“Invite me in.”
“I don’t think that would be appropriate.”
“Olívia, I’ve come here to help you. You can trust me.”
More than the words themselves, it’s what I see in his eyes that seals the deal.
Despite the obvious aura of wealth, and even though he can be quite intimidating even when speaking softly, I don’t feel threatened by the man I now know as Guillermo. Still, I don’t see a single reason for him to come looking for me.
“Are you offering me a job?”
“I heard you lost your position at the café,” he begins. “The coffee you served me that day impressed me a lot. I would like you to come work for me. Your coffee has a unique flavor.”
“As some kind of maid?”
“No, as an assistant. A jack-of-all-trades in my office, and maybe also for some tasks outside of it.”
“And does that include making your coffee?”
He nods, agreeing. The man rattles off all the information at once, as if discussing the menu for his next lunch, not talking about a nobody like me being invited to work for a Caldwell-Oviedo.
“If this is some kind of sick joke, I’m not in the mood,” I blurt out. “How can I be sure you are who you say you are?”
Seemingly irritated for the first time since he arrived, he searches for something in the inner pocket of his coat, and I see him pull out a business card from inside a small black leather wallet.
Awkwardly, I take it from his hand when he offers it and quickly check the name.
Guillermo Caldwell-Oviedo.
“I don’t know what to think.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Sir, these things don’t happen in real life.”
“Can we talk inside?” he asks for the third time, and I suspect he’s done that more times today than in his entire life. Guillermo seems like the kind of man people obey with just a glance.
I finally relent, stepping aside. “Yes.”
As I close the door, I gesture for him to sit in the only available chair. I go to my bed and put as much distance between us as the small room allows, settling in as well.
“What doesn’t happen in real life?”
“Huh?”
“You said these things don’t happen in real life.”
I twist my hands in my lap. “Sir, if you’re here, you must already know the reason I was fired. Yet here you are, offering me a job. Fairy godmothers don’t just show up at my door and solve my problems.” As soon as I finish speaking the words, I want to die. Nothing could be less like Guillermo than a fairy.The man has mesmerizing strength and masculinity. There’s not an ounce of softness in his body.
I look up, afraid I’ve said too much. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
Surprisingly, his face is more relaxed. “I’m not offended, even though I’ve never been called by such a nickname,” he says. “How long have you been living here?” He changes the subject, catching me off-guard.
“I won’t say anything about my life until you properly explain this proposal.”
“Fair. I want to hire you. And I need you to start working for me immediately.”
Chapter 9
