Oh my god.
Eyes bulging out of my head, I mutter a quick sorry. As I meet Nieves’s eyes, I give her a“mantenlo ocupado mientras no estoy”stare.
I jog up the stairs and hear a deep chuckle release from his lips as I turn the corner rushing to my room. Opening the door and closing it behind me I take a deep breath. I cannot believe I just met my future boss while wearing a “fuck off” sweatshirt and some fuzzy socks.
Walking towards my closet, I slide open the black and gray ombre glass doors. Finally deciding on a pair of black washed-out mom jeans and a leather crop top, I slip them on. Striding towards my vanity mirror, I just stare at my reflection. The man who could quite literally determine my contract saw me like this. My hair in a messy bun and my face has a pillow indent displayed across my cheek.
Holy shit! How did I not check myself in the mirror before I went downstairs!
Well, because no one told you that your boss was coming over, and it’s just your luck that on the day you meet him you have the best sleep of your life since the start of the 2020 season. A groan leaves my lips as I attempt to fix my complexion.
Personal Reminder:Make sure to tell Nieves to inform you if you look like death before meeting absolutely anyone at the front door.
Taking a makeup wipe, I quickly wipe off all the residue on my face. Grabbing the hair tie and yanking it out of my curls, I grab a brush off the counter. Vigorously bringing the brush down my hair, I yank as fast as possible. I don’t remember my curls being this knotted. I turn on the sink and let the water fall onto my hands, rubbing both together as I let the water transfer from one hand to the other.
Sweeping my hands through my hair, I let the dampness of the water soak up. Scrunching up my curls as I look in the mirror.
I apply a little bit of concealer, mascara, and lip gloss to try to look more professional.
Like that’s going to help, I already fucked my first impression up.
Reaching for my jewelry box, I grab a silver chain necklace, some hoop earrings, and a few rings. Gliding the rings onto my fingers, I walk towards my perfume display. I have a thing for men’s cologne, I don’t know why but they just smell better. My hands go for the black square bottle that I always use, Bleu De Chanel for men. It’s one of my favorites. My brother thinks I’m weird for using cologne, but I don’t care.
At least I smell good, that’s all that matters. When I finally look somewhat persentable, I grab my phone and look at the time.
Good, I’ve only been up here for ten minutes.
Making my way down the stairs, I count each step. Dreading coming face to face with him again, especially considering the circumstances that happened just ten minutes ago.
My feet meet the final step and I groan internally.
I walk towards the dining room where my black square marble table sits. I see him sitting in one of the black quilted seats that are spread around the table. I also had this seating arrangement custom made by a local granite shop because I wanted it to sit all my family at once. All my decor and seating arrangements are Mexican made.
He’s holding a black Talavera mug in his hand, it’s from my favorite set that I bought in the outer regions close to El Zocalo.
I would have never considered him to be a coffee kind of guy.
He’s looking at the big floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the skyline of Mexico City. This specific window has a balcony, my favorite view from my apartment.
“The skyline is one of my favorite things about my home.” He turns around and looks at me.
“Nothing I haven’t seen before,” he says arrogantly.
Hunch confirmed, we definitely don’t like this guy.
I grimace at him. “Then what would you say is better?” I challenge him, taking a seat on the other side of the table.
He smirks. “It depends on what you’re looking for. All cities have the same boring skylines filled with the ideals of people who don’t want responsibility. Cities don’t have anything unique about them, they’re just a bunch of flashing lights. But I would argue that my city is the best. Not only is it the ruins of an empire so big it took over a large area of the world in its time period. But it is also the mecca for intense people filled with life.”
“I’m guessing you’re talking about the Roman Empire?”
“Of course I am.” His pride is dripping off his exterior
Not that it’s a bad thing, but I don’t like arrogance and this man is the exact definition of it.
“Rome is absolutely incredible and unique, so in that sense, I agree with you. Ardent people grace every part of the world, fully embracing their own passions. Mexico City is one of those places. Food that is world renowned, people who are known for their kindness and service towards others. This city was built on the soil of one of the most intricate civilizations known to man. It is a mix of culture and modernism that combines two opposite cultures into one.”
“I wasn’t talking about Rome; I’m talking about Florence. And Mexico was built off of the enslavement of Aztecans,” he challenges.