On Monday morning, Renato felt particularly anxious, his therapist's words echoing in his mind and causing such stress that he hadn't slept a wink all night. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Helen, so he grabbed his phone and dialed her number once again.
Helen decided it was time to switch on her phone and discovered 107 missed calls from Renato and a text message: *I need to see you\, let’s talk.* R.R.
She was still holding her phone when it began to ring again, and hesitated for a moment upon seeing who it was. But wondering if it could be about the trip, she answered with little enthusiasm.
"Hello."
"Helen, I need to see you."
"I’m sorry, but I'm on my way to a job interview. What is it you need?"
Renato quickly thought up an excuse to get her to the airport, aware that if he mentioned it was for personal reasons she wouldn't come, then he pretended to have lost something, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on the statistical charts she'd worked up on her personal computer.
"Helen, I can't find a file—it’s the statistics charts, the Goshi projections. You did the report on your computer," he said, smiling at his own cunning. "I need to bring two copies with me. Could you bring the reports to the airport after your interview?"
"I'll just send it to your email; that’s easier, you just have to print it out," she replied, booting up her computer, hearing him sigh and then curse which didn't seem out of character to her given his mercurial temper.
"Helen, I'm not at the office, my place is a mess," he lied. "And I don't have a printer. I’m asking you this last favor, and then I won’t bother you again. It’s important, I need to work on this during the flight. You know I have that meeting first thing tomorrow, remember?" At least that part was true; she’d arranged his schedule.
"Fine, I’ll bring you the damn charts, but you’re reimbursing me for the taxi back and forth. I’m not made of money and I don’t have cash to waste on trivial things."
"Stop complaining, I’ll pay for the taxi, and you can take my truck back home," he retorted, confident in her driving skills as he had financed her driving license course, wanting his secretary to be efficient in every way.
"Okay, I'll come after the interview."
"Helen…I wish you luck, not that you need it, you’re brilliant."
"Thank you."
After ending the call, Helen held the phone, still a bit shocked to have received a compliment from that man. For a moment, she wanted to change and look beautiful for her former boss, to show him what he’d missed out on by being a coward, but quickly let go of the thought and stepped out wearing a long skirt and a loose jacket. Standing before a towering twenty-story building, a nameplate at the entrance caught her eye, a name she had heard before but couldn't place, though she didn't dwell on it and checked in at the reception.
One of the partners welcomed her, explaining that his father was busy and couldn’t attend the interview, a young and handsome man.
"Good morning, Miss, my name is Manuel, I'm a founding partner of this company along with my twin sister Manuela. My father is our main advisor and our major investor."
"Pleased to meet you, I’m Helen."
"We are looking for someone fluent in several languages, especially German, skilled in IT, and willing to join us on world travels," he said, looking at her doubtfully. "According to your resume, you have a handwritten recommendation letter from Mr. Renato Rinaldi addressed to our company, praising you highly."
Helen was startled to hear this; she assumed the recommendation had been Sandra's doing as usual when someone was let go and directed where to send the letter. Now she felt compelled to read that letter, curious about Renato's true thoughts of her.
"I... May I read the letter?" she asked, embarrassed. "I never saw it."
"No. That's our concern alone," he replied, smiling as he recalled the note. Renato had written just a few simple words,
****Cousins: Hire Helen and treat her like a princess or I’ll have you killed with my own hands. Don’t ask questions\, just do it.****
R.R.
"I understand," she replied, her curiosity so piqued she hardly paid attention to anything else.
"Well, if she’s that incredible, tell me – What happened? Why did you leave Rinaldi Enterprises?"
"My boss," she began, her voice faltering at the thought of him. "He had planned a business trip. I used to accompany him everywhere, but this job requires six months abroad, and I can't leave my mother alone," she said, concealing the real reason, which involved a fool too scared to be with her. "I don't mind traveling, as long as it's for shorter periods, so don’t worry about that – I'm always ready to help out."
"Good to know, our company is small, so extravagant travel isn’t an option, but I'm glad you're willing to pitch in," he repeated foolishly, staring into her eyes.
"I understand."
"Very well, Miss, welcome aboard. You're hired."
"Thank you, thank you so much," she expressed genuine delight.
"We expect you here first thing tomorrow."
"I'll be here," Helen remembered she still had to print the reports and awkwardly asked one more favor. "Excuse me, may I ask for a favor?"
"Yes, if I can assist."
"My former boss needs some reports, could you provide me with a computer and printer? I need to get them to the airport urgently."
"Use my personal computer."
"Sorry, he's a bit scatterbrained, and I always sorted everything out for him."
As Helen sat at Manuel’s desk and accessed the cloud to retrieve the information, the young man watched her quickly navigate his system and within minutes she had printed out the documents.
"Do you need a folder for that?"
"Two, please."
Manuel opened a drawer, handed her two folders, and for the first time, looked her in the eye, seeing the unique sparkle behind those thick glasses. He now understood his cousin's infatuation.
"Thank you, that's everything. I need to hail a cab or I’ll be late."
"Your former boss was very lucky. He was a fool to let you go. No one would run so far for me."
"I'm sorry, but I really have to dash. And don’t worry, if all goes well, you’ll have me running around for you too," she smiled sweetly.
"Until tomorrow, Helen."
"Until tomorrow."
Helen left the building clutching the folders, waiting over ten minutes before finally hailing a taxi.
"Where to, Miss?"
"To the airport," she replied, eyeing the traffic. "Take the highway, I need to get there quickly."
"Okay, but if we make it in time, it’ll be double the fare."
"Do I look like a millionaire? Just drive; if we’re late, my former boss will have my head."
"Alright, looks like you're having a tough day."
Sitting in the back of the taxi, Helen tried to spruce herself up, letting down her hair, putting away her reading glasses, touching up her makeup a little, and donning a pair of sunglasses. If it was going to be the last time she saw the love of her life, she wanted to look her best.
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