Beneath the Disguise

Chapter 7: Hidden Desires

Lita woke up the next morning feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. The sun streamed through the thin curtains of her small apartment, but she felt anything but bright. Junior was still unwell, and the looming specter of medical bills hovered over her like a storm cloud.

She forced herself out of bed and into the morning routine, preparing a simple breakfast of toast and jam for Junior before getting ready for another day at the office. The image of Diego’s intense gaze from the previous day flickered in her mind.

No. Focus on Junior.

At the office, she slid into her desk and began organizing the files for the day, trying to shake off her worries. But despite her best efforts, the tension between her and Diego was palpable, hanging in the air like the humidity before a summer rain.

When Diego entered the office, he was in a particularly sour mood, barking orders and glancing at Lita with an intensity that made her heart race. She did her best to stay focused on her tasks, all the while feeling his eyes on her.

“Lito,” he called out, his voice commanding yet tinged with an unspoken weight. “I need those reports compiled for the board meeting tomorrow.”

“Of course, Mr. Velasco,” Lita replied, her voice steady even as her heart fluttered. She could sense the strain in his tone, as though he was grappling with something beneath the surface.

As the day unfolded, Lita worked diligently, determined to prove her worth. However, she couldn’t shake the feeling of Diego’s presence, his intensity drawing her in like a moth to a flame. With each passing moment, the line between professionalism and something more began to blur.

During lunch, Lita found herself in the break room, surrounded by her coworkers. They chatted casually, but her mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts of Diego and the undeniable tension that had developed between them.

“Hey, Lita! You okay?” Ana, one of her colleagues, asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Lita replied, forcing a smile. “Just a bit tired.”

Ana raised an eyebrow. “You sure? You seem a little distracted. Is it the boss? Heard he’s been in a mood lately.”

Lita shrugged, unsure of how to respond. “I think he’s just under a lot of pressure with the upcoming meetings.”

“Yeah, pressure can do that to a guy. But I’ve noticed he seems to be keeping a close eye on you,” Ana teased with a smirk. “Are you two getting close?”

Lita felt heat rise to her cheeks. “We’re just colleagues. I’m here to do my job.”

“Right. Just colleagues,” Ana replied, a knowing glint in her eye. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if something more develops. He doesn’t usually pay attention to anyone, let alone an assistant.”

Lita rolled her eyes, trying to laugh it off. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

After lunch, Lita returned to her desk, her thoughts still swirling. The way Diego looked at her, the way he acknowledged her work—it was all so confusing. She didn’t know what to make of it, especially since she had to keep her identity as Lito a secret.

The day dragged on, filled with meetings and endless paperwork. Each time Diego entered her line of sight, her heart raced, a mix of fear and something she couldn’t quite define.

When the clock finally struck five, Lita packed her things, eager to get home to Junior. Just as she was about to leave, Diego’s voice called out to her.

“Lito, can you come here for a moment?”

Lita’s heart raced as she turned to face him, trying to maintain a calm demeanor. “Yes, Mr. Velasco?”

Diego’s office door was ajar, and he gestured for her to enter. As she stepped inside, she noticed the way he leaned against his desk, arms crossed, a conflicted expression on his face.

“I wanted to thank you for your work this week,” he said, his voice low. “You’ve exceeded my expectations.”

“Thank you, sir. I’m just doing my best,” Lita replied, her throat tightening as she realized how close they were standing.

Diego shifted slightly, his gaze searching her face. “You’re more than just a pretty face, Lito. You have potential, and I see that. I want you to know that.”

Lita felt a flush creep up her cheeks, but she steeled herself. “I appreciate that, Mr. Velasco. I just want to do my job well.”

Diego nodded, but there was a lingering tension in the air that made her heart race. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he wanted to say more, that there was something brewing beneath the surface.

Suddenly, the moment was interrupted by the ringing of Diego’s phone. He cursed under his breath, glancing at the screen before looking back at Lita. “I have to take this. But I wanted to say… keep up the good work.”

With that, he turned away, picking up the phone and diving back into business mode. Lita felt a strange mix of emotions swirl within her as she left his office, the air thick with unsaid words and complicated feelings.

As she walked back to her desk, she replayed the encounter in her mind, trying to understand what it all meant. It was becoming increasingly difficult to separate her feelings for Diego from her duties as his assistant.

When she finally clocked out and made her way home, Lita’s thoughts were consumed by Junior’s health and the burgeoning connection with Diego. It was a tangled web of emotion, and she wasn’t sure how to navigate it.

Upon entering her apartment, she found Junior sitting on the couch, looking pale but smiling. “Lita! You’re home!”

“Hey, buddy. How are you feeling today?” she asked, kneeling beside him to check his temperature.

“I’m okay. Just a little tired,” he said, shrugging it off.

Lita felt a pang of worry but smiled at him. “Well, I brought your favorite snacks. Let’s watch a movie together.”

As they settled in for the evening, Lita couldn’t shake off the thoughts of Diego. The stark contrast between her mundane life and the whirlwind of emotions swirling around her was overwhelming. She had to remain focused on Junior and his treatment, but as each day passed, Diego’s presence became harder to ignore.

The slow burn of their connection was igniting a fire within her, but she had to keep it contained—for both their sakes. Little did she know that the path ahead would test her resolve and challenge everything she thought she knew about love and loyalty.