Me and the CEO

that came from my father. - Come on, darling - the nanny holds my hand again. Dad doesn't move, doesn't.

look at me, and doesn't answer the question I asked him. Would I ever have the answer? Would daddy look at

me with love and pride one day? I will fght to deserve this.

Wisdom University, Windlerbrook I'm

sitting in business relations class, listening intently to the teacher as I make notes in my notebook, when I hear my cell phone ring. I look at Mrs. Marshal with an apologetic look and quickly silence the device. It didn't

take long for the sound of the vibration on the table to draw the teacher's attention to me again. This is not a common thing to happen. Only my parents, my younger sister Dorothy, my best friend Tina, who is sitting right

behind me, could be calling me this early. It must defnitely be a company wanting to sell something. I should.

have left the phone turned off in my jeans pocket, preventing the most demanding professor at college from seeing me as her newest enemy or as if she were a scary inquisition agent. - Miss, this is unacceptable. Oh no! Lowering the glasses. That means I'm in a lot of trouble. I try to pick up the device so it doesn't further.

increase my desire to stick my face in a hole when my trembling fngers get in the way and it falls to the foor.

Needless to say, at that moment I already have the entire room's attention on me and Mrs. Marshal. - You're disrupting class with your phone, Miss. Pepper - the teacher decrees in an irritated tone - Turn it off

immediately or I will ask you to leave. If I had been a little smarter, I would have fnally turned the device off and thrown it into the depths of my backpack and only taken it out for the next century at least. But becoming.

the center of everyone's attention and interests is something I'm still learning to work on. Immediately, I apologize to the teacher, pick up the phone and leave the room as if my two white Nike sneakers were on fre.

I rest my back on the door as it closes behind me and I slide to a stop against the wall. The phone vibrates again, startling me. It's a local number, but completely unknown to me. - I would like to speak to Elle Pepper.

- Ella. It's Ella Pepper. Who is it? - This is Nurse Santiago... The woman on the other end of the line and she told me she was from St. Milton hospital. I knew immediately that something had happened to my family. As

soon as I assimilate the word hospital, my eyes widen and my heart starts to beat faster. - Do you know.

Nora, Paul and Dorothy Pepper? I knew something was wrong. - They are my parents and my younger sister.

- Your parents and sister were involved in an accident and are being treated here at the moment. We need.

you to come immediately. I can't believe what I'm hearing. I feel tears streaming down my face as I try to stay calm. - Of course, I'm going now - I reply in a low voice. Stunned, I return to the classroom to get my things.

The teacher still seems to be irritated with me, but when she sees the tears in my eyes her frown softens. -

Are you well? - No, I'm not - I reply, sobbing - My parents and sister were in a car accident and are in the hospital. I need to go there now. The teacher, Mrs. Marshal, immediately switched to one of concern and

compassion. - Oh, my God, I'm so sorry. Go, go now. I hope you are well. Everything becomes a real blur for me. I can barely see the people around me. - Wait, Ella - I hear Tina's voice coming behind me in the long.

college hallway - I'm going with you. - My parents, Tina... - I sob louder when she puts her hand on myshoulder and guides me to the parking lot. - They are well. Everything will be fne. You need to stay calm. I'm

too nervous to drive and we end up in Tina's car, who drives as fast as she can while I pray that everything is

okay. I feel fear arising, fear of what might have happened to my family. I try to remember the last time we

were together, just today at the breakfast table. I teased Dothy as always and my parents presented the same

shameful scene of a couple in love, without caring that their daughters found it disgusting. I'm terrifed.

worried, scared, but I'm very hopeful that it was nothing more than a big scare. Finally, we arrive at the hospital and I go straight to reception. I explain to the woman what happened and the receptionist takes us to the waiting room. I sit in a chair shaking with fear as I anguishly wait for news. I couldn't think about anything

other than my parents and my little sister. - Please let them be okay - I say a silent prayer - Please, God. As

