Chapter 3
Laura
The next morning, I walk into the office with a mix of dread and determination. Is Mr. De La Cruz satisfied with my work? Or have I made some fatal error that will get me fired?
When I reach my desk, I find a single red pen sitting on top of the case file. My heart sinks. Of course it wasn't good enough.
I steel myself and knock on Mr. De La Cruz’s office door. He looks up, his face as stern and unreadable as ever. “The file. You wanted to see me?”
“Yes.” He stands up and circles his desk. “Do you know why I asked you to organize this file yesterday?”
I shake my head, unsure of the answer he is looking for.
“I wanted to see what you were made of,” he says. “And you did not disappoint. You accomplished in one day what it takes most assistants weeks to finish. Well done.”
I blink, stunned. A compliment? From him?
“Th-thank you, sir,” I stammer.
The corner of his mouth quirks up. “You’re welcome. I look forward to seeing what else you can accomplish here.”
He sits back down, effectively dismissing me, but I leave his office with a grin. Maybe this new boss won’t be so bad after all.
My colleagues are waiting when I emerge, questions and concern on their faces. I just smile mysteriously and get to work. Let them wonder—for now, I am content knowing I have proven myself. The impossible task has been possible after all.
I sigh and rub my temples, staring at the mess of papers strewn across my desk. Finding those missing documents has been like searching for a needle in a haystack, and the conflicting accounts from witnesses give me a headache.
But I did make a promise to Mr. De La Cruz I will get this done, and I am not about to go back on my word.
My stomach rumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten since that granola bar at breakfast. I glance at the clock—already after 5 pm. The others have already left for the day, off to enjoy happy hours and home-cooked meals.
I dig back in, piecing together clues and connections until the words blur on the page. It is 8 pm when I straighten the last file, satisfaction flooding me. I did it.
I stumble out of the empty office into the dark lobby, fatigue hitting me all at once. But underneath the exhaustion is a spark of pride at a job well done.
Mr. De La Cruz has been right to put his faith in me. I am stronger than even I have realized.
Once home, I sit on my couch with a glass of wine and contemplate calling Jennifer. She has always been my voice of reason, but I didn’t know if I want to hear what I need to say this time.
With a sigh, I pick up my phone and dial her number.
“Laura!” Her cheerful voice filters through the line. “How’s it going?”
I take a large swig of wine before answering. “I’m not sure. My boss is...difficult. Demanding. Impossible to please.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Jennifer says. “Is he worse than Mr. Curran was?”
“Maybe.” I slump further into the couch. “I feel like I’m in over my head. Everyone says he cycles through assistants every few months. What if he fires me?”
“Laura, listen to me.” Jennifer’s voice is firm. “You are one of the most capable, hardworking people I know. Don’t doubt yourself—I know you can rise to the occasion.”
“You think so?” I ask.
“I know so. Now stop overthinking this and go in there tomorrow like you own the place! You’ve got this.”
I smile, feeling warmth spread through me. “Thanks, Jen. I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime. You can do this, Laura. I believe in you.”
We chat for a few more minutes before hanging up, and I go to bed with renewed determination. Jennifer is right—it is time to rise to the challenge. Mr. De La Cruz didn’t know it yet, but I am here to stay.
The next morning, I stride into the office with my head held high. Mr. De La Cruz is already barking orders at the paralegal, but he pauses when he sees me. Our eyes meet for a moment, and I give him a confident smile.
For the first time, I see a flicker of surprise in his expression. Then his lips twitch, and he gives me a curt nod before returning to his tirade.
My heart swells. I render the formidable De La Cruz momentarily speechless. This is a victory, however small, and it strengthens my resolve.
I settle in at my desk and get to work, fielding his requests and demands with efficiency and poise. By the end of the day, I prove myself invaluable, and Mr. De La Cruz gives me an approving look as we pack up to leave.
“Good work, Stevens,” he says. “Keep this up.”
“Thank you, Mr. De La Cruz,” I say. “I intend to.”
He blinks at my boldness, but says nothing else.
I walk out of the office with my head high, a spring in my step.
Jennifer has been right to encourage me to take a leap of faith.
I am going to rise to this challenge—and maybe, just maybe, I will get the chance to glimpse the man behind the mask. The game is on.
“Stevens, in my office. Now.” His tone is brusque, but I detect a hint of curiosity behind the command.
I follow him in and take a seat across from his desk. He studies me for a long moment, his expression inscrutable. I meet his gaze, waiting.
He pauses, watching me. “I’ve got a new case that requires a deft, diligent touch. The clients are high profile and demanding. Do you think you’re up for it?”
My heart races, but I keep my expression neutral. This is the opportunity I have been waiting for. “Absolutely, Mr. De La Cruz. I won’t let you down.”
He studies me for another long moment. Then he nods, a glint of challenge entering his eyes. “Good. The files are on your desk. Get to work.”
I stand, barely able to contain my excitement. “Right away, sir.”
As I leave his office, I catch the ghost of a smile on his lips. The game is still on—but for the first time, we are playing on the same team. This is going to be an interesting partnership indeed.
Today has been a weird day. He still seems dissatisfied, quick to criticize me, and always seems irritated. It can’t be anything I have done, because I have been working my butt off.
He has been in his office pacing for the last twenty minutes, and I swear he keeps staring out here at me. What did I do?
“Laura, please come into my office.”
My shoulders tense and I take a deep breath, walking inside and taking a seat in front of his desk. He is still pacing around the room. He bites his lip.
“Why did you reschedule the meeting from today to tomorrow?” His nostrils are flaring.
“Sir, the meeting before it would take at least two hours, which would run into that meeting, so instead of rescheduling for after office hours, I moved it to tomorrow.”
“Don’t you think you should have asked?”
Oh, so we are going to play this game, huh? I don’t even respond.
“That meeting was very important, and I needed to get it done today. It’s too late to change it back now.”
“It’s my job as your assistant to take care of your schedule and make sure there are no overlaps. If I have to ask you every time, then what is the point of even having me here? That would slow down my ability to work tremendously.”
He runs his fingers through his hair. The man is good looking in a dark and brooding kind of way. I don’t know anything about this man besides that he seems to have anger issues.
“Sir, I don’t need you micromanaging me.
I’m a grown woman who has been doing for many years.
I have work to get back to.” I stand up and walk out of his office.
If he thinks that I am going to sit around and ask him for permission every time I need to do my job, he’s sadly mistaken.
If he doesn’t trust my judgment, then maybe it is time to start looking for another job.
“What was that?” Jennifer asks, trying to be quiet from her desk.
“He told me I should ask him before rescheduling meetings...”
She laughs. “You’re kidding, right?”
I shake my head.
“Wow, you got a real winner there.”
I am grateful for the raise, but not being able to do my job is a big red flag for me. If he can’t trust my decisions, then this is most definitely not going to work.
You know what? I need to stand up for myself.
My chest heaves and I walk back into his house, where he is still pacing.
“Sir, if you can’t trust me, like Mr. Curran could, then please tell me so I can look for another job.
I bust my butt for this company and don’t deserve to be questioned like that. ”
“What are you talking about? Now you want to quit? I just gave you a raise yesterday?” he asks, eyes big.
“I understand, sir, but my job is all about making things easier for you, so if I have to ask permission, then I’m pointless.”
He sighs big and then sits down at his desk and crosses his hands. “Listen, I’m having a rough day today, and maybe it’s best if I just don’t talk to anyone. There is no need for you to leave.”
“What can I do, sir? Are you okay?”
He runs his fingers through his hair again and puts his hand down on his desk. “Just... reschedule all my meetings today.”
I nod and leave his office.
What is going on?