes, sure, as soon as we get back, I’ll order them—she said, smiling.

We took the elevator to the top floor. As soon as the doors opened, a man was waiting for us at reception; the temporary secretary, who had remained in our absence, had forgotten to inform us of that little detail.

Good morning, my name is Bruno, and I come on behalf of the director Elias Wood of T.E. (Elias Technologies). I need to review the purchase proposal for this company with the interim director—he said in a tone that was too cold for my liking.

Good morning, my name is Giselle Blass, executive director of the company, and I believe I sent you an email rejecting your proposal— I replied, walking toward my office, and the man entered behind us uninvited.

Excuse me, miss, but my boss is not one who accepts rejection—he said threateningly.

You will have to excuse me then, sir, but neither you nor your boss intimidates me. This company is under my charge, and there is no need to sell it, so please leave my office before I have to call security—I said as I sat down at my desk and picked up the accounting folders I needed to finish reviewing.

Usually, when my boss wants something, he gets it—he said, heading toward the door.

Well, tell your boss that sometimes it's best to face someone directly, not to send his circus monkey. Please leave my office and my company— I raised my voice to make it clear that I was done with any threats or games from them.

Fortunately, the rest of the day was straightforward. Once I finished, I went out as always to my little sprout in the garden, and then we would go shopping, but this time it was a surprise for our aunt. We wanted to give her something special for taking such good care of us.

What do you think we should get Auntie, Mom?—Ignacio asked as we wandered through various shops.

Honestly, I don’t know. Do you have any ideas, love?—I replied as we entered to look at some handbags.

Maybe Auntie would like a bag where she can carry everything that’s comfortable and doesn’t weigh too much. I’d like one like that, Mom—he said, pointing to one in the middle of a display.

That color?—I asked, looking at the brown one displayed on the shelf.

I’ll ask the saleswoman, Mom—he said, letting go of my hand and looking for someone to help us.

While I was looking at the bags in front of me, I heard a woman yelling at someone, and intrigued, I approached to see what was happening, only to discover a woman speaking harshly to my son.

Don’t you watch where you’re walking, brat?—she screamed.

I’m sorry, ma’am, I didn’t see you. I was looking for an employee—said Ignacio regretfully from the floor, clearly having bumped into her and fallen on his behind.

Excuse me, miss, the young man just apologized to you; please forgive him—said one of the saleswomen who witnessed the whole thing.

Your mother should educate you better—shouted that rude girl.

I am his mother, and I can assure you my son is very well-raised, and you have no right to speak to him like that or to yell at him. He made a mistake and apologized— I said while helping my baby up from the floor. You know you shouldn’t run inside stores; you could hurt yourself or someone else.

I’m sorry, Mommy—he said, nearly in tears.

It’s okay, son, let’s go home. Auntie is waiting for us—I said sweetly.

You should apologize for your spoiled brat of a son—yelled that audacious woman.

I didn’t even glance back at her; I preferred to leave with my son rather than create a scene in the store. As we were leaving, a man entered the shop and stood near the woman.

Honey, I’m so glad you’re here. That woman over there let her child hit me— I heard her say. However, no one stopped us on the way home, and thank God there were no further issues.

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