The sound of the horrible alarm clock did not stop disturbing the sleep of the jet that kept trying to fall asleep, but that annoying sound did not leave her alone. For a moment he wondered why he would set the alarm so early, until he picked up the cell phone and noticed the note that had the alarm:
You must go to the office, get up or you will be late.
Her eyes widened at the note and then she looked at the time. It wasn't as late as he thought, luckily for him, but he still didn't have enough time to give himself a treat, so it would be best to get up as soon as possible to make sure he had everything important.
First he went to take a quick shower and then fell into his closet and had the first thing he considered decent to be in an office. It was a navy blue dress fitted only at the bust and then dropped loose like a waterfall down her body until she reached her knees, she took a white blazer and not so high heels of the same color. He walked one step to see himself in the full-length mirror behind his bedroom door to verify that he looked fine. He didn't use to dress much like this since he didn't like to almost leave the house, but to have been the first thing he took out of the closet it was fine.
She rummaged through her bags until she found a black briefcase where she used to carry her graphics tablet, put it away, and also put some things she might need that day. As soon as she finished fixing her things, preparing her breakfast and tasting it, she left home excited about what could possibly be a good day.
-. Very well, Linares, today will be a good day and you must do your best, "she told herself as she arrived at the bus stop.
I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't feeling nervous at all. Since the day before, he could not do anything else but organize frantically looking for the best way to impress his bosses with his work, although he did not know what to expect from that meeting and he did not even know the reason for it. But there she was, ready to face whatever challenge was placed before her. She just hoped she was smart enough that day and that her nerves wouldn't betray her when she least expected it.
* * *
Not that he lived very far from that building which he did not usually frequent, but the path was shorter than usual. Being on time wasn't one of his best abilities but this was one of those rare cases where he arrived with a few minutes to spare. Honestly, she looked very nervous, it was not her first work meeting but this time it would be with the owner of the advertising company and not with her direct boss. To calm down a bit, she first went to the building's cafeteria to buy a coffee to relax her a bit, in which she was approached by one of the women who works in the building.
On some of his visits he had seen her, although he did not know her name.
-. Ms. Linares - she named me as soon as she was a few steps close to me - Mr. and Mrs. Viera are waiting for you in the meeting room. Please join me.
That news surprised him since he would not only meet Mr. Gabriel, but also his wife Emily. Many times they had talked about her in the hallways of how beautiful she was.
Without saying anything, he accompanied the elegant woman to one of the rooms at the top of the building. Upon reaching one of the highest floors, the woman who was guiding her knocked three times on the first door they met.
-. Come in –said a voice on the other side and immediately that woman opened the door and stood aside to let me pass.
The room was huge, governed by a large round table where on the other side you could see the tall figure of Mr. Gabriel Viera Nivaes, and next to him was a beautiful woman with brown hair and light hazel eyes. The comments they said in the hallways fell short the moment you saw Emily. She was truly a beautiful woman, although it was to be expected given her modeling profession.
They both stared at the jet if they couldn't hide their nerves. The woman who had ushered him into the room at one point stood in the doorway.
-. Please, Nathalie. Cancel my appointments for this morning, it may take me a little longer than expected and there are still some pending issues that I would like to finish before meeting with Mr. Rogelio.
-. As you order sir -said without more to then leave. Apparently Nathalie was her personal assistant, or so she thought when she was given those instructions.
-. Good morning Miss Emma –the man near the back of the room called her attention.
-. Good morning, Mr. Viera. I'm Emma Linares, it's a pleasure to meet you. He said with a slight bow, a gesture that he has not lost for many years.
-. Pleasure is mine. I hope you will excuse me but the meeting cannot begin until my son arrives. But please take a seat, "he indicated as he extended his hand to the seats closest to him.
Emma walked to one of the seats next to him. She was feeling very nervous but she had to show professionalism. When he reached one of the chairs, he noticed the presence of a beautiful auburn-haired woman who was concentrating on whatever she was looking at on the tablet she held in her hands. That woman must have been Emily Viera, one of the company's models, or at least she used to be.
