Melissa got to work before seven in the morning. Antonio entered his office by seven fifteen, he met hot coffee on his desk. Files were arranged neatly on his table, he looks outside the office to see Melissa on her computer.
Melissa was busy writing something on her note pad. He came in by 7:15am, he took the coffee on his desk. He didn't reject it, he didn't like it either, so this is progress. He runs his hands across his hair when he's frustrated.
Later in the Afternoon Antonio left his office, he met Melissa in her office. "Follow me" Antonio said. Melissa followed him without saying a word.
She entered a car, she didn't bother to ask where they were heading to. They got to a fancy restaurant, Antonio sat Infront of a man, Melissa sat quietly beside Antonio.
"I'm happy you could make it Antonio" The man said but paused when he saw Melissa. "I didn't know you were coming with company" He said. "This is my assistant, I wouldn't want a strand of her hair to go missing Oscar" Antonio calmly said.
Oscar knew what that meant. "What would she like to have?" Oscar asked. "Purified orange juice" Antonio said with an eyebrow raised. "Very well" Oscar called over a waiter to place their order.
"Let's get straight to the point" Antonio said. "With her here?" Oscar asked. Antonio looks at Melissa then at Oscar. "Yes, I trust her" Antonio replied.
Oscar sat up straight adjusting his tie. "The next shipment would be here in two days but I have words that Don is planning to steal it" Oscar said. Antonio sat there in silence.
Melissa wondered what they were talking about. "Don has refused to die.... I'll inform Arturo to clean that mess up" Antonio said. Melissa sat still listening to Antonio talk about killing someone like he's discussing about the weather.
"The next shipment for cocoa is already in the warehouse as you requested" Oscar said. "Alright, Is Abuela aware?" Antonio asked. "Yes, she received it herself this morning"
The waiter brought their order. Melissa couldn't believe the rumors of Antonio is actually true, including Abuela. She knew Abuela isn't your typical grandma, she had that weird vibe.
Antonio glanced at Melissa but her face had no expression at all. Melissa sipped her tea, it tasted funny.
Antonio was about to take a sip but Melissa stopped him. "Wait" She said. Melissa took the cup from Antonio, she sniffed the cup. {As I suspected it's temazapem a strong sleeping pill}
"It has been drugged" Melissa calmly said. "What?" Oscar asked. "There's temazapem in your drink" Melissa said. "That's absurd, how can you suspect such a thing?" Oscar asked.
"It's most likely you asked the waiter to poison the drinks since you were the first one to arrive..... It is easy to detect temazapem because of the after taste. If you wanted to use it next time make sure you use it with something sweet" Melissa said.
"How did you know?" Oscar said. "I once worked as a pharmacist before, it's easy to identify drugs. The drugs would take effect in half an hour" Melissa said.
Melissa slides the cup towards Oscar. "Why don't you have a sip to prove me wrong" Melissa said. Oscar's hands trembled as he accepted the cup.
"I expected more from you. Wait for Arturo to come get you, if you leave you know he'll make the suffering unbearable" Antonio said. Melissa followed Antonio to the car, the ride to the office was silent.
"Why did you bring me? Aren't you scared that I'll go to the police and report everything I've seen and heard?" Melissa asked.
Antonio didn't flinch nor glance at her. "Because you wouldn't. If you had that in mind you could have allowed me to die but you saved me" Antonio said.
"It's my job as an assistant to keep you safe. What good would a dead boss be to me?" Melissa asked.
Antonio's lips twitched. "That aside, I don't do well with traitors. I trust you know I'm not someone you can mess with" Antonio said. "Why? Because you handle guns? I..." Melissa held her head.
"That was a test, wasn't it? The drug?..." Melissa asked. Antonio looked at her like she was a puzzle he couldn't solve . "I knew it.. you knew there was something... Bloody hell" Melissa said.
