Forbidden Deception (Deception)

5

E ven after a couple weeks of working for Rafael, I have nothing. I looked through his whole office, flipped it upside down, looked at everything on his computer when he once left it open, and still nothing.

I don’t have time to waste. I need to dig deeper. I also need to prove to Remo that I can do this and I am fine on my own.

Only, this city brings back memories of parts of my life that I never want to revisit. I will have to conquer my demons for them to leave me alone.

I figured out where my boarding school was. Right outside of the city of Edinburgh, miles away from civilization.

“How does he not have not a single document about it?” Remo’s voice fills my bedroom while I pick out outfits for the coming week.

“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 small bookshop 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.

“Then what is it this time?” Her hostile tone makes me blink. Why is she acting this way towards me when I never did anything to her?

I open my mouth, but then shut it.

“That’s not why I called you.” I force my cheeks to lift, a little bruise forming on my heart. I look away, then say quietly, “It’s nothing.”

She sighs at my words, then looks away. Her jaw tics, and when she looks at me again, she shakes her head once more and walks away, leaving me standing here on the floor all alone again. I watch her walk away, and get into the elevator. Even minutes after she has left, I am still standing there.

Why do I feel so damned left out?

It shouldn’t feel this bad, nor should it pinch my heart in pain. I am used to it. I have lived like this before. So… why?

Taking a deep breath, I turn around and head to my office.

It’s okay. I’m not here to form friendships or any kind of bonds with anyone. I will try to become friends with Rafael. He needs to trust me. That’s it. Nothing more needs to come of it.

An email pings on my screen. I sit upright.

Print and deliver these files to the receptionist.

*Document attached

I shake my head at the direct email. There is no hi, no hello, no thank you or please. I print off the forms and place them in a folder, grab my phone, and I am ready to head downstairs. That alone feels like the biggest adventure of my day.

Knocking steals my attention away from my computer.

A man stands at my door with a mischievous smile on his face. He looks like he’s my age. Something about him looks eerily familiar.

“Can I come in?”

I stand up and nod.

“How can I help you?”

“Whoa, the office looks different from the last time I saw it.” He looks around, apparently fascinated by me moving the desk.

“If we are talking about my amazing interior designing skills that include simply moving my desk, then yes, it looks better than before.” I jut my chin out, crossing my arms.

A laugh spills out of the man. He moves closer, and I just can’t pinpoint what is it about him that is just so—

“Are you, by any chance, related to Mr Gustav?” Remo did tell me he has three brothers. He even gave me pictures of them, which I clearly didn’t look at. When I get home, I need to check out the rest of the brothers.

“Eh, I don’t love people knowing this, but I’ll tell you.” He leans closer to me, as if revealing a secret, and that’s when I notice the colour of his eyes and it’s confirmed.

“He’s my adopted brother.”

I blink, biting my lip to stop the laugh from spilling out. He looks so serious too.

“Right… and I’m a carrot,” I say with a deadpan face.

Two seconds go by of us looking into each other’s eyes until I no longer can hold it in. I burst out laughing, and he joins me, his head thrown back as a wide grin takes over his face.

“You think I wouldn’t recognise someone from Mr Gustav’s family? Good job trying to fool me, but it won’t work.” I wave a dismissive hand.

“Okay, fine, you got me, but technically, I didn’t lie.” He raises his hands in surrender. “I wanted to ask about Rafael’s schedule, because I know he is lying when he says he doesn’t have time for family dinner.” He looks at the black glass wall facing my desk as if he can see Rafael on the other side. He turns to me and smiles. This smile holds assurance of some kind.

“Eiran,” he nods at the desk.

“Give me a minute.” I pull it up and share it with Eiran via email. While I may not know much about them, I am aware of everyone’s ages, names, professions, and basic details in the Gustav family.

“I think you might get this a lot, but you and your brothers look so much like each other, it’s crazy.”

Eiran walks over to me and looks at my screen, leaning down to focus.

The door bursts open, and there stands Rafael, looking far more pissed than I have ever seen him so far. There is something about Rafael that just makes me nervous, like a schoolgirl with her first crush. Maybe he is my first crush. Back in London, I didn’t truly pay attention to any man, nor did they ever catch my attention like the way Rafael does.

His presence alone makes me feel hot and bothered, like I will truly combust if he were to finally touch me with desire.

But that’s an impossible dream.

“Eiran. My office,” he grits out, his jaw ticking, though his body looks so relaxed you could almost mistake him for not caring.

I don’t think he likes his brothers around me. They are nicer than he is, at least, but he clearly hates them being around me. Maybe he thinks poorly of me or that it’s unprofessional of me to interact with them, but I never gave him the impression of ever crossing boundaries like that.

I may be outspoken, but I’m not one to disrespect someone’s boundaries.

“Rafael, I was just asking Venezia here to show me your schedule because you are ignoring my messages. You know you will need to be there for the dinner Dad is hosting at the end of this month, right?” Eiran straightens but doesn’t move from his spot.

“I fucking know. Let’s discuss it in my office.” Then he turns and leaves, silently commanding Eiran to join him.

Eiran looks down at me with a calm smile, unlike his older brother, and nods at me.

“Well, seems like I got his attention. My job is done.” He salutes me, then walks out.

