Chapter 3 Two Races

By Emma

Ramiro walked me to my car, which was parked in the café’s parking lot.

From the table where my boss was sitting, behind a sort of winter garden filled with plants and lights, you could see the parking lot, and my car was right in his line of sight.

Ramiro walked me to my eye-catching vehicle.

“Do you know him?

” “Who?

” I knew he was referring to my boss.

“Pupy.” “Yes

, he’s well-known.” “He undressed you

with his eyes.”

I laughed and remembered that wink and his piercing gaze. “I

don’t think so—he was with a beautiful model.”

“You’re truly beautiful—you’re irresistible… I want to see you…”

he said as he kissed me again, and this time, his kiss was truly passionate.

The temptation was too strong, and I kissed him back.

Ramiro is a seductive man; he knows what he’s doing and what he wants.

But what does he want?

Sex?

I don’t think so.

That’s too simple an answer.

I’m going to find out.—

We’ll talk about it,

I told him before getting into my car with a certain air of indifference.

From inside my Mercedes, I watched as he stared at my car—he’d probably witnessed that deep kiss.

It was amusing to see his astonishment.

The phone rang; when I looked at the screen, it was Ramiro.

“Hello…

We’d seen each other a little while ago.” “I wanted

to know if you’d gotten home okay.” “Yes

, thanks,

” I said, somewhat surprised. I was used to coming and going on my own, so his concern caught my attention, and I have to admit it seemed genuine.

Not even Martín, my boyfriend, called me when we had dinner together and then went back to our respective apartments.

I’m independent, and that didn’t bother me.

Then I thought that, at the beginning of our relationship—which had already lasted two years—he did call me, and we talked all the time.

I suppose that’s just how it is in every relationship.

I didn’t miss those calls either.

I’m independent and, as my father says, a rebel.

After chatting for five minutes without agreeing on anything specific, we said goodbye.

I was in my office—it was almost quitting time—when Verónica, my coworker, put on her coat and absentmindedly looked out the window of our office—that huge tinted window through which we could still see outside with absolute clarity.

“Wow, what a hunk I see out there—I don’t know what I like more, that imposing dark-haired guy or his red BMW.”

I jumped up from my chair and hurried over. “That’s my boyfriend!

” I said as I approached the window

. “Your boyfriend?

” Veronica asked, while Mirta and Catalina leaned in, pressing their faces against the cold glass

. “What a… car!

” Mirta laughed as she said those words.

I smiled. “He

probably wanted to surprise me, because he just got back from a trip.” “Hmm

, looks like someone won’t be sleeping tonight.”

Catalina said, running her tongue around her mouth.

We all laughed.

I grabbed my coat and purse, and as I turned toward the exit, I saw Pupy leaning against the doorframe.—

Miss… Emma, your day isn’t over yet; we have a last-minute meeting.—Sir

, I…—You

made a change to the company’s standard chart; I require your presence immediately.

The girls looked at me; no one ever said no to Pupy. Besides, they’d realized my boyfriend wasn’t your average guy.

With his looks and his car, he stood out without even trying.

“Over a simple chart?

” My question was almost rhetorical, but I said it under my breath, even though I knew my boss had heard it perfectly. “Of

course, sir.”

I said aloud with a smile that, I’m sure, annoyed him.—One

second, please.—Vero

, could you tell that weirdo in the red BMW that I’m in an important meeting with Mr. Candiles and that I’ll call him later to make dinner plans.—

Yes, I want to see him up close.

I laughed and then looked at Pupy, thinking he was doing this on purpose, just because he’d overheard our conversation and wanted to annoy me. “At

your service, sir…”

Without saying a word, he gestured for me to follow him.

I grabbed the company tablet and my cell phone, then walked behind him.

Upon entering his office, I realized the meeting was just between him and me.

He was definitely messing with me.

On his desk were four cell phones—two belonged to the company and two were personal.

I sat across from him, with the desk between us.

I couldn’t see what was open on his computer, but I saw him typing something and looking at the screen with a smirk.

Then he looked at me, but I couldn’t read his expression.

-“Explain to me how you decided to change the way you read the charts.

Are you still doing that?

Is it just an excuse?

”-“It’s an ornamental line drawing that focuses on visual analysis and the interpretation of images

.”-“Did you use that in your previous job?

Shit!” It’s time to tell him I don’t have any work experience.—

No, I saw it in college.

—What was your major?

Wasn’t he a lawyer? He

could be an engineer, or maybe an accountant or an economist…—Law

.

—Did you graduate?

—Of course.

—From a public university?

he asked dismissively.

