IT’S NORMAL TO BE UGLY, BUT I HAVE FEELINGS.

_Ah Benjamin, I’m hungry.

_But son, you need to eat this piece of cake.

_You’re right. Let’s eat and then go.

Nine o’clock sharp.

I was brushing my teeth and so was Paola. When the clock in the room struck nine o’clock.

_Nine o’clock Paola, in a little while Art will appear there, be careful.

_Of course Benjamin. I have my eyes open.

Benjamin’s father goes downstairs to see what was happening.

_What kind of mess is this in my living room?

_Hi Dad, I’m sorry I woke you up.

_It’s already nine and five Benjamin! Ron is late.

_Daddy, he’s only five minutes late, he’ll come soon.

_Husband, let’s watch a movie in the room, leave Benjamin and Paola, they’ll be leaving soon.

_No, I’ll stay here until Ron arrives.

_It’s okay, dad, whatever you want.

One hour later.

_Damn Benjamin, Ron is late, call him.

Benjamin called Rony’s cell phone but it only went to voicemail.

_Benjamin it’s already 10 pm, this bastard tricked you.

_No Dad, he said he would be there at 9 but something must have happened, he will show up.

Whoever I wanted to fool, I called and sent a message to Rony but he didn’t answer me.

_This kid never deceived me, he doesn’t like you Benjamin. If he doesn’t get here in 30 minutes, you won’t be there anymore.

_No Dad, calm down, he’ll show up.

_Son, it’s already late, I think you’d better go and rest.

_No mom, he will show up.

Suddenly Benjamin hears a horn in front of his house and he and Paola are happy.

_See mom, it’s him, Rony has arrived!

When I look out the window I feel disappointed. It wasn’t Rony’s car but the neighbor’s car. And my father saw it.

_I didn’t say, this idiot gave you a cake Benjamin. It’s not Art, but the neighbor arriving. It’s almost eleven at night, you won’t go out again Benjamin.

_No Daddy, please, he will appear, I know.

_I didn’t argue with me, Benjamin. You won’t go out anymore.

Benjamin felt deceived. He looked out the window hoping Ron would appear, nothing more.

Benjamin was almost crying when Paola said.

_Hey buddy, don’t be like that. Maybe he forgot. And let’s do the following. How about watching a movie? Can we watch a movie here, Mr. Leroy?

_Clear! Can see . But you won’t go out anymore. Look my son, if it were back in the day, I would go after Ron and end up

_Come on Benjamin, there’s a new movie I brought. Let’s go.

_I’m going to prepare popcorn with Coca Cola and bring it to you. Benjamin’s mother said he was devastated.

Benjamin and Paola went up to the bedroom and Paola took the film from her backpack and put it in the DVD player.

He saw that Benjamin was sad and tried to comfort his friend.

_Calm down Benjamin, don’t be like that!

_Why did he do that Paola? Am I that boring that someone doesn’t want to go out with me?

_No Benjamin, don’t be like this because of Art, he doesn’t deserve your tears.

_I’m tired Paola. Of people treating me like that. I just want some fun.

_Well Benjamin, I also wanted to leave, but you know, we don’t even have a car, you now have a good job and can buy a car. I already…

_You’re right Paola, with the money I’m earning I can change my style and buy a car. And there’s one more thing.

Benjamin stood up wiping his tears and said.

_I’m not going to keep crying Paola. That idiot Art is going to pay me. But now you’re going to help me with something.

_What buddy?

_I need to finish a job and if I do well in this job I can get the position of Executive in the company and my salary will be higher. I even have the possibility of choosing a secretary and that’s where you come in. Paola.

_Swear Benjamin? Will you hire me as your secretary? Dude tell me what do I have to do?

_Since it didn’t work out for us to go out at night, let’s put our nerd brains to work my friend. Help me with this work that I need to deliver on Monday. You help me ?

_Of course Benjamin, you can count on me!Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

_So close the door and let’s get our hands dirty.

_But first Benjamin, is there one thing?

_ What?

_Can I call your mother to bring us a snack?

