15 - Do not even try

Ivan was not listening to anything about their morning meeting, he nodded his head and from time to time responded with a “Yes” so that it would not be so noticeable that he could not get the awkward encounter that had happened that morning out of his mind. The truth is that he knew that at some point this was going to happen, his father was going to cross paths with Helena someday. Only he didn't expect it to be so soon.

His words were spinning through his head, feeling his neck and ears turn red with humiliation. He had told that hard-headed woman that he wouldn't let anything happen to her and he had said it in front of his father.

The truth was that it was true, the mere idea of imagining her in danger made his blood boil and he knew that he would kill anyone who tried. That's why he was starting to question if he really wanted her as her bodyguard or if he wanted her for something more.

“Stop it, that's not going to happen,” the sensible voice in his head told him. He shook his thoughts hard and promised to pay attention to the meeting, he needed to be distracted, although in his mind he prayed that the next meeting with Helena would be soon. The mere idea of knowing that they were both under the same roof comforted him.

"And finally, I remind you that you have an important dinner today," exclaimed his secretary.

"True, I had forgotten," he answered frankly. "Prepare everything for tonight," he ordered without having to give any further explanations, his secretary knew what to do.

-Yes sir.

-Oh and please, get me a nice gala dress.

"Sir?" He asked confused.

-For my bodyguard.

His assistant looked at him with a raised eyebrow and an incredulous look. Ivan coughed uncomfortably.

-It's so they don't notice that he's my bodyguard.- He lied.

"Oh yes, of course, sir," the man responded quickly, keeping his comments to himself. "Any special style?"

-Let his brown hair and honey-colored eyes stand out.

His secretary watched him silently and felt that she was being very soft and vulnerable in front of him.

"What are you waiting for to leave?" He exclaimed harshly, hiding the smoky side of him.

His secretary came to her senses, standing up suddenly and quickly leaving there.

Ivan leaned over his seat, looking up at the ceiling with a silly smile, he couldn't wait to see Helena dressed elegantly and accompanying her to a dinner.

"As if it were our first date," he murmured, lost in the story that had been made in his head.

---

If there was one thing she liked about his new job, it was that he had all those beautiful muscle machines that he could use as many times as he wanted and sweat until he couldn't take it anymore.

He smiled happily when he saw her reflection against the gym mirror. She was red, with her hair stuck to her forehead and her chest rising and falling in agitation.

-Clear….

The named she turned around, finding one of her companions, already dressed in her suit, looking at her with annoyance.

"What?" She answered without trying to be kind, the good thing was that with them she didn't have to pretend kindness, they both knew they couldn't stand each other.

-Mr. White is calling you.

-Ivan?

The man clenched his jaw when he heard this rookie informally name her boss; no one had ever been so encouraged.

"No, his father," he said, turning around so she could follow him.

Helena swallowed heavily and followed him.

"You're out," the man muttered to himself, but the young woman had heard him.

“Yes, I think I'm out. She probably didn't like me and now she's going to throw me out on the street,” she thought nervously, while she nervously rubbed her hands and quickened her pace.

---

Ivan's father's personal bodyguard opened the door to a neat, minimalist room and stood aside for him to enter. Shyly and with her nerves on edge, Helena went through the door and found the man lying on her bed. Even though he was horizontal, surrounded by cables and machines that made strange beeps, the young woman still felt intimidated by his presence.

"Excuse me," she exclaimed, drawing her attention.

The man turned towards her and with the control in her hand raised the backrest of her bed so that it was at 90 degrees.

-Tell me clearly, why did you decide to have this job? -She asked.

The man was so direct that it irritated her, he didn't even try to be polite.

Helena got nervous, feeling the sweat on her hands.

"Well... I just needed the money," she answered with complete honesty.

The man watched her in silence for a while, as if he didn't believe her words.

-Do your parents know that you are working for Grupo Sol? -She asked.

Helena swallowed and licked her dry lips, suddenly she was very hot in that room.

"They are dead," she exclaimed uncomfortably.

"I see..." he responded thoughtfully. "How did they die?"

Helena felt her blood boil, but she hid it.

What did he care about her? It was her private life, besides, she was more than sure that a man with his power could find out everything about her life without having to make much effort.

"Murdered, by criminals who broke into the store," she exclaimed dryly, feeling her heart contract as she said it out loud. Although the death of her parents always happened behind her back, because of her resentment towards those men who took away her childhood, Helena did not talk about it with anyone, pretending that she was over it.

She thought she was hallucinating, but she swore she saw a gleam in that man's dark eyes and a small smile that quickly faded, accompanied by a heavy sigh that seemed like relief?

Maybe she was going crazy.

-Listen, Helena... - the man continued - My son can be a hardhead, when he wants something he gets infatuated and doesn't listen to me, even though he knows I'm right, so it's better that you listen to me, I feel that you are a sensible woman and you're going to do the right thing.

Helena didn't answer, waiting for him to say once and for all why he had come there.

"Don't try anything with my eldest son and heir," she said.

"Huh?" She asked confused, as if she didn't believe what she had heard.

Did she say this to all the women who crossed her son's life? Or had he perhaps taken it for granted??

It's true that she had gotten off on the wrong foot, but she was sure that at no point had she crossed the line.

“Or did he perhaps see us?” She felt a drop of sweat run down her forehead as she remembered the altercation in the hall.

What if someone had seen them?

-Come on Clarita, you are an adult woman and you know very well what I mean. I know that for you it must be tempting and even dreamlike that a man like Ivan, with his beauty, his bearing and his money has noticed you. It doesn't really surprise me, Ivan has always had a soft heart towards the most needy people, like his mother. That's why I ask you not to even try it. Is that clear?

"I-I... I think he's confused..." she stuttered.

The man smiled amused.

"Believe me, even if he loved you, he couldn't be with you," he exclaimed, settling down on the bed, opening his chest and straightening his spine, appearing even more intimidating. "He should go out with a woman with power, he can't risk everything for someone who has nothing." do you understand? Sometimes in this world you have to risk some things, that's the game.

"I'm only here for the money," he responded defiantly, but the man's smile did not disappear from his face.

"So let it continue," he sighed, "I'm old and too sick to deal with a matter like that...

Was he threatening her? Helena believed that yes, a man like him would surely have killed hundreds of men during his entire life, he would surely get rid of anyone who had tried to ruin her plans without blinking an eye. So why not get rid of a nobody who could interfere with the plans she had with her son?

It's not like the brunette even thought of having a chance with Ivan. Or if?

"If that's all, I'm leaving," she replied through clenched teeth.

The man smirked and gestured for her bodyguard to escort her out.

"Just don't forget this talk," he exclaimed to have the last word before the door closed behind Helena's back.