Waiting for her

Ricardo stirred in his sleep due to the noise of a blow-dryer, his body felt tense, he tried shifting, but he failed. His eyes flickered open. He shifted a little until he was lying

On his side, the deafening sound made him feel frustrated. Why would someone make so much noise in the morning? His sleepy eyes darted around the room until they stopped on a blurry image of someone sitting in front of the dressing mirror.

Blinking a few times to regain his senses, Ricardo prompted on his elbows. His eyes greatly fixed on the woman. She was drying her hair, and Ricardo couldn't look away. He was angry, yes, that Alana interrupted his sleep, but what was she doing?

He tried to look away, but he couldn't, she was only wearing a white towel exposing her slender legs. Her arms were exposed, and her hair was pushed to one inside, showing her neck. Ricardo lowered his gaze awkwardly

And climbed off the bed, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. It was hot right, he chuckled silently, he wasn't sure why he even let her in his room. Because he didn't find her beautiful.

On the other hand, Alana was busy brushing her hair, she only wanted to get rid of the curls and make her hair straight. From brushing her hair. When she glanced up, Alana flinched when she caught Ricardo staring at her.

“Y-you…you are awake,” she stammered and quickly adjusted the towel. When did he wake up, and why was he staring at her? Ricardo cleared his throat and averted his eyes

“What? Can't I wake up…do I need your permission to do so?” He said sarcastically and aggressively picked up a towel near Alana, but ended up brushing his leg on her thigh. She moved away and flung herself out of the chair.

“Of course, I was thinking…yesterday…”

“You went to meet your lover … your problem, I don't care what you do just don't ruin my reputation,” Ricardo cut her off and said mockingly, Alana was stunned. The previous night he was acting like a jealous jerk, but now he was pretending not to care.

“Really, well, that jerk asked me to work for him in return to let you have the suppliers,” Alana said, feeling irritated with him. Ricardo straightened up and stared at her in disbelief. Did she meddle in his affairs?

“And who told you to meddle in my affairs?” Ricardo asked sarcastically, she didn't ask her to poke her nose in his business. Especially something relating to his company.

“I'm your secretary, if…”

“Don't meddle in my affairs, I'll solve this myself,” he muttered coldly, his eyes held in anger. Alana failed to understand him as she watched him storm to the bathroom. Ricardo was irritated as he slammed the door with a loud bang, and tossed the Towel away. He stood in front of the mirror and turned the tap in

“Who does she think I am…a helpless man…does she think I can't solve my problems…ridiculous,” he said angrily and took his toothbrush. Was she thinking he was not good enough to run his company? Why would she go to beg the enemy? Or did she think Rocco was more capable? Thinking about this, he hated her even more.

____

When Alana got to the office, she was a little late…mainly because of traffic, she volunteered to take Santiago to school. She got caught up when the principal asked her to his office. It was hard to understand that some people regarded stepmoms as heartless beings.

The principal was asking her if she treated Santiago like her son. Especially because Santiago was a special child.

“I wonder what he sees in her…she's so plain,” Alana heard voices coming from the lady's restroom as she went to take a breather. She stopped in her tracks, knowing Eva some girls were there.

“We should be careful, how did she even get to be his secretary… I wonder what his wife will do when she finds out a random woman…is having an affair with her husband,” this time another one chimed in, Alana exhaled louder, not sure what to do.

“She's shameless, we should expose her… do you know the boss night like her…have you noticed how he looks at her…”

“He asks about her constantly…and do you know, he even asked Dennis to make sure she had her lunch,” Eva added disdainfully, Alana had enough of their gossip and hence pushed the door open. And found three women, they were startled by her sudden appearance, Alana. She ignored them and went to stand in front of the mirror.

“Eva, you are the most beautiful in this company…. Some are just so ugly…and busy using their bodies for a cheap promotion," “Eish, stop it… let's leave them…we are not known to have affairs with married men, I wonder what her husband thinks…poor man” Eva said, giving Alana a side glance. They laughed mockingly and left the restroom. Alana slammed her fist into the sink and groaned in frustration. Those girls were starting to get on her nerves. She was eager to rub it in their faces that she was Ricardo's wife, not his mistress. Brushing that aside, she left once her hair was fixed and went to her office. She told Dennis would stay late and leave after everyone.

___

“I have an idea, it's enough that you are suffering…and well, I want you to see my men,” Marcus said while pouring himself some champagne, Ricardo didn't say a word. He had Camilo and Marcus drinking in his office. It was enough that he was letting them do that freely. He hated drinking randomly.

“I need some women to paint… Can you give me your wife,” Camilo asked blinking mischievously at Ricardo, he was an artist? He required beautiful women to do his paintings. However, the deadly look he received from Ricardo had him laughing as he gulped down more champagne.

“Forget him, I know Rocco is doing this to frustrate you… but just take it… you know what you have to do,” Marcus coaxed shrewdly, Ricardo glared at him. He understood what Marcus said, but he wasn't going down that road.

“He's better off like this…a good man, we don't want the old Ricardo,” Camilo chuckled nervously,

“Yeah, our Ricky is now a married man…tell us…did you… I mean already?” Marcus remarked mischievously, he was married to a beautiful woman. It had been a while since Ricardo engaged in sexual affairs. Not like he was a saint. But after what Erica did. He didn't find women appealing to his eyes.

Yes, at some point he had a few women warming his bed, but he wasn't interested to involve his heart.

“She was a bad woman, but not every woman is like that… Alana is kindhearted,” Camilo remarked sincerely, Ricardo deserved a good life. Many would paint him as bad due to the mistakes he made in the past.

“Did you come here to lecture me or what?” Ricardo glared at both men, he wasn't pleased to have them lecturing him.

“How are you managing to be in the same room with a beautiful woman without feeling things?” Camilo whispered mischievously.

“Dennis, show them out,” Ricardo gave an order and Dennis nodded. Marcus and Camilo laughed out loud and decided to leave him alone.

When Marcus and Camilo had left, Dennis came to stand in front of his boss.

“Did you do what I instructed?” Ricardo asked.

“Yes sir, everything will be solved soon” Dennis replied boldly and Ricardo stopped what he was doing.

He had a meeting with the board of directors. It took a few hours, but Alana didn't accompany him. He didn't need her, especially when she was starting to meddle in his affairs.

“Sir, the car is ready,” it was 8 pm and Dennis came to inform his boss. Ricardo glanced at his phone and yes. It was late

“Is she still here?” He asked while gathering some files.

“Madam said she'll leave once she's done,” Dennis said and Ricardo glanced up perplexed. It was late

“Shall I…"?

“Give me the keys…” Ricardo asked for his keys and Dennis complied “you can go,” he added, Dennis was hesitant.

“Sir, I…”

“You can go, I know how to drive,” Ricardo said with a frown, and Dennis nodded. Since when did his boss drive himself? Dennis glanced at Ricardo before he left the office. It was late, all the employees had gone except for some.

Ricardo rose from the chair and decided to take a tour of the building. He would wait for Alana to finish.