_ Is it serious Paola? Do you want to eat now?

_ Of course, I need to renew my strength, your mother said she would bring popcorn.

Benjamin’s mother ends up coming in bringing popcorn and two sandwiches, when Paola sees it, he gets super excited.

_ Now yes, Ms. Supassit, you read my mind, come on Benjamin, let’s get to work.

_ She read your stomach, right Paola, mom, thanks for the snack, Paola and I are going to work now.

_ It’s okay, darling, don’t stay too late working, rest ok, call me for anything.

_ You can leave, Mrs. Leroy, when I’m hungry I’ll call you.

_ But Paola, your stomach doesn’t have a bottom, you just eat, that way you’ll gain weight.

_ Dude, do you see this six-pack here, these biceps.

Paola showed off the six-pack he had been training for over six months and I had to agree, besides Paola being my friend, he was very handsome and took care of himself, I don’t know where Paola managed to have such a body.

_ Come on, show me.

So I showed the company’s entire work plan, the spreadsheets where the calculations were wrong, and Paola also understood finances very well, she had gone to college with me together, but hadn’t gotten a good job yet. But I promised him if I got the Executive position I would hire her as my secretary.

_ Look at these numbers Paola, it’s no wonder Armand is losing customers, don’t you agree?

I looked back and saw Paola sitting on my bed, devouring her snack.

_ Paola! Are you still eating? Help me here woman.

_ I’ll be right there Benjamin, wow, you should take a break and eat the snack your mother made, it’s delicious.

_ I’m satisfied, but look at this. What do you think ?

_ Hmm, these numbers are strange, given the company’s capital, profits should be higher, don’t you think?

_ You’re right Paola, and now that I’m thinking about it, my handsome boss gave me a very important document for me to keep, Hmm, if I’m not mistaken, I think I left it in my briefcase. Wow, I need to save it later.

_ Where is he, is he there with you?

_ Yes Paola, but I’m not going to open it, I wouldn’t do that to Mr. Oliver.

_ But aren’t you curious to see what’s in this document?

_ Oh! It must be some contract, I’m not going to open Paola. Well, look, I’m almost done.

_ Okay, I won’t talk anymore, well damn it’s almost two in the morning.

_ Well, let’s continue.

After a few hours, I finally managed to finish the work and I looked at the clock and it was almost seven in the morning. When I get scared.

_ Benjamin!

– Daddy oh, hi, good morning!

_ Son, are you still awake?

_ Yes daddy, I didn’t even sleep.

_ And what is Paola doing here in your room, and even in your bed?

Paola was so tired working on the bills that he ended up sleeping in my bed, and to make matters worse he took off his t-shirt and slept hugging my sheets.

_ Dad, he’s just sleeping, poor thing he helped me with my work and couldn’t handle it.

_ I don’t want to know Benjamin, Paola and you sleeping together?

_ Dad for the love, right, I’m not sleeping with him, it’s Paola, my friend, brother.

_ I don’t want to know Benjamin, no man will sleep in my son’s bed, only when you get married, you’re a family man, huh Paola, you slacker wake up.

_ Ahh mom, bring me coffee in bed.

Benjamin’s father knew how lazy Paola was, and almost pulled his ears.

_ Paola! Wake up, boy !

_ Ah hi Mr Leroy, good morning, sorry I ended up falling asleep.

_ Get out of my son’s bed and put on a shirt, stand there showing your belly.

_ Oh of course, sorry Mr Leroy.

_ Right, and they finish right there and go down for coffee.

_ Thank you, Mr. Leroy.

_ It’s okay dad, we’re going down.

_ Benjamin, wow, I ended up falling asleep, sorry, did you finish what was left?

_ Of course, Paola, I finished, you helped me even when you slept there, but thank you, tomorrow I’ll be able to present the work, I’ll even save it on this CD and on the pen drive so I don’t forget.

_ Well then, I’m going to wash my face and go down for breakfast, I’m hungry.

_ Again Paola? Wow, you are fire.

_ Of course my friend, I need to maintain this sexy body.

_ Only you, my friend.

On Monday morning.