I wait, I hear the conversation of other people approaching. The moment the doctor's eyes fell on me, I knew the worst had happened. I hear my last name being called and I quickly stand up. - How are they? They are fine? - I ask the doctor even though inside I already know the answer. - I am really sorry. Your parents... That

was the beginning of it all. CHAPTER 2 G&S, Hawthorne I'm sitting at my desk, poring over the earnings sheets.

for the last quarter under my management. These are important reports related to the fnances of the

company that I have been running for the last year and I need to ensure that everything is in order to present

to my father. And as the son of a successful businessman admired by everyone, letting any failures pass by in the eyes of an experienced and demanding fox like Mr. Gilbert wouldn't make our always tense relationship

any better. Suddenly, I hear a knock on the door and I look up to see my secretary approaching. - Excuse me

Mr. Andrew. Your father is president and would like to speak to you. Is my father at G&S headquarters? When

had he returned from his business trip in Europe? And why hadn't he notifed me of his return? I feel a shiver

run through my body. I take a deep breath and try to remain calm. It's the only way to deal with him. - Thank

you, Christine, can you let him know that I'm on my way? As soon as my secretary leaves, I get up and straighten my tie, making sure I look presentable. I walk toward the presidency, thinking of all the possible

reasons why my father could be here. I arrive at the door, knock and wait for the signal for me to enter, which never comes. I open the door to fnd my father sitting behind his desk, looking stern and serious as always. A few days ago, my father called me to a meeting, in his presidential ofce, with the board to talk about a new

venture he wanted to acquire. This is the family's big business, rescuing bankrupt companies and making.

them get back on their feet. - Hello Daddy. I didn't know he was back already. - We need to talk, son. Sit down. The calm way he says this doesn't please me, I feel the tense atmosphere in the air. I know that tone of voice

well. I sit in the chair opposite him and try to maintain my composure. - In our last conversation you demanded more space and opportunities in the family business - he said, without even looking me in the eye

- I decided to give you a chance. I want you to go to the subsidiary

effort I would have to make to get the necessary money. I know it will be a difcult and painful journey, but I

am determined to fght until the end for my little sister's recovery. Willing to do anything to see her walking

and smiling again, and nothing will stop me. *** Back in the room, I don't know what to say to comfort

Dorothy. - You know she'll need to talk to me at some point, right? She smiles weakly and I see a bit of relief

on her face. I hold her hands and tell her I will always be here for her. That we will be united and face

everything together. I know that even though she is trying to act strong, Dothy really misses our parents who

died in the accident that put her in this hospital. - I'll always be here for you, Dothy. I help her put on her shoes

and grab the bag I brought with her things. A nurse helps me get her out of bed and into a wheelchair. We walk

to the hospital room door and Dothy stops us for a moment. - Thank you for being here, Ella - she looks at

me with love and trust. I smile and run my hand gently through her hair. - Always, Dothy. Ever. We left the

hospital together, ready to face the world. I know it will be difcult, but we will be together, and that is what

matters. CHAPTER 4 I'm sitting at the table, dividing my gaze between the various sheets of paper and the

numbers fxed on the calculator in front of me. I look at the medical expenses and add up the amounts again,

trying to fnd some way to balance the household budget. My parents left a small savings account in the bank,

but it looks like it won't be enough to cover all our expenses from now on. And as I continue to add up the

numbers, I start to feel a tight feeling in my chest. We can't afford to spend more than we have, but it seems

like that's exactly what's happening as my little sister's medical care costs are so high. In a few weeks we will

run out of money and I don't know what I will do. I try to think of solutions, but nothing seems to work. Even if I continue to cut some expenses, it's still not enough. I need to fnd a way to make more money, but I don't.

know how to do it. My whole life I was prepared to go to college and dedicate myself to it. This was my parents' desire and dream. As I continue to look at the bills, I feel a sense of despair wash over me. My mind.

spins with questions as I try to fgure out a solution. We have been living on all the money we can save, but it is running out and soon we won't have enough to support ourselves. I realize that there is no point in postponing any longer, I need to put an end to my economics course at Wisdom University and look for a job.

