Episode 2

Cristina finally arrived at the imposing company where she would have her job interview. Just when the nerves that had consumed her moments before seemed to have vanished after the scare of almost being run over, they returned with force as she stepped into the majestic reception area. The place radiated power and success, and each step she took made her heart beat more intensely.

"Good afternoon," Cristina greeted as she approached the receptionist.

The woman looked her up and down, as if she were someone inferior. "Charities are given once a month and done by mail," she said disdainfully.

Cristina didn't understand what the woman was referring to, but it was clear to her that she was treating her with contempt; something she was already used to. "Excuse me, miss, but I'm not here to ask for anything. I have an appointment with Mr. Sarmiento," she replied confidently.

The receptionist looked at her mockingly, thinking that the young woman was an opportunist who only wanted to get close to the owners for her unscrupulous purposes. "Mr. Sarmiento hasn't arrived yet, so you better leave and don't come back," she said with disdain.

Cristina tried to maintain cordiality, although inside she struggled against frustration. "Miss, please check your agenda. I have been summoned by Mr. Sarmiento; if that weren't the case, believe me, I wouldn't be here," she tried to remain kind, although no one deserves to be humiliated.

"I already told you: leave and stop bothering me," the receptionist repeated haughtily, demonstrating that she only focused on appearances and was a superficial woman.

"Miss, I think you are assuming powers that do not correspond to you," a male voice resonated throughout the place, causing the receptionist to pale.

"Mr. Sarmiento!" she exclaimed, terrified. "Excuse me, sir, but this young woman insists that she has an appointment with you," she explained, trying to remain calm.

"Did you check my agenda? Did you corroborate what this young woman says?" the man asked in a firm tone.

Cristina didn't dare to look at who was behind her; the mere voice made her skin crawl and awakened a fear that she couldn't control. However, with a trembling sigh, she turned on her heels to thank the man who had defended her.

In front of her was Rafael Sarmiento. Nervous, she could barely whisper:

"Thank you, sir."

Rafael remained motionless, observing her intensely. His furrowed brow and racing heart seemed to announce that something about her was familiar to him, although he couldn't decipher what. In a low, almost hoarse voice he asked:

"What's your name, girl?"

"Cristina Fernandez, sir," she replied with a mixture of respect and apprehension. "Mrs. Miriam told me to come because I would have a job interview with you."

He nodded slowly.

"That's right. I am Rafael Sarmiento, and Miriam is a great friend."

Cristina's eyes widened as she realized that she was facing the owner of the company himself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sarmiento," she said, extending her hand courteously.

Rafael shook her hand firmly, feeling a kind of inexplicable connection. At that moment, his gaze became tender; a torrent of memories invaded him: moments lived with someone very special who had profoundly marked his life. But then reality struck his mind forcefully: he remembered the day Miranda married his archenemy, leaving him devastated by betrayal. His expression changed abruptly; tenderness gave way to a cold look full of hatred.

"Let's go to my office," he said in a firm voice. "I'll explain what your job will be."

Rafael cast a disapproving look at the receptionist before walking down the hall towards the president's private elevator.

Upon arriving at his office, his secretary Lorian greeted him with impeccable professionalism:

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning, Lorian. Please tell my son to come and I need him to come to my office." After giving the instruction, he asked Cristina to go to the office, which was the same as the rest of the company: huge and very sophisticated, every corner emanated an air of grandeur that enveloped you in a cold atmosphere of superiority.

Cristina cautiously entered the office, feeling each step as if it were an echo in that imposing space. Rafael closed the door behind her and settled into his chair, without losing sight of the young woman.

"Cristina," he began in a firm voice, "I need you to know that not just anyone enters this company. Here, commitment, loyalty and, above all, discretion are required."

She nodded, trying to control the nerves that invaded her stomach.

"I understand, Mr. Sarmiento. I will do everything possible to comply with what is expected of me."

Rafael frowned for a moment, remembering something that seemed to torment him.

"You know? Sometimes life puts us in front of people we thought we had lost forever… but destiny has curious ways of reuniting us."

Cristina looked at him intrigued, not knowing if those words were directed at her or at some memory hidden in Rafael.

"Now I need you to take charge of helping my son," Rafael said in a firm voice, but there was something in his tone that she couldn't ignore. "He is working on a very delicate and key project for the company, and I need someone I can trust completely, someone who keeps me informed of everything he does. Do you think you are ready for that responsibility?

Cristina swallowed and for a moment thought to herself: Is he asking me to spy on his own son?. But she said nothing.

Rafael nodded slowly, with a look that was a little scary because of how determined he was.

She was about to answer when the door burst open. The two turned around and Cristina was speechless as she saw a tall, athletic man enter, with very fair skin, black hair and lips that seemed made for kissing.

"What do you want to talk to me about, Father?" Enrique Sarmiento asked without even looking at Cristina.

"First you greet," Rafael scolded, annoyed. "Leave that arrogant attitude."

Enrique snorted annoyedly.

"I don't have time for games," he said dryly. "I still can't find a secretary and the work keeps piling up."

"That's why I called you," Rafael replied. "I want you to meet your new secretary: Cristina Fernandez."

Enrique cast a cold and dismissive look at Cristina, who remained seated without daring to move.

"This has to be a joke," he said sarcastically. "Dad, you've really lost your mind now."

But Rafael didn't budge a bit.

"My decision has been made. Cristina will be your secretary. And as for experience... you'd be surprised how much she knows."

Although she was young, Cristina had learned a lot in the orphanage alongside Mirian, who only trusted her to handle her most delicate affairs.

Enrique had no choice but to accept Cristina as his new secretary, although it was clear how upset he was.

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