Renato tossed restlessly in bed, unable to sleep with so much on his mind. Giving up on slumber, he got up and fetched his computer, then perched on the edge of the mattress and began to search for cosmetic clinics in Germany that specialized in removing blemishes. Discovering several, he narrowed the search to just Berlin and found three with stellar reputations. He jotted down their phone numbers and addresses in his personal planner and noted that he only needed to call two of them, as an appointment with a leading doctor was already arranged upon his arrival.
In the morning, he awoke with the intention of planning his trip, but first, he had to talk and attempt to persuade his dreadful secretary to accompany him and live with him. She would need to care for Hercules and manage his matters while he recovered from surgery. Upon arriving at the office, he was surprised to see Helen's desk empty. Entering with hope she might be tidying up, he found she wasn't there either. Pulling out his phone, he gave her a call.
"Where are you?"
"At human resources," she replied curtly, offering no further explanation.
"What are you doing there? Come here, we need to coordinate something," he said, clearly annoyed.
"I've submitted my resignation, so you're without a secretary now."
"Helen, don't try my patience. Come to my office this instant. It's urgent."
"I'm sorry," she said, rapidly descending the main staircase. "But I'm already leaving the building and have no intention of coming back..."
Renato approached the window just in time to see his young secretary trying to hail a taxi, so he rushed down in his private elevator, caught up with her, and grabbed her arm. A jolt of electricity surged through them both, prompting an immediate withdrawal. Regaining his composure, he spat out irritably, "I refuse to accept your resignation, so get back inside before I lose my temper."
"You can't force me to work for you."
"Of course I can, Miss, and I will. Have you forgotten the clause stipulating you owe me compensation if you quit before five years?"
Helen's eyes widened. What once seemed a foolish clause suggested in desperation during her interview now backfired.
"Do you have the money?" he taunted, and she shook her head. "That's what I thought. So get back up here before I charge you interest for wasting my time."
"Why?"
"Why what, Helen?"
"Why are you so insistent on me being your secretary? Why not just let me go? You don't even like me; you're always complaining."
Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, and suddenly, she felt incredibly vulnerable, her concern for anything else slipping away.
"Because you're efficient, multilingual, and always follow orders. Now come on, we need to talk," Renato said more calmly after seeing the sadness on her face, taking her arm to lead her back.
Helen was worried he might have figured out she was the blonde from Friday night; it was the only urgent matter that she thought would make her boss personally come down to fetch her. Fear gripped her as they entered his office.
He directed her to sit down, went to his coffee machine, and poured two cups—an espresso for himself and one with cream and cinnamon for her. The kindness and his memory of how she drank her coffee left her with no doubt – he knew the truth.
"Tell me, why do you want to resign? And be honest, I cannot stand lies."
"I–" Helen fidgeted with her shirt, then looked him directly in the eyes. "You say personal matters should stay outside, and that's what I'm attempting – to leave behind what happened Saturday morning."
"That's right, and I stand by it. But how does that relate to your job?"
"We crossed a line, the other day at your apartment when…"
"You threw out the girl I was with," he finished for her, and her eyes went wide. "Yes, that was wrong, but forget it—I'll pretend it never happened."
"But that's not what occurred."
"No matter the specifics, the girl is gone and means nothing – it was just sex," he spoke bluntly, cutting her off, and her heart shattered with his words. "What matters now is that we're going to Germany in a month."
"We are? Who's we?"
"Just the two of us. Who else? Stop repeating; it's annoying and gives me a headache," Renato replied, somewhat irritated. "As far as I'm aware, you're not tied down, so we'll be abroad indefinitely, you'll handle my dog and house, and I need you available around the clock."
"Why not take Cora if all you need is a housekeeper?"
"Cora's arthritis acts up in the cold, so the decision is made – you're coming with me."
"I cannot do that. My mother only has me. I can't just go to Germany with you on a whim."
"Think of it – six months in an incredible country, exploring amazing places and earning double. If you want out, it's a chance to pay back your debt faster."
"You really plan to charge me?"
"Sure, it was your bright idea, so I'll enforce it."
"So, slaving for you day and night might settle the debt sooner. You're taking advantage of me."
"You're my secretary, and I need you, so sorry, but make arrangements for that date."
"What if I wish to return sooner, or if my mother falls ill, or I need a day off?"
"We'll come back, I have obligations and a family who misses me, believe it or not."
"Okay."
"Now go check today's schedule."
"Fine, I'll think about it," she rose resigned from her chair.
"There's nothing for you to consider. I've made the decision and we leave in a month. You're the only one I trust with my life and my dog."
"So this isn't just about the branch?"
"I'll fill you in once we're settled in our new home. Now go," he said, firing up his computer and dismissing her presence.
Helen glared at him with a mix of loathing and admiration for his trust in her, adjusted her glasses, and wondered, 'How can a man who's so caring in bed navigate life with such selfishness?' Yet, she breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't recognized her, especially now that they would spend the next six months under the same roof.
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