Now that my parents are no longer here, I have to take on the responsibility of taking care of Dothy's recovery and his adaptation to a wheelchair. Life has been difcult since they passed away in that tragic car accident. I

love my little sister more than anything and so I know I have to be strong and do whatever is necessary to ensure her well-being. - So that's it, Ella - I say quietly, as if that would make it easier to convince myself that I've made the right decision - Drop out of college and look for a job that will allow me to support myself and

Dothy. Despite having slept late and tossing and turning in bed worrying for hours, the next day I woke up very early. The frst step after a quick breakfast was to contact the university and explain my need to interrupt.

my studies. I wrote down all the guidelines for the documents that I needed to send to the institution and the next step was to look for jobs online. I came across a few openings that interested me and started flling out applications. After doing some research into the companies and their culture, I was able to narrow down my choices and apply to the ones that seemed like the best ft for me. The following days were full of interviews

and many promises that they would contact me, which never happened. It's a difcult task, but I'm determined.

to do whatever it takes to ensure a better future for both of us. I know it won't be easy, but I have faith in God

and in myself. It took me almost fve weeks to realize that I'm not going to get a positive answer for any of the jobs I applied for. I always get the same answer: "unfortunately you don't have enough experience for the role." And dropping out of college has had a negative effect on me. It's frustrating to hear this over and over again, but I know I have to keep trying. I sit on my bed with my phone in my hand, staring at the blank screen. I don't know what else to do. I've sent hundreds of resumes, I've done several interviews, but nothing seems to

work out. I pick up my cell phone on my lap and check my email once again. There's a new message from a selection process I participated in. "Unfortunately, we did not select you for the position. We wish you good luck in your search for opportunities." I sigh and drop my cell phone on the bed. - This is so frustrating - I say

to myself. - I don't know what to do anymore. Suddenly I hear a noise at the door and see Dothy in her wheelchair appears. - How was the interview? - She asks. I take a deep breath and exhale slowly. We agreed.

to always be honest with each other. And although I want to spare my little sister all the trouble, I know well that it's not That's what she wants." "It didn't go well," I reply, discouraged. "They said they were looking for someone with some experience for the position. I believed that because I had already

I step out of the service elevator and come across Mrs. Harris's desk. She is always sweet and attentive to everyone. And whenever she asks me for something, she asks with kindness and a kind smile. I put even

more effort into cleaning her work environment, but there really isn't much to do, she is extremely organized. Itake a deep breath before entering the presidency room. This is the frst time I have been allowed to come here. It's the last room I need to clean before ending my work shift, and, without a doubt, the most important.

received specifc guidance on how to perform the service and I know that it needs to be perfect and fawless. I start with the president's desk, which is the center of the room and the place where there will probably be the

most accumulated dust. I pass the cloth carefully, trying not to leave any traces of dirt, without disturbing thepapers and folders on it too much. When I accidentally touch the computer, I see that it is still on. The screen

saver is a photo of the Windlerbrook mountains, from the angle, it was taken right here from somewhere in this building, perhaps in this room. I observe my surroundings much more closely now. I can't help but think.

how different this one is from the others I've cleaned. It's as if there is an aura of importance and power here. I wonder how many crucial decisions are made in this room, how many deals are made and how many.

important people pass through here every day. Returning my attention to the table, I see that there is a beautiful keychain on it, a suit folded on the chair next to the CEO's and a cell phone in the half-open drawer.

Damn it! I imagined that like the other rooms in the building, this one was also empty. - What do I do now? The last thing I want is to run into the most important man in the company and have him think I was snooping.

