CHAPTER FIVE

Sydney led to me to a formal dining room. It was magnificent, in the centre was a table that was glass from what I could tell and it was as dark as the night with a bright chandelier above it. I was dumbstruck, was every inch of this mansion this perfect? My eyes met two familiar grey eyes that were intensely fixated on me at the end of the table. It was the grey eyed man I'd met in the café. Mateo Ventura.

"Thank you Sydney." His voice resonated in the room.

Sydney gave a slight nod and left. I just stood there while he looked at me. It was the scene in the café all over again, he wasn't smiling and was in a casual dark T-Shirt, revealing his glorious muscles. Honestly I have never been a fan of buff guys but here this man was, not too big, not too small just perfect.

"Aren't you going to sit?" He asked, his voice was calm, I couldn't detect any tone so I slowly sat on the other end.

" Why didn't you wear any of the dresses they picked out for you?"

"I'm not your Barbie doll." I snapped, I stared at him expecting an outburst or him kicking me out or something but he just smirked.

The door opened and Sydney came in, he placed a plate of food In front of me, T bone steak, Would it be wrong if I called for that cheeseburger now? He placed a plate in front of grey eyes then left.

"Why are you here?"

"I want a job. I need money really urgently-"

"For your guardian who's in a coma as we speak."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. He knew everything, this guy had been stalking me, out of nowhere this growing fear started shredding my insides till the appetite I had completely disappeared.

"Isn't that right?"

I nodded. He noticed that he had shaken my composure so he smiled.

"Let's make a deal then, you work for me and you won't have to worry about that anymore. I will pay for the bills till she recovers."

"Deal." I didn't hesitate. For Jane I'd do anything.

"You haven't heard the terms and conditions."

"What are they?"

He picked up his fork and knife and cut his steak before eating it. The silence was going to be the end of me, so dramatic.

"Your going to be my personal assistant. Help me around my office, do some simple tasks. You will always have to be available and you'll only have one day off each month."

Well I guess Charlotte was wrong. As long as I'm not screwing him, It's fine.

"Deal."

"Eat and go rest, that's an order."

"Okay grey ey-... I mean sir."

We ate in silence and after I was done , Sydney came to escort me to my room.

Once he had left, I sighed. That was a really nerve racking experience, All of this was. My phone vibrated on the bed and I picked it up. Charlotte was calling, I hesitated but answered anyway.

"Hello."

"Where the fuck are you?! Do you know how worried we are?! What were you thinking running away talking bout some I can take care of myself, get the fuck back here now!!"

"Charlotte calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down, mum is super worried."

" I found a job. I can't leave."

"What? How?"

" I'm a personal assistant."

" You called him didn't you?!"

" I had no choice Char"

"Oh Sandra has to hear this."

There was a slight beep as Charlotte added Sandra to the call.

"Fernanda, the hell, I heard you were missing you had me so worried." Sandra said on the other line.

" She called him!"

" Him?...Oh Mateo?!"

"Apparently she's his personal assistant now."

" Oh my... Fernanda, wow you really couldn't resist him could you?"

"It's not that." I protested. " I need the money guys, anyway it's getting late, Char tell your mum I'm fine and I got a job in Miami."

" You're in freaking Miami!!"

"Okay good night."

I quickly cut the call. I was in no mood to be lectured, I had already made my decision and got the job and now Jane was going to be alright, that's all that mattered. I slipped into the warm soft covers and it didn't take me long to drift to sleep.

It was early morning when my eyes flew open. It took my mind a few seconds to remember where I was and I slipped out of the covers to open the windows. The window seat was perfect, I could already see myself just sitting there and writing while I faced the sunset but then again I didn't know if grey eyes would give me the time to do that. There was a slight knock on the door.

"Yes, come in." I called out. The door slightly opened and a girl wearing a maids uniform entered. She was extremely pretty with beautiful dark hair that was tied up in a perfect bun. Her face looked almost kid like with a delicate nose and dark eyes. She had a petite frame and was slightly shorter than I was. She opened the door wider and pushed in a cart that looked like it had breakfast on it.

