rather, in this world, isn't that right, daughter? - Yes, dad. - I've even lost my appetite. My father is wonderful, he's always been loving and affectionate with me. He's never been an absent father in my life, even though his professional life is very busy. His only flaw is this: he always expects too much from me, he expects me to always be perfect in everything, and to please him, I do everything I can to be the perfect daughter he molded. ARTHUR CAVENDISH Another boring Monday at work and today couldn't be worse.

I'm going to have to take a good part of my time to interview three potential new secretaries. I'm pissed off that I've had to do this five times this year alone, all because of Hunter, my best friend and vice-president of Cavendish, the name of my company that bears my surname. This son of a bitch slept with my secretaries and, after deceiving them, simply dumped them; obviously they went crazy and furious with him, which resulted in the poor quality of their work and their respective dismissals. Honestly, I urgently need to have a serious talk with this bastard. Unlike him, I keep my professional and personal lives separate, and for this to work I have made it my mission to never sleep with the women in the company. Even if I'm in need, I know that this will never happen. I admit that I'm a bit conceited, but I know that I can have what I want. I'm one of the most renowned lawyers in the country and I have the best law firm that is gaining a lot of recognition even outside of Canada. I'm proud of the thirty-seven-year-old man that I've become. I built my own empire by becoming independent from my father, who only knew how to complain about everything I did and who even forced me to marry a woman he didn't love when I had barely finished college. I

love him, but at that time he was a very absent and strict father. It was only after he and my mother divorced and my sister and I moved away from him that he realized the stupid things he had done. Nowadays, Auro does everything he can to make up for his mistakes with our family, especially with my mother, who he still loves very much. I come out of my reverie when I hear someone knocking on the door and I let them in. "Sir, here are the resumes of the selected candidates." Helena says and places the three dark folders on the table. "Okay; Please tell Hunter to come to my office in three hours. I want to have another talk with him. - Yes, sir, and if you'll allow me, I've already warned him about the women in the company, but he's simply adamant. I've been his secretary for eight years and I've become very good friends with Hunter too; before, he listened to my advice, but now... - Hunter is a lost cause, Helena. Although he's a great professional, he still has no limits with women; I'm surprised he hasn't tried anything with you. - She laughs.

- Believe me, he tried, but I knew how to put him in his place and he never bothered me again. - I hope it will be different this time. - Yes, sir. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to check his schedule. - Sure, you can go, and thank you. - Oh, before I forget. Your ex-wife called and said she'll be coming to the company on Thursday, she told me not to schedule anything at three in the afternoon. - I roll my eyes just thinking about it. The hell of my life! - Another one who won't leave me alone - I murmur. - If I may say so, she's unbearable. I don't know how you stayed married to her for eleven years! - Even today, after five years of divorce, I still wonder about that. - But deep down I know why I still put up with her. She's my sentence. - Well, I'm going. Don't forget that the candidates will be arriving soon. - I nod in agreement and she quickly leaves. Receiving news that Agnes will be here on Thursday makes me even more pissed off. I'm going to have to hold myself back from wanting to strangle her. She always got on my nerves and after we separated it only got worse. Without a doubt, my ex-wife is a burden in my life that, unfortunately, will always prevail. ELISABETH BERTOLAZZO I stop in front of the large building and am surprised by how big and beautiful it is; God willing, this is where I'll work. It's all mirrored in dark and brown tones. The huge Cavendish name shines brightly right at the entrance to the main door; it must be made of silver or something similar. I

notice a frantic coming and going of people dressed elegantly, which makes me wonder for a moment what I'm wearing. I'm not a fashion expert and generally everyone knows about Renner Bertolazzo's prodigy daughter, but I rarely appear in the media. I avoid it as much as I can, so I usually go unnoticed on the street and, for a few moments, I can be a normal woman. I think they must expect an elegant and refined woman when they talk about Elisabeth Bertolazzo, poor things. - Miss Bertolazzo, here's your bag. - Sean, my driver, murmurs as he hands it to me. He's about my father's age, tall, with slightly gray hair and has been married to Edna for fifteen years. - Thank you, Sean, and please call me Elisa. - He gives me an awkward smile. - Sorry, force of habit. - Okay. - What time should I come pick you up? - You don't have to. - But how can you... - I'll take a taxi. - His eyes widen. - But Elisa, your father gave me orders to... - I know, but he's not here and he doesn't need to know. - I wanted to take public transportation at least once. I've never been on a regular plane, not even a normal plane, because my father has his own. - You know this is a bad idea, don't you? - It's an excellent idea. - If he finds out, I'll blame you all. - Feel free to go now and relax, I'll be fine. -

I give him a quick hug and then turn around so I can enter the company. I look around and am surprised at how beautiful things are here, the windows are huge, making the room brighter, and the walls go from black to grayish. Different from the facade on the outside. I walk to the reception and the receptionist looks me up and down. - Can I help you? - she asks politely. - Well, I came for a job interview, I'm one of the three selected. - She looks away and starts to use the computer. - Okay, your name? - Elisabeth Bertolazzo. - She looks at me with a raised eyebrow. - What did you say? - Elisabeth Bertolazzo. - The receptionist gives a brief laugh. - Okay girl, get out of here. - I look at her in surprise. - What? - That's what you heard, get out of here. - Irritated by the situation, I say: - You're paid to treat people like this... Shirley? - I read her name on her badge. - Not people like you. - Like me? - Yes. - You don't believe I'm Elisabeth Bertolazzo, do you? - Of course not. - Damn! That's all I needed. - Well, if I show you my ID, will you let