Chapter 1

Leaving home to start another work week, Rafaela Souza was surprised when her manager called her into the office to talk.

"Transfer?" she asked, still not understanding.

"That's right. The new director will need a secretary, and since you have many years of experience on your resume, we thought you would be the most suitable person for the job."

Rafaela couldn't believe the news she had just received from her superior. Working for the CEO's son, who had just been appointed director of the company, was not in her plans. Even though she didn't know the famous Ethan Smith, she had already heard many strange things about him, in addition to people saying that he was not an easy person to deal with.

"I'm sure you'll do well, especially knowing that your salary will increase."

"Really?" she asked excitedly, as she was interested as soon as she heard about money.

"That's right. Now go, your new boss is waiting for you. Tomorrow, there will be a reception to introduce him to all the employees, so he might need something."

"All right."

"Good luck," her superior wished her before leaving.

Taking the elevator and going up to the top floor, where the most important executives' offices were located, Rafaela went towards the new director's office, and before knocking on the door, the phone at what would be her new desk rang. Since that would be one of her new functions, she answered the phone.

"Hello?" she said when answering.

"So, you’ve already arrived," a male voice said on the other end of the line.

"Who am I speaking with?" she asked, confused.

"You don't know who you're speaking with?" The man laughed. "You're going to get fired on your first day," he said, becoming serious again.

"Mr. Ethan?" she asked with a trembling voice.

"Who else would it be?" he asked sarcastically. "You're late!"

"I'm sorry, sir. I just received the instructions about my new role a little while ago."

"What's your name?"

"My name is Rafaela Souza."

"Souza?" he asked, confused. "That's not a common last name."

"Actually, it's very common in my country."

"You're not from America?"

"Yes, but from South America." She rolled her eyes, remembering how Americans thought they were the exclusive owners of America. "I'm from Brazil."

"You're not suitable for the job," the man said.

"Because I'm from another country?" she asked, confused.

"No, of course not. I just don't like you." With that, Ethan hung up the phone, leaving her completely disconcerted.

Not understanding what had just happened, she returned to her superior's office and told her what had happened.

"I'm sorry, Rafaela, but you can't go back to your old position; there's already someone in your place," the woman said.

"What do you mean?" she asked in disbelief.

"You only have two options: either go back and try to convince Mr. Ethan to accept you, or you'll be fired."

Even though she said it was a terrible injustice, there was no other way. She had to return to the new director's office to try to keep her job. Feeling awkward, she knocked on the door until she heard Ethan say to come in.

Upon entering the room, she found the man sitting behind his large desk, but since his chair was turned away, she couldn't see his face.

"Sir, I believe there must have been a small misunderstanding. I can show you that I am qualified to perform my duties," she began to say.

"I didn’t say you weren’t qualified. I said I didn’t like you," he responded without turning around.

Thinking that was a stupid reason, she decided to continue. After all, she had bills to pay since she had financed the apartment she shared with her best friend, Kate. Finding another job would be difficult, and going back to Brazil was out of the question.

"I believe that if you get to know me better, you might reconsider and let me stay here."

"I don't want to," Ethan replied.

"But sir..." The fact that he was so rude and didn't even turn to talk to her was making her nervous.

"I'm thirsty," he said.

"What?" she asked, confused, since he had changed the subject so quickly.

"If you bring me an iced chocolate Mocha in less than 15 minutes, the job is yours."

That request seemed stupid, but since she needed the job, she decided to accept. It was just a matter of going to the coffee shop next to the company, and it would be all set.

"All right," she replied.

"One more thing," he said before she left. "I only drink Mocha from Starbucks ."

"But the nearest Starbucks is five blocks away," she said in disbelief.

"Then I suggest you hurry."

Not understanding what kind of absurd game her new boss was playing, Rafaela left in a hurry to do as he asked. She couldn’t give up without at least trying. As she ran, she cursed herself for wearing her new heels that day.

"This must be a bad joke," she muttered as she typed the order on her phone, thinking it would be easier to just pick it up when she arrived.

After picking up the order and returning to the company, she hurriedly took the elevator since she only had one minute left before her time was up. She knocked on Ethan's office door, and he ordered her to come in.

"Here is your order, sir," she said, placing the cup on the desk since he was still facing away.

"I'm not thirsty anymore," he replied.

"What do you mean?" she asked, outraged.

"But since you managed to meet the deadline I set, I'll let you stay," he added.

"Thank you," she said, even though she knew it was cruel of him. "Do you need anything else, sir?"

"There are some documents in those folders," he pointed to a shelf full of piled-up folders. "I need to review them, but they're all disorganized. I want you to organize them all in alphabetical order."

"All right."

"I expect you to finish all of this today. I want to start reviewing them first thing tomorrow morning," he said before she left his office.

"But there are so many; I might not be able to finish everything today."

"Make up the time with overtime," he responded.

She could have said no, but since she needed the job, she decided to agree with her boss.

"Of course, sir."

"One more thing: tomorrow, when you arrive, I want you to organize those books on my shelf," he pointed again to the shelf. "I hate disorganization, and they're ruining the atmosphere."

"Yes," she replied, rolling her eyes, taking advantage of the fact that he was turned away.

"Also, inform the cleaning staff not to use scented products in my office; I hate that smell."

"Is there anything else you need, sir?" she asked, hoping for a negative answer.

"Actually, there’s a list of things I don’t like, and I’d prefer you to know them already. As my new secretary, you need to be aware of everything and memorize them all."

"Of course, you can tell me what they are."

"Better yet, I'll make a list and give it to you before you leave. You can get back to work now."

She left there rolling her eyes, wondering how picky that man was. Besides giving many orders, he acted as if he were a king; he didn't even have the consideration to look at her face. Could she endure his behavior?

Without much time to think, she sat at her desk and called the cleaning service responsible for Ethan's office. After that, she started organizing the documents on her desk, page by page. It felt like it would take a lifetime. It was already past six o'clock when Ethan called her.

"I left a paper on my desk. Read it and memorize everything."

"All right." She hung up the phone and went to his office to get the paper. She saw it was a list of all the things her new boss didn't like.

Ethan had already left through his private door, which led to the executive hallway and elevator. Since the door was on the other side of his office, she didn't see him leave. With the paper in hand, she began to read her new boss's absurd list:

Things I can’t stand or am allergic to: Coffee with sugar.

"That explains why he seems so bitter," she said, smiling.

The list continued:

Things out of place, disorganization, chewing with your mouth open, loud talking, not knocking before entering, flowers, strong or sweet perfumes, teas, spicy food, side conversations during work hours, dogs and cats, employees with patterned clothing. TARDINESS

(Which he made sure to write in all caps.)

Being asked something twice, shaggy carpets, seafood, and children.

"My God, what kind of lunatic doesn’t like animals or children?" she wondered as she read through all that nonsense. "Where did I get myself into?"