CHAPTER 4

“Jimmy”

Simon called out to his driver who was standing next to him, while he had breakfast on the grand dining table.

“Yes Sir” Jimmy responded quickly.

“Where are the files for the new PA you said HR recruited?”

 Simon had a suspicious expression while he waited patiently for what his driver had to say.

“I'm sorry about that Sir, here are the files”

Simon chucked in the glass of water and after using a napkin to wipe his mouth, he opened the brown paper file handed to him by Jimmy.

His eyes scrutinized every single word on the paper, and suddenly he let out a yell.

“Gabriela Ramirez…”

“Put me on a call with  HR right now, is he insane?”

Simon’s eyes were full of rage and dissatisfaction, a reaction that Jimmy expected.

“Sir, HR has nothing to do with this”

The driver mentioned politely.

“I made sure to recruit her so that you can execute your revenge on her, remember how she humiliated you, Sir”

“It's payback time”

Jimmy said sparking interest in his Boss.

“Well… If that's how you put it, you're a genius, Jimmy, this is an opportunity for me to make her pay”

“When is she resuming her duties?”

Simon asked curious.

“Today, Sir”

Jimmy replied.

Simon closed the file and resumed eating breakfast. The evil grin stamped on his face was just evidence of the terrible things he was plotting against Gabriela.

Meanwhile, at the Ramirez home, Diego was playing with his toys in the living room while Mrs Ramirez was folding clothes in the bedroom when a scream came out of Gabriela's room.

Shocked at what that could be, Mrs Ramirez ran to her room:

"Gabe, what's going on, what's the screaming all about, you startled your brother, what is it?"

Gabriela turned her back and revealed the giant blueberry juice stain on the center of her pink long sleeve.

“What am I going to do now? I can't go on my first day like this?”

Gabriela was frustrated and tired.

“Ohh Gabe, you’re so clumsy”

Her mother walked out, and after a couple of seconds came back in, she raised a shopping bag and gave it to her.

“Tada, Surprise”

Gabriela looked at her mum in shock, and when she opened the bag, she found a cute silk-sleeve shirt and a pair of black pants.

“Mum, why would you spend money on this, we have better things to take care of”

Gabriela lamented at the outrageous act of kindness.

“Come on Gabe, I wanted to do something for you, now stop complaining and get changed, you are supposed…”

Gabe ran to her mum and hugged her tightly

“Thank you, mum, I love you”

Gabriela appreciated, grateful for what her mum had done for her.

“I love you too baby girl…Now off you go”

Mrs Ramirez hurried her to ensure she wasn't late on her first day.

Gabriela rushed in and got ready, grabbed her bag, kissed Diego’s cheek and she was out of the door.

She ran to the bus stop just in time to get in.

Excited wasn't really what she was feeling at the moment, but determined was surely something that she was.

Gabriela got down from the bus and stood there in awe for minutes, admiring the colossal structure before her.

The Ramsey’s company was housed on a striking tall skyscraper that had 50 floors, the modern building was sophisticated and classy.

The lobby was elegant and furnished with expensive decor, it was looking so good that Gabriela was scared to touch anything.

She approached the front desk of the lobby where a beautiful lady in a sleek corporate dress was standing typing on the computer.

“Hi, Good morning, my name is Gabriela…”

The lady interrupted her without even replying to her greeting and grabbed the phone from the desk.

“Gabriela Ramirez is here”

She spoke to Jimmy on the other end.

After a couple of seconds in silence, she dropped the phone, looked at Gabriela, and with a snobby smile said.

“The first door on your left”

Gabriela was surprised at the reaction from the lobby lady but she didn't allow that to bother her. She had just stepped into the lion’s den and she carefully had to calculate her words and actions.

Suddenly she met Jimmy outside the door waiting for her.

“Welcome Miss Ramirez, Mr. Ramsey would like to see you now”

Jimmy slid in the door to Simon’s office and once she was in, closed it back. Leaving the two inside.

“We meet again Ramirez” 

Simon’s chair was facing the grand window in the office, he kept clicking his pen in and out while staring at the outside view.

“Let’s cut to the chase, what do you want?”

Gabriela responded harshly, standing confident in her words.

“What do I want?” 

Simon amusingly repeated.

“I want a competent Personal Assistant who will not mix work with personal feelings”

Simon’s answer was straight and simple, he stood from the chair and came closer to Gabriela, who stepped backward as he approached closer until she hit the wall.

Simon kept coming closer and when he was just a few inches away from her, he lifted his hand slowly and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and he whispered.

“Are you competent?”

Gabriela didn't say a word, her heart raced fast and her breathing was heavy, she wanted so badly to punch his face. Her hands clenched into fists, she knew she had no choice, her brother’s life stood on a thread.

Simon grinned and went back to his seat.

“Don’t just stand there, we have a ton of work to do”

Simon snapped her back into reality, she sat opposite him and attentively listened to all he had to say concerning meeting scheduling and other duties.

While he spoke, Gabriela noticed a solid passion and rigor for his business, she could tell he wasn’t a nonchalant person but someone ready to put in his sweat for the company.

“We have a meeting in 3 minutes, make sure you take notes, don't make me tell you how to do your job”

Simon stood up annoyed, grabbed his phone and he was off, Gabriela rolled her eyes and followed him to the conference hall.

Murmurs and silent dialogues enveloped the hall, as executives took their seats and got ready for the scheduled meeting.

Simon strode in followed by Gabriela.

 As he stepped in, silence fell on the room like a heavy curtain. People threw glances at Gabriela, as they wondered who she was.

After he sat down and everyone was settled in, he announced in an authoritative tone.

“Before we begin, I would like to introduce my new personal assistant, Gabriela Ramirez”

Heads turned towards the direction of Gabriela, who sat confident and unbothered about being the center of attention and stares.

“Miss Ramirez, since you are new here” Simon continued.

“Would you tell us how you plan to contribute to this company? Or are you here to just deliver coffees and run errands?”

Simon knew exactly what he was doing, he wanted to make a fool of her, little did he know that Gabriela was a different game entirely.

A few chuckles erupted in the room as people anticipated she would disgrace herself and be unable to defend her dignity.

“With all due respect, Sir” Gabriela began confidently, making eye contact with Simon, and presenting herself as fearless and strong-willed.

“Steve Jobs once said, Things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people”

“In other words, a true leader knows the value of his team, a PA doesn't just take notes and fetch coffees, they optimize work schedules, ensure efficiency and anticipate needs”

Gabriela paused in a suspenseful way and looked around at the other executives.

 “I’m a strategic asset to the company, you need me”

Gabriela concluded, leaving both Simon and everyone else in the room, stunned at her carriage and confidence.

Gabriela has always been a business fanatic, she had read a ton of books from top business owners and though she wasn't financially stable enough to get a degree in business, her passion couldn't limit her from indulging in personal study.

An awkward silence chocked the room, Simon cleared his throat:

“Alright, let’s leave behind unnecessary talks and focus on the business of the day”

The meeting continued smoothly, as different executives highlighted strong points and proposals.

Simon kept quiet, giving the impression he was listening but his mind was somewhere else replaying Gabriela’s confidence, something about her intrigued him and he could not help but stare at her unknowingly from his seat.