“So, you’re the new assistant?”
“I . . . I guess so.”
“My name is Melissa Miller. Mr. Guillermo asked me to help you settle in. I’m one of the junior secretaries.”
“I’m Olívia Freitas, nice to meet you, Miss Miller,” I reply, noting that she said one of the junior secretaries—which means there must be several of them, in addition to the main one.
“Just Melissa.”
“Okay. Same here. Just Olívia.”
“Freitas?Where are you from? I’ve never heard that last name.”
“Oh, that . . . I’m from here. Born and raised in the United States, but my mother was Brazilian.”
“Was?”
God, she’s quick and doesn’t miss a thing.
Despite that, I don’t feel intimidated by Melissa. Even though she hasn’t given me a smile yet and is very straightforward, she’s not looking at me with arrogance.
“Yes, she passed away almost a year ago,” I reply, wanting to end the conversation because I don’t want to talk about my mother with a stranger.
“I’m sorry.” For the first time, I see her face relax, and she extends her hand in greeting. “Shall we start over? Good morning, I’m Melissa.”
I accept the offered hand. “I’m Olívia,” I repeat, this time smiling.
“I didn’t know what to expect.”
“Expect?”
“Yes. Kathleen, also known as the angry bitch, sent me here with very few details. She just said that I should take care of the boss’s new toy.”
I feel my cheeks burning. “What does that mean?”
“Who knows? She doesn’t need a reason to hate someone, but I think she thinks you’re some kind of lover of Mr. Guillermo’s, which must have made the witch green with envy,” she blurts out, as if the accusation were the most natural thing in the world.
“What? No!” I reply, dying of embarrassment, and take a step back.
“Sorry. She didn’t say that; I just wanted to test your reaction. Although I’m sure that’s what Kathleen is thinking.”
“Don’t do that again. Test my reaction, I mean. You don’t know me, but if you want to know something, ask directly. I hate malicious insinuations.”
“I think I’m starting to like you, Olívia.”
“Great, but now I’m not sure if I like you. How can I help you, Melissa?”
She smiles, not seeming at all fazed by my stern face. “Actually, I think it’s me who should help you. I have a list here, made by theMaster of the Universehimself, to assist you today and prepare you for your first day of work. And guess what? Item number one: we’re going shopping.”
Now, feeling insecure, I look at the well-dressed, fragrant woman. She can’t be more than five years older than me. “Could you also instruct me about my duties?”
“He didn’t tell you?” She raises an eyebrow in question.
“He did, but I’d like to know a bit more.”
She tilts her head, observing me again. “Regardless of him calling your position ‘assistant,’ according to what’s written here, you’ll also be a junior secretary.”
“I don’t think so. I’ve never worked as a secretary in my life. I’ll be more like a jack-of-all-trades, because he said I’ll have other tasks outside the office.”
