For a young woman who had always been received with every attention at her father's company, waiting on her feet in the reception of another company was the worst of humiliations.
Abril Ganoza Arias, accustomed to having doors opened for her and being greeted with servile smiles, now felt the weight of indifference.
Until a few days ago, she was the pampered girl of the powerful Ganoza family: she lived shopping from store to store, between endless parties and drunken nights with friends who swore to be inseparable. However, when she lost the support of her last name and her fortune, those same friends disappeared, closing doors on her and treating her like just another stranger.
In the past, with the support of her millionaire parents, Abril had become the center of attention for everyone. Her supposed friends treated her like a celebrity, even going to the extreme of humiliating those with less economic power just to make her laugh.
That cruel spectacle was almost a ritual in her honor.
Now, in the uncomfortable silence of the reception, the arrogant heiress remembered the moment when her world collapsed.
It was that weekend, when she staggered into her house at dawn, with the hangover still throbbing in her temples. She was trying to get to her room without being seen, but as soon as she touched the lock, her father's thundering voice cut through the air:
"¡¡¡Abril Ganoza Arias, to the office!!!"
"The firm tone of Arturo Ganoza froze her blood. He had never called her that way before. With a sinking heart, she followed him to the office. There, her mother and brother were waiting for her, sitting in silence. Arturo remained standing, his gaze stern, his hands buried in his pockets."
"What a disappointment, Abril"he said with a voice full of pain". I am ashamed to see you like this. We gave you everything you could wish for so that you could take advantage of the opportunities and be someone in life, and all you have done is waste it."
"Abril lowered her head, unable to look him in the eye."
"I'm tired of your attitude. From this moment on, your cards are blocked. If you want to maintain your privileges, you will have to work. As a last act of compassion, I got a job for you: from Monday you will work at the Brescia's company."He paused, observing every gesture of his daughter". I don't know in what position exactly, but it's the last thing I'll do for you."
She wanted to reply, but her father interrupted her harshly:
"Tomorrow you will move to the apartment that belonged to your mother. If you ever want to come back, you will have to prove that you have changed. Learn that life is not easy, that nothing is given away."
"Dereck, her brother, wanted to protest, but Arturo glared at him."
"Don't get involved in this. Someday you will thank me, daughter… although I fear that by then it will be too late, that you will find me dead of so much anger."
"With that said, he turned around and left, slamming the door."
"Abril burst into tears. Her mother, with tears in her eyes, got up to hug her and caress her face."
"It's for your own good, darling. Never doubt it. I love you, and I will always be here for you."
"Then she went after her husband, because she knew him well: he suffered more than he showed."
"Abril was left with Dereck, her brother and accomplice for life. He hugged her tightly."
"Don't worry, little sister. I'll help you, you won't lack anything."
But she, between sobs, wiped away her tears with a determination she had never had:
"No, Dereck. Don't do anything to anger him. Everyone thinks I'm a airhead, but I'll show them I'm not. I will succeed and make them feel proud. This is my challenge… and I accept it."
"Her brother smiled sadly, but also with hope."
"Then I will be by your side until the end. You will never be alone."
At the reception, the receptionist had to gently touch Abril's arm to bring her out of her memories.
"Miss, are you okay?"
"Huh? Sorry… what did you say?" "she replied disoriented."
"President Brescia is waiting for you on the thirtieth floor."
Abril nodded and headed to the CEO's exclusive elevator, unaware of the mistake.
Alfonso Brescia's office was a temple of luxury and power. The window showed a majestic view of the city. Sitting behind a mahogany desk, with his chin resting on one hand and playing with a collector's pen in the other, Alfonso waited.
His blue eyes, cold and calculating, were fixed on the door. Abril Arias, he repeated silently. The name had been on his mind since he heard it from his assistant.
The elevator opened and a dazzling figure appeared. Boris, with a half smile, led her to the office and whispered to her before letting her pass:
"Good luck, miss."
Abril ignored the warning and entered as if she were walking on a runway. Alfonso looked up and was surprised: that woman was a perfect mix of sweetness and sensuality, with a halo of mystery in her black eyes and chestnut hair that framed a doll-like face.
The CEO analyzed her in seconds: she looked more like his sister's model than a secretary. He suspected that his grandmother was manipulating him to meet that woman.
The silence between them became almost uncomfortable. Alfonso broke it with an ironic tone:
"If you're done admiring me, take a seat. I'll tell you your functions"Alfonso said when he saw Abril's fixed gaze on him.
Abril pouted.
"Look, I don't. I like them my age. You're too old for my taste. And with how bitter you are, you must already have wrinkles. Do you want me to recommend a good cream?"
Alfonso froze. No one, absolutely no one, had ever spoken to him like that.
"Insolent brat…"he squeezed the pen with rage". Here you are nothing more than an employee. If you want to keep your job, you will learn to respect and obey. And remember: what you see or hear in this company must not leave here. If you fail me, you will regret it for the rest of your life. Are we clear?"
Abril clenched her fists and glared at him.
"I don't care what you think of me. I'm not here because I want to be, and if you want to fire me, you'd be doing me a favor. I'm not one of your walking dolls."
She stood up with elegance, adjusted her bag and added with irony:
"Without further ado, Mr. Bitter, I prefer the handsome guy outside to explain my functions. From now on I will be deaf and mute."
She stuck her tongue out at him and left with a slam, leaving behind the most powerful CEO in the country, with the vein on his forehead throbbing and the remains of a broken pen in his hand.
No one, ever, had called him old and ugly. All the women venerated him, sought him out, idolized him… but that brat had defied him, and he would not forgive that affront.
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