...THE FIRST DAY...

I made it! I can’t help but feel very happy for what I am experiencing. I got it!

In front of me is the huge monitor that has a database open. I'm getting to know the system! My desk is tempered glass, I have my own office and the music playing through my headphones makes me feel more excited.

*—"You are on the right track! You've done very well Julen"—*I can’t help but congratulate myself.

I enter a new record, the window of my office allows a pleasant stream of natural air to refresh me. I save the record as soon as I finish capturing it and move on to the next one.

""Not bad. I'm not stressed and I like being alone. A plus not having to share an office!""

I capture a bunch of records, it's two in the afternoon and I'm about to go out for my lunch break, when the door opens.

—"Julen. How's everything going? How do you feel on your first day?"—It's Jessica, the head of human resources.

—"I'm fine. Everything is perfect. The system is not very difficult, actually..."—

—"I need us to walk around the company. I want you to meet someone."

Meet someone?

—"Sure. Just like after I meet that someone, I'll go to eat."

She nodded.

Voyague is a very large company. Walking through the administrative area, the IT area, the engineers and other workers; It was amazing to see so much talented people here. One day I would like to have a permanent job like them!

—"What do you think?"—She asked.

—"It's very big. I like the work environment!"—I responded.

—"It's good that you think so. I..."—

But she was not able to finish. The impact of that object makes us all turn to look in the direction of the central office. That's right! We all set our sights on the CEO's office. And it seems that he is furious.

The door to his office opens and a woman comes out crying. We were all looking at her! This was getting a little intense.

—"I heard that Christian's ex-wife asked for the boss's personal number and his secretary gave it to her"—a guy named Kevin informed Jessica.

—"He fired her?"—I asked a little shocked.

—"Yes. She's most likely out."

—"What is Christian like?"—I was curious to know.

The boss came out of his office and approached us.

—"Jessica. It's good to see you! My secretary is out, I'm going to need you to..."—

But he was not able to finish the sentence. His eyes were examining my person. He took several seconds to observe me and in the end, he reacted.

—"Do you need me to...?"—Jessica didn't know whether to finish asking her question.

—"What's your name?"—Christian turned to me.

—"My name is Julen. Nice to meet you!"—I extended my hand to offer him a cordial greeting.

My gesture seemed to shock him. I hesitate to shake his hand with me, but in the end, he agreed.

—"It's his first day. Julen..."—Jessica wanted to report.

—"Excellent Jessica! You are always prepared. Julen, I need you to take my schedule. We're going to a meeting this afternoon. Your work area will be cleaned in an hour. While they are throwing away the previous secretary's things, you can read my schedule so that you are familiar with it. Okay?"—Christian was being very direct.

—"I am..."—This time I wanted to speak, but it seemed impossible. He interrupted.

—"I'll go to the Carnel meeting. I'll pick you up at four"—He was very authoritarian.

—"But..."—

He left. The sound of his shoes against the floor was very intense.

The three of us were left processing everything that had happened.

—"I will not be the replacement for his previous secretary. Who does he think he is?"—My words radiate a certain annoyance.

—"Technically he's your boss,"—refers Kevin.

—"Yeah, but..."—

—"I'll try to talk to him. Don't worry Julen, we'll fix this misunderstanding"—Jessica consoles me.

And what should I do now? There were forty minutes left of my lunch break. This couldn’t be happening to me!

—"What should I do now? Do I listen to him?"—I asked both of them.

—"I think so. Let me see if I can talk to him this afternoon."

That's how I ended up sitting in the company cafeteria, eating my salami sandwich while Christian's schedule was examined with my eyes. I hope everything works out!

—"Hello!"—A partner approached.

—"Hi!"—

—"Can I join you?"—

—"Yes. The seat is free."

He nodded. He put his food tray on the table.

—"You're Julen, right?"—His voice made me curious.

—"Yes, that's me."

—"I heard you're Christian's new secretary."

—"It seems that everything is known here."

—"It's part of the work environment."

I nodded.

