The Last Option

Touring the company to get to know it and find out where each important department of the company was, Bernard reached to the top floor after a quick look at the lower ones. At the entrance to the offices of the presidency and the board of directors was the position of the secretary and assistant to the president, a young Latin woman named Camila Valverde, with large black eyes and abundant black hair that fell into loops on the shoulders. Bernard was immediately struck by the fact that there were few people of Latin origin he knew, and this woman undoubtedly stood out for her beauty.

She was reviewing some papers and when she felt his presence she looked at him over the formulated lenses and immediately gave him a smile that he found very pretty, with her white teeth standing out on her oval face and a very striking cinnamon skin color.

"Can I help you?" she said in a warm and soft tone of voice, and he immediately thought that his boss had been completely right in choosing her as his secretary, making a very good impression at first glance. "I'm Bernard Sullivan, the, ahem! Mr. Hicks's new driver."

She smiled even more and held out her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Bernard! Welcome! My name is Camila Valverde, I'm Mr. Hicks's secretary."

"Nice to meet you, Camila."

"I see that Thomas has finally retired, he was too old to drive, the poor man."

"Yes, Mr. Hicks told me that even a person jogging would pass the car, heh, heh, heh."

She smiled at the joke, which later seemed a bit silly to Bernard.

"And tell me, Bernard, how are you doing on your first day? Did you already meet the whole company?"

"I just took a quick stroll down the lower floors, as I might not be spending much time there. And as for your first question, I'm doing very well. Getting used to it, because I had never worked as a driver."

"Well, I hope you do very well here, Mr. Hicks isn't like those bossy and moody traditional bosses. He's very understanding and generous."

"Well, that was the impression he gave me, and with your reference now I can say that I'm convinced. I hope to do a good job for him."

"When the boss is good, he causes work, right? I feel very good here."

"Glad to hear it."

Suddenly, Bernard was at a loss for words to continue talking to Camila, he began to feel strange next to her, and he began to feel a little nervous. It had been a long time since he felt that way in front of a woman, and it was a question from her that made him feel somehow "normal" again, and regain his composure:

"Tell me, Bernard, are you married?"

Camila's question had no hidden intention; she just wanted to know more about him as a coworker and nothing more. Apparently she did not feel the same as him. Despite the fact his appearance and bearing drew attention to her as well, considering him very handsome and manly.

"Yes, I'm married", he answered, recovering some poise, "with a beautiful and wonderful woman."

"Excellent! I'm glad for you. And do you have children?"

"Not yet, it isn't in our plans for now."

"Okay, it's good to take your time to plan and take a step as important as that."

"And you?" Bernard was surprised to find himself asking that question, but just kept going. "Are you married? Do you have children?"

"No, and no," she replied, pointing her finger at an invisible spot in front of her with each answer. "I have a boyfriend and we are just starting to date."

"Okay, good luck with that!"

She was surprised by Bernard's comment and gave him a questioning look, still smiling at him and with a half-frown. He noticed immediately.

"Oh! Excuse me, I just wanted to say that I hope you do well, you know, as a couple. That you know each other well and all that."

"Ah! Well, thank you, I hope so too."

She stared at him with her warm smile and he began to feel nervous again. He chose to retreat, like soldiers in a battle who know they are losing.

"Well, I'm leaving. It was nice meeting you, Camila."

"Nice to meet you too, Bernard, and again: welcome."

Bernard stepped out into the spacious hall, looking for the elevator and pressing the button to call it. He thought about how he had felt in front of that woman; it was the first time since he was married that he felt nervous in front of a beautiful woman and did not understand why. The image of Margaret came to his mind and he was comforted to find himself thinking of her, as he was very much in love with his wife. He preferred not to think about it anymore and concentrate on his work, and decided that while he could, he would not go to his boss's office to avoid meeting her again: Camila.

The elevator opened its doors and he entered, just as someone behind him did. Inside, he glanced at the man next to him and noticed from his suit, which seemed much more expensive than his, that perhaps he was another of the company's shareholders and decided to remain silent with his hands clasping the front. The man had pressed the button for the first floor and when the elevator opened in it he quickly left in the direction of a cluster of offices to his right. She watched him walk away as the elevator doors closed again.

That was the first time Bernard had Louis Randall by his side without knowing him, and it would not be the last.

