Episode 4

Alessandra took a deep breath before crossing the glass doors of Barbieri Modas, the prestigious fashion and advertising company. The lobby was a display of minimalist elegance, with white walls and marble floors that reflected natural light. She adjusted her jacket and walked towards the reception desk, where a young woman with an impeccable updo smiled kindly at her.

"Welcome to Barbieri. How can I help you?" the receptionist asked.

"I'm Alessandra Ferrari, I'm starting today," she replied, trying to hide her nervousness.

The receptionist nodded and told her to wait a moment. While Alessandra waited, she looked around. The walls were adorned with photographs of successful advertising campaigns and fashion magazine covers. It was evident that Barbieri was a place where creativity and success were palpable.

A group of women passed by her, whispering among themselves. Alessandra caught fragments of their conversation.

"Did you hear? She's going to work for him," one young woman said.

"Poor thing, she doesn't know what she's getting into."

"They say he's a bastard," another whispered.

Alessandra felt a knot in her stomach. Who was this man they were talking about? Before she could think more about it, a middle-aged woman, with an air of authority and elegance, approached her.

"Alessandra, I'm Marta, the human resources director. Come, I'll show you your office and introduce you to the team."

As they walked through the hallways, Marta gave her a brief introduction about the company and its expectations. Finally, they arrived at a wooden door with a golden plaque that read "Francesco Barbieri, President."

"Here we are," Marta said, gently knocking on the door before opening it. "Francesco, I present Alessandra Ferrari, your new assistant. She was everything you asked for," she says, and he raises an eyebrow ironically at the human resources woman, and she shrugs.

"Well, only one thing was missing from your request," the woman says again. Francesco had had many assistants, but they were brainless young women; all they wanted was to get into his bed, and in fact, they did, but when they got intense, he fired them. He asked Marta, a friend of his family, to get a woman of forty or older; if she was ugly and had glasses and a wart on her nose, even better.

"You may leave, Marta." He spoke firmly, looking at the human resources woman, and she leaves the office.

Francesco looked up from his desk; his piercing blue eyes met Alessandra's. His face was serious, and his gaze disarming. Anyone else, but there was something in his gaze that made her feel an inexplicable unease, not to mention his strong, toned body that strained his suit; his dark hair and a beard with a few gray hairs made him look sexy.

Francesco Barbieri 45 years old

"Welcome to Barbieri, Alessandra. I hope you do an excellent job here; I don't like tardiness, ineptitude, irresponsibility, and disorder. I need someone active who adapts to my strict style," said Francesco, extending his hand.

Alessandra shook his hand, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness, although she didn't show it. She knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life, one that promised to give her children a stable life without having to hide her work for fear of what people would say.

"It will be so, Mr. Barbieri, you will have no complaints about me." She said, willing to learn, even though she had never worked before.

"Your office is over there; go and bring me the tablet that is on the desk, dictate my agenda for today, and then call the contacts that are saved there with Textilera Rossi and Gracci Publicidad. Tell them that I need to meet with them tomorrow. Also, bring me a black coffee with one sugar."

She was shocked for a second, but then she reacted and went to do what he asked.

Alessandra dictated his agenda and called the textile company and the client; then she brought his coffee, and Francesco was pleased with her. She was a mature woman, and Edo only knew that because that's what Marta said, as she didn't look it. She had nothing to envy from a young woman; she was beautiful, intelligent, and had something that made her look interesting, although he didn't know what it was.

Alessandra that day went from one place to another running errands, rejecting calls, and excusing the gentleman. She also witnessed how he yelled at everyone; a client had rejected a proposal and blamed the creative director and yelled at him horribly.

"You couldn't create something better; that man is very demanding, I'm not going to allow mistakes like these, either you fix it or you leave." He said, annoyed, and Alessandra just watched him; he had an unbearable character.

Her shift ended, and she left the company to go to the club where she danced. She still couldn't quit until she got her paycheck and was paid at the company; as they explained, the pay was excellent, she shouldn't worry about money again, although she wouldn't become a millionaire either, of course.

Alessandra arrived, and everyone greeted her. She ran to change, looking at her reflection in the mirror; she hated doing that, although it wasn't anything bad other than dancing. She showed her body to many men for their pleasure, and that made her ashamed of herself, although she remembered why she did it, and that made her continue.

She finished putting on her last garment and went out onto the stage, the dim light focusing on her.

"With you, Hada, because she makes magic through dance," the presenter announced, and she began her dance, swaying her body to the gift of soft music, driving everyone crazy every time she spun on the pole and showed them all her sensuality. She was beautiful and seductive; she knew it herself.

She danced every time it was her turn that night, then retired to go with her children; her little Alessia was eagerly waiting to tell her how it had gone.

"Mommy, you're here!" she ran and hugged her and then hugged her; Alessandra picked her up in her arms.

"How are we, sweet princess, did they feed you stones today?" she said, placing her on the ground and giving her kisses.

"Mom, daddy went to see me today and said he would give me a gift if I went with him, but I told him I wouldn't leave you alone," she tells her with a smile. Roberto couldn't find ways to take his children away from Alessandra, but on his own and not through a judge; it would be harder for her if her children despised her.

"He said that?" Alessandra frowned.

"Yes, but he still gave me this beautiful computer. I told him that I missed him a lot," she said, and Alessandra smiled.

"Hi, Mom, yes, Dad also visited me at university and promised me a gift." Alessandra said nothing, just greeted her son; she wanted to give them everything, but she couldn't, although she would do everything possible not to affect their lifestyle.

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