Helen felt as though her entire world had crumbled at her feet; if she believed Renato was going to profess his love, she was sorely mistaken. He was an unemotional man who simply felt deceived by his secretary. That night, the young woman fell asleep amid sobs, with puffy eyes, but she didn't care about her appearance—her soul was shattered into a thousand pieces, and she had to stay home the next day. Unemployed, no grumpy boss to indulge, her hope lay in human resources providing a letter of recommendation so she could find a new job as swiftly as possible.
Renato, on the other hand, arrived at his apartment, lay on his bed, and wept into his pillow. It was the first time he cursed that blemish and the feelings he had for a woman. Though hard to admit, he'd always felt something special for her; she was the only one he let into his private life, his home, and entrusted with his pet.
From the moment he saw her in her baggy clothes, untidy hair, and thick glasses, he was intrigued. He remembers that day and smiles wistfully. Unbeknownst to her and due to her need for employment, she gave him a letter he could use against her to keep her around.
"Tell me, Miss, do you think you can put up with me?"
"Absolutely."
"My former secretaries couldn't handle my pace and resigned within three months. Why do you think you're better?" he asked curiously, circling his chair, sizing her up.
"Because I am," she said confidently. "Sir, I propose something; if I resign before five years, I'll pay you severance, and if you fire me, we're even. You won’t owe me a thing, but please, I need the job."
"Agreed," he smiled at her boldness and agreed to the proposition. "You have the job. I’ll have Sandra draft a contract with that clause; you’ll owe a full year's salary if you leave early."
"Perfect," the young woman replied joyously, with a smile that stunned him. "When do I start?"
"Now." Renato urgently needed to sort out his appointments, watching as she pulled out her planner from her bag and got settled. "You need to call the US; your resume says you speak English, German, and French."
"That's correct."
"Good, that simplifies things. I won't need some of the translators anymore."
"Excuse me, sir, but I don't want anyone fired because of me."
"I won't fire anyone, but sometimes I'm so weary from traveling I forget which country I'm in and hire assistants, so you'll need a passport because you’ll travel with me to various countries."
"I understand."
And so, for three long years, she became his shadow, and the more he learned about his unkempt secretary, the more he was drawn to her—but he needed to keep his heart locked away, not wanting to hurt her. Sometimes he regretted being so harsh, but often it was intentional, to push her away before he'd be tempted to kiss her.
Renato wakes to his dog's whining, checks his watch—nearly noon. He overslept. Helen hadn't called to wake him, then he recalls his secretary resigned and curses aloud.
"Sir, are you okay?"
"Yes, Cora, I overslept," he answers from the bedroom.
"I'm sorry, I thought Helen would wake you."
"Helen no longer works for my company," as the dog cries louder, grabs his toy, and leaves the room. "Sorry, Hercules, it's just you and me now."
Renato approaches the kitchen, greeting his housekeeper, whose expression has suddenly become sad.
"How are you, Cora?"
"With this news, very sad, as is Hercules."
"Cora, it's for the best. She couldn't stand me."
"It's a shame; that girl was so sweet and caring."
"That's precisely why she deserves a boss who doesn't mistreat her."
"You know, now that she won't be coming in, I can share a secret. Because I know I’ll be in trouble."
"What secret?"
"I don't know how to make the raspberry tart you love; she always prepared it at her place and brought it here an hour before you woke, then left."
"Why did she do that?"
"Because she loves you. That's why she put up with your temper," as if stating the obvious, "You're a fool to let her go."
Renato is stunned he’d never realized, or else he would have fired her long ago.
"It's too late," he tries to shift the conversation.
"Boss, I’m certain Helen is pining for you, and now, not seeing you, her heart will be in tatters."
"Make my breakfast; I'm going to shower, and please, no more of Helen," he orders, irate, rising from his seat.
Renato spends the day fixated on that notion, convinced his housekeeper is overstating things. Helen is resilient and will soon forget him, though he's not so sure he can forget her. The office is a mess; he desperately needs someone to organize his appointments when a call from HR disrupts his brooding.
"Good morning, sir; Helen came to collect her termination pay. We weren't informed of her dismissal."
"Tell her to come up," he responds sharply, hanging up.
Minutes later, the secretary knocks on the door, which he opens to see her dressed in a fitted skirt with a slit up her leg and a white silk blouse. She looks beautiful, even behind dark sunglasses hiding her face.
"Come in, Helen."
"Hello," she greets, sounding disheartened. "I'm just here for my last month's pay. I thought it was fair, but if you don't want to pay, I understand."
"I want you to stay," he pleads. "Please, until I go to Germany and train someone to take your place."
"That's not what we discussed last night."
"But I need you, the office is chaos," Renato surprises himself with his appeal. "I'm asking for one more month."
"I can't agree."
"I'll pay double, and you can job hunt meantime."
"Just one month?"
"Yes, I promise. I leave for Germany, and you're free from my tyranny."
"Alright."
"Thanks, Helen. I'm doing this because I need the money, but after, we're on separate paths."
"Fine, and Helen, wear whatever you like," he remarks, noting she looks stunning. "No one will harass you."
"You think so, but ask at the front desk how women are treated here."
"Come on, I’ll walk you out; I want to see for myself what's going on."
He assists her to her feet, feeling that electric current course through him. In the elevator, her proximity is unbearable; he now regrets this will be a month-long torment, but he gave his word. The doors open, and she cleverly whispers,
"Wait, let me go ahead, and you watch from behind."
"Alright."
"Goodbye," she bids farewell, swaying her hips.
"See you tomorrow, Helen."
Renato is shocked; his company doesn't tolerate such conduct, so he follows her discreetly to the main entrance, witnessing men ogling and some audacious enough to whistle as she passes, sparking jealousy—no one should eye his woman that way. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, he reminds himself she's not his. Returning to his office, he takes action, suspending each employee involved in the harassment for a week.
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