Some days had passed, and it was already Friday. Ioan completely disappeared from Maria's view; he just worked unnoticed as if nothing happened. That was also because Helena was like a wolf, grinning her teeth every time she noticed him going near somewhere Maria was.

"Damn! Have you seen?" growled Ioan while giving a tantrum when talking with Portia, who was rolling her eyes, bored.

"Breath, time is our alliance, " she said, yawning with boredom. Ioan couldn't understand why she was so calm while he was impatient.

She was a beautiful woman. Ioan did not disdain that, but he wanted Maria, the only woman who did everything for him. He needed someone like her so that his life would turn back as it was. That was the right woman for him. He looked at Portia silently, noticing her small dumplings and cherry-plump lips. Leg over the leg and straight back showed refined elegance; she was from a world far away from his, but also very similar to him, waiting for a cold love like a tree for his leaves in the cold winter.

'If I could be like that, I would grip everyone in my hand,' he thought deep inside. He was jealous of her power and family wealth.

They stood quiet for some time because they sensed that someone was watching them, and they were right; Helena never escaped them from her sight.

"I will go back to my desk, or this will get more suspect." but even before reaching the door, "Don't forget that we have a meeting with a producer tomorrow evening," said Portia before turning toward the painting on the wall. She was selfish and toyed with people, and Ioan was just a new puppet for her plan. The things she loved more than her puppets were foolish, and he was in the second category.

Helena was passing near the office to keep things in place and noticed they were working without throwing any other tantrums, as usual.

'Something is smelling fishy,' she said to herself, looking at the quiet atmosphere in that office from the corridor windows as she walked back to the secretaries' studios.

"What is the meaning of this?" Louise was perplexed at seeing an invitation for the director to come through for the weekend without prior notice. The director would be furious because of the non-existent advance schedule.

"Something wrong?" Helena was curious to know why Louise acted like that. Louise jumped up and showed Helana the invitation for a dinner schedule: Greetings, Director K; I invite you and your secretary to dine with me as promised last time. Respectfully Kaji.

What the heck was that? No formalities? That man was a thorn in the eyes!

Helena suddenly giggled, giving Louise goosebumps as she took the tickets. "I will take care of this," she said, getting away in the blink of an eye.

Those were three tickets for a famous restaurant. It was an excellent opportunity to give Maria a makeover and push her ship. She knew Kaji well; he was not an entrance to her plan and behaved quietly like a good little boy in her presence. The only problem was that Kaji did not know she was the director's cousin. No one knew anything about the director's personal life.

All for the sake of the plan.

She couldn't help herself and forcefully slammed the office door, even though she breathed in and tried to calm down a bit before she jumped in.

"Oh no, director, there is an important schedule for the weekend," she said without withdrawing her smile. Kilee and Maria looked at her wide-eyed; she was clearly having fun.

"Do I have to remind you you're a secretary?" Kilee said, turning back to her work. That put a sulk on Helena's face. "You're no fun," she exclaimed before getting in front of the desk.

"Here, the invitation from Kaji." At that news, Kilee's face turned into disgust, but she knew that day would come sooner or later, even if she preferred the latter option.

"When?" that question put another full smile on Helena's face. "Tomorrow evening," that stroke an instant repulsion.

"Oh, Maria, this is yours!" she exclaimed, hearing that Kilee got up from her chair. "WHAT?"

"There is her invite and a third one, so I am coming too," she said, all happy, but Kilee was a bit concerned. "Why that face?" she continued.

"Did you forget that our family relationship cannot be revealed?" Kilee was right, but she missed a point—a huge one.

"But I am Director K's secretary, too!" said Helena, opening the letter. "There is a saying to bring your secretary too, and there are two tickets for your secretary, so it's fine!" She had a point: There shouldn't be any problems, and if there were, she could help.

Kilee sighed and sat down back in her chair. She was tired and waited to do a total weekend immersion somewhere with Maria. All her plans were wasted.

"What do you think?" Kilee asked, reluctant, but Maria stood quiet, looking at the invitation without saying a word or even breathing for a second. She had always wanted to visit that restaurant, but her economic situation prevented her. Finally, she had the chance to go and see and try the delicious food. KIlee and Helena could see sparkles in Maria's eyes; it was so bright that it made Kilee realize instantly they would go. Helena was trying to remain composed. Finally, that was the start of her plan to make her ship real.

---

That afternoon at the train station, a woman was waiting for Irina. She couldn't let Ioan return to Maria; her pride did not let her do that.

"Irina, you're here!" said her aunt, who was waiting for her arrival. Aunt, it's so lovely to see you again!" continued Irina, smiling. She did not particularly like her relatives, but it was the only way to follow Ioan to Chicago with her parents' support. Even if her plans were going well, she had yet to learn about what mess awaited her shortly.