Page 13 of Forbidden Deception

“I don’t know, but I tried to look everywhere. This week I will need to install that software Helia created in his phone. He still doesn’t even like me. It’s like I annoy him to no end,” I mutter.

“You probably do,” Remo says.

I gasp. “What did you say?”

“Forget it. Get that software in his phone and then let me know if you managed to do it,” Remo snaps, then ends the call.

After I’ve had dinner and climbed into bed, I reflect on my last week. There is one very significant thing I’ve noticed. It seems no one likes me at the office. Maybe they aren’t so open to newcomers, but it’s been a couple of weeks; surely they should have warmed up to me by now. Right? I’ve only ever worked for Remo, so I wouldn’t know much, but I don’t think it takes that long.

Does that mean I have been outcast?

I swallow thickly, remembering the last time that happened.

Shaking my head and ridding myself of bad thoughts, I shut my eyes, letting my subconscious make a plan for me to get closer to Rafael.

I just need to be nice enough for the man to tolerate me and one day invite me to his home. Maybe then I’d be able to snoop around there.

Will a ruined shirt force him to send me to his house?

Forgotten documents?

What do personal assistants do outside of the office that could land them at their boss’s house?

It’s dangerous. Knowing the type of man he is and the power he has, it could go very badly. But what other options do I have? Nothing else is working.

“Here is the plan, Leo. You will drop me off a street away from the office and don’t come pick me up unless I tell you to, okay?”

Leo nods at me from the driver’s seat. “Will you be okay?”

I look up from my phone and smile. “Yes, of course! You think anyone can harm Venezia Cainn?”

Leo sighs but shakes his head, knowing I will never back down without a fight. “No. No one will.”

Rain falls steadily, splattering on the brown streets dusted with golden leaves. Icy wind whips the cold droplets into my face when I step from the car, and I shiver. Stuffing my hands in my pocket, I look all around the street, from the cafes to the smallbookshop tucked between two residential buildings. I also spot an animal shelter, the open sign swinging and squeaking with every gust of wind. It’s cold, but at least the view of mountains and buildings nestled in the town makes up for it.

What better way for Rafael to notice me than to play a damsel in distress?

So no car, heavy rain, and no umbrella it is. I can’t believe I have to do all this just for some video, but then again, it won’t be easy getting a powerful man like Rafael to admit he has the incriminating footage or point me in the direction of where he has it stored.

As soon as I am in the warmth of the office building, I head to Rafael’s office. I open the bag and place the breakfast on his table with utensils neatly placed on a tissue. Once done, I smile at my work and turn around, ready to head out. The door opens, and in walks Danyi, two black folders in her hands.

Her hair is tied at the base of her neck, with a couple of strands curled around her face, and her eyes flit over me, then move to the desk.

“Danyi, how are you?” I say.

She places the folders on the table and walks back out without giving me the time of the day.

I rush after her, still hoping that she might talk to me or want to eat lunch together. I feel quite lonely sometimes here, especially after coming from such a loud, energetic house. It’s a little different, but I guess I need to get used to it. After all, didn’t the first part of my life consist of me being alone in this big, dark world?

“Is it the printer again?”

I come to a halt when she suddenly turns around with a hand on her hip outside the office door.

“What?”

“The printer. Is it broken again?”

I shake my head, brows furrowed.

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