“Who knows? Some people don’t need excuses to be cruel.”
“This is a bit beyond cruelty. I could have been arrested and faced charges in court when both knew I was innocent. What kind of human being does that?”
“A selfish one. Without conscience.”
“And now, what happens?”
“She must have read the news, but I’m not sure if she knows one of her accomplices has betrayed her. She’s been called to my office today. The lawyer will be present, as will Charlotte. First, I’ll terminate her employment contract, then we’ll take legal action to ensure everyone involved in the scheme is punished.”
“What time will she come? I want to be part of that meeting.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“You bet I am. She played with my life, Guillermo. She won’t get away before I say everything I think about her.”
Chapter 42
“I’m really sorry for everything you’ve been through,” Julien says between instructions. We’ve decided to feature a special menu of Brazilian desserts once a week.
I’m tempted to say it’s no big deal, but I’m tired of pretending things don’t affect me. “I’ve never felt so humiliated in my entire life.”
“I can imagine. I was also very poor when I was young. When I arrived from France, I slept in scary places to afford my studies.”
I know he’s not trying to pry, only showing solidarity. As I suspected, the press has been broadcasting my relationship with Guillermo to the four corners of the planet. They call me Cinderella, even though there’s no evil stepmother in our story.
I thought I’d be scared having my life exposed this way, but I’ve come to realize I can just not check the news. I don’t have Facebook, and my Instagram only has one post—guess what it’s about?Brigadeiro. So even before being treated by the press as the CEO’s chosen one—another not-so-cute nickname because it gives me the idea we’re living in the Middle Ages—I wasn’t up-to-date with the gossip. Now, I really don’t feel like reading anything.
But Julien mentioning his poor past tells me they probably already know everything about me, including where I lived before meeting Guillermo.
I don’t care. I’ve always been an honest person and have nothing to hide.
“I’m not ashamed of being poor. In fact, I think anyone who looks at me can see that.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m not sophisticated, Julien. Being his girlfriend comes with attending various events together. I know how to behave. My mother raised me well, and I can also hold a conversation because I’ve always read a lot, even though I didn’t go to college. But I don’t know how to pick a dress for the opera we’re going to next week, for example.”
“Too bad Martina hasn’t returned yet. She would be very helpful in these situations.”
Yes, I can’t deny that at least one woman among so many men would help. Even though Mrs. Isabel was very kind to me the last time we met, I don’t feel comfortable asking her to help me choose an outfit.
“Wait, I think I know how to solve your dress problem. I dated a saleswoman from Saks Fifth Avenue. She could assist you in choosing an outfit for the opera.”
“Saks Fifth Avenue? Impossible. Way beyond my budget, Julien, but thanks for trying. I can’t afford to buy anything from that store.”
“But, Guillermo—”
“No. He’s my boyfriend, but the fact that he’s rich is just a minor detail to me. I can pay for my own clothes.”
He falls silent for a while. “Do you have any problem wearing pieces from past collections?”
I laugh. “Definitely not. Especially because I don’t even know what the current collection is.”
“Then I think we can manage. Ava mentioned there’s a section of the store with dresses up to seventy-five percent off. They don’t advertise it because they want to maintain their reputation,” he says mockingly. “But I’m sure it would fit within your budget. What do you say?”
I look at him, still in doubt. “I can give it a try. Thank you so much for helping me.”
I send a message to Guillermo to let him know I’m coming up, and he tells me to use the private elevator.
