Falling in love with the CEO's Assistant

Elena! " she heard her boss yell out her name, she'd heard that yell a hundred times but she was still startled by his aggressive voice, she knew what the yell meant, it meant that he was leaving the shop for that day and needed her to clean up, remember to lock up and leave in exactly one hour. She knew the routine but she hoped he would just stop yelling her name like she was owing him some money or something. She was in the kitchen like always trying to have a little drink before getting back to work before she heard him yell out her name so fiercely resulting in her spilling water all over herself, she bit her lower lips with so much annoyance, she swore every single day that she would quit, but could she? she desperately needed the job, she couldn't imagine the possibility of not finding another job that would instantly mean the end of her, so she had to swallow her pride and stand her boss's constant abuse. She'd been working for Tim's bakery for over two years now, being an immigrant that's the best you could have. Whenever she had the nudge to call it quits she remembers how she had toiled with her mother, how they got here, and why they both had to flee Mexico. She had no choice but to endure whatever she was going through with the hopes of creating a better life for both her and her mother, after all, they only had each other. The only reason she kept on surviving and fighting through all the obstacles was a constant reminder of her past and hopes for the future. Three years ago she and her mother Cruzita, successfully came into the US illegally, both afraid for their lives, back in Mexico they had been living a not so Peaceful life but unbeknownst to them, it would get even more unstable. Her father who was an active member of one of the treacherous drug cartels in Mexico had snitched to an opposing gang which had resulted in his capture. In Mexico, it was a severe felony which is punishable by death, and not just only the culprit but his entire family would be slain in his presence. They were eventually captured and kept imprisoned, but the cartel leader would have interest in her and had plans of adding her to his list of s****l slaves, she was only eighteen at the time, she either had to be his slave or would end up being murdered in front of her father who will eventually be killed. She remembered those scary nights with her crying mother while they awaited their fate, but as luck would have it they would escape. It turned out that her father had made a last-minute deal with a distant family friend who was a renowned Coyote. Coyotes were known as individuals who took on the dangerous jobs of guiding people through the deserts and into the US illegally. It was a very dangerous journey, but they had no choice. They successfully entered the United States with about ten thousand dollars which her father had hidden, that would mark the beginning of their struggle. They rented a little apartment which was in terrible shape and she immediately started looking for a job, she had assured her mother that she doesn't want her to work, she wanted to assume all the responsibilities, but that would prove to be futile because the first six months she couldn't find any job, the money was running out, they needed to pay the rent, amongst other things. Fortunately, her mother was able to get a job as a cleaner for a hospital where she covered full time, Elena knew the job was very stressful, she would watch desperately and painfully as her mother returned home late and extremely tired from work, or wouldn't return home for two days because she had to cover extra shifts. She felt helpless because she couldn't support herself financially, but all that would change when she secured a job at Tim's bakery. The need for the job superseded the need to quit, she ignored Tim's sexist comments. She was happy to split the household expenses, she would close by nine o clock while her mother would close an hour later, it was not an easy life but they both had to adapt to change. Her mother would often say that she was leaving for her and she would, in turn, say she lived for her mother, and to the both of them, they had a lot to live for. For those reasons she decided to remain at Tim's bakery and condone his rude comments, and bad behavior until she could firmly plant her feet somewhere else. She was smart enough to take online business classes which she had concluded while still juggling her job daily, she dreamt and hoped for a job at a business firm but until she found one she must remain where she was. " Elena!! get your ass out here! " Tim's voice was heard once more " Coming sir, " she replied rushing towards him as he headed out of the door, " Didn't you hear me call you? " Tim asked in his normal harsh tone " I. I was uhh " " I don't give two s**t what you was doing, be competent for once " She clenched her fists as she tried to hold in the contempt she felt for this man, left alone she felt like kicking him in the gusts but then again she literally could not afford to get fired right now. " I'm sorry sir, " " Whatever, I'm leaving, don't forget to clean up, lock up, and leave in exactly one hour " he slammed the door behind him. She stood for a moment staring into the blank space in which Tim previously stood with her hands out in the air, she frustratedly punched through in a bid to release her inward anger. " I outta.. " she