secret. Being abandoned sucks. Knowing that it was a choice to leave you sucks. Feeling that pain sucks. And you know what's worst? You never forget. It stays trapped inside you, and the fear of abandonment is always present. But you live anyway. You live, survive and fight, because that's what we do, right? Fight until you have no more strength. They say that God doesn't give you more than you can bear. So until I can't bear it anymore, I fight. ●●● Chapter 01 | OLÍ VIA STELL | I leave the restaurant still nervous. Hayley is impulsive and last time she was away for a long time. - What do you think she's going to do? - Dafne asks as soon as we get into her car. - I hope you sit down and listen. - I sigh. - Let's hope so. - Or she'll jump on your neck and make a scene. - She makes me laugh out loud. The woman says whatever she wants and that suits me and Hayley. Dafne is fun, outgoing, but she can be serious when she wants to, because her profession demands it. I like being around people like them. They're both different, but being around strong women who have been through their shit, their ups and downs and not even that made them lower their heads inspires us. We started singing in the car, forgetting about the subject, and I was soon dropped off at the company. I've worked for Benjamin for so many years that I don't even know. I still remember being an intern here in the middle of college that I paid for with great effort, I met Ben in the hallways and his pick-up lines made me laugh more than anything and in a short time we were already opening up to each other. I don't even know why or how it all happened. He had recently lost his mother, he was trying to act strong, and I think that when he found someone who didn't fall for his flirting and who also knew how to have a nice conversation, he had the confidence to talk. Since then, the man hasn't left me alone. He's my boss and best friend. - Olivia. - Ben exclaims as soon as I sit down. I frown because I hate when he calls me that, he does it on purpose and even laughs. - Coffee. - He asks with a pout and I hand him the cup. - That's why I love you so much. I roll my eyes and he goes into his office. My relationship with Benjamin is one of love and hate. He taught me everything I know today, I was his student, his personal project, and I'm very grateful for that, but putting up with Benjamin Connor is really hard. He's full of qualities and knows how to brighten up your day better than anyone, even when he's at his worst. But he also has his ups and downs, not to mention the women, damn, he's my friend, but the guy is a bastard, a scoundrel, but we'll figure that out quickly. I see how he looks at Hayley and David when they're not noticing, the happiness he shows. Deep down, Benjamin is a needy and even scared boy, I hope he doesn't falter like his brother when he finds the right woman for him. ▪ Meet me at this address at eight. I get the message near the end of the workday. Either everything went right or everything went wrong for her to ask me to meet her at this restaurant, but I think it went right. I hope so. I pick up my beautiful stroller that I bought from Hayley before she left. Okay, she wanted to give it to me but I'm too proud and didn't accept, I paid for it little by little, and what happened? During my vacation she tells me that I paid for my trip to Rome myself. My first trip abroad, since I've been to some places here working on trips with Ben. I almost cried because of her madness. Today I am grateful, after all, I discovered that she is a millionaire, my friends, and even now a very powerful woman in business, not to mention that I am absolutely certain that she also paid for part of the trip since we stayed in a luxurious hotel in Milan during our short stay in the city. Hayley is the kind of friend who pushes you. I remember meeting her as soon as she arrived at the company and with a beautiful son of a few months old who made me drool and love that little thing in seconds. She also brought me Jacey, another one out in the world who has always treated me like family and when he went to Italy I remember him acting like my best friend many times, which brought us closer. I get home already turning on some music to clear my head. I earn a great salary, I would say above average and one of the best paid in the company