That same afternoon Bernard, Margaret and a small group of neighbors held a small gathering for Thomas Smith to celebrate his retirement. The old man and his wife Doris looked happy and smiling, and thanked everyone for giving them that pleasant surprise. Bernard and two other neighbors were in charge of the barbecue while Margaret prepared some sandwiches and salad with their wives. Everything flowed wonderfully: people ate, children played and ran around everywhere, and the old men were happy. Indirectly, Bernard also celebrated his new job and enjoyed a nice cold beer and a roast that suited him very well. His first day had been very positive and calm, and he wished the rest were as well. When he left Nathan Hicks at his house that afternoon he accidentally told him that he wanted to go quickly to buy the meat for the barbecue he would make for old Thomas's reunion. He also thought about inviting him to the meeting but said nothing, because he did not believe that a wealthy and important man like his boss would go to the meetings of people like him, like Thomas and like his neighbors, with a great social and economic difference. To his surprise, Nathan stopped him when he was about to leave, took out his wallet, and handed him a thousand dollars.

"It's my contribution to the barbecue," he said. "I don't know how much the pound of meat is, I hope it is enough."

"It's too much, Mr. Hicks. Look, don't be offended, but we are going to have a meeting between several neighbors and we have what we need. Thank you."

Bernard handed Nathan the bills, but Nathan didn't take them back.

"Then use them to buy some beers, I don't know, maybe some drinks. I'm not taking them back from you, Bernard, and don't tell old Thomas that I gave you that money!" With that said Nathan turned around and left Bernard there with his hand outstretched. He had no choice but to take the money and leave.

And now he was there, having a beer to the health of his new boss and enjoying a good piece of meat, when in the street beyond the gate of the garden of Thomas's house he saw a familiar vehicle approach slowly. He detailed it well and recognized the Nathan Hicks Bentley he had driven that day. Surprised, he got up from his chair and walked slowly to the beginning of the garden, while the expensive vehicle was parked on the side of the street. Soon he saw the millionaire couple get out of the car and began to walk towards them, opened the gate and when Nathan saw him, he outlined a huge smile as he hugged Norma. She was holding a gift bag.

"Hello, Bernard! I wasn't sure about the neighborhood, thank goodness my Norma here has a very good memory and remembered that Thomas once told her his address."

"Mr. Hicks, excuse me, what are you doing here? This neighborhood isn't very good."

"Easy, Bernard, we just want to give Thomas a small gift and share his retired party with him."

"We are very fond of Thomas," said Norma, "and we wouldn't miss a celebration for him."

Bernard looked at them for a moment and thought: what the hell, they're here! He didn't want to be rude to them.

When he gave way to them, everyone present in the garden was stunned watching the newcomers, even from the kitchen window overlooking the garden they could see Margaret and the other women watching in amazement as the couple enter and greet each other everybody. Thomas came out to meet him and Margaret hugged him warmly.

"Old fox!" she said when she stopped hugging him. "Did you think that you would leave like this without saying goodbye to me? We brought you a gift."

Norma handed him the bag and the old man slowly opened it with a huge smile, took out a small wooden box and when he opened it he saw a beautiful gold watch. He took it out of the box and put it on.

"I've never owned a Rolex in my life," he said excitedly. "Thank you!"

Norma hugged him again and then Nathan, who spoke a few words in his ear almost with a whisper, and then kissed his hands. Thomas looked excited, his wife Laura joined them and hugged the newcomers too. Thomas proudly showed her the watch and then invited them to come and sit. Nathan took the opportunity to go with Bernard to where the barbecue was and he served him some on a plate. Laura brought Norma inside along with the rest of the women. "Do you want a beer?"

"Yes, please."

Nathan watched as Thomas showed his watch to the neighbors and how they congratulated him.

"Thank you," he said once Bernard handed him the drink. "Thomas looks very happy. Thank you for organizing this reunion."

Bernard glanced at Nathan and was surprised that he thanked him for this. It was clear that he and Norma loved Thomas very much for the displays of affection they showed him.

At that moment Margaret came up to them and offered them some salad. Bernard took the opportunity to introduce her to Nathan.

"Nice to meet you, Margaret. You and Bernard have done a good job organizing this for Thomas."

"It's the least we could do to thank him for getting Bernard a job. I hope he lives up to it and don't make him look bad for the recommendation."

"Well, from what I saw today, Bernard will be an excellent worker. Today, at least, I have no complaints about him. On the other hand, Thomas gave me very good references and highly recommended him to me. Over the years I've learned to love Thomas, you know, and I think he's a very wise man, so I blindly trust his judgment. If he says you are good people, then you are, with no doubt."

"Thank you, Mr. Hicks," Bernard was a little embarrassed. "I hope I don't disappoint you or Thomas."

After apologizing, Margaret returned to the kitchen. Nathan took another drink of beer as he watched her walk away. Suddenly an idea came to his mind and he looked at Bernard for a few seconds.

"Now that I think about something, Bernard," he said, still staring at him, "I have a proposal to make to you."