"Breakfast." She smiled setting it on the table. "You can start getting ready and I'll clean up."

"Ready for?..."

"You are Mr Ventura's new assistant aren't you?"

"Oh right."

It had completely slipped my mind that I'd have to go to grey eyes office with him. I went to the bathroom and took a short shower and came out. I couldn't wear the clothes I put on yesterday, I had no choice but to wear what they supposedly "picked out" for me. I opened the closet and just stood there staring at them, unable to make a decision. Good grief, couldn't sweatpants be part of office wear.

"What's wrong?" The girl asked as she made my bed, she had noticed that I had been standing there for a while.

" Oh nothing." I smiled sheepishly. " Ugh...who am I kidding? I don't know what to wear."

" You want me to help you?"

" Sure knock yourself out."

She gave a small excited squeal before happily walking over to the closet. I left it to her and sat on the bed. There was something about the way she looked as she went through the clothes, there was a glow in her eyes, the same glow I'd get when I write my poems. I stared at her as she inspected the closet from top to bottom and after a while she came over to the bed and handed me a purple blouse, black skirt and black heels.

"Here go try these on." She smiled and excitedly pushed me to the bathroom. I went in and changed, I stared at myself in the mirror and I had to admit I looked really good. The skirt was kind of short but really hugged my body in a very attractive way. I dreaded heels but lucky for me, Charlotte had always forced me to put on heels to a point where I was at least comfortable and able to walk in them. But still, I'd choose sneakers over heels anyday.

"Oh wow, you look.... Beautiful." Were the words she said as soon as she saw me. She fixed a part of the blouse that wasn't fully tucked in the skirt.

"You're really good at this." I complimented.

" Huh well.. it's kind of my passion. Come on, come sit at the dressing table and let me fix your hair."

I sat down and she picked up a comb.

" You know, you're way nicer than the others." She smiled.

"Huh?"

" Nevermind. Can I ask you something?"

" Sure."

" How's Mr Ventura like?"

" Oh, we haven't known each other for long but it seems he's, how can I put this? A cold guy."

"Hm, well why did you agree to be his assistant?"

"I really need the money."

"Don't we all." She chuckled. "I'm currently working as one of his maids to pay for my tuition. My parents always wanted me to be a doctor but I never wanted that, I always wanted to be a fashion designer. I applied for med school just to please them but the longer I was there, the more I knew that if I continued, I'd be miserable for the rest of my life. So I dropped out and cut my parents off, I know they only wish the best for me but... They wouldn't understand. Now I work here through the day and during the night I'm currently studying a fashion design course. I'm this close to fulfilling my dream and becoming a world known fashion designer"

" That is so great! I know you'll make it."

" Aw thank you.. and I'm done with your hair."

I smiled in the mirror, this girl really knew her stuff. She had tried my hair into the most perfect bun I had ever seen. Letting a few strand lose at the sides of my face.

" Thank you so much...uhh."

" It's Claire."

"I'm Maria Fernanda but you can just call me Fernanda."

" Well it was my pleasure Fernanda." She glanced at the clock and her eyes widened.

" Shit ...shit shit. You're going to be late Fernanda. There's no time for breakfast, hurry."

She pushed me towards the door and practically kicked me out of the room.

" Hurry! He might leave without you."

I walked briskly trying to navigate and recall where the front door could be when I bumped into Sydney.

" Good morning miss."

" Good morning Sydney."

" Master Ventura has sent me to fetch you, you are running late."

" Thank you, take me to him."

He led me to the front of the mansion and I was quite confident that I had now memorized the way, from the front door to my room. There was a lavish dark sports car on the front and I saw Grey eyes in the front seat waiting impatiently. Sydney opened the door for me and Grey eyes gave me a cold glance.

" Another minute and you'd have walked."

" Sorry."

" What happened to not being " my Barbie doll"." He smirked as he looked me over from head to toe. I blushed violently and just stared out the window. This was my first day as his personal assistant, I wondered how everything was going to turn out.