—"Well. Actually there was a mistake. I am an intern and I am a data entry clerk. Jessica from HR told me that she would talk to Christian to clear up the confusion."

He began to eat.

—"Good. I will be aware of what happens between you."

My cell phone started to vibrate with an unknown number.

—"Looks like Christian is calling you."

—"How do you know it's Christian?"

He smiled.

—"Because you're his secretary. He never lets his secretaries eat in peace."

I had to answer.

—"Hello?"

—"The meeting was moved up an hour. I'll see you in the lobby in five minutes. Bring my briefcase."

He hung up the call. I swallowed saliva.

—"Well?"—My partner was curious.

—"I have to go. It was Christian"—I admitted in a neutral tone.

I picked up my eating utensils and took them to the lady who was serving. I went back to the table for Christian's planner and my cell phone.

—"See you around"—I said goodbye to my partner.

—"Take care Julen!"—

—"Sure. What’s your name?"

—"I'm Erick. Nice to meet you!"

I had to run to get to Christian's office. I took what he asked for and it occurred to me that I should also go for my things. My departure time was seven o'clock at night.

In the lobby was him. Standing, in his gray suit, white shirt and black tie.

—"Here's your briefcase."

He was a little surprised by what I said.

—"Load it for me."

And he started walking towards the exit. What was wrong with him? Why that unfriendly attitude?

He stopped next to a black car. It gleamed with luxury!

—"This is my car. Take a look at it before you get in. Don't forget what it's like!"—He suggested.

I examined it for a few minutes. My pupils scanned the shine of the vehicle. I felt his eyes on me.

—"It's time to go"—He opened the door and invited me in.

I wasn't nervous until that moment.

It was seven in the evening and the famous meeting hadn't ended. What should I do? Wait for him? Leave? Run home!

I leaned against the glass wall and let out a sigh. My first day had been quite confusing.

I got a call from Jessica.

“How are you, Julen?” she asks.

“I'm fine. It's my time to leave, but he's still in his meeting. What do I do? Do I leave?”

“No, don't go. Wait for him to come out.”

“Were you able to clarify that I am not his secretary?”

“Not yet. Well, he didn't give me a chance.”

“Oh! Don’t tell me that. So tomorrow I will continue to be his secretary.”

“I hope to solve this. Let me see what I can do tomorrow.”

“Okay, Jessi.”

“Tell me.”

“I am a data entry clerk and database handler. I hope to finish my internship with the position I entered with.”

“Sure.”

We ended the call. I put my phone in my pants pocket. I took out a bag of chips that I had stored in my briefcase.

I heard the door open. Many executives started coming out. I tried to fix my posture.

“It's time to go,” my boss stopped next to me.

“Sure.”

His face became interesting, he seemed to sniff the air. He turned his gaze to me.

“Were you eating Cheetos?”

“Yes. Do you want some?” And I wasn't ashamed to take out the bag and offer it to him.

His gaze did not radiate any emotion. Did he dislike my good generosity?

“No thanks. We will go to the office.”

“Go back to the office? But…”

“Carlos is waiting in the car. We have to hurry.”

He began to walk with his innate authority.

“Christian. Wait.”

He stopped dead in his tracks.

“What did you call me?” He frowned.

“Christian.”

“And why do you call me that?”

“Well, that's your name.”

He narrowed his eyes a bit.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Julen.”

His lips curved into an odious smile.

“I don't mean your name. Tell me who you are to call me that?”

“Well, so far, I'm an employee at your company.”

“An employee.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Since when do employees call their bosses by their first names?”

His words threw me off a lot. What the hell was wrong with him? The guy had an annoyed face, his gaze was very firm, and his temperament seemed like an asshole to me.

“Well. I'm sorry that bothers you. In many places the work environment is very pleasant and bosses tend to be less sensitive on issues like that.”

He came a little closer to me.

“Do you think I'm sensitive?”

“I think so. Besides, I'm not working anymore. I can call you by your name.”

