Chapter 3 - Santiago

Stepping out of the car, I buttoned up my jacket with an automatic grace, feeling the thrill of the city’s energy envelop me. The towering buildings loomed above, their sleek lines a stark contrast to my new life. I closed my eyes, savoring the familiar rush of comfort and the intoxicating sense of homecoming. This city held fond memories of my university days, where I had tasted freedom for the first and only time in my life. I had managed to break away from my family’s suffocating grip.

It had been years, but as I stood there, the past and present collided in a heady mix of anticipation and nostalgia. Here I was again, ready to embrace whatever awaited me in the shadows of these skyscrapers.

I stepped into the building, my heels clicking softly on the polished marble floor. With a curt nod to the concierge, I continued my walk to the elevator. “Hello, mister Gomez Hernandez.”, he greeted me. I walked into the elevator, watching the doors close. The soft hum of the machine filled the cabin, and I leaned back against the mirrored wall, savoring the moment. It only took minutes until the doors opened again and I stepped into the penthouse apartment. My penthouse apartment.

I kicked off my shoes and shrug the jacket off my shoulders before flopping down on the couch and running my hand through my hair. Finally, some peace and quiet. All my life, I’ve done just about everything my family asked of me. Between my dad being a government hotshot and my mom being the CEO of the family corporation, there was little consideration for my own wants and needs. There was always something I had to attend; another tune I had to dance to. Or there was the pressure to be perfect, because my parents didn’t allow any blemish on my reputation. After all, my reputation was theirs.

Thankfully, during university, I had a brilliant idea that became the foundation of the company I founded. This company became my saving grace, the only excuse my parents accepted for my absence from their constant demands. Running my own business gave me the independence I craved, a space where my decisions mattered, where my voice was heard.

For years, I poured my heart and soul into that company, nurturing it, watching it grow. Then, two months ago, I received an offer I couldn’t resist, and I made the decision to sell it. It was a bittersweet moment, letting go of something I had built from the ground up, but it also marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

Now, here I am, in my own space, savoring the tranquility that I have longed for. With the weight of familial expectations getting less, and business responsibilities lifted for now, the possibilities for me feel endless.

Not that I had the illusion that I was completely freed from family obligations. My dad is retired now, and my mom had stepped down, handling the helm of the family corporation to my sister. Fortunately, my sister was a lot more relaxed and hated social functions as much as I did. So, other than acting as her date occasionally, I was free from the endless stream of formal events and high-society gatherings.

My parents tried their best to lure me into their world, to join them in ruling over high society, but I had always passed. Their world felt suffocating, a gilded cage that I had no interest in inhabiting. So, I moved to the other side of the country, carving out a space where I could breathe freely.

Now, I had more time than I ever thought possible. The quiet of my new life was a stark contrast to the constant demands of the past. It was a time to explore my own interests, to dive into hobbies I had put on hold, and to rediscover the joy of spontaneity. And to reconnect with old friends.

Today, I was getting settled into this new home, preparing to meet with the personal assistant that James insisted I needed. Despite my protests that I had plenty of time to handle everything myself, James had simply laughed and instructed his assistant to hire one for me. It felt a bit patronizing, as if I were incapable of managing my own life, but I decided to go along with it for now.

Later tonight, I had plans to meet James and Levi at a bar to catch up. The last time the three of us hung out together was back in university but reconnecting with old friends seemed like a good step forward to finding my place in this new city.

I had moved here for a fresh start, to carve out a space for myself away from the constant pull of my family. Settling into a new home and meeting up with James and Levi were small but significant steps towards building a life that was entirely my own.

I got up to get myself some coffee and walked over to the kitchen, pleasantly surprised to find it fully stocked with everything one might need, including a very fancy coffeemaker. I looked at the machine, trying to locate the button to turn it on, but it eluded me. At that moment, I started to agree with James that I might actually need an assistant.

Just as I finally found the power button, the doorbell rang. I walked over to open the door and was met by a beautiful woman with the lightest grey eyes and fiery red hair. She strode into my home with an air of confidence, as if she owned the place.

