A Strange Benefactor

Ariadna Thompson

I curse not having gotten the contract with that conceited millionaire. What does that imbecile think? As I step outside, I take off the damn heels that have been tormenting my feet and let the tears fall. Once again, I still don't have a solution for Susan's surgery, and I want to faint.

My hands tremble and I feel my breath fail. It can't be, I'm about to have a nervous breakdown that could trigger an asthma attack. I take a deep breath: one, two, three...

When I finally caught my breath, I shouted: "Damn my luck!"

People around me look at me like I'm a weirdo. With my wallet in hand, I answer: "What? Haven't you seen someone with problems? "

I walk barefoot on the sidewalk until I reach the bus. As I climb, I see the image of Mr. Mackenzie's great company behind me fading. At that moment, my phone rang, causing me more stress than I already have.

"And now what the fuck is it?"

An email.

Miss Thompson,

We welcome you to this great company. We summon her to start work next Monday. We will be sending all the entry instructions. We are very happy that he is part of this great family.

Sincerely, Human Service, Mackenzie Corporation

I read the email once again and I remain static. I can't believe it. Mr. Mackenzie' offer is completely real: I have a job with his company as an assistant. Although I initially wanted to be his lady-in-waiting, I don't dislike the idea. However, that doesn't change the fact that I still have the unresolved problem of my little niece's surgery.

A few minutes later, the bus drops me off in front of the hospital and I want to run away. I don't know how to tell Evangeline that I don't have the money, that I didn't get the job that would give me the money quickly, and that at that moment I don't even know what to do.

I take a deep breath and walk ready to face the harsh reality. But Evangeline is smiling. His expression radiates happiness, and when he sees me, he runs out and gives me a hug.

"Thank you very much, sister! Thanks a lot! You did it, Susan is already under surgery!"

"What?" I separate from her, not knowing what she is talking about.

"Yes, the bill. Everything is paid for, and we even have an envelope full of money to pay for Susan's release from the hospital. And you have achieved everything!

I walk to the chair in the waiting room, confused, and shake my head.

"I don't understand anything, Evangeline. I... I didn't get any money."

"What? " Evangeline showed me a note. " Here it says your name. You are Ariadna Thompson."

I take the note and begin to review each line:

"Miss Thompson, please accept this advance on your salary as a loan (interest-free). My company always seeks to ensure that its employees are in the best condition and, above all, their families. I hope she can come to work on Monday as scheduled With appreciation, Jordano Dominic Third Mackenzie Grillet"

"Wow, fucking name," he blurts out without hesitation at the end of reading.

"Do you have a new job?" Evangeline holds my hands, full of hope.

"Yes, I have a new job, little one. What time does Susan leave surgery?"

"In a couple of hours. I think in a few days he will come home, but Maria threatened me again, she says we should leave."

"I'm going to solve it, I promise."

I hug my sister, promising her something that is far beyond my reach. Leaving my father's house is still an impossible issue. Surely, we should wait until we have money, but now I have a debt to Mr. Mackenzie, one that I may have to pay with part of my salary, and that baffles me. At what point would we leave home?

I sigh, at least knowing that my niece is out of danger. Although my reason does not allow me to accept Mackenzie' help, my heart is extremely grateful. Without it, my little girl would possibly be in a very serious situation.

The hours go by and the surgery is a success. Fortunately, Susan is out of danger and now only a life full of fullness awaits her. This is how the rest of the week goes, and although I feel like we are going crazy to continue at Maria's house, Monday finally arrives, my first day of work.

I dress as best I can, choose the best clothes I have, and I put on light makeup. I applied for the last squirt of perfume I have left and headed to the company.

The first day of work is usually difficult for anyone. But here I am, facing what's coming, not only to pay off the debt to Mackenzie, but to start a new project. A receptionist gives me a warm welcome and shows me my workplace, an office very close to him, the man to whom I owe so much for saving my little niece's life.

That morning, Jordano didn't get to work early, and I swear I'm dying to see him one more time. I urgently need to tell him how much I thank him and, of course, propose how I will pay him the money without hurting my salary too much. I need that money more than ever. My ex-boyfriend's bastards didn't even thank me for all the time I was in his service.