“Not working? You think I…”

“They hired me on a ten in the morning to seven at night schedule. It's seven-thirty and I'm still with you. I should start counting that as overtime.” I smiled.

Because really, I wasn't afraid to be honest with him.

“Do you want me to fire you? Because really, being my secretary is…”

“Fire me if you want. The truth is I wasn't hired to replace your former secretary. I don't even know why the hell you thought I was her replacement.”

My words left him very shocked, I noticed it on his face.

“Are you…?”

“Fire me. There’s no problem.” I smiled broadly. “I am not qualified to fill the position of your secretary.”

His eyes focused on mine; It never crossed my mind that my words were challenging Christian's ego.

“Where do you live?” He came closer to me and put his hand in the bag of Cheetos. He put one in his mouth.

“I live by Camino Real.”

“Are you going to take a taxi?”

“Yes.”

...🍬🍬🍬...

It's ten in the morning and I'm arriving at my office. I'm a data entry clerk again! Danny Ocean sings Dembow at full blast through my headphones.

I turn on my computer. I left my things on my desk and just when I'm about to sit down, my cell phone starts to vibrate.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” The tone of his voice scares me.

“Who is this?”

“Haven't you registered my number?”

“Well, I don't remember you asking me to add your number and I don't know who you are either.”

I hang up the call. Who the hell was that? Two minutes passed and the door to my office opened. His eyes focused on me.

“Why haven't you registered my number?” he demanded.

Was he really here?

“You never gave it to me.”

He frowned.

“Anyway. I want you to register it. Okay?"

“That’s not how you ask for things,” I say fearlessly.

He leaned against my desk and moved a little closer to me. He looked very authoritarian from where I was sitting.

“Do you have a hard time obeying your boss?”

“I thought you fired me.”

He smiled slightly, as if I was annoying him.

“Yes. I fired you as a data entry clerk. I decided that I want to hire you as my secretary.”

“But…”

“This office will no longer be yours. I came for you. I will take you to your new work area.”

Was this really happening to me?

“I don't want to be your secretary, in my contract…”

“I'll pay you double what your contract states.”

Pay me money? That’s great! Actually, for being an intern, they didn't pay me.

“Why do you want me to be your secretary? I thought you would be upset with me about yesterday.”

“Yes you made me angry. But, I like how you treated me. You are not afraid of me!”

I laughed slightly.

“I’m really not afraid of you. But I don't feel like working as a secretary. I don't want to end up being your slave.”

“My slave? I don’t see you as a slave.”

“If you want a new secretary, I can inform my school. There are people who studied to be…”

“Come with me! Please!”

That was very unexpected. Hearing him say “please”.

...🍬🍬🍬...

My new office was smaller than the old one, in fact, it wasn't an office as such. My desk was right outside the front office, where Christian used to be.

“Can you come to my office?” Christian had called me on the phone.

It didn't take me long.

“How can I help you?” I asked cheerfully.

“You sounded so polite.”

“It's just that if I don't, then I feel like I'm hurting your ego.” I laughed slightly.

“You are very direct with your words. I like that.”

“I…”

“What's on my schedule today?”

“Meeting at one in the afternoon with Carlos Mayers. Dinner with Juliana Betancourt at six in the evening and…”

“I need you to get me a bouquet of flowers for Juliana Betancourt. Schedule an appointment with my mother this weekend and schedule an appointment with my lawyer to restrict my ex-wife.”

“Okay. Anything else?” I made eye contact with him.

“Why do you have a lollipop in your mouth while you're talking to me?”

I smiled.

“Do you want one? I always carry candy with me,” and very casually, I pulled a Tutsi Pop out of my pocket and tossed it to him.

His hands caught it in the air.

“What was that?” he asked, taken aback.

“To sweeten your day. Rumors in your company say that you tend to be very bitter.”

“Bitter? I don’t…”

“I'm going. I will begin my tasks for today. If you need anything, call my cell phone, I'll put on my headphones and I won't hear you if you talk to me normally.”

I smiled and walked away.

I sat at my desk and began to investigate.