Although I think he knows I went to a private university, last night he saw my car and knows the make of car my boyfriend drives.—No

, sir, I studied at two private universities.

Are you trying to brag about something? Look down on me? Manipulate me?

—At two?

I caught him off guard.—I’m

a lawyer and a fashion designer.

I caught him off guard

. “And what are you doing in sales?

Bothering my family when they find out?

I can’t tell you that.

However…” “I needed

a job.” “Are you sure you need a job?

” “Of course,” I replied with the most innocent expression I could muster.

-“Anyway…”

he began. “Excuse

me, the thing is, the paper charts are outdated. On the other hand, if you view them on a computer, you can break everything down by cells, display the different options, and better understand how that program works.” “Enlighten me

.” “Excuse me

.”

I stood up and leaned toward him to show him the charts on the tablet.

My fingers moved with confidence.

He surely knew how to use that program. “You could just

view it online; that would even save you time

.” “Are you telling me how to manage my time?

” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

This man is unbearable, and if I hadn’t seen him myself with two models—both of whom are absolute stunners—I wouldn’t hesitate to tell him he needs to have sex to relax.—

No, sir… I’m simply advising you on how to optimize your time… that’s what a good secretary does.

My face was impassive, and it was clear I was deliberately ignoring the fury in his gaze.

Just then, one of the phones rang, and he rejected the call; then the other rang, and he did the same. When the third one rang, he motioned for me to answer it.

“Say it’s my office, but…”

Before he could even finish speaking, I answered. “Textil Norte Sales Office

.” “Is Pupy there? Who’s speaking?

” A very haughty woman’s voice demanded an explanation. “I’m

the new secretary; my name is Emma Fonda.”

“I’m Nicolle Frazer, Pupy’s wife.”

“It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Candiles.”

Pupy began signaling to me not to put him through to his wife.

Distractedly, I looked away and managed to ignore his gestures.—

Of course, I’ll put you through. It’s a pleasure to speak with you.—

It’s your wife, sir.

—I said, holding out the cell phone.

He took it reluctantly.

—What do you want?

I don’t know what he replied to that woman.—I’m

in the middle of something important.

After a second, he answered her.

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

He hung up, leaving the phone on the desk. “I was signaling you

not to put me through to her.”

I opened my eyes with an innocent look.

“Sorry… I didn’t see it… anyway, it was your wife.”

I think now he really does want to kill me.—I

decide who to answer.—Sorry…—Between

you and Nicolle, you’ve ruined my day.—

Sorry, but I don’t see the logic in what you’re saying.

—Do you always answer?—

When I think it’s…—

Do you have to have the last word?

—Don’t answer me!

He said immediately. “Pour

me a whiskey and get out.”

I was about to tell him it was bad for his health to drink on an empty stomach, but he’d lost his temper and I wanted to keep my job—even though my salary barely covered the expenses of my precious car.

Luckily, I have savings and the trust fund my grandmother left me.

It’s all invested, and with the returns from those investments, I had more than enough to support myself and keep investing.—Good

afternoon, sir.

I said after setting the glass down on his desk.

I checked the time on my cell phone and saw four messages from my boyfriend.

Before reaching the second glass door to my boss’s office, I called him.

“Hi, honey, sorry I’m late—you know how it is…” “Hi

, I don’t get why you’re working at Textil Norte.” “I

need to work.” “You don’t

need to.” “I’m

not talking about the money.”

“I don’t get your point.”

“Until recently, I was studying for two degrees and working. Am I just going to sit around doing nothing?

” “You have your own company.” “I don’t

have a damn thing. If anything, that company belongs to my father and my brother.” “You can

go back.” “I’m

not going back.” “That

company belongs to you, too.”

“Obviously not—they don’t let me sit on the board of directors or make any decisions.”

-“That’s just false pride.”

-“No.” -“They used to deposit a considerable sum into your

account.” -“It’s not

about money.”

I stopped in the hallway after passing through the second glass door.

I wasn’t yelling—I didn’t usually do that—but I wasn’t whispering either.

-“It’s not about false pride either; if anything, it’s self-respect—they’re not going to boss me around.”

“You’re upset.” “I’m

not upset.” “You

need to understand that at Textil MyE, they’d never make you stay late, and now…” “I can’t

deny that. I have to get back to the meeting now; I might be late. See you tomorrow.”

I hung up the phone.

—“Problems with your boyfriend?

” Pupy’s voice startled me.

—“Nothing

important.” Then she took my arm, and we stood face to face.

—“Did you want to continue with the meeting?

”