My Beloved Boss (The Short Story)

3

Kyra Lewis:

After leaving Felipe's clinic almost running, I went home, where I spent the entire afternoon immersed in thoughts about that guy. He's so handsome, but someone like him would never look at me.

My daydreams were interrupted by Pietro, who called me:

— Kyra, want to watch a movie? — he asked cheerfully. — Alysson already picked the film.

— What movie? — I inquired, curious.

— Jurassic World.

— I love that movie! Let's go! — I exclaimed, rushing ahead of him.

Initially, it was a bit difficult to get used to the prosthesis. However, with physiotherapy and Felipe's help, I adapted much faster than I expected. But that guy kept appearing in my mind. Damn! Why can't I stop thinking about him?

— What are you thinking about? — Alysson suddenly asked, noticing my serious expression.

— Nothing, you bore! — I replied, tossing popcorn at her. She immediately retaliated, and soon we were laughing together.

— You know, it’s so good to see you like this — she commented with a smile.

— Like what? — I asked, intrigued.

— Lighter, happier, maybe? — I smiled in response.

— She's been like this since she broke up with that jerk — my brother interrupted, stealing my soda.

— Hey! — I nudged him lightly on the head.

— And after she distanced herself from Chloe's snake, too! — Alysson added.

Chloe was my "friend," but right after Alex ended things with me, I found out that the "best" person he referred to was her. The anger about those two was immense. I practically lost everyone who claimed to be my friend. They were a bunch of interest seekers, only by my side while everything was fine. As soon as I had the accident, they all simply abandoned me. Only my family remained, and I am forever grateful to have them in my life.

— Stop it, let’s not ruin our night talking about them — I begged, trying to change the mood.

— True! — Alysson agreed.

Our night went on without interruptions, filled with laughter, snacks, and then a fun pillow fight.

[...]

When I woke up, the first thing I saw was my sister’s foot in my face. How did I end up sleeping on the couch?

— Ouch, that hurt! — she complained after I accidentally knocked her down.

— Sorry! Where’s Pietro? — I asked, stretching.

— They called the most handsome in the family? — he joked as he entered the room.

— Poor thing! — Alysson commented, making us laugh.

— Well, I’m going to my room. I need a shower; my hair is a mess, full of popcorn! — I declared.

— Yesterday was crazy! — Pietro observed.

— True! — I replied, laughing loudly.

— What are you laughing at? — he asked curiously.

— Your "adventure" of putting a popcorn in Alysson’s nose — I laughed, recalling the funny scene.

— It wasn’t funny! I went half an hour unable to breathe through my nose until dad came to help me, and you just kept laughing.

— Sorry! — I smiled, still amused. — But it was very funny.

— Keep that up, and I’ll get annoyed! — Alysson warned, already visibly irritated.

— I promise I’ll stop! — I murmured, getting up and heading towards my room.

[...]

Just finished my shower when my mom entered my room, announcing that I had a visitor in my dad’s office.

I put on more presentable clothes and headed to the office.

When I arrived, I knocked on the door and heard my father’s voice saying to come in. When I opened the door, I was completely surprised to see the man I bumped into in the elevator. He was there, right in front of me.

[...]

Matteo Rossi:

Since I saw that girl at Felipe’s clinic, I couldn’t get her out of my mind, not even during intimate moments with Melissa. Damn.

I got up quickly, put on my pants, and went to the brunette lying on the guest bedroom bed. I decided I would never take her to my room.

— Get up — I said firmly.

— But it’s late, and I wanted to sleep with you — she replied in a coaxing voice that made me feel nauseous.

— Wanting is not the same as being able — I retorted, already irritated. — Get out. Of. My. House. NOW! — I yelled.

She got up, grabbing her clothes scattered on the floor. What did that girl do to me that I can’t get her out of my head? I wondered.

Probably, it’s because of work. She would be the perfect model, and being a workaholic myself, I couldn’t approach her about it. Deep down, I knew this thought wouldn’t let me rest. Tomorrow I would visit the Lewises to discuss this possibility. Only then could I stop thinking about her.

[...]

The next morning, upon waking, I went to the bathroom for my personal hygiene and dressed in an elegant three-piece black suit.

Once finished, I left the room and headed to the kitchen. There, I found Maria, my housekeeper, who also acts as a maternal figure in my life.

Approaching her from behind, I kissed her on the cheek.

— What a scare, boy! — she exclaimed, placing her hand on her heart.

— Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you — I replied with a smile.

— It’s okay, I’m preparing your coffee.

— No need, today I have a meeting with an agency partner and I’m running late. I’ll buy something on the way — I informed her.

— Alright then.

I kissed her forehead and left, heading toward the Lewis mansion.

[...]

When I arrived there, I rang the bell, and shortly after, the door was opened by Eric.

— Matteo Rossi! — he exclaimed, smiling.

— Eric Lewis! — I answered, hugging him tightly.

— Let’s go in — he said, making room for me to pass. — I was curious when you said you wanted to talk to me. Is there a problem with the agency?

— Yeah, more or less. Could you help me with that?

— Then let’s go to the office to talk — he suggested.

We went to the office and sat down as soon as we entered.

— What is the reason for our talk? — he asked.

— Well, as you know, we’re about to launch a new bikinis collection, and I’m having trouble with the model.

— But the agency has many beautiful models — he challenged.

— But I wanted to do something different, something unprecedented. Yesterday, during a visit to my cousin Felipe’s clinic, I met a girl whom I later found out was his daughter. I thought she was perfect for the model, and that’s why I’m here — I explained.

— Wow, I’d be very happy if Kyra accepted the job. She doesn’t need to, actually, but if she accepts, she would have the freedom to resume her life as before. She’s always been a free girl, but after the accident, she withdrew from the world out of fear of judgment. However, I can’t make that decision for her; you’ll have to talk to her.

— Okay, I’ll talk to her — I replied, a bit nervous.

Eric got up and headed to the door.

— I’ll call her — he said before leaving.

I felt nervous, something unusual for me, as I’d never felt that way when approaching a woman. But with her, it was different.

After a few moments, Eric returned, saying she was on her way.

It didn’t take long before someone knocked on the door. Eric authorized her to come in, and when I saw her, I was speechless. She looked stunning, and I realized I was looking like a fool admiring her. Until Eric interrupted my daydream:

— I’ll leave you to talk — he said before walking away.

We were still staring at each other when she took a seat next to me. The scent of her perfume intoxicated me.

— I’m here to make you a proposal — I started, trying to gather courage.