The minutes flew by quickly and although now I didn't have privacy like in my old office, at least no one dared to bother me. I was googling flower shop locations and suddenly, at twelve o'clock sharp, I noticed that Erick was looking at me from afar.

I smiled and gave him the peace sign with my right hand. He returned my greeting.

My cell phone started ringing seconds later. It was an unknown number.

“Hello?”

“How is your day going? It’s Erick.”

“How did you get my number?”

“It's in the company directory. You appear as Julen, personal secretary to the executive director.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Sounds good as I appear.”

We made eye contact from afar.

“Shall we have lunch together today? I’ll buy fried chicken.”

“Sure. My lunch break is at two.”

“Perfect. I'll pick you up.”

Pick me up? What’s up with that!

“See you in the cafeteria.”

...🍬🍬🍬...

It’s two twenty. The meeting still isn't over and I'm already hungry. What should I do? If I don’t take my lunch break, I won’t have a chance to eat later.

It takes me ten minutes to get to the cafeteria.

“I'm starving!” is the first thing I say when I get to the table.

Erick, Jessica, and Kevin are sitting eating.

“Thank you!”

“How are you doing? I see you survived your first day,” Kevin says.

I took a plate and pulled a drumstick out of the KFC bucket.

“It wasn’t bad. Christian is very intense but I am learning to deal with him.”

I put on some hot sauce and just as I take my first bite, my cell phone starts ringing. It’s Christian.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?”

“In the cafeteria, I came to…”

“I'll wait for you in the lobby in three minutes.”

“But…”

He hung up the call.

My breathing is shaky. I couldn't even eat in peace. I had to devour the chicken at full speed and didn't taste a thing.

"Why did you leave? I told you to wait." Christian looked annoyed.

"I was hungry. Besides..."

"Are you trying to make excuses?"

His anger was evident. I had no idea why he was reacting this way.

"No. I'm telling you what happened. You asked me why I left."

I noticed he laughed conceitedly.

"You always want to give explanations."

"Well, you're the one asking for them."

He shook his head slightly. His lips curved into a smile and suddenly, he began to approach me. He placed his hand on my shoulder and his eyes didn't leave my pupils.

"Let's go to the car."

During the journey we remained silent for several minutes. It wasn't until a red light stopped us that I broke the silence.

"Where are we going?"

"It's my lunch break."

"Ah!" I was disappointed to hear that was it.

"Did you eat?" he asked.

"A little."

"A little?"

"I didn't have time to finish. Since the meeting went on longer than..."

"Are you blaming me?"

"No. Nothing like that."

"Anyway, we'll stop by a restaurant. After that, what did you say I had pending?"

I pretended to think, trying to remember.

"Your appointment with Juliana at six o'clock."

"Did you get the flowers?"

"I placed an order at a flower shop near Las Animas."

"Did you make an appointment with my mother?"

"Next Tuesday, she wants me to take her to lunch."

"Great. Find a reservation at Las Calandrias. She likes that place."

"Of course."

...🍬🍬🍬...

On my plate are enchiladas, a glass of horchata water next to it, and my fork taking the food to my mouth.

"Are they good?" he asked.

"Yes."

His eyes focused on my plate, as if he had a craving to taste.

"Want to try?" I offered.

My words caught him off guard. But he didn't answer. He used his fork to take a piece of food from my plate and brought it to his mouth. He began to taste it.

"Is it good?" I wanted to know.

"Yes. It's good."

I nodded. I continued eating.

"Do you think I'm hopeless?" The tone of his question made me think.

"I don't really know. I'm just getting to know you."

"Well, but..."

"Maybe you're not patient. That's it! You need to be more patient."

He took a bite of lasagna. That's what he had ordered to eat.

"Are you always so honest?"

"I guess so."

"Aren't you afraid that I might fire you for not treating me the way you expect me to?"

"Not really. If you fire me, I can look for another job. I believe that life is full of opportunities."

I took a bite of food.

"Did you order roses at the flower shop?"

"No."

