Page 146 of Naughty Nelle

Another “hay caramba.” “That is so fucking hot. Bebé, you are going to get some major action.”

My cheeks heated further. I could always count on Fernando for brutal honestly. And that’s why I loved him from the day I met him. He had become my best friend and confidant at Ike’s Tikes. I knew everything about him, including his longtime relationship with one of the city’s top window display designers, who he hoped one day to marry. I, in turn, could tell him anything and everything. He was one of the few people in the world who knew about my ambitions, financial woes, mother’s illness, and my bitch of a boss. I, however, wasn’t going to tell him anything about Ari. I couldn’t jeopardize my relationship with him or his cherished privacy. I just wasn’t sure how I was going to get away with it with my tell-me-everything amigo. Fortunately, luck was on my side.

“Fernando’s tight tummy is screaming, ‘Tengo hambre.’”

I told Fernando that Catherine had ordered me to stay at my desk at lunch. I couldn’t leave in case she came back early even though that was unlikely. No problema. Fernando offered to go to the commissary and bring back lunch for both of us. We could eat and talk at my desk.

Over chicken tortillas, we gossiped mostly about Catherine. Fernando lived for gossip and had collected a lot of dirt about my tyrannical boss. Her background was a little sketchy. She lived in Europe for a while, worked at a major European fashion house, and then was recruited by an up and coming toy company to develop a girls’ lifestyle brand. The Angelina Jolie look-alike Poutz dolls she created took off immediately, knocking Barbie off her throne. Rumor had it that she stole the idea for Poutz from a rival designer, but it could never be proven. Ike Abrams hired her with the hope she could work her magic, developing a breakout boys’ toyline for his company. Supposedly, to lure her away from the other toy manufacturer, he had to give her the title of President, Boys’ Toys and all the perks that came along with that title—including a driver, an unlimited expense account, and a three-year one million dollar a year contract with bonuses. Boy, I wish that would happen to me one day. I just had to work hard. And be patient. Good things happen to those who wait, my mother always said. Given her precarious health condition and my dire straits, I hoped sooner than later.

As we came close to finishing lunch, the phone rang. “Boys’ toys,” I answered.

“Saarah, do you like your dress?”

I could feel my face reddening. “It’s lovely.”

Know-it-all Fernando knew right away who was on the other line. “It’s him, sí?” he mouthed, pointing to the box still on my desk.

I nodded like one of those bobble-head dolls, putting a finger to my lips to shush him.

“I thought you could use a little more color,” said the voice on the phone.

If Ari could see my face now, he might think differently.

“I look forward to seeing you in it.” CLICK.

With a shaking hand, I hung up the phone.

“Okay, chica, spill the beans,” said Fernando, eager to hear the dirt.

I took a deep breath. “Okay, I met someone. He’s very rich and very nice.”

“And muy bueno in bed?”

My silent blush gave away the answer.

“Fantástico!”Fernando clapped his hands with the glee of a child getting a sweet. He was genuinely thrilled for me. That’s what I loved about him.

“What is going on here?”

Gah! It was Catherine. She was back unexpectedly early. I quickly hid the box with the dress and shoes under my desk.

Venom poured from her eyes. “Sarah, I thought I told you to work over lunch.”

Words were trapped in my throat, but fortunately, Fernando came to my rescue.

“We were brainstorming. We have some really good ideas for the next big boys’ toy.”

“Very well. I look forward to hearing them.”

She marched into her office and slammed the door behind her. Shortly afterward, Fernando went back to his cubicle, and I spent the rest of the uneventful afternoon finishing Catherine’s expense report and thinking about my date with Ari. She spent it behind a closed door. I had no idea what she did all day although I imagined she spent most of her time online browsing Chanel.com.

At three p.m. Catherine emerged from her office, all spruced up. She stopped at my desk.

“I’m off to my colorist. I do hope you let Ike know that I can’t make the staff meeting…discreetly.”

“Yes.” I nodded. “I did as you asked.” The skanky bitch liar…some doctor’s appointment.

“And then I have cocktails and dinner tonight.” Her venomous eyes locked on me. “Can I assume before you leave you will get all your work done?”

I flashed a fleeting smile at her. “Yes. Your expense report is all done, and I’ve set up your waxing appointment for Friday. I’m working now on your files.”

“Good.” Again, there was no thank you as she stomped off.

Good on my end too. She was gone for the day. I could get ready for my Trainman, who would be picking me up soon. My heart fluttered.

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