𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 | ᴊᴀᴠɪᴇʀ ᴘᴇɴᴀ |

~ 25 ~

The morning air was crisp as Javier parked his car in the underground parking lot of my agency. I glanced at him and then at the building, nerves tingling in my stomach. Today was the day—the big meeting with the French clients to sign the final contract for Javier's expansion into Europe.

"Let's leave the car here," I said, my voice betraying my anxiety.

Javier nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. We stepped out of the car and made our way to the elevator that would take us up to the office. As we approached the entrance, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. What if my boss saw us together? What if he thought I was unprofessional for being involved with a client?

My fears were realized when I saw my boss standing near the entrance, his gaze fixed on us. I braced myself for his reprimand, but Javier took the lead, extending his hand for a handshake.

"Good morning," he greeted my boss with a confident smile. "Madison and I had an early meeting to go over the details before the clients arrive."

My boss raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by our arrival together. "Is that so, Madison?"

I swallowed nervously, but Javier's calm demeanor gave me strength. "Yes, sir," I said, trying to sound confident. "Javier wanted to ensure everything was in order before the meeting."

My boss nodded, seemingly satisfied with Javier's explanation. The tension in my shoulders eased slightly as we all stepped into the elevator and headed upstairs.

Once inside my boss's office, I was relieved to see that Teresa had everything prepared for the meeting. We didn't have to wait long before the clients arrived, and we all sat down to discuss the details of the contract.

The meeting went smoothly, with Javier confidently presenting his plans for expansion. I couldn't help but use my charm to sway the clients, knowing that every smile and flutter of my eyelashes was a strategic move to seal the deal.

But as the meeting concluded and the contract was signed, the French client made a suggestive comment as he left, a smirk playing on his lips. I felt a wave of discomfort wash over me, I knew what he wanted, but I knew how to handle it, as I was used to men looking at me like that, but it was part of the plan, as I always did it on purpose to get clients do what she wanted.

"You made a really good job actually, those papers and every document was really well explained," he said without removing that smile from his face.

I could play his game, as the fake smile that I had in me didn't disappear. "It's my job sir, I know how to do everything just perfect," I winked at him.

"I bet you do," he took a card out of his pocket and handed it to me. "This is my information in case you want to get in touch with me."

"Thank you so much, I'll definetly use this."

He bit his lower lip. "I'll be here in Los Angeles tomorrow, my flight is in two days, just in case you want to grab some drinks."

But before I could respond, Javier stepped forward, his presence imposing, putting his hand on my upper black.

"Thank you for your cooperation," he said, his tone polite but firm. "We look forward to working with you."

The client's expression faltered for a moment as he glanced between Javier and me, his attempt at flirting crumbling under Javier's unwavering gaze. "I was telling your lawyer about the great work she had done Mr. Peña."

Javier remained serious. "I know, I always have the best quality team."

The client smiled again. "Well, I'll try to steal her from you, I really need some good lawyers."

"I'll talk to the agency so that they can asign you some people, this agency has a lot of great lawyers," he replied. "Miss. Rose is really busy currently."

The client stopped smiling, as he saw that Javier was being more proffesional than him. He just said goodbye and left the office.

Alone with Javier and my boss in the elevator, I felt a sense of relief mixed with apprehension. "I'll go back to my office," I said to my boss, offering my hand to give him a handshake, Since we always say goodbye in the same way, but this time he took my hand and pulled me close to him, to hug me, something that made me feel very uncomfortable, since I noticed how one of his hands went too low.

When I could, I pulled away from him, flashing my best smile at him, who was more than happy. "Madison, you have done, and are doing a great job, I will definitely take it upon myself this month to give you a raise, you deserve it," he said still holding me by my arms.

"Thank you sir, I appreciate the gesture," I said uncomfortably but he didn't seem to understand as he wouldn't let go of me.

Javier's arm around me offered comfort. "Excuse me Sir, if you don't mind, I would like to steal Miss. Rose from you to talk about future plans."

"Of course Peña, she's all yours," my boss winked at me. "Don't be late for tonight's dinner."

Javier and I got out of the office, and went directly to the elevator.

"I had it under control with the client," I said to Javier, trying to reassure him, once we got into the elevator.

"I know," he replied, squeezing my shoulder gently. "But I couldn't stand seeing him flirt with you."

I looked away to the floor nibbling on my lips. "While I thank you for helping me with my boss, I was really uncomfortable."

He put a hand on my chin to lift my face. "It seems to me that you've already realized what I told you this morning, today was pretty blatant."

"Yeah, I'm sorry for not believing you."

He stroked my cheek. "Madison, you can come work with me, you know that," he said seriously. "I'm thinking of making a law department within my company, so I wouldn't rely on any outside agencies."

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "That... I'd have to think about it Javi."

"It's okay, we'll have time to-."

The elevator doors opened, Javier quickly separating from me. mark threw his arms up in the air and Sarah clapped her hands over her mouth as they entered the elevator.

"I can't believe it," Sarah whispered, and Javier gave me a worried look, but I could only laugh. I knew how over the top my classmates were.

"I think it's pretty strong that you didn't tell us anything," Mark pointed out to me.

Javier stepped forward quizzically. "Do they know," he asked me.

"They knew something, but they're not up to date," I said smiling. "Guys, nobody knows anything, so you better keep that mouth shut," I warned them.

They both held up their hands giving me to understand they wouldn't say anything. "We were going to have coffee, are you guys in?"

Javier and I looked at each other for a second. "Why not?," he said.

I was really grateful for his support. But as we stepped out of the elevator, I couldn't shake the feeling that everything just had crossed a line—one that could have consequences for both my career and my relationship with Javier.

I'm never going to be comfortable again with my boss, I'm never going to see him the same way, I'll be alert always, and that's not good.

[To be continued...]