CHAPTER 7

BIANCA'S POV

It had been two weeks of working as Mr Alexander Russo's P.A, and I was starting to see that the way to success wasn't so easy after all. The way was not just narrow, but crooked. Trust me, I'm saying all these based on experience. Having experienced what it meant to be efficient in the eyes of Mr Russo, I have decided success is not so easy to achieve. My boss may have been so demanding and expectant towards me, as his personal assistant, but what I wouldn't do is falter or fall short of his expectations simply because they were so mighty. I have always been a hardworker and have always loved challenges, so I decided to put in as much effort as I could. The past two weeks have been so stressful and tasking, but I always reminded myself that this was just a means to an end. I definitely wasn't going to be a personal assistant forever, but I needed to be 'it' for a start. It is so funny how much of a motivational speaker my work had turned me into. Maybe what made it all the more tasking was the fact that I had struggled so hard to get this job, just so I could have the opportunity of coming across a certain man every once in a while, but I hadn't even laid eyes on him since I began working here. From my many enquiries, I learned my boss was the closest family and friend he had, which I had managed to confirm from my boss. He usually mentioned his visits to Manuel's office randomly, whenever he spoke to me.

The only problem was that he never asked me to accompany him to Manuel's office, as it wasn't an official meeting that required my presence, neither did Manuel visit our office as often as I thought he would. He hadn't visited since I started working here to be precise. All I really wanted was just an opportunity to meet him physically for once.

I frowned at the screen of my desktop as I typed away, and decided to focus on what I had been busy with, so I wouldn't end up making a mistake. While I typed the minutes of our just concluded meeting, my minded drifted once more towards my cousin and I wondered if all was going on well for her. We had promised to always call and keep each other updated on stuff going on, but I guess it was a close to impossible task with the kind of job I landed myself. I was always tired anytime I returned from work, and that made it quite difficult for me to stay awake and have a lengthy conversation on the phone with either Mila, or my sister; Amara. Thinking about Amara, I gave a small sigh. I wondered how my niece was doing. She was going to be turning 2 soon enough, and I had been hoping I would be present for her birthday. Annalise was fast growing and it made me feel so sad. No, I wasn't sad because my niece was growing, I was sad because it had only become clear to me that a lot of my dreams and plans for the future were not going as I hoped. I had always imagined being that rich aunty that would always fly in and out of town whenever she felt the need to spend time with her family.

I had always wanted to be so involved in the growth and parenting of my nephews and nieces. To be able to afford these luxurious presents and weekend get aways or vacations. Well now, I had been drawn into the real world and have finally understood that to be that woman I want to be, would take a whole lot of time. Maybe my nieces and nephews would be all grown by the time I could afford to do all that I wanted to do for them. I shook my head in pity for myself as I went on with my work. It wasn't up to a minute later when the door to my office was opened. I casually looked up, thinking it was one of my co workers who had probably come to collect a file, but was shocked out of my wits when I saw who it was. You know that situation where you feel like saying something, but can't manage to get a word out? That was the situation I found myself. I looked closely at him to be sure my mind wasn't playing a trick on me. This was definitely Manuel Russo.

"G..goo..good morning Sir!" I stuttered, making him chuckle. God! That was really embarrassing. I didn't mean to shout. He looked confused for a moment.

"Good morning. I am..." He started, but trust my brain to reflexly complete his statement for him.

"Mr Manuel.... Russo." I muttered the last part only after realizing I was being weird. This man didn't even know me personally and here I was, acting creepy. But then again, it was hard for me to believe I was actually seeing him in flesh. The smile he had on his face at that moment, made me feel hopeful that I didn't completely embarrass myself.

"Okay, you know me already." He muttered. "Do you mind introducing yourself?" He asked, to which I nodded vigorously.

"Bibi!" I burted out.

"Sorry?"

"Sorry. My name is Bianca." I corrected myself immediately. God! This was really the most shameful moment of my life. I wanted to let him know that I was a fan who admired him a lot, but I decided it was going to seem too forward, so I remained quiet.

"Bianca, is your boss in?" He gave a low sigh, but I heard it. He was probably asking himself why his cousin hired me.

"Yes, he is. Please go on in." I waved towards the door, and he muttered his thanks. I thought that was all but just before going in, he turned to me and smiled. At first, I found it weird that he was actually smiling at me. Infact, I found it unbelievable. We were literally done with our short introduction and he was already leaving. But then, he actually turned back just to smile at me?! People only did that when one left an impression. Did I leave such an impression?

My brain was still buzzing for answers when I heard his next statement.

"Your hair. It's exquisite." Wait a minute. Did that man really turn back just to compliment my hair? I was honestly surprised. Or let's just say I found it hard to believe. Did he actually think my hair was beautiful, or my hair just had a way of calling attention? Regardless of how shocked I'm sure I looked, he flashed yet another warm smile at me, before making his way in to see my boss. Did I just have my first ever meeting with Manuel Russo? Jeeezz! I was probably too suprised by his sudden appearance to actually observe his physical features. His presence alone made me feel this way.

"What's got you smiling to yourself this way?"

"I don't think you would understand." I smiled at Laura who stood at the doorway. She was probably here to call me out for lunch.

"I honestly don't think you even want me to." She chuckled. "Come on, I know you haven't even realized it's lunch time."

"Actually, I didn't until I saw you." I laughed.

"Not to worry, I got you. Always." She grinned, making my laughter stop. Maybe it was in that moment that I realized that I was finally making a friend who wasn't Amara, Mila, or Sarah, for the very first time in my life. Ever since we started working here a few weeks ago, Laura had never had lunch without me. It all started as a random gesture to show me appreciation for helping her pick up her fallen glasses the other day, but now it was becoming intentional.