Antonio focused on his iPad, the car came to a sudden stop causing Melissa to hit her head against the window. "What is wrong?" Antonio asked pissed.
"We're been followed" The driver said. Antonio looked behind, he saw three black vehicles behind them. "Get us out of here" Antonio said. "Wh... What is going on?" Melissa asked panicked.
"Stay down" Antonio said to her. The window shattered from behind, the enemies were shooting at them. Melissa's heartbeat slowed down in fear.
She remembered how some of her friends were killed by enemies. Antonio noticed Melissa trembling with her hands on her ears.
"Melissa!!" Antonio called out but she didn't respond. Antonio was shot in the arm. Antonio pulls Melissa into a hug shielding her.
The driver drove to a secluded place. Antonio called Melissa but she didn't respond. "Melissa look at me" Antonio said. Melissa couldn't stop shaking. She remembered how her grandfather was shot right Infront of her.
"Are you alright?" Antonio asked again. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Melissa slowly opened the door and walked outside.
Antonio was confused but he joined her anyway. Melissa sat on the ground staring into the distance. Antonio crotched down beside her.
"Your..... F... Friends?" Melissa managed to ask as she sat on the ground. "Enemies" Antonio corrected. "I see"
Antonio hands her a bottle of water. "How are you feeling?" He asked. Melissa took a sip from the water, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"....fine" She replied. Melissa sighs in exhaustion. "Why did you drag me into this? Why drag me into your mess?" Melissa asked. "I didn't know they would attack suddenly"
"Now I'm tied to this somehow. Just my luck" Melissa said. "What happened to you back there?" Antonio asked. "Nothing" She blurted out. Antonio arched an eyebrow.
"If it's that terrifying then I suggest you go for therapy, I'll pay" Antonio said. Melissa scoffs. "I'm not broken so I don't need fixing. I'll handle my shit myself" Melissa said but she quickly realized she sounded harsh than she intended it to be.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean it that way. I am just overwhelmed.... I was almost killed" Melissa said. "It's quite unfortunate that you can't quit your job. Words do spread fast in my world and very soon you'll be hunted by my rivals"
"I didn't ask for this. I already have a lot on my plate, surviving is barely possible, now this... I can't believe this" Melissa whispered. "I will have my people follow you in the shadows for protection" Antonio said.
"My friends would be in danger because of me. I don't know why a accepted this job" Melissa said. Antonio sat beside her, he lets out an exhausted sigh. "I would protect you and your friends if that would make you happy"
Melissa smiled to herself. Somehow she has finally found the protection she so desperately need for her and her friends. "Thank you" Melissa said.
"Do you regret coming back to my company?" Melissa was shocked by the sudden question.
"Honestly when Abuela offered me the job I had no idea it was you. I just assumed it was some spoiled rich kid I'll have to put up with for at least a month or two"
"If you regretted it that much then why didn't you quit?" Antonio asked. "I never said I regretted it, at first it felt awkward but now I'm getting use to it. Use to you and this new world of yours I just experienced" Melissa said.
"Now that you've witnessed it do you have second thoughts?" Antonio asked again.
"No, if anything I feel intrigued by everything. I'm shaken that's for sure but I'm fascinated, besides you promised to protect me and my friends so I'm totally cool with this. But next time give me heads up before your enemies attack again, we wouldn't want me to blackout like earlier"
Antonio chuckled, his voice was deep and unguarded. That made Melissa's heart do a weird flip. "How about we return to the office?" Melissa asked trying to push the thoughts away.
"Melissa...." Antonio called, she answered calmly. "I trust you that's why I brought you here" Antonio said. "Why? I'm just a nobody"
"You save me twice..." Melissa cuts him off. "The second time was staged" She said. "Sure, that's true. I see you as a person I can trust, with my life and world. I know this is sudden but I would like to keep you by my side" Antonio said. Melissa smiles.
"I'm your assistant sir, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon" Melissa said. "You better not"