“You must be Santiago Gomez Hernandez?”, she asked, her voice carrying a note of certainty. Before I could confirm, she extended her hand for me to shake. “I’m Penelope, your new assistant.”

Her handshake was firm, her demeanor professional, and I felt a mix of relief and curiosity. “Nice to meet you, Penelope.”, I replied, shaking her hand. “I suppose we’ll be working closely together.”

“Yes.”, she said with a smile. “Let’s get started. There’s a lot to do to get you settled in and on track.”

Penelope proved to be a coffee wizard, effortlessly coaxing a fantastic cup of coffee out of the complicated machine. I was already grateful for her presence. She got straight to business, asking, “So, what is it that you want to do while you’re here?”

I scratched the back of my head, feeling almost embarrassed by how much she made me feel like a young boy incapable of taking care of myself. The truth was, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. Maybe some committee work? Some advisory roles? Take up new hobbies? It was all a bit hazy still.

“I’m not yet sure.”, I admitted, feeling like a bit of a coward for not being more decisive.

Penelope nodded thoughtfully, her expression understanding. “That’s perfectly okay.”, she said reassuringly. “It’s normal to need some time to figure things out, especially after such a big change. How about we start by exploring some options? I’ll set up some meetings for you to network and see what piques your interest.”

Her proactive approach immediately put me at ease. “That sounds like a good plan.”, I agreed, feeling a bit more confident.

Penelope gathered the cups and placed them in the dishwasher, glancing at her watch. “I’ll get to work finding you a housekeeper to clean, do the grocery shopping, and cook some meals. I trust you can manage breakfast?”, she asked.

I barely managed to nod in agreement before she continued. “Do you need a driver while you are here, or will you get by taking taxis?”

“A driver, please.”, I replied, realizing she was thinking of things I hadn’t even considered.

“Good. Do you also need me to find you sexual partners?”, she looked straight into my eyes, her expression completely devoid of embarrassment or shame.

I quickly shook my head. “No, I can manage finding women to sleep with just fine.”

“Good. Then I suggest you get ready. I’ll arrange for a taxi to take you to the restaurant where you’ll be meeting with James.”

“Wait, what? I thought I was meeting James and Levi in a bar?”, I said, confused.

“I rescheduled, knowing you would need dinner still.”, she answered, her foresight impressive.

She truly was way ahead of me. James had been right: I needed an assistant.

“Thank you, Penelope.”, I said, genuinely grateful. “I’ll get ready.”

“Of course. I will be here again tomorrow morning.”, she said, and she walked out the door.

I stepped into what was unmistakably the master bedroom, a space that exuded both luxury and an air of lingering emptiness. My clothes had already arrived, thanks to Penelope, who had efficiently hung them in the walk-in closet. The closet, however, was only half-full, a stark reminder of plans that had unraveled.

When I purchased this apartment, it was with the intention of sharing it with Olivia. Our meeting had seemed serendipitous, occurring just after I’d returned to my hometown. At the time, I believed it to be a happy coincidence, but now I know better. It had all been orchestrated by our parents, a calculated move that I had been too naïve to recognize.

Reflecting on it now, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger at my own gullibility. Back then, Olivia had seemed like everything I wanted – amazing, beautiful, considerate. She stood by me as I painstakingly built my business from the ground up. Her support felt genuine, so much so that when I received an offer to sell my company, I decided it was the right time to propose to her.

The proposal, however, never happened. I came home early to celebrate, only to find Olivia entangled with the pool boy. The scene was a brutal wake-up call, shattering the illusions I’d held about our relationship. So, obviously, the engagement ring stayed in its box, and my dreams of a future with her dissolved in an instant.

Now, with the benefit of time and reflection, I recognized that Olivia and I were never truly right for each other. Back then, however, I had been determined to make it work, blinded by the illusion of our compatibility.

I realize now that my sexual appetite was markedly different from hers. While Olivia preferred the vanilla flavor, mine was somewhat more… adventurous.