"Why? I always give roses. My secretaries always choose roses."

"How boring!"

"Did you call me boring?"

I smiled.

"Yes. I mean, roses are pretty and all, but they always give that. Change flowers!"

"What did you choose?"

"Carnations, carnations, statice, baby's breath, and hydrangeas."

"You ordered them like that?"

"Uh-huh."

"How do you know the names of all those flowers?"

"I like flowers. When my mom was alive, I used to buy her flowers whenever I could."

His countenance changed.

"She died?"

"In the pandemic. My dad too."

He seemed shocked by my words. I felt confident enough to talk, to express part of my life to him.

"I'm sorry!"

"Don't worry. I'm not the only one who has lost their parents."

I continued eating.

"What university do you go to?"

"I'm not in any."

He was surprised by my answer.

"Why are you an intern at my company?"

"I study at a Cecati."

He was even more shocked.

"What are you studying?"

"Computer science."

He furrowed his brow.

"Then why did you say you weren't qualified to be my secretary?"

"Well, because I'm not in that major. As such, there are people who study to be a secretary."

I was almost done with my food. I drank some water.

"And why didn't you prefer university?"

"There are different paths to achieve success. University is one path. Cecati is another path. In the end, I'm here. Sitting in front of you, my boss. That's cool! You're the first CEO to invite me to eat at his table."

Being honest when speaking was not difficult for me.

"Do you like eating with me?" he asked curiously. Even his eyebrows became interesting.

"Yes. You're cool! I mean, even though we've already fought and sometimes you even drive me crazy, I think this is good."

"I drive you crazy?"

"Yes. More so when you get into cocky mode."

I thought I noticed him smiling faintly.

"Cocky?"

"Don't worry. It's normal for you to be that way to a certain extent. Being a boss gives you the authority and power to command and direct."

He took his glass of wine and brought it to his mouth. He drank. He enjoyed and savored the feeling that my words left in his mind.

"Where did you come from, Julen?" It seemed like that was the first time he called me by my name.

"I..."

"It's time to go." He stood up and left me there, with my mouth open.

...🍬🍬🍬...

The flowers had a pleasant aroma. The combination I chose looked quite elegant. White tones, soft greens, pinks, lilacs, and purples. Beautiful!

I left the flower shop with a wide smile on my face. I ordered an Uber to get to the office. It was five thirty when I got out of the elevator. I walked through the office and felt everyone was looking at me. Why were they staring at me so much? I felt a little euphoric and giddy. I smiled inevitably!

Jessica was walking down the hall in front of me. We stopped for a few seconds to chat.

"Julen. How's your day going?" she asked.

"Very good. How are you?"

She smiled.

"I'm a little tired. And those flowers? Did someone give them to you?"

I giggled a little more.

"I bought them, Christian asked me to. He has a date this afternoon."

"They're so pretty! Did you choose them?"

"Yes."

"Oh! You have good taste. I wish my boyfriend would give me flowers like that."

I smiled.

"I have to go to Christian's office."

I said goodbye to her. I walked to my desk. I put on my headphones and played "Be There" by Dharmacide. I entered Christian's office.

His desk was messy. I wanted to be nice and started tidying up. When I finished, I left the bouquet of flowers on his desk. I liked the result! I wanted to take a picture as an attempt at an aesthetic life.

"Great!" I uttered when I saw the result.

I leaned back, just one step, and felt his body. Instantly, I turned to see him and the proximity was too close! His eyes focused on mine!

"You scared me!" I exclaimed once I fixed my posture. I took off my headphones.

"Did the photo turn out well?"

"Yes."

I decided to show it to him.

"So you didn't choose roses and went with this bouquet instead." He looked at his desk. "Did you reorganize my desk?"

"Yes. Just a little because it was a real mess."

He nodded.

"It's time to go. Let's go."

"Do you want me to go with you? But you're supposed to have a date and I don't..."

"Come with me. Please! If something goes wrong, at least I'll have you."

What? Have me? To unwind? Holy moly!