-. You can see that you like to design a lot –said Emily as she looked away from a tablet she had in hand to look at the newcomer. When she saw that Emma didn't answer, she decided to explain herself - I was looking at some of the work you've been doing during these months. The truth is that you have talent.
-. Thank you, he managed to say without stuttering.
-. I like how you play with colors, it's as if you want to express thousands of things at once, although some other designs are a bit dark. Emma's eyes widened at Emily's words.
-. What designs are you referring to? She asked curious to know which of his designs she had seen.
-. The portfolio that you sent to the company for your interview. It is good and you can tell that you are trying to improve yourself and that you have shown in such a short time. Now I understand why Gabriel chose you for the job. I just hope you can do this job with total professionalism.
There was a hidden warning in his words and for some reason it seemed a bad idea to have to rebut something to that woman. Gabriel took the tablet that his wife had and also looked at its contents.
-. Sorry, but my wife wanted to be aware of this campaign as well, and I certainly think she has the necessary talent for this campaign. That is why we want to give you this great opportunity to work with ...
-. Excuse me for being late, "someone interrupted as they opened the meeting room door loudly. The young man who had entered had hair, the same mahogany color as that of the lady in front of Emma, disturbed by the race that he possibly took to the elevator.
Noticing the other person in the room, he turned to focus on the figure of Emma. This, for her part, had lost a bit of nervousness thanks to the great first impression that Lucas had made. He was dressed in a simple but elegant black suit and a red tie, and it didn't take a blind man to notice that he was attractive enough to attract the attention of more than one of the employees on the premises.
-. Lucas ... –Mr. Gabriel began to speak, attracting the attention of both of them– For future occasions, I would appreciate more punctuality from you.
-. I know. Excuse me - this time she went to the jet that was less self-conscious than before in her seat - I'm Lucas Viera Nivaes, it's a pleasure to meet you, miss ...
-. It's a pleasure, my name is Emma Linares –he said a few seconds after reconnecting the cables of his brain and leaving the reverie he was in.
-. Well, now that the two of you have introduced yourself, we should start, don't you think? Mrs. Emily interrupted, managing to attract everyone's attention.
-. Okay ... –the boss began to speak, capturing everyone's attention and before he continued, Lucas had already sat in the chair next to Emma– The project we want both of them to work on is in the advertising campaign of This year's charity work - Lucas was very surprised to hear that.
"Both of you will be running this year's event for our charitable foundation for homeless children. It will be a joint effort. Which means that graphic design is not in here, Miss Emma, but you will have to cover many more areas of advertising.
"We will need many advertising images for each event, upload them to our social networks. Call the special guests who have confirmed us, for a year, and that each one of them has an avatar or animated cartoon for publicity. They will have to make the commercials and brochures that will be distributed around the city. That is what you are going to take care of –said that gentleman firmly as soon as he finished giving his explanation, surprising not only Emma, but also her adjoining companion.
Lucas knew how important this charity event was to his parents. Each year was one of the most anticipated events in the entire city and those who were in charge of its organization were chosen with great care. The staff to work was always chosen by her mother Emily, and this woman had no compassion when it came to this event. If the raven haired woman was there, it was because she had shown potential, although Lucas wasn't entirely sure that was enough to survive his mother's demands.
-. While on your part… –the elder began to speak– We need you to organize all the activities that will take place in the city. During the day there will be a variety of activities, only different parts of the city, this year we will only use 5 strategic points. In each one of them a kermes will be organized with the children of the family home. They will also have the help of other organizers for this, but the planners will be you.
"And to close the event, we will have a casino night this year, Las Vegas style. Where shareholders and guests can contribute to the cause in a fun way. This event is only 4 months away from now, but some of the preparations are already being done by Emily in advance. She will be on the lookout for everything.
-. This annual event is one of the most important of the company, so I ask for special professionalism and dedication so that everything goes perfectly –interrupted the oldest's wife.
-. I understand that this event is important, but I didn't think they would give it to me this year, "the man sitting next to Emma spoke.
-. Your mother and I believe that it is time for you to organize this event but, as usual, we are looking for someone contemporary to you who could also give fresh ideas.
