Chapter 5 A Very Special Friend

That afternoon Louise went straight to her friend Brenda, at the coffee house, as she wanted to tell her every single detail of what happened during the last couple of days.

"I can't believe it, Louise. You're so thick-headed! How could you have cursed at people you don't even know?"

"I said nothing but the truth! I found the man practically naked, and it was awful and to think he is the general manager of the place."

"Just be more careful, and... by the way, I noticed the sparkle in your eyes when you talked about this Jorge person. Has he won your heart already? Haha!"

"Absolutely not, Brenda," stated Louise as she observed the sky.

"He definitely is very handsome, humble and kind. He helped me get my job back, after all. At first, I got carried away with Jorge's looks, but after knowing his role in the company I came to realize he is unreachable."

"So what? Haven't you heard of Cinderella? What if he's your prince charming?"

"Don't be silly. Look, I just wanted to drop by and say hello. I am on my way to the hospital to see grandma."

"How is she doing?"

"She's doing much better. I believe she'll soon go home. Anyways, I gotta run. Tomorrow's going to be a big day. See you!"

"Okay, catch you later!"

Louise then visited her grandmother and went home to eat something and rest for a while.

The days went by, and Louise got used to her schedule. She had not seen Leoni around, and that was such a relief. On the other hand, Jorge, her crush, got even closer as the days went by. It was a little unnerving as he didn't talk to employees often. The young woman hid her feelings so well that he had no idea she felt something for him.

On a beautiful day at home Louise was looking through a family photo album and tears started to roll down her face as she remembered how happy she was when her parents were still alive. The young woman looked at a photo showing her mom and the carrot cake with chocolate icing; it was her father's favorite, making her crave for that flavor again. Louise decided she would bake the very same cake after taking a look at the recipe steps. After all, whenever her mom baked that cake she would watch intently in order to learn. Louise looked at the fridge, checked the cupboard and thankfully she had all the ingredients needed. She made the cake and tasted it soon after it was ready.

When she tried the cake, tears rolled down her cheeks again, and an expression of longing reached her face.

The cake was identical to her mother's. She smiled, packed a slice for her grandmother, and went to the hospital to visit her.

"Grandma, it tastes just like mom's."

Nani tried it and noticed it was really good.

"You made it, honey. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank you. I think I'll bring a slice for Jorge tomorrow as well."

"Who is Jorge? You are dating and didn't even tell me?"

"It's not like that, grandma! He's the vice director of the company, for now he's just a friend, and a good guy."

"Mmm... I want to meet my future grandson-in-law. Bring him here, will you?"

"Grandma, stop it!"

The next day, Louise arrived very early at the company with the well package cake she brought Jorge in hand. When Jorge showed up, she greeted him and gave him the package, after all she knew he also enjoyed that type of cake.

Jorge was very pleased because she remembered he liked cake. He had her as a very special friend, nothing more than that. Despite the girl always had her hair in a bun and wore baggy clothes, he knew she was a beautiful woman, but unfortunately his heart belonged to another woman that Louise had no idea existed. A few years back, Jorge met a beautiful woman named Natasha in college. The man loved her very much as everything about Natasha was perfect in his eyes. Natasha worked at the company with him for a while, but she eventually got to work at her father's company. Back then there was a misunderstanding between them and they hadn't spoken to one another since.

"It's delicious Louise, thanks!"

Without meaning to, he smeared chocolate on his mouth, and the girl instinctively went to clean it.

At that moment, while the two were talking, Leoni caught them from afar. They were behaving like a couple and so the man immediately regained his stern look; he hated Louise after all. He decided he would stay away from both of them that day.

Later that afternoon, Jorge went to Leoni's office.

"Hello, may I come in? Here are the files from this weekend's event, and everything has already been confirmed."

"Let me see. Great. What have you been up to today?" "Mmm." ... . "I have heard that you're seeing Jessica again, right?"

"Nope! I only go out with the same girl once or twice, tops. They are just a distraction," he said in a cold voice.

"Trying something different now, Jorge? You are supposed to be the straitlaced, but now you're the one doing the tomboy cleaning lady, right?" "Haha..." "Wow! Awesome progress. Indeed."

"Wait! What the hell are you talking about?"

"Just some rumors, and the scene I saw between the two of you today just confirmed everything to me. How beautiful. Prince Charming and Cinderella!"

"This is ridiculous. A man can no longer approach a woman without ulterior motives? We're just friends. Louise is quite unique. She's a simple girl but at the same time fun, pure, and sweet. I feel at peace when I'm with her."

"See? You don't have to hide anything from me, Jorge."

"Don't be silly. You know very well my heart already belongs to someone else."

"Still on this Natasha person? I thought she wasn't a thing anymore."

"We are always in touch, and soon I believe I will be with her again. I hope that one day you will also know what love is like."

"Love? That doesn't exist. I hate people, and to me, women only exist to be used."

"If Aunt Marisa was alive you wouldn't talk like that."

She was also used by the president. "That's enough, Jorge. That subject only makes me mad."

"Makes you mad or sad?"

"It doesn't matter. Just leave me alone."