Chapter 19

— Nina, is everything okay? — says Richard, appearing. Samuel looks at him with superiority and walks, moving away from Nina.

As soon as he disappears from their field of vision, Richard asks:

— Nina, was something going on between you two? I heard her voice from reception and she sounded very angry.

Nina breathes out and ends up saying:

— It's okay, it was nothing. Do not worry.

She thought that her story with Samuel was gaining notoriety that she didn't want it to have. I wouldn't want people to point her out as some kind of home wrecker because she was involved with a married man in the past.

They went to the reception where they could talk. Richard showed her a little of his routine, after Nina asked him politely. She understood that her work could be reconciled with Richard's and thus, she could be more efficient in her work.

After a while, Dominique went out for lunch and then Richard invited Nina to go with him.

— Now is the good time, Nina! We'll be able to gossip and relax a little. — he says smiling and Nina tells him:

— Oh, wait here! I brought you something!

She runs to Dominique's office and grabs another thermal bag from her bag and runs to reception. Nina places the package on the counter, opens it and takes out two airtight containers, saying:

— I wanted to thank you for paying for my lunch yesterday and I asked my mom to prepare something really tasty for you.

She hands Richard the jar, who looks at it curiously.

— Where can we go to eat? Is there some kind of cafeteria here?

— Oh, well… no. Generally everyone eats in the building's restaurant. But… — Richard looks into space thoughtfully and then adds — We can go eat in your living room.

— In my room? — Nina frowns, trying to understand what Richard said, until now she didn't have a room.

— Yes, you have one. I'm going to block the elevators so no one can go up here and then I'll take you there.

Richard takes Nina to a door, which was located close to the door that led to Dominique's room.

They enter and she looks around, it was a small room, with a table, some shelves and it had the same view as Dominique's room, except it was much smaller.

Richard sat down immediately and removed the lid from the jar.

— Wow, what a good smell! — he exclaims and doesn't hesitate to take a bite of the pasta and put a large amount in his mouth and chew — And the flavor is also very good! Your mother cooks very well!

Nina smiles, stopping to observe her surroundings and sits down facing Richard and also starts to eat.

— You know, this is my comfort food, when I remember coming home from school for lunch and smelling the delicious smell of my mother's sauce spreading throughout the house.

— This smell is really wonderful.

— My mother is of Italian descent and she cooks wonderful pasta. When everything goes back to normal, I will take you to lunch at my house on a Sunday.

— Will everything go back to normal? Are things not going well for you?

Nina lowers her head, stops chewing, swallows the food at once and then says, forcing a smile:

— Things are getting better.

Richard looks a little thoughtful and then says:

— It's hard to think that someone as smiling as you could be going through any difficulties.

— You know Richard, I learned something from life, when we let sadness take over, things only get worse. I'm not perfect and I can't say I'm happy, but being sad and crying won't make anything better. Smiling people are not always the happiest, and those who do not go through any difficulties in life are sometimes people trying to hold on to the last thread of hope.

Richard smiles and lightly squeezes Nina's hand, then says:

— Most of the time things are like that, anyway.

— Richard, do you have a family? — Nina asks and Richard looks away, then says:

— Yes, but… they are far away.

— Are you alone? Do you have anyone or friends?

He lowers his gaze and says:

— No, I'm alone...

Nina shakes his hand and then says:

— Not anymore. I'm going to be your friend.

— How do you decide to be friends with someone you barely know?

— You are kind and helped me on the first day. I became fond of you, the rest doesn't matter, it only matters that you are good.

— It's okay, Nina! I also want to be your friend.

— Excellent! So from now on, don't let Samuel come in here, okay?!

— I can't believe you're trying to manipulate me into avoiding Samuel? — Richard says, astonished.

Nina smiles, shrugs and replies:

— Friends help each other, Richard! And you have to stay by my side. Stop Samuel if he comes here!

— What did this Samuel do to you, huh?

— I do not like him. He has already done bad things to me and because of him, I ended up in a much worse situation. Look, don't believe the political advertisements that show him kissing babies. He's not a good person.

— Aren't you going to tell me what he did? 

— Maybe in the future, Richard. Believe me, knowing these things can put you in trouble along with me… anyway, shall we change the subject? Who was Dominique's old secretary?

— Ok… — Richard decides not to ask any more questions and decides to agree to change the focus of the conversation. — The old secretary was very different from you.

— How different?

— She was much older, perhaps the same age as General Patel.

— Serious?! I thought she was pretty, you know? Like the rich men's secretaries that appear in films.

— Dominique always avoided having young women working with him. The only young women he ever saw at his side were his girlfriends. I think there were two, do you know that presenter from Channel 7? The one who gives fashion tips?

— That super beautiful one?

— Yes! She was once a girlfriend of Dominique. They were only together for a few months and she was completely unknown and after they broke up, her career took off.

— He must have helped her.

— Just by being seen next to Dominique you already gain notoriety, Nina. Just imagine, walking around next to a handsome, rich man, wearing designer clothes and wearing diamond jewelry, lots of diamonds!

— It must be cool… — Nina says, without interest. These things does not dazzle her.

— Be careful if he gives you a diamond.

— Why would he give me a diamond? — she asks, looking confused.

— Because ‌the only young women who appeared next to him were his girlfriends. And you are young and very pretty, I think you are prettier than the other girlfriends. I see how he doesn't really know how to act when you're around. And not to mention, he decided to put you right in his living room, on a table facing him… he definitely wants to admire you all day.

— What? No, no… you are mistaken. — Nina smiles and shakes her head no. — He must have put me in his office because he doesn't trust me yet.

— I don't know Mr. Dominique will notice his uncertainty in your presence. to hide his interest. You should pay attention to the signs. Have you ever thought that Dominique could solve your problems?