-. Thank you for the opportunity - Emma cut short - It will take a lot more help to do everything you are asking for.
-. Some things we already have coordinated, such as permits with the Mayor's Office thanks to a friend from years ago. You just need to have more proposals, plan possible events and coordinate with the staff. –It interrupted Emily in the hope of being able to clarify some doubts– I know that they will begin to touch various areas that they still do not handle, but they have the help of other people and if we choose them it is because we trust their criteria and that their point of view will make this year a great event for children.
-. Likewise, darling. Although we present this proposal in the same way, we want you to present us a report about possible proposals from you two, activities to organize, and any other idea that you like to propose. This Emily will take into consideration and the real work will begin. Believe me, Miss Emma… –he cut off before she was going to say something– that the time I am giving you is more than necessary, and I am counting on you to give your best.
-. We will move this meeting to the following Monday. Bring your report, we will discuss what needs to be discussed and I hope that we will reach an agreement to start making preparations.
-. I wish you luck –both Lucas and Emma were about to get up from the seat when he spoke again– And Lucas, I hope and don't bother, but I already asked you to move Miss's workspace to your office. Anyway I need you to be in constant contact. At the end of the event she will return to her space in the offices below.
Emma for a moment believed that Lucas would fight over her father's abuse, but he simply nodded and asked her to accompany him to show him where they would work from now on.
The meeting had taken less time than they thought, and now he had a lot going on with a person whose only name he knew. Living together would be the best way to do an excellent job.
They both walked down the long corridor that would take them to the elevator. Lucas was a bit uncomfortable, not only because he had to spend a lot of time with a complete stranger, but because he knew his mother and that didn't look good at all if they didn't present a decent job. The way to the tall man's office was made in complete silence, he opened the door to Emma letting her enter first and was surprised by the vast space. The place was very spacious, enough to have two offices in the same place, even more, and the windows were huge, thus having a huge and beautiful view of the city.
Emma walked over to the large window and stared at the sight for a few seconds, thinking how wonderful that sight was. He had never been so high that he could see the city from above. Certainly that building was too large to be just an advertising company.
-. I hope you feel comfortable, and that you have not been bothered too much that they moved your workspace –his companion began to speak.
-. Don't worry, I don't like working in the office anyway, "he said before turning around and looking into his opponent's eyes." I prefer to work from home. Armando doesn't tell me anything since I fulfill my obligations ahead of time.
-. Then you must be someone dedicated.
-. They told me. "She approached her companion and held out her hand in a more friendly way. He looked at her for a few seconds without understanding what the girl's behavior was due to. "I hope we can work well together," he said at last.
-. Like me –he did not approach to take her hand and this annoyed her a bit– Excuse my mother's behavior, in case I say something strange –he said after a few seconds of silence– It is difficult for someone to like you enough as if to entrust him with something as important to her as the charity event.
-. I have been present at one of them once. It's a great event, does she always organize it?
-. Since the foundation of the family home was created, she was even one of the founders of that place along with my aunt.
-. It is something important for the family. That is why I am surprised that you have been chosen. As I told you, she does not usually like many people, although you are one of the first women my age who does not try to throw out the window.
-. What?! I ask scared at the amused look of the brunette.
-. Just kidding, kidding, he hasn't tried to throw anyone out the window ... of the company. She is an overprotective mother.
He had to admit that for a moment he did believe that. After all, Mrs. Emily looked somewhat cold and distant, a lot actually for being in a meeting with the organizers of the event that matters most to her. Perhaps the elegant lady does not like her, or she just wants to look professional.
-. Now that I think about it, "she began," I understand why he put a lot of emphasis on doing things professionally .
-. Don't be scared. Anyway, we are going to work with her. Which reminds me, can you let me see some of your designs?
Emma was about to give him the folder she had in the portfolio next to her tablet, but he stopped her before she even touched that folder, puzzling the jet.
-. I mean your original designs, not what you do at work.
That surprised him a bit. She certainly had some drawings that she made for herself and very few people knew about them since she did not usually use them for her job interviews or professional portfolio. He took out his phone and rummaged through his gallery photos for those three drawings that he liked the result.