muttered still vigorously punching the air " Umm hello.. " Elena paused locating where she heard that voice come from, last time she checked there was no one in the shop. Looking around she spotted a lady seated opposite where she stood, she was mostly embarrassed that the customer might have seen her desperate display. " Hello... " the lady called again Elena walked up to her " uh I'm so sorry you had to see that, can I help you? how long have you been here? " " I came in a few minutes ago, I ordered a cake, here... " she gestured at a picture in the menu which she held in her hands. " this one, and I was wondering if it was ready, I'm running late. " " Oh my gosh, I apologize, some of our staff have gone it's just me and one of the bakers here. " " Well I made an order and I need that cake. " " You'll have the cake, I'll get right back. " Elena rushed back into the kitchen to check on the cake preparation, fortunately, it was already done and only needed boxing, she boxed the cake and carried it to the lady. " That would be 49$ ma'am " Elena stated as she placed the already boxed cake on the table. " Thanks " the lady handed cash over to Elena. " keep the change " " Thank you very much " " And uh... I saw your frustrated punches. " the lady chuckled. Elena lowered her head in embarrassment " Ah, I'm sorry you had to see that... it was uh.. " " No need to apologize, I know what it feels like working with really infuriating bosses. " " Really? sometimes you just wanna... but then again you can't. " " Why don't you just quit? " " I can't ma'am, I want to but I can't, I need this job. " Elena lamented. " My name is Linda, not ma'am. " " I'm Elena, nice to meet you. " " You're articulate, you deserve better. " Linda replied standing up trying to carry the cake " That asshole doesn't appreciate what he got. " " Here, let me help you with that, I'm closing up soon anyway. " Elena carried the cake and followed Linda as they both exited the shop, Elena escorted Linda to where her ranger over was parked and placed the cake in the back seat. " Thank you so much " Linda appreciated. " You're welcome. " Elena replied as she walked back into the shop to begin cleaning up. A few minutes later she got a call from her mother. " Hello, mama. " " Elena, where are you, baby? " " I'm closing up mama, will be home soon, are you home already? " " I have a surprise for you Mi querida. " " really? " " Yes, I'm going to send you an address you're not going to the apartment tonight, you must meet me at that address. " Elena arched a brow in confusion " Mama where are you? " " Ssshhh Elena don't ask questions just hurry here. " " But mama where are you? " " I'm sending you the address, meet me there alright baby, byeee happy birthday once again Mi querida. " Before Elena could reply her mother hung the phone, she was a little bit perplexed as to why she wasn't meeting her mother at their apartment as usual and it was odd she usually got home before her mother, was this also part of the elaborate surprise her mother had planned for her on her birthday? " It's your birthday? " Elena was startled at the voice that appeared behind her, she immediately flung backward to have a clear visual of the person who had asked her that question. It was none other than the lady who she just escorted to her car a few minutes ago, Linda. why is she still here? " Miss Linda? " " Just Linda and I forgot my purse. " Linda walked over to the table where she previously sat and picked up her purse from the chair. " Oh, you left your purse, I'm sorry about that. " Elena apologized " Is it your birthday? I overheard the call you were having. " Linda asked again. " Yes, it's my birthday. " " Wow you share the same birthday with Snoopy, his birthday is today. " Linda said with a charming smile " Snoopy? " Elena asked curiously. " It's a nickname. " Linda replied moving over to Elena grabbing the rag she was using to clean from her hands. " Wait, what are you doing " Elena tried to take back the rag but Linda resisted. " I wanna give you a ride home, it's the least I can do, it's late and you share the same birthday with Snoopy " " Uhh... Linda.. " " Don't worry, it's nothing I'll help you clean real quick so you can join your mother and celebrate your birthday, it's no biggie. " Linda moved on and began cleaning up the chairs. Elena was a little bit shocked at how nice Linda was and who the hell was snoopy? probably someone important, she didn't want to refuse the help because If there's one thing her mother taught her is to accept help when she needed it. " thank you so much. " They had rounded up the cleaning and Elena had locked the shop and once again followed Linda to her car. During the short time, they had spent cleaning up the shop she had enjoyed every aspect of it with Linda. she learned that Linda was five years older than her and she was twenty-one years old so that means Linda was twenty-six, they had spent that little time making fun of Tim together and laughing about it. Elena had never felt so comfortable with another female, it was like she had a big sister to talk trash about people with, it was a good feeling and she didn't want it to end. " So um. Snoopy? " Elena asked In a bid to get more information about the mysterious person which whom she shared a birthday with. Linda laughed " It's a nickname, he's someone special to me " " Ohhh, he'll love the cake " Elena smirked. " I hope so. "