Beneath the Disguise

Chapter 6: Unspoken Truths

The next day, Lita arrived at the office with a sense of dread. Her body was weary, and her mind kept replaying the conversation from yesterday with Diego. He had acknowledged her work—something rare in his world—but there was a strange undercurrent in his words that left her feeling unsettled.

She stepped into the office, taking her usual place at the desk. The air seemed thicker today, like the office was holding its breath. Diego’s presence loomed even when he wasn’t physically there.

Her first task of the day was to gather the necessary files for his meeting with potential investors. As she meticulously organized the documents, she couldn’t help but feel Diego’s eyes on her whenever she ventured into his line of sight.

When he finally emerged from his office, his gaze was sharp, as usual, but there was something different today. His jaw was clenched, his posture stiff. He had been increasingly irritable lately, something Lita noticed but dared not comment on.

“Lito,” he called out, his voice businesslike, yet there was a subtle layer of something else in his tone. “I need you to attend this meeting with me today. You’ll take notes and help me present the figures.”

Lita looked up from her desk, heart skipping a beat. She had never been asked to attend a meeting like this before. It was a big step—maybe even a test. She had no choice but to rise to the occasion.

“Yes, Mr. Velasco. I’ll be ready,” she said, her voice steady despite the flurry of thoughts rushing through her head.

They walked together to the conference room. Lita kept a careful distance, noting how Diego’s every movement seemed to command attention. He had an undeniable charisma, a presence that filled the space with a palpable intensity.

As they entered the room, Diego nodded to the group of investors seated around the large oak table. He took his place at the head, and Lita settled into the chair next to him, feeling the weight of everyone’s gaze. She tried her best to focus on the presentation, scribbling down notes, but her mind kept drifting back to the complexity of Diego’s character.

He was cold, calculating, but there was also something about him that made her feel strangely connected to him. Maybe it was his drive, his determination—traits she admired and wanted to understand more deeply.

The meeting dragged on for what felt like hours. Every time Lita looked up at Diego, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. He was more irritable than usual, sharp in his responses, and yet, there was something behind his eyes—something that didn’t quite add up.

After the meeting concluded, the room began to empty, but Diego lingered. He turned to Lita, his expression unreadable. “You did well today, Lito,” he said, his voice softer than usual.

Lita froze, unsure of how to respond. She had never seen him like this before—praise was a rare commodity in his world, and it made her feel strangely vulnerable. She couldn’t afford to let her guard down, not with him, not now.

“Thank you, Mr. Velasco,” she said, careful to maintain a professional tone. Her heart was pounding, but she willed herself to stay composed.

Diego didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he looked at her for a long moment, his gaze intense, almost searching. Lita could feel the tension between them, a thick, invisible thread pulling her toward him despite every rational thought screaming at her to retreat.

She cleared her throat, breaking the silence. “I’ll return to my desk now, Mr. Velasco. Is there anything else you need?”

“No, that will be all,” he replied curtly, but there was something in his voice that made her hesitate before turning away.

As she walked back to her desk, Lita’s mind was in overdrive. She couldn’t ignore the way Diego’s words lingered in the air. She had felt it before—the odd sense that he was trying to communicate something without actually saying it. But what was it?

Lita’s thoughts were interrupted by the sharp tone of her phone ringing. She glanced at the caller ID and saw Junior’s name. Her heart softened, and she quickly answered the call.

“Hey, little one. How’s everything?” she asked, trying to keep her voice light despite the unease lingering in her chest.

“I’m doing fine, Lita. Just waiting for you to get home. I miss you,” Junior said, his voice full of innocence.

Lita smiled, feeling a surge of love for her brother. “I miss you too, buddy. I’ll be home soon, okay? Just a little bit more work to do.”

“Okay,” he replied, and then hesitated. “Lita... Are you okay? You sound a little... different.”

Lita felt a lump form in her throat, but she quickly pushed it aside. “I’m fine, Junior. Just a long day. I’ll be home soon. Don’t worry about me.”

After a brief exchange, they said their goodbyes, and Lita returned to her work. But she couldn’t shake the feeling of Diego’s lingering gaze, the way his words hung in the air, unspoken yet meaningful.

Later that day, as Lita prepared to leave the office, Diego once again called her into his office. This time, there was no pretense of business.

“Lito, there’s something I need to say,” Diego began, his voice low and uncharacteristically hesitant. “You’ve been working here for a while now, and I’ve noticed your dedication, your focus. I appreciate it.”

Lita’s pulse quickened, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. “Thank you, Mr. Velasco. I’m just doing my job.”

Diego stood up from his desk, walking toward her. “You’ve done more than that, Lito. I’ve seen your hard work, and it’s not gone unnoticed.”

For a moment, Lita could feel her heart pounding in her chest. This was the closest they had ever been, physically and emotionally. She wanted to say something, to express the gratitude she felt for his recognition, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Instead, she nodded, her voice a little shaky. “I’m just doing what I can.”

Diego studied her for a moment longer before he spoke again, his tone shifting back to something more businesslike. “Keep up the good work, Lito. That will be all for today.”

Lita quickly nodded, her mind racing as she exited his office. She had no idea what to make of his words, or the strange tension between them that seemed to grow with each passing day.

When she left the building, she found herself standing on the sidewalk, looking up at the towering structure of Diego’s office. The city buzzed around her, but she felt detached, as though the world had become a little more complicated.

Lita knew one thing for sure: her life had already changed. But was it for better or for worse? That remained to be seen.

As she made her way home, the weight of her responsibilities settled back into her chest. She had no time for distractions, not with Junior’s health still hanging in the balance. But the growing connection between her and Diego was something she couldn’t ignore—no matter how hard she tried.