hapter 2 CASSANDRA Two months later, Cassandra is running late for work, praying she wont lose her job over it. She remembers her interview at Rodriquez International like it was yesterday. Scott Smith, her now-boss, was all smiles and handshakes. But its not him shes worried about. The whispers around the office paint a picture of the big bossthe man who owns the whole building and has his own executive suite a few floors upas a stern, intimidating, and relentless figure. She hasnt met the big boss yet. Hes been away on business. But the way the women in the office talk about him, its clear hes a playboy. Cassandra steers clear of men like that. Not that it matters. Men like him usually go for tall, slim women like Gwen, not short and curvy ones like her. This morning, Alex was a handful. When she dropped him off at the daycare a few blocks from her apartment, his cries echoed in her ears. She held him a little longer than usual before heading to the subway station. Then, of course, the train was delayed due to technical issues. When she finally arrives at the towering glass building where she works, Cassandra rushes past the receptionist and makes a beeline for the elevator. Theping of the elevator signals her arrival on her floor, and she hurries to her desk. On the way, she runs into Emily, Mr. Smiths personal assistant. Youre late, Emily whispers. I knowI got held up. I hope no one noticed. Cassandra smooths down her plain, black skirt, thinking its seen better days. Smith isnt here yet, but the big boss is, and he wasnt too happy about finding your desk empty. Oh shit! Shes definitely getting fired. Where is he? He left. Ive gotta go now. Emily quickly heads to her own desk. Their floor is impressive, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and black marble tiles. The office must have cost a fortune, but Cassandra loves it. Its not every day you get to look at a floor and see your own reflection. The cleaners really do a great job keeping this place spotless. All morning, Cassandra waits for the inevitable call from the big boss, telling her shes fired. But the day is quiet and slow. Clients come and go, but its not until shes sorting through some mail later in the day that Mr. Smith calls her desk. Miller, can you please come to my office? Yes, sir. Cassandra hangs up the phone, stands up, and walks down the hall. When she knocks on his door, Mr. Smith says, Come in, so she nervously opens the door and steps inside. Seeing her, he adds, Sit down, Ms. Ill be with you in a moment. Cassandra complies. Smiths glass desk are two photographs, one of his beautiful wife and one of his two kids. Theres a couch near the window with a small table in front of it, and a coffee machine in the opposite corner. A few gallery photos from different artists hang on the wall behind him. Cassandra nervously twines her fingers together in her lap. Smith is in his late thirties and looks it at this moment, as he waits for the right moment to say something. The suspense is killing her. Oh Lord, dont let me get fired. I need this job, especially since Gwen moved out last month. You werent at your desk this morning. Im sorry, Mr. The train was delayed today. You take a train? Dont you have better transportation? The train is cheap, and she needs to save as much as possible. Thats what I can afford at the moment. Rodriguez wasnt happy about seeing the front desk empty. He wanted me to fire you and I refused. Youve done a great job these past two months, and I dont want to let you go. Im happy with your work; I just hope this wont happen again. Rodriguez really isnt messing around. From now on, Cassandra will have to be on her toes; Mr. Smith saved her this time, but next time she might not be so lucky. I promise, sir. That will be all, Ms. Cassandra stands up, but when she is at the door, Mr. Smith calls her back. I understand you have some mail for Mr. Rodriguez. She did see some letters addressed to him. Emily normally takes the big bosss mail up, but on her way to Mr. Smiths office, Cassandra didnt see her. Smith holds out a file. Can you please take this up to his office, along with his mail? I sent Emily out on an errand, and he is expecting this file now. Now Cassandras going to meet the big bad wolf, the man who wanted to fire her. She takes the file from Mr. Smith, leaves his office, and goes back to her desk, where she collects all the mail that was addressed to Mr. Rodriguez. She thinks that maybe she shouldve sent someone else but presses the elevator button anyway. By the time the elevator takes her all the way to the top floor, her heart is pounding in her chest. EMILIANO Emiliano Rodriguez is standing by the window of his office, looking out at the city. Its been a rough week; his mother just had a heart attack. Shes okay now, resting at home with the private nurse he hired, but it was a close call. And her words keep echoing in his mind.Im not getting any younger, Emiliano. I want to have grandchildren and see my son get marriedis that too much to ask for? Emiliano rakes a hand through his dark hair. Hes not the kind to settle down, get hitched, and start a family. Hes all about the bachelor lifeno strings, no obligations. Hes well aware that women only share his bed for his wealth and the perks that come with it. Theyre no different from those who get paid to sleep with men. Hes more than happy to have women in his bed, accepting what they offer, but he doesnt trust anyone. He learned early on not to expect anything from anyone, that people are only out for themselves. And anyone who knows Emiliano knows better than to cross him or get on his bad side. His reputation speaks for itself. Just back from a business trip in Italy, Emiliano is wiped out. He needs to rest, but he knows thats not going to happen, especially since hesstill waiting for the financial report that Scott was supposed to send over with his assistant. He cant stand people who arent on time. What if he were a client or a customer needing information about the bank and its services? This kind of delay is unprofessional, and its not how he runs his bank. Emiliano strides over to his desk and dials Scott. Wheres the report I asked for? I sent it with Ms. I thought shed given it to you by now. Whos she? The receptionist. Emilys out running errands. That explains it, Emiliano thinks. Shes probably scared hell fire her, which is why she hasnt shown up yet. He still cant fathom why Scott ignored his directive to let her go in the first place. Emiliano notices another call coming in. Ill call you back, he tells Scott. Switching lines, he says, Nicole, to his secretary. Theres a Ms. Miller here to see you, sir. She says Mr. Smith sent her. Send her in. 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