The morning was long, between training by the other presidential assistants and the welcome of the company. The afternoon was already appearing, showing that my first day of work was about to end. I am somewhat frustrated that I could not thank Mr. Mackenzie in person. After the misunderstanding last time, and if I am to be his assistant, we must at least have a cordial deal.

I get my things ready to leave the office, when suddenly the elevator door opens. It was him, but he did not come alone; Behind him were two people who appear to be his parents. I can tell by the way they talk to him and because they physically look alike.

"Dad, I already told you I'm not going to get married. I don't want to, least of all for a fucking business. What are you thinking? " Jordano held up his hands, pleading with the man who appeared to be his father.

"I told you, Jordano, it's not if you want to. You have six months to get married, or else you will have to marry Adela de las Casas. Your grandfather left capitulations, and if you want to continue enjoying the life of luxury, you must obey."

"What? But what I've achieved has been because of my work, Dad. If they don't want to give me anything, don't give it to me, but I'm not going to get married. That is not in my plans, neither in the short nor in the long term."

"Yes, you've worked, Jordano, but your grandfather left you as the universal heir, even over all your cousins and my brothers. So, son, either you get married, or we lose that inheritance. And believe me, I'm not going to let that happen. I swear I don't forgive you."

The man threatens my boss, and even though they think they're alone in the company, I'm listening to everything.

"George, you can't be so our son. And neither do I force him to marry, please. Marriage should be an act of love, not obligation," Jordano's mother chimes in.

"Mom, leave it. Dad is a selfish person who will never know how to have power over me. Do you want marriage? There will be a marriage," Jordano replies as he walks out to his office, leaving his parents muttering toward the elevator and him talking to himself.

Maybe it wasn't the best time to talk to him about money, let alone what he did for my sister and me. However, I thanked him in my soul, and I know that the time will come to talk about it. Now I'm his assistant, and at some point, we'll meet.

I have just packed my things and decided to leave the office. As I'm about to take the elevator, I feel Jordano's voice call out to me.

"Ariadna."

I turn to look at him, and although his face is that of a few friends, he smiles at me.

"Have you always been here?" He asks me, somewhat confused.

"Yes, sir, all the time, but I'm back at my house. I finished my workday. By the way, I wanted to talk to you, but" I swallow whole "I overheard your conversation with your parents."

Jordano approaches me slowly, with his manly bearing, and his delicious perfume intoxicates my nostrils. I feel a chill and my nerves invade.

"I have time now. Forget what you heard. My father is old-fashioned and always wants to control me. Come into my office," Jordano points to the door of his office, and I turn my eyes there, completely nervous.

"Yes, of course."

I go after him and almost trip. When he sits down at his desk, he reaches out his hand for me to sit in the chair in front of him and snorts.

"What a shame that you heard all that."

"It's all right for me; all families have problems," I reply, remembering mine, which is a complete disaster.

"How was your first day of work?"

"It was very good, thank you very much, but I want to thank you for having paid my niece's bill and the money you gave my sister and me in the envelope. The total is a lot and I don't know how I will be able to pay it, since I only have this job now."

Jordano's eyes immediately flashed, as if asking him about how to pay off the debt was an uncertain incentive.

"You're single, aren't you?"

"Yes, I've been for a few days, sir," I didn't understand the question or how it related to the debt, but there it was, answering him.

Jordano was silent as he looked me up and down. He crossed his hands over his body and began to make some gestures.

"Well, then I have a deal for you, which will not only cover the debt you owe me, but also help you have more money..."

I look at Jordano Dominic Tercero Mackenzie Grillet, straight in the eye and was completely taken aback. Now what the fuck will this sick man ask me for? However, I give him the opportunity to speak; Now what my sister and I need is money.

"All right, Mr. Mackenzie, I hear you," I swallow dryly. My skin begins to sweat, my hands tremble, and a sense of panic takes over me.

He smiles maliciously, he doesn't stop looking at me, and that only adds to my nervousness. Anyone with five senses would run away, but I want to stay there with him, by his side, listening to what he has to say to me, even if it is the most macabre.