Chapter Seventeen - New Roles 2

She sang a cheery tune as she went through her morning routine, the sun filtering through a slightly open window in soft golden rays.

They had called her back, and she was excited. She just had this positive feeling about it. She was going to get the job.

"Jeez, babe,"

Alicia turned. A sleepy Tanya stood in the hallway, her tousled hair and slightly oversize pajamas giving her a disoriented look.

"Tone it down a bit, we know you're so eager to 'work'," Tanya said with air quotes, "But some of us are trying to get some sleep."

"What does 'work' mean?"

"Pfft," Tanya scoffed, "Come on we both know you're only excited you get to spend time with your low-budget 'Shawn Mendes'."

Alicia cleared her throat, returning to the dishes she'd moved to the sink,

"First off, you need to stop using air quotes, especially since you're the only one that calls him that. Second, I've not even gotten the job, and third, I'm not... No, that's not the reason I want to work there," she finally completed her shoulders relaxing as she exhaled deeply, her chest almost betraying her.

Tanya took one look at her and nodded,

"Yeah, right." Then she slid into the seat next to her and grabbed a piece of toast, sticking it in her mouth.

"-m, hawar pho vabe," she muttered, then took a bite, savoring the taste.

"What did you say?" Alicia asked, drying her hands.

"Aim higher though babe."

She frowned and walked past Tanya, dumping the dishrag in her face as she passed.

Tanya moved fast to save her breakfast and chuckled, shaking her head.

"Chill out Cabello!"

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Sofia groaned as she stretched in bed. Still nothing. Ryan was into almost everything yet they couldn't find anything for her. Of course, she couldn't handle most of the ones they'd gone through but a few spots here and there where she'd have fit in were suddenly unavailable, and for some reason, Ryan could not do anything about it.

Still, she could not go for the acting role. She just couldn't. What would everyone say? She sighed and got out of bed, shuffling barefoot into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, Sofia plopped down on the sofa sitting opposite her TV and switched it on via the remote. A bowl of cereal in her arms, she tucked her feet under her and tuned into Telemundo for the unwatched recorded episodes of her favorite series, "My Heart Beats for Lola." She was still in her cute gummy bear pajamas and she leaned back in a resigned sigh to enjoy the show.

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Alicia had a spring in her step as she bounced along the road to the cafe. There was a warm, bubbly feeling inside and she could barely contain herself. She got to the cafe 30 minutes early. Paco and Fred were at the counter and it seemed like he was explaining some kind of plan to Fred.

There was a huge sheet rolled out on the counter and she guessed there was some kind of drawing on it.

They looked up as she came in and she waved, smiling tightly. She had a crop top on, over a cute flair skirt and pretty sandals.

"Good morning," she greeted.

"Alicia, welcome, we're still opening shop though," Paco smiled.

"No, she's here for the job."

"Oh, come on in," he waved her over. "Discussing the expansion plans with Fred. Come take a look."

She slid into one of the high stools and leaned in, elbows on the counter.

"Hey."

"Hey," she replied, smiling.

Fred breathed her familiar lavender scent as the trio looked over the plans. His concentration suddenly began to waver and at times, he even failed to keep up with the conversation.

"Looking good eh?" Paco smiled at both of them and they smiled back, the project had this feel-good vibe.

"I'll get the coffee started," Fred said, backing away from the counter.

"The normal, kind sir." Paco smiled. "What would you like Alicia?"

"Cappuccino," She smiled. "Don't spare the cream." She added.

Fred bowed and disappeared into the kitchen.

"Give him a hand in there," Paco nodded and Alicia happily slipped off the stool and went in.

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"Ryan you shouldn't have done that. I've forgiven you, I won't hold it against you but, you shouldn't have."

"How was I supposed to know? No one told me it was exhibition day," he stressed.

She walked around his desk and sat at the table.

"Because it was meant to be a surprise. I wanted you to remember me. To remember us. You've been spending a lot of time with that girl lately," She traced a finger along the lapels of his suit, "I just wanted to say, 'Hey babe, I'm down for you, always,'" she added and leaned in.

