Beneath the Disguise

Chapter 3: Unspoken Boundaries

Lita’s routine had become a quiet rhythm of precision—coffee made just right, files neatly organized, and Diego’s schedule managed down to the smallest detail. There was comfort in the structure, in the certainty of what each day demanded. Yet, the more time she spent with him, the more she found herself questioning what lay beyond the rigid boundaries she had set.

The office was still a place of distance—Diego rarely engaged in small talk, his focus always on the work at hand. But there were moments, fleeting moments, when Lita noticed the tension in his posture relax, when his eyes lingered just a second longer on her than they should. Each time, she quickly pushed the thought aside, reminding herself of the one rule she had made the moment she stepped into his world: keep it professional.

It was a Thursday morning when the shift in their dynamic became impossible to ignore. Lita had just finished preparing the coffee when Diego stepped into the break room, his brow furrowed in frustration. He hadn’t expected to find her here, and for a moment, there was an odd tension in the air, as if their roles had shifted from employer and employee to something far more complicated.

"Morning," Diego said, his voice lower than usual, almost reluctant. It wasn’t like him to offer any pleasantries.

"Good morning, Mr. Velasco," Lita replied, still a little flustered. She busied herself with adjusting the coffee machine, though there was no need to, just to give herself something to focus on.

Diego leaned against the counter, watching her with an intensity she had learned to expect but still wasn’t accustomed to. His presence was always commanding, like a storm on the horizon. Yet today, it felt different—softer somehow, like the calm before the storm.

"I was thinking," he began, his gaze flicking briefly to the window, as if searching for words that didn’t come easily to him. "You’ve been doing well, Lito. Better than I expected."

Lita felt the weight of his gaze, and for the first time since taking the job, she wasn’t sure how to respond. "I’m just doing my job, Mr. Velasco," she said quickly, keeping her voice steady. "Nothing more."

He gave a small nod, his eyes narrowing just slightly, as though he were sizing her up. "Don’t get too comfortable. This job doesn’t come with any guarantees."

Lita’s throat tightened at his words. That’s exactly what I’m afraid of, she thought, but she didn’t voice it aloud. Instead, she focused on pouring the coffee into a cup, trying to maintain the professional distance they had kept all along.

But then, Diego surprised her once more. Without warning, he reached over and took the cup from her hand. His fingers brushed against hers, and Lita’s pulse skipped. The contact was brief, but it sent a shock of heat rushing through her.

"I don’t need sugar in my coffee today," he said, his voice low, almost playful, as he looked at her. "Keep it simple, just like you. A man of few words. That’s what I like."

Lita didn’t know what to say. She stood there, rooted to the spot, unsure of what was happening. Diego Velasco, the man who had barely spoken to her in the weeks since she’d arrived, was acting as though they were old friends.

Keep it simple—she couldn’t help but wonder if he was referring to her in the same way. Just like you. She quickly shook the thought away, forcing her focus back to the task at hand.

Diego took a sip of the coffee, nodding in approval. "Perfect," he muttered, his tone softer than usual.

Lita stood silently, her hands clasped in front of her. Perfect? she repeated in her mind. All I did was follow the instructions.

She glanced at the clock. It was time for her to get back to work, but as she turned to leave, Diego spoke again.

"Would you mind driving me to the meeting this afternoon?" he asked casually, his eyes never leaving her face.

It was a simple request, but the way he asked it made her feel as though it was something more. For a moment, Lita hesitated. Her mind raced, wondering if it was a test, if this was just another way for him to assess her. But it was a simple task, something she could easily do. And yet, she felt a strange sense of unease settle in her stomach.

"Of course," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I’ll be ready."

---

An Afternoon Drive

Later that afternoon, Lita found herself driving Diego to his meeting. The silence in the car was thick, the only sound being the hum of the engine and the soft tapping of Diego’s fingers against the armrest. For the most part, he remained quiet, but Lita could feel his eyes on her every so often, and it was beginning to make her feel self-conscious.

She kept her focus on the road, steering with practiced precision as she maneuvered through traffic. Her mind, however, was racing. What was that back in the break room? She thought she had kept everything professional, but now she wasn’t so sure. Diego’s behavior was starting to confuse her—one moment he seemed indifferent, and the next, he was... kind?

"How long have you been doing this, Lito?" Diego’s voice broke the silence, pulling her from her thoughts. "Driving, I mean."

Lita glanced at him quickly, surprised by the personal question. She shrugged slightly, trying to downplay it. "A few years now. Just before I started this job, actually."

Diego nodded, his gaze briefly flicking to the window. "And before that? What were you doing?"

Lita hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. She hadn’t shared much about her life before working for him, and she preferred to keep it that way. "Nothing exciting," she said finally, her voice guarded. "Just... trying to get by."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, Lita felt a pang of sadness. Trying to get by. That was all her life had been for the past few years—just surviving, doing whatever she could to make sure Junior had a shot at life. But she couldn’t afford to let herself dwell on it. Not here, not now.

Diego didn’t press further, but Lita couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more to his curiosity. It was like he was testing her, trying to see past the walls she had built.

When they arrived at the meeting, Diego gave a curt nod of thanks and stepped out of the car without another word. Lita watched him walk away, feeling the weight of the afternoon settle on her shoulders.