Change of Plans
Isadora
I stared at Jennifer, perplexed by what she had just told me about Petros Kouris. Her eyes met mine, reflecting the same disbelief I felt.
"I can't believe he did that!" my voice escaped in an exasperated whisper before I covered my mouth with my hand as if I could contain my impetuous words. "Sorry, Jen. But it's just shocking that he would be so bold."
Jennifer nodded, a discreet smile playing on her lips.
"I think the same," she agreed, seeming as incredulous as I was. "I never imagined someone like Petros Kouris would even notice my existence."
We were in the cafeteria during our lunch break, and it certainly wasn't the most appropriate place to discuss such delicate matters. However, Jennifer seemed unable to contain her excitement until evening, when we could talk more calmly at college. And now I understood perfectly why she couldn't wait.
"Jen, the man is Greek and a spectacle!" I exclaimed, still stunned. "He not only wants you as his secretary..." I pointed, trying to capture the magnitude of the situation. "From what you told me, it's much more than that."
"His eyes said so many things that I feel warm just remembering," Jennifer confessed, fanning herself with her hand as she relived the moment.
I was intrigued by her revelation and couldn't contain my curiosity.
"But... would you dare?" I asked, eager to know how far she was willing to go.
Jennifer seemed to ponder for a moment, bringing the fork to her mouth before answering. However, even before her words, I could read in her eyes the determination she held.
"Of course, but I don't get involved with married men. And Petros Kouris is very much married... I did a quick search about him on the internet."
A sigh of relief escaped my lips. For a moment, I feared that not even Kouris's marital status would be enough to make her give up on moving forward.
As we finished our lunch, Jennifer changed the subject of the conversation as we walked back to the executive floor. She seemed eager to address a different topic, and I could already imagine what she wanted to talk about.
"And what about Lucchese?" she began, with a tone of curiosity. "Has he shown any signs of interest yet?"
I shook my head, disheartened.
“It's the same old story," I replied with a sigh. "As you can see for yourself, Lucchese doesn't even give me a second glance."
“We urgently need to go out and try to find someone interesting," she suggested, with a hint of enthusiasm in her voice. "It's been weeks since we came back from Salvador, and nothing exciting has happened since then. I'm bored."
I nodded in agreement, sharing the same sentiment. Indeed, it was time to shake things up a bit and seek new experiences. I didn't intend to spend the rest of my life pining over Professor Lucchese.
I checked the clock and noted that it was exactly seven o'clock, and I was still stuck at my desk, struggling to finish an urgent report for my boss before the end of the workday.
Rush was now my ally, as I had promised myself I would be ready to leave as soon as I finished. After all, I had arranged to meet Ryan, the guy from the dating app, at eight o'clock.
After deciding to meet someone interesting, I ended up resorting to dating apps and planned to have my first date with Ryan, an engineering student whom I found very intelligent.
As I typed frantically, I thanked the fact that my boss had not yet returned from his afternoon meeting. This was a disguised blessing, as it meant I had a little more time to finish my task since he certainly wouldn't be back at the office that night.
As soon as I finished the report, I wasted no time. I grabbed my bag and hurried to the restroom on the floor. It was a spacious and luxurious space, equipped with everything I needed to get ready quickly. I decided that would be the place for my transformation for the date with Ryan. There was no time to go home; I needed to save every minute to avoid being late.
Satisfied with my appearance, I returned to my office, which also served as the anteroom to my boss's office. I stored my backpack in the locker, where I had brought all the necessary things to get ready. After locking the door, I grabbed my handbag, ready to finish my shift that day.
Then, Vincent's voice echoed through the intercom.
"Isadora, can you come to my office?"
Frightened to hear Vincent Hickmann's voice echoing through the intercom on my desk, I froze, unable to react. I had no idea he had returned to the office, and I was already all dressed up for my date. He must have returned from his commitment while I was in the bathroom getting ready, and I hadn't even noticed his presence.
A chill ran down my spine, and for a moment, I considered the idea of simply ignoring his call and pretending I didn't hear him. However, I remembered the camera that showed exactly where I was at that moment. He knew I was still in the office because he was watching it through the monitor installed in his office.
Feeling even more drained, I anticipated the request Hickmann would likely make, which would only delay my appointment. Hickmann was known for his courtesy and, I must admit, his striking appearance. Standing at an imposing six foot three, with black hair and eyes, and olive skin, along with the military haircut that always fascinated me, he was someone hard to ignore.
But it was also evident that behind the elegant facade, Hickmann was a man of strong and temperamental character, always trying to maintain control. I had witnessed moments where his kindness turned into impatience, and I knew dealing with him could be challenging.
However, there was no need for further concern about Vincent Hickman's temperament. The fact is that Vincent never paid attention to me, and I would never dare to try to seduce my boss. The risk of losing my job at such a prestigious company was too great, especially considering the countless other possibilities available with much less complicated men.
After analyzing the situation for a few moments, I realized that simply leaving was not a viable option. My boss knew I was still in the company, and with a resigned sigh, I decided to answer Hickmann's call.