A knock came at the door and Amanda got up quickly, smoothening her blood-red fitted Chanel gown.

"Come in," Ryan said.

It was Cherry, along with another employee. Cherry looked like a shaken can of Coca-Cola, bubbly and fizzy, she was brimming.

"Excuse me Ms.," she nodded and Amanda smiled, leaning against Ryan's executive seat.

"Sir, the sales are flying through the roof! We've beaten our projections by a wide margin. This may be our best collection yet."

Ryan leaned back and clapped, beaming. Amanda held him across his shoulder and pecked him.

"I'm so happy for you," she smiled. "See what we can do as a team?" She whispered.

"Andy and I, Andy from PR, was analyzing the trends. Turns out that Miss Delacruz is pushing the sales on her own. The notion is that you both are together and she had a hand in the collection. It was Andy's idea to use her in the promotional material. The videos from the stage and even from the reporter."

Ryan exhaled through almost clenched teeth - the force of habit, he purposely avoided Amanda's gaze.

"Cherry, Andy, give us a moment please," her eyes weren't pleading.

"We want to..."

"Just get out."

The door closed, Amanda walked to the door and locked it, then turned and swept her hands through her hair, shaking her head as if to calm herself down.

"You look..."

She held up her hand for Ryan to hold on and breathed more, once she was ready, she smiled, those lips matching the rest of her ensemble.

"Ryan," she started. She walked to the desk and leaned in. "I hosted an exhibition for you and she takes all the credit. Sofia, Sofia, Sofia this, Sofia that, argh," she groaned. "Can I, not hear that name for like two minutes?" She walked over to the award cabinet.

"You've said it five times in one," Ryan muttered.

"Hmm?" She turned.

"Oh nothing, never mind."

She shrugged, "Can't you see what she's doing to me? She came out with her goody-two-shoes facade and fooled everyone. I just knew she wanted to get me out of the way. Don't you see it? All the effort I put into the show and here she is, taking all the credit. You and her together?" She scoffed. "Fire Andy, he's obviously not doing his job well. Argh, I just want to..."

Ryan picked up his phone and tapped at it a few times, then maxed the volume and dropped it on the desk.

"Just breathe," Ryan offered.

"I'm trying love," she sighed.

Just then, Ryan's phone rang. He quickly grabbed it.

"Sorry, I've got to take this," Ryan said. He got up and walked around the desk, pecking her on his way out. He unlocked the door and left a confused Amanda behind. "I owe you one boss,"

"It had to be done," Rico replied, laughing.

"Hey Andy, reach out to Miss. Delacruz and compensate her accordingly. You shouldn't have used her in the promotion without informing her, you know that. Get to it before some paparazzi does." He said, walking away. He stopped, remembering something, "Oh and, regarding the compensation, don't mention my name. If necessary, get Pete on it." Then he walked down the hallway and into the reception, waving at those calling after him. He entered the elevator and was gone.

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"D*mn," Sofia swore, glancing at her phone. It read 13:30. She was on her third bowl of cereal and had watched the series up to the current episode. Normally by this time, she'd be at work... She sighed. Just then someone knocked.

"A moment," she sang out.

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"It's so nice to hear from you again, babe. Any problems?"

"Not really, can we meet?"

"Sure, today?"

"Yeah, I'd call."

"Ok then, see you when I do."

Sofia cut the call and dropped the phone, then smiled at Tanya.

"Thanks," she said.

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Later that evening, Rico's chauffeur-driven Cadillac Escalade pulled up along the road, just outside the park close to Melbourne Drive. He got down and walked in, using G****e Maps to find his way to the rounded pavilion. He walked in and she turned, a smile spreading across her face.

"I came as soon as you called," Rico said, embracing her. They separated and she nodded.

"I hope you found your way here easily," She smiled.

"Oh well, it's good we've got g****e," he shrugged. "So what's up?"

Sofia exhaled deeply,

"I'm gonna come work for you," she said.