A second later, he pops his head back in.

“Don’t mind his attitude. He feels protective about everything around him.”

I nod weakly at him.

He’s right. Rafael doesn’t want me around anything personal to him. It makes sense, but it still stings to know he doesn’t trust me enough.

“I didn’t ask for this.”

I place the coffee on the table. It’s past office hours, and Rafael is still working. I’m not only keeping him company but also giving him pointers on current projects and looking at financial reports from the hotels he owns.

“I thought you might like it. You look a little tired.”

Rafael lets go of his pen and sits back, looking right at me.

“Venezia Campbell.”

I smile weakly. “Yes?” It has been a long, long day today.

“You do know that you are here as a personal assistant, right?” He looks like he doesn’t believe I want to keep this job, but he is out of his mind if he thinks I will jeopardise this.

I nod carefully, eyeing him. “Yes.”

“Then why are you acting like this?” He points to the coffee, his tone turning aggressive. “Why are you bothering me with random stuff when I have given you perfect tasks to keep you busy for the next three days? I have work to do, as do you. This company doesn’t run smoothly because I slack off. It thrives because I work hard, and I want to be able to work without anyone disturbing me. So do me a favour. Stop coming into my office unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

But what else will I do during my time here?

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

“When it comes to you being my boss, I’ve never intentionally crossed a line to make you feel uncomfortable in my presence, and second, I am your personal assistant. So providing you with what you need is literally my job. Thirdly, please stop making me go through complicated financial spreadsheets for your international sites, as if I won't understand my responsibilities and end up making mistakes. I won’t. I’m fully trained and capable of doing everything required for this role. Even if you want me to take a course on AI technology because of your subsidiary in it, I am here to do my job and I will do it. You need to take me to construction viewings, your meetings, and allow me to work beside you, not against you.” My chest constricts.

For the past couple of months, Rafael has taunted me and pushed me.

Why is he still expecting me to back down? To fail?

“So, Mr Gustav, stop pushing me into a corner and let me do my job. It’s been three months, and I will not have you do this to me when all I came here to do is my job, not sit around waiting for you to realise I truly am trustworthy.”

Not only has he been testing me like this, he has also tried to find small reasons to fire me when giving me work. He didn’t fire me after a month, but he is trying his best to get me to leave or mess up.

I release a long breath, preparing to be let go. Rafael has been getting on my nerves, but I have tried to keep myself from lashing out since I am bound by duty, bound by my responsibilities and my loyalties. So I fucking keep it all in. But to have someone disrespect me, to have him distrust me when I haven’t done anything… It feels awful.

“Not like you need to hear this from me, but this investment property isn’t a good choice. You know it as well as I do. So stop directing your anger at me and focus on declining the proposal; instead, pick Mr Anderson’s mall acquisition.”

Rafael seems to not be impacted by my speech. He didn’t move a single muscle. He uncrosses his arms and and goes back to reading the papers in front of him.

I open my mouth, but he raises his hand, eyes on his desktop.

I walk out, giving him the ‘space’ he wants, and head straight home.

Fine. So be it.

“Grab your bag.” It’s the first thing Rafael says the next morning.

I don’t let no emotion show. Despite the command being a small victory, it doesn’t feel like one. I’m sick of his attitude. It’s been going on for far too long. I don’t care.

“I’ll be back.” I grab my bag and keys, only to see Rafael walking towards the elevator.

I run and dart inside just in time for the elevator doors to close.

Rafael stands tall and broad. He takes up quite a lot of space in the elevator, especially with the muscles he has. The suit just about hides them, but they are still noticeable.

His legs are crossed at the ankle, a hand in his trouser pocket and the other holding his phone.

The silence between us is eating away at me. Did I speak too much and fuck up?

It hurts to have him push me aside when I’ve tried for so long to prove I am trustworthy. His dismissal stings a little, but I knew I was signing up for this stubbornness, this ruthlessness. The fact that Rafael could ruin me if he wanted to makes it worse. Who knows what sins he could dig up on me and shove them in my face?

“I declined the investment offer,” Rafael mutters, looking straight ahead.

“Good.” I cross my arms and keep my gaze forward, though my eyes betray me and find his in the mirrored doors of the elevator.

“You’re far too straightforward with your emotions,” he comments, pocketing his phone.

His eyes force me to still under their intensity. My own heart slowing down in case it beats just a little louder and he may snap when he hears it even if it’s not humanly possible.

I wish I could say I hate Rafael, but hate is a strong word. Despite all my conflicting feelings toward Rafael, hate isn’t one of them. In fact, I admire his work ethic, his relationships, his professionalism, and his authoritative presence. Everything about him screams money, power, and confidence.

Working for a man who is far older than me constantly reminds me of how young I am, how bubbly and open I feel about my newly given freedom. He has probably seen a lot and been through hardships that have shaped him into the man he is now. Rafael has no doubt encountered people who want to take advantage of him, and I feel a twinge of guilt that I’m one of those people. I need him to trust me, and what better way than to become friends? To show I care about him?

Sitting at the top is probably lonely, so I need to be that helping hand for Rafael. I need him to see my true potential.

When we arrive at the construction site, Rafael looks ready to fire some people.

Oh, this is going to be fun.