The rumors started.

“The new assistant.”
“Always by his side.”

One night I exploded.

“I don’t want them to think I’m here because he rescued me.”

He stared at me

—I hired you because you’re exceptional. The rest is just other people’s insecurities.

Then he added:

“I admire you, Helena.”

He didn’t say “I desire you.”

He said admiration

And that meant more.

The decision
Two months later I received some news: I had been accepted into an international academic exchange program. Partial scholarship.

One year out of the country.

I told him.

“When are you leaving?” he asked.

“In three months.”

He smiled, even though it hurt

—If I could convince you to stay, I would destroy what I admire most about you.

I fell a little more in love with him at that moment.

The last night before I left, he drove me home.

The same car.

The same seat.

“It was the best invasion I’ve ever suffered,” he said

He looked at me seriously.

—I fell in love with you.

It wasn’t dramatic.

It was honest.

“Me too,” I whispered.

“Then go. Conquer the world. I don’t want to be the reason you lower your dreams.”

One year later
I returned to Mexico.

There was no press or driver at the airport

Just Gabriel.

“Did you break into any wrong cars over there?” he asked.

“Not yet.”

He took my suitcase.

“I bought an apartment in Roma.”

My heart stopped

—For us.

He knelt.

No show.

—Helena Torres, do you want to choose your own paths… by my side?

—Yes.

I finished my degree today.

I opened my own strategic consulting firm