Lucas took it and thoroughly appreciated each image.
The first seemed to be an abstract drawing where many details could be seen, but what most caught his attention was the face of the blue-eyed woman with a tear. From there he starts to see thousands of small details such as flowers, dots and paintings. It looked very good and wherever he looked he found new details.
The next one was a drawing of a girl with long copper hair who was smelling a white rose. It looked very beautiful and the detail of the lights gave the image even more realism, only the edges of the image made it look like a work of art painted in a paint stain . And the third was nothing more than a small view of the Eiffel Tower at sunset, with a peculiar detail in the shadow of this since it did not show the silhouette of the building, but the shadow of a kind of monster that seemed to threaten to eat some of the Parisian buildings.
Those three pictures were very pretty. That person whom he had barely met today showed talent at drawing but he doubted that this was enough to be able to meet his father's demands.
As she passed the next photo, she came across a selfie of her and a group of girls who were all smiling. He was about to look away as soon as it was said in the figure of a person there. He hadn't seen her many times, but he was sure it was her, Rose, the girlfriend of his best friend Nino. He looked up to see the girl in front of him and remembered what his friend had said that Rose had gone to the house of a friend who had left her boyfriend.
-. Are you friends with Rose? He asked suddenly, startling Emma. She took his phone without any decorum and realized that he was looking at photos of an outing with his friends, and indeed Rose was there.
-. Where do you know her from?
-. My best friend is Nino –he said simply as a way of explaining their relationship– I don't know her very much, we have gone out very few times since I was hardly in this city. The last I heard from her was that she was about to hit the bass of an idiot who dared to leave his friend.
Emma's eyes widened in surprise at the revelation. Lucas, on the other hand, could not bear the laughter any longer and without being able to hold it any longer he began to laugh at that situation.
Definitely the world is sometimes smaller than I thought.
-. It would have been terrible if ... -He couldn't continue what he was going to say since the jet had approached him to give him a knee right in his noble parts. From the blow, he fell to the ground writhing in pain and mentally cursed the action of that madwoman.
Emma stared at him for a few seconds, tears about to fall, then grabbed her briefcase and left as if nothing had happened.
That situation bothered him. Not only because of the fact that they had reminded her of her recent break-up with her boyfriend that, although it did not hurt as much as she thought, she could not help but become somewhat sad, and this added to the laughter of that subject completely destroyed the first impression of "Nice person" I already had.
Who does he think he is to laugh at the misfortune of others? –She asked herself as she had just entered the elevator to dial PB. Not far from her she could see the figure of Lucas who had risen from the ground and was leaning out of the office door.
If looks could kill Emma she would have already been dead due to the look of hatred that he had given her from afar. But it didn't matter to him in the least. He deserved it, according to her, for laughing at the suffering of a person he didn't even know in the least. On Lucas's side, he wanted to run to ask that crazy woman who almost managed to leave him without descendants for an explanation.
He had gotten up from the ground, as best he could, to see where that pretty-figured harpy had gone, because yes, he admitted to himself that this woman was very attractive. He was only trying to make the environment between them less tense and thus be able to square at once which were the activities to be reflected in the report. But his surprise was great when he received that blow from her.
Only a crazy woman would hit someone out of nowhere - He thought about what he saw as that woman left in the elevator.
He wanted to run after her and scold her for it, but he didn't feel good enough to go on her quest, at least not until she felt better.
He had had many girlfriends throughout his life and many had threatened to hit him in the face and even throw things at him, something that always bothered him about her but that he simply ignored because they were nothing more than empty words to him. As much as those girls were upset and threatened him, no one had ever achieved that task. Lucas had promised himself that the only woman who could put a hand on him to hit him would not be someone other than his mother, a woman who only once had a hand on him, but that simple woman had finished with that. He had taken it off guard and practically left OK. That was unforgivable. Although he was very lucky that he failed and did not hit at that point that would have left him almost on the brink of death.
In what he was trying to recover, Emma was already in PB leaving the building as a soul that the devil carries with a face of few friends. Now he really believed that it would be impossible to work with someone as inconsiderate and carefree as this guy.