Chapter 3. Worse

By Denis

I could barely sleep; if he found out soon, I would never be able to win him over again.

We had a rushed breakfast, because my transformation was taking time.

Angy had stayed overnight; we're very used to spending a lot of time together, so she only stays at her parents' house occasionally. I think she was finishing moving her things to the apartment this week.

After the trip that lasted 6 months, we missed the days she stayed overnight at her family's house.

—I can't tell you that I have experience, but because of my last name I'll tell you that I worked in my family's company.

—Perfect, she's well-known, so I don't think she'll call…

My friend looks at me, scared.

—Meet your brother…from high school.

We knew it, but Angy is afraid we might miss some details.

We think everything through more carefully.

We designed everything and finalized the specifications.

Angy stayed in the apartment; she had her fingerprint registered to open the door.

Only she and I recorded the fingerprints.

My brothers did not register their fingerprints; the apartment was purchased in the name of the Blotime corporation, even though it was mine, because I was not present at the time of signing the deed.

I took my car, a Mercedes, the latest model. I don't know if it would demonstrate a higher economic level, but since I wasn't going to hide the fact that my family had money, because I knew that, I don't think it's wrong for him to know what car I drive.

As soon as I got out of the car, Angy sent me the resume she had put together. It was almost empty, but it clearly stated that I spoke four languages, although I speak a few more, a result of my higher education, as well as our trip around the world and the trips to China in the middle of our journey, for some imports for my family business. We went there 3 times and it helped us to master the language.

We both have a knack for learning languages.

The profile picture on my resume is awful.

I was laughing to myself.

I quickly changed my WhatsApp photo; it was a detail we missed.

He also told me that Leonardo was waiting for me.

I can't deny that I'm nervous and my heart is beating fast.

My hands were trembling.

I entered the building, the receptionist looked at me with displeasure.

I smiled as I approached to announce myself.

—For the position of personal secretary to Mr. Haber.

His astonished face almost made me laugh.

—I don't think the gentleman is available.

She told me that because I must seem hideous to her.

"Idiot," I thought, "it won't be like that for you anytime soon."

—He's waiting for me.

I insisted, the last thing I need is to not be able to enter because of this idiot.

Suspicious, she picked up the intercom.

—Melina, there is a young lady to see Mr. Haber, for your position.

I couldn't hear anything, but he must have asked her if I'm ugly.

-Worse.

That was all he replied.

—You can go up, 16th floor.

He gave me a guest card.

-Luck.

He muttered with a mocking laugh.

Well, he's gone too far with his contempt.

However, I smiled at him again, falsely, of course.

As I stepped out of the elevator, I encountered a girl who was waiting for me quite anxiously.

She looked at me as if she were pleased by my presence.

It must be the secretary who's getting married.

She was quite pretty, blonde, of course, he likes blondes.

Even so, he never looked at me.

—Hello, are you Denis?

Shit, he even knew my name.

—Yes, it's a pleasure, Denis Blotime.

—Like party favors.

I looked at her, thinking that everyone knows our trademark.

-Yeah.

Thank goodness we're talking about telling the truth on that subject.

Besides our main store, where we import everything exclusively, we have wholesale stores throughout the country, as well as retailers and our own brands for a lot of items.

—I'm Melina, please come with me.

I nodded.

I was afraid of falling because I was so nervous.

My heart was racing, I was going to see the love of my life, even though he didn't know I existed.

Melina knocked on the office door, which was open.

-Forward.

The sexy voice of the even sexier man was heard.

I walked past behind his secretary.

When he looked at me, he couldn't hide a gesture of displeasure.

Damn, did I go too far?

—Good morning, I'm Denis Blotime.

I mean, trying to keep my voice normal… I would look at him and he would literally pull me out of the air.

—Nice to meet you. Are you here on behalf of Angy?

He said, while gesturing for me to sit down.

His secretary left, closing the door.

I'm in the same room…

Concentrate, Denis, I told myself.

—Thank you, likewise, yes, we were classmates in high school and then in college.

And in elementary school, I was going to add, but I don't want her to think we're that close.

—I saw the resume you sent me, you don't have much experience.

—That's right, I only worked at Blotime Imports.

—Are you related to Javier Blotime?

Damn, I was left speechless…

Honestly, I have no other choice…

-Yeah.

He looked at me waiting for me to explain, but I didn't clarify anything until he asked me.

—What kind of relationship?

—He's...my brother.

He was surprised.

—I didn't know I had another sister, I know Gabriela.

—I am the youngest of the three.

—Why don't you work with them?

—Because of...my appearance.

That's it, I don't think he'll ask me anymore.

—But you're one of the owners.

Shit, what's wrong with him?

—No, my parents are, and they only use me to travel to China for imports, and they would actually prefer to hide me or keep me far away.

-Understand.

Shit, what the hell does he understand?

Do ugly people have to be hidden away?

If I were truly ugly, I would have killed myself already because of people like that. Anyway, I couldn't stop looking at him; he's so handsome, so sexy, so…

"Denis, close your mouth, you're going to drool," I told myself.

But I understand that it's terrible that he's asking for an ugly secretary.

And above all, to prevent her from getting married.

—How many languages do you speak?

—Correctly, Spanish, English, German and Portuguese, I also get by with Chinese, French and Italian.

—Wow, that's impressive.

—As I told you before…they are hiding me…traveling and that is the reason why I don't want to work with my family anymore, we are not fighting or anything, you can call them, but it is not comfortable for them or for me.

—You would have to travel with me sometimes and accompany me to meetings.

—My passport is up to date, I came a few days ago from...China.

I almost said Europe, I need to concentrate more.

—I'm demanding with my staff, you can't be absent and once you sign a contract, you can't stop working for at least a year, you can't get married, or get pregnant, at least during the first year and every year, if everything goes well, we sign a new contract.

—What does my private life have to do with my work?

—I want a damn secretary to last, my company isn't a stepping stone to getting a rich husband, that's why I made it clear, and forgive me, it's not personal, that I want an ugly secretary.

He says it almost furiously, if he only knew that I intended to marry him.

—That hurt…but I’m here because I know I’m ugly, men don’t look at me and frankly I prefer to hide than to go out with a man who doesn’t take the spiritual side into account.

I see his face, almost disgusted.

—A woman catches our eye first, and then everything else follows. Beyond your spirituality, I'd like to know if you're committed to working with me for a whole year. You would be my secretary and partly my personal assistant. You would even have to work some Saturdays, though not all, and some Sundays. Sometimes I can invite you to my house.

He's pedantic and misogynistic, but I'm not going to tell him, I just want to be by his side.

—I have no problem with that, sir.

I said, my heart leaping, "I would love to be at his house and in his bed..."

Denis, pay attention….

—You could start next Monday…no, better from the day after tomorrow, so you can sort out your affairs, I wouldn't want to have problems with your family.

—No sir, don't worry, it's a weight off my family's shoulders. I need to work, because even though I could do nothing, since they give me a check for a few figures every month, I'm not one to sit idly by. I don't feel like studying another career right now, and my life ends there. I don't have much...social activity.

—I understand. So you're willing to be my secretary, without leaving my side?

-Yes sir.

I would stay with you for life….

—Do you wear a wig?

OHOHOH

I was speechless, even my ears must be red.

—Yes, I have horrible hair and this way I feel more protected.

—Okay, that's fine with me.

—Thank you for the opportunity.

—You deserve it...sorry...that didn't sound right...I mean...

I smiled at him, I was tempted, he really thinks I'm ugly, well, I'm already in.