The Assistant

Magdalena opened her mouth to say something, but when Roman glared at her, daring her to be disrespectful again, she decided against it. Her eyes narrowed, and they darted from Valencia to Roman several times. Magdalena's face turned a bright red, and her eyes were full of fury. She yanked her purse from the table, puffing in the process, turned toward the door, and left. It was the first time since Valencia had met her that she bit her tongue. Despite it all, a part of Valencia still hoped the two women could one day be cordial.

They couldn't continue being this way toward one another for her children's sake. Valencia chose to be in Roman's life, which meant that Magdalena and the twins were coming with it. The drama needed to end today, so she chased after Magdalena, reaching her at the elevator. It was coming from the first floor, so Valencia only had a few seconds to try and make things right. She reached for Magdalena but kept herself from actually touching her when the woman suddenly turned and scowled at her.

"Look, Magdalena, I know you don't like me, and you probably never will, but I love Roman and want the two of us to be okay. At least. The kids will be here soon. How we are toward each other and around Roman as they grow will affect them in the future. As their mother, I know you want nothing but the best for them, right? Can't we all just put all this behind us and be there for the twins? Aren't they what matters most right now?" Valencia forced a small smile, but Magdalena wasn't having it.

"What I want," she seethed," is for you to keep your dirty, slutty, hands off of my Roman. He belongs to me. Is that understood? For now, I'll let him have his way with you. I'll let him get it out of his system, but as soon as these children are born, Roman will be lying in my bed, where he belongs," she said through gritted teeth.

Valencia shouldn't have smiled as she spoke again, but she couldn't help it.

"If that's what you want to believe, Magdalena, then fine, but we both know the truth. Roman said it himself: he loves me, and I love him, too. The fact of the matter is, I want to be with him for a very long time. I want to grow old with him. Do you understand? I am not going anywhere anytime soon. So, I would much rather us be civilized, especially after the children are born; that way, we can—"

Before Valencia could finish her sentence, a searing pain flashed across the left side of her face. Stunned, Valencia froze in place, staring at Magdalena, when she raised her hand anew, readying herself to give another slap. Luckily, Valencia's sense had returned in time to catch Magdalena's wrist in midair, forcing her to jerk it away.

"How dare you speak to me in that way!" Magdalena screamed. "You are a disgusting, obnoxious, horrid little woman. I will have you disappear within the week!" Magdalena stomped a foot like an angry, spoiled child.

"You know, I'm trying to be gracious and well-mannered for you, your children, and especially for Roman's sanity, but don't get it twisted, Magdalena. Just because you are carrying his babies does not give you authority over me or anyone else in this building. Roman said it himself, this is his empire. He built this. Not you, not me, HIM. If he wants me gone, he can tell me himself, but don't you ever think it had anything to do with the likes of YOU. I will be here for as long as he wants me, so until then, GO FUCK YOURSELF." It took everything in Valencia not to retaliate physically. She could never hurt a pregnant woman, but—if Magdalena had the gal to try and hit her again after the children were born—nothing would hold Valencia back.

"Valencia," Roman's voice came softly from behind them.

Magdalena wasted no time in trying to win him over. She ran to him, throwing her arms over his shoulders. Her head rested against his chest as she dramatically pretended to cry. Roman only stared at Valencia, brows furrowed and lips pressed together. His body was rigid. He was angry. Valencia's eyes bounced between the two. This was it. He was finally going to fall under Magdalena's spell and run Valencia out of his business and life.