"One minute." I muttered. "I need to save this document I'm currently working on." I explained, to which she nodded. After saving the document to the computer, I picked up my phone and made a signal for us to get going.

We both walked out of my office and made our way to the cafteria downstairs. One thing I loved about working here was the fact that the company provided our breakfast and lunch everyday. It was even better because it wasn't some sort of fixed meal for each day. There was always a buffet with several meals to choose from. The Russos were really wealthy.

The moment we got to the cafeteria, I could feel a pair of eyes burning holes through my head, but I could care less. I already knew who it was. It was a pity that Ricardo had also been hired alongside Laura and I to work in the company. Don't get me wrong, I didn't pray for the downfall of another, but Ricarfo clearly made Laura uncomfortable. In as much as Laura never spoke to me about it, I knew that Ricardo always picked on her and hadn't stopped up until now. I was not the type to put myself in between other people's issues, especially when I knew that the situation had some sort of background history. I kinda had an idea that they both knew each other long before they came for a job interview at Russo, but Laura had never bothered to tell me about it. She definitely had her reasons for not telling me about it, which made it a total no~no for me to involve myself. The only reason why I had spoken to him the way I did the other day, was because it was a situation I had clearly witnessed. And also, I didn't have an idea they had a history with each other. It just felt so wrong watching a stranger make fun of another stranger for no reason.

After serving some food for myself and Laura, we walked over to an empty table for two, where we settled down and began eating our food. Occasionally I would notice Laura look behind me, and I already knew who was there. Ricardo. She looked at him a few more times and when I couldn't take it anymore, I spoke up.

"Do you mind telling me the reasom why you let that guy ride over you all the time?"

"W..wh..what g..guy?" She stuttered, making me roll my eyes in disbelief.

"Are you really trying to make me believe that you do not know who I'm referring to?"

"But I do..."

"Enough with the act Laura." I cut her off. "I know that due to my busy schedule and rather unapproachable work space, I do not always get to see or join the many office conversations that other workers have. But like it or not, gossip would always spread like wild fire, regardless of my location. The last time, I was in the restroom when I heard two other colleagues of ours having a discussion." I said, looking her dead in the eyes and daring her to tell a lie. "Did he, or did he not make you work without your glasses for a whole day? Hell! I don't even know how that is possible. You literally do nothing without it."

"I think you're listening to the gossips so mu..."

"That doesn't answer my question sweetie." I gave a fake smile. "For days, I have tried to convince myself that it is none of my business, especially after finding out from Pablo you both have a history together, but I do not know how much longer I can ignore the anger I feel within me whenever you shake out of fear, just looking at him. In case you do not realize, this guy is a bully. You want to know what's funnier?" I asked, not in anyway expecting a response from her. "This is not high school. It's a work space for adults."

"Hmm." She nodded, unable to actually look me in the face as she did.

"And what's 'hmm'? What's that?" I asked, slightly irritated.

"That's the only thing I could manage because I have nothing to say." She muttered, her eyes fixed on the food she actually wasn't eating.

"You have nothing to say?" I asked in disbelief.

"You just do not understand." She sighed.

"What exactly do I not understand?" I was slowly running out of patience.

"You don't understand what it means to be bullied by the same person for more than 9 years."

"Excuse me?" I said, feeling quite confused. Pablo may have mentioned that they had some sort of history together, but 9 years was such a long time.

"I have known Ricardo since high school and just when I think I'm finally going to escape his clutches, I find him in the same space as myself again."

"You have known him since your high school days?"

"Yeah." She nodded, throwing her face away. "Listen, can we not just talk about this?" For the first time, I could see tears brimming in her eyes. Realizing this wasn't a perfect place or time to talk about it, I nodded in agreement and paid attention to the meal before me. I had decided to let the matter rest temporarily, but I couldn't help thinking of what was enough to make her so close to tears. Was the issue far complicated than I had imagined? Nonetheless, I was gonna get to the root of it. I was determined to do so now.

I quickly finished up my meal and rushed out of the cafeteria before Laura. When she had asked the reason why I was in a hurry, I gave the excuse of wanting to submit the minutes of the last meeting to my boss before the day was over. That was actually true. I had to submit it before the day was done, but the reason why I had run out was just to see Manuel Russo before he left.

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"Oh, calm down already." Mila laughed heartily from the other end of the line. "You are now certain he actually pays visits to your boss once in a while. You'd definitely get the opportunity to meet him again. More especially, on a day when you'd be less confused and more put together."

"But I just really hoped to see him before he left." I muttered. "I do not know when next he would be here. From what I hear, he is away from the country most of the time."

"Don't tell me you're sad over a mere crush." She chuckled.

"Mila, that mere crush is the reason I'm at my current job, remember."

"Yeaahhh, I know."

"He might be a crush, but he is definitely not mere."

"Wow!" Mila chuckled. "You know what's weird?"

"No." I replied dryly, knowing she was about to say something honest.

"It's the fact that you no longer sound like simple fan girl. Bibi, is there more to this?"

"Oh please!" I laughed out loudly. "I'm 22. The last thing I'd do is fall in love with a man that doesn't even know me." I scowled. It wasn't like she could see me though.

"Then you shouldn't let the fact that you missed him before his departure, disturb you so much. You should be more concerned about your friend."

"Laura?" I asked, knowing there was no other person Mila could be referring to.

"Of course, her." She muttered. "From what you said, it seems that the girl is going through worse than you think."

"I already know that. The problem is getting her to talk about it." I sighed. I always felt so sad whenever I really wanted to be of help to someone, but was finding it difficult to do so. "Mimi, I really want to be of help."

"I think I have an idea." She said, stealing my attention.