The Past or Present

Fran POV

“UUUUGGGGHHHHH” I yell at my alarm. Reluctantly I get up knowing I don’t want a repeat of yesterday. I jump out of my nice comfy bed and head to my bathroom for a quick shower to wake me up.

After the showering standing in my extra-large bathroom which is my favorite place in my apartment. I’m not by any means rich but I like living in nice places. I look in the mirror before brushing my teeth, during my morning routine face wash, and adding lotion to my body

I walk out of the bathroom to my walk in closet, my third favorite place. The second is the kitchen. It’s an open kitchen model style. While choosing something to wear I remember my boss comment about my dress yesterday. So I pick out a black pants suit. The blazer is basically a shirt you just wear a bra under it.

After getting my clothes on, I go back to the bathroom and sit at my vanity throw some light make up on, a very natural look. Pulling my braids up into a neat bun. Spraying some Marc Jacobs on lightly. I’m not a big perfume person.

Stepping into view of the full length mirror I see I forgot jewelry. I decide on some diamond studs, a 14k gold watch, and my simple crown pendant chain. Satisfied with my looks. I slide some red bottom heels on.

Grabbing my purse, phone, and tablet. I head out the door not wanting to be late. I decide to grab some tea at work being that I am probably going have to get him some coffee.

“I hope he is satisfied with my outfit,” talking to myself.

Arriving at the building I head straight to the elevator, while I’m waiting Mr. Galo walks into the building. He has a private elevator so why is he walking this way.

“You will using my elevator from now on,’ he says right beside my ear. Which sent shivers up my body, “okay.”

On the elevator I standing to side but somewhat behind him. So I get a good view of my boss. He has to be 6’4 feet tall, you can tell he has a nice body through his tailored suit, and his facial hair and beard is nicely trimmed. You can tell he takes care of himself. He had a low haircut with a part on the side. “You could just take a picture,” his voice brought me out of my daze.

I was so embarrassed, “I apologize, sir.”          

“Don’t be,” he said. Which surprised me. He was being an asshole yesterday but today he is different.

I should be glad he is not being an asshole. The elevator finally stopped on the top floor. We walk off. I walk towards his assistant to get my duties from him but I was stopped but someone holding my wrist. “My office, please.”

I follow him into his office. He walks around his while I stay put waiting for instructions.

“The desk over there will be your desk. You will not only be my assistant at the office but also my personal assistant when I have after work-related events,” he looks up to make sure I understood.

“Yes sir.” Even though I had a lot of questions like why me? What do you mean after work events? What the hell am I? But I kept my mouth shut.

Like he is reading my mind, “you will be receiving a raise and bonuses for every after work event.”

My eyes finally light up when I hear raise and bonuses “hey a girl got bills.” I had no more questions. I walk over to my desk to get settled in when I recognize that everything from my old desk is neatly already at this desk.

Placing my purse down and grabbing my tablet, notebook, and a pen; I walk back over to him waiting for a list of things to get done. Not expecting what he is about to say, “sit down tell me about yourself.”

Confused on what he means, “What would you like to know?”

“How old are you? Where are you from? Where are your parents? You know stuff like that.” He says like it’s a normal conversation.

I sit down slowly and start answering his questions, “I am 23. I am from Brazil. I don’t talk to my parents.” Hoping that is the only questions he will ask.

“What do you do for fun?” he asks. “Read books, watch TV, or listen to music.”

The look in his eyes is way softer than yesterday. Looking away not to get staring again at his handsome face. *Cough* to break the awkward silence.

He says, “Okay you can go back to your desk and thank you for telling me about yourself.” Surprised he said thank you I forgot to say you are welcome.

“You’re welcome Mr. Galo”

“Tue s superb aujourd’hui.” He mumbled as I walked away. He doesn’t know that I speak seven languages. I can tell he also speaks several different languages and that he was from Italy.

I turn away, “Merci.” He is looking at me shock that I knew what he said. I continue to my desk.

The complete silence in the office is killing me so I put one of my air pods in to listen to some music while I sort the papers he gave me to file.

I don’t know how lunch works being his personal assistant but I am really hungry because I skipped breakfast. Without me saying anything the other assistant walks in with bags of food from my favorite Italian restaurant. I sure that’s not the reason that he got it but still it is.

“Come on let’s eat,” he says while motioning with his hand for me to come over to the section of the office with a mini living room. The office is as big as my apartment. He has a closed off area where there’s a bed, his own coffee bar, his desk in the middle, and my desk in my own part of the office.

I sit down and my stomach decides to speak up. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hungry earlier?” He looks at me with concern in his eyes.

“It’s my job to get your food and stuff not the other way around and thank you also,” I replied to his question.

We enjoy our lunch. The rest of the day went by pretty quick and quiet. At five I asked did he need anything else from me or needed me to stay longer.

“No but next Friday there will be one of after work events. It’s a charity ball I have to attend,” looking up from his paperwork in his hand.

“Yes sir,” I turn and leave the office. Is he asking me to go the ball or to help him prepare for it then I can leave. I hope it is the second one. I do not want to be seen at a ball that reporters will be taken pictures and stuff at.  I can’t let my father know where I am at.

Thinking back to that day, when I realize my father was going to make me marry one of his business partner’s sons to create an alliance between two families. Yes the mafia does that type of thing. And normally the daughter is fine with it but the guy that they wanted me to marry I was told about his ways with women and how he abused them. All my father could see was money. So ever since then I moved to the states and live a plain life.