The rhythm of his steps was precise.
“Miss Loretta.”
The voice that followed was warmer—measured in a different way entirely.
Not the sharp precision of command, but the steady weight of experience. It carried age without fragility.
“I am Ramiro,” he said, each word placed carefully. “At your service.”
He stopped at a respectful distance. I could feel it in the way the air settled between us—close enough to speak easily, far enough not to intrude.
“I’ll be guiding you,” he continued, “and assisting with anything you require.”
“It’s an honor to work with you, Mr. Ramiro,” I replied, inclining my head slightly.
My voice stayed steady.
“Tomorrow morning,” he said, shifting smoothly into instruction, “I’ll show you your new office—just outside Mr. Pérez’s door.”
Just outside.
The word echoed silently in my mind.
“I’ll walk you through the systems we use, introduce you to the internal protocols, and ensure you’re fully equipped to begin.”
A brief pause.
“Your official duties begin then.”
“For today, finish whatever needs wrapping up in your current department.”
A small thread of relief slipped through me at that. One last moment of familiarity before everything changed.
“I will,” I said, rising smoothly to my feet. “Thank you.”
My cane touched the floor lightly, grounding me as I adjusted my stance.
But Ramiro wasn’t finished.
“One more thing,” he added, his tone shifting—still calm, but carrying a weight that made my spine straighten instinctively.
“You should be aware of this early... so you can prepare yourself accordingly.”
“Tomorrow evening,” he continued, “you will escort Mr. Rafael to the final boxing match between Spain’s two leading heavyweight champions.”
My breath stilled.
“The event will be held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.”
The name alone carried scale.
Open space. Thousands of people packed into it. Noise layered over noise, rising and collapsing in waves.
“The Prime Minister of Spain will be in attendance,” he went on. “Along with several European dignitaries.”
Each word added weight.
“After the match,” he said, “a private dinner will be held at the Majestic Hotel Barcelona. A historic five-star establishment,” Ramiro continued, “known for its discretion, its security, and its ability to host conversations that are never meant to leave the room.”
