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"Good. I expect you to remember that going forward. And you, Laia—" the assistant snaps to attention as if standing at inspection "—I expect it to go in the Monday report. If you cover for her, you're out."

Laia's jaw drops. This was not part of the deal. But she also knows that arguing with one of Elvira's decisions is pointless.

"Wait—you're my babysitter?" Claudia asks, putting it together now that she understands why her aunt introduced them.

"Yes," Laia says.

"How old are you? I was imagining someone a lot scarier."

Laia's mouth falls open.

"Claudia, be respectful, please," Elvira cuts in—she has no intention of letting her mock Laia.

"I didn't mean—" Claudia turns to Laia. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. It's just that I'd pictured, I don't know—"

"I'm twenty-six," Laia says, as if she needs to make clear she's not a kid—maybe because she wants Claudia to see her as a woman.

"Okay. I really am sorry," Claudia insists, and Laia doesn't know what to say, because an apology is the last thing she expected from Elvira's niece, and it throws her completely off balance.

"It's fine," she says at last.

"Perfect. Now that we're all on the same page, I'll leave you two to it—I need to go down to the cutting room for a minute." Elvira grabs her phone from the desk and walks out.

Claudia turns to Laia with an open, obliging smile, ready to be told what to do next—but the look of those amber eyes landing on her sends Laia's heart lurching so hard that she spins around and darts out after Elvira.

"Give me one second, okay?" she tells Claudia as she pulls the door open. "Elvira—"

Her boss stops and turns, and Laia nearly runs straight into her before managing to pull up short.

"Would you mind telling me what on earth is wrong with you today?" Elvira snaps—she's insufferable when she's in a bad mood.

"Sorry," Laia breathes, "it's just—I don't think this is a good idea. Maybe you should find someone else to handle your niece. Irene has—"

Elvira lets out an exasperated huff that cuts off Laia's rambling mid-sentence.

"I don't have time for this. Do you want the position I offered you or not?"

Laia blinks, and Elvira walks away without waiting for an answer.

"Great," she mutters out loud, shaking her hands in the air before turning around and heading back into the office.

"Everything okay?" Claudia asks. She's still exactly where Laia left her.

"Yes, I had to bring something else up with her. Come on, I'll show you around the factory and—" Laia stops. "Have you ever been here before? Besides the other day, I mean."

"Yes, but when I was little, so the tour will be useful."

Laia nods. What happened with this family that they've grown so distant—a niece who lives in Barcelona and hasn't set foot in her aunt's factory in all these years? She doesn't understand any of it, and she's curious, but she reminds herself it's none of her business and that making friends with Claudia isn't part of the job description. Though maybe it would actually help—if they become friends, it'll be easier to keep her in line. Besides, six months goes by fast. Or so she tells herself, to keep the anxiety at bay.

"Okay then. Let's go."

Again, when they reach the door, Claudia stops to let her through first. This time Laia doesn't object. She murmurs a quiet thank-you and steps out into the hallway toward the stairs.

"If I ask you why you were late, will you actually tell me the truth?" she ventures.

Claudia glances at her sideways and lets the corner of her mouth curl up slightly.

"I'm not sure. Try it and see what happens."