Episode 3

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."