Where he was? The question I really should know is what would he be like? I found out when I applied for the job that the company was going through changes, including the change of a new administrator. But my little.

research ended there. I bend my head to see if I see or hear anything coming from the bathroom, but the only sound in the room comes from my breathing getting faster. Apprehensive, I decide that the best thing to do i

to leave and focus on other activities until the room is free so I can continue with my last tasks of the day. I gather the products I had taken from the cleaning cart and put them back in their place. I want to leave theroom as quickly as possible. But my efforts are interrupted when the cart's wheels get stuck somewhere. I try to push him harder, but I end up making him spin awkwardly, fall over and throw me towards the open door.

directly into the strong arms and broad chest supporting me. - Are you well? - The hoarse voice very close to my ear makes me shudder. For a moment, I feel dizzy and dazed. I think I hit my head. I lift it slowly, feeling a sharp pain in my right arm. I look at the cart, which is now upside down, and notice that some of the products.

have spilled onto the foor. - I'm... - my voice comes out in a low, embarrassed whisper - I'm sorry, I... Tears well up in my eyes like a tap about to be turned on. I take a deep breath and try to calm down. I can't let a little.

setback like that affect me. I need to pull away from the protective and disturbingly intimate embrace, finish my work, and get out of here as quickly as possible. I look up and come across the most beautiful and striking.

male face I have ever seen in my entire life. His brown eyes have a playful sparkle that I can't ignore. It has such a nice scent. A type of lavender that we only fnd in exclusive and expensive stores. And his well-shaped

and inviting mouth barely manages to avoid the smile he tries to hold back. Are you laughing of me? I would be laughing at myself too if I weren't the shameful reason for this ridiculous situation I've put myself in. - All good? - He asks again and as he helps me compose myself in front of him, I notice that this time his voice is

soft and pleasant to the ears. My heart hammering in my chest. I try to think of something to say, but all I can do is blush and stutter, my face burning. "Uh, yes," I manage to respond. I quickly look around the ofce and

see the cleaning cart tipped over on the foor and some of its contents are scattered across the foor, the result of my surprise fall. I take a deep breath, knowing I have to explain what happened. - I'm sorry about.

that - I start to say, pointing to the mess on the foor - I didn't want to make such a mess. I look away.

embarrassed, and hope he doesn't think I'm an idiot. He laughs, a deep, warm sound that I'm sure makes meeven redder than I usually do when I'm embarrassed. - Everything is fne. I see him lean towards me and my eyes go wide with astonishment. But the handsome, attractive man in front of me just turns my badge over to

read my name. - Ella Pepper - he says, his eyes shining with amusement - I bet they've already said thatyour last name does you justice. I look down, mortally embarrassed. As a child, yes, I was constantly hearing.

remarks like that. My eyes meet his again and I feel my face blush more. - I'm sorry - I say, trying to explain.

myself - I'm new here and I'm responsible for cleaning the presidency room this week and I ended up having a little accident with the cart. He smiles again, this time without bothering to hide it. - No problem. It happens

- he introduces himself, stretching his hand out to me - Andrew Gilbert. Gilbert? Son of Brandon Gilbert, the founder of one of the most important business groups in the country, G&S? - But you're well? - His expression

is now worried - It looks like he hurt his arm. I look at my arm and notice that it is starting to turn purple and there is a small cut that is bleeding. - Yes - I murmur, but my lying answer is unmasked by the pang that

makes me grimace in pain. - Come with me - he says, taking my arm gently - In the bathroom there is a first aid kit. I can help treat this. I follow him with shaky steps, not believing that I'm following this man I barely

know and who, in addition to being my boss, could also be one of the most powerful names in the world.

Despite that, I can't deny that I'm grateful for your help. And as we walk together, I feel my heart skip a beat.

every time her intense, bright brown eyes meet mine. Oh my God! What big trouble am I trying to get myself into? I have enough trouble creating silly fantasies about the beautiful brown eyes of the CEO I started working for as a cleaner. Leading the employee to the bathroom in my ofce to fx her arm. I

notice that she is nervous and I notice that I feel that way too, although I can't explain why. Despite being used to speaking and dealing with infuential and important people, in the business world, she is t