⎯⎯ ㅤ𝓚arina. ㅤㅤㅤ

The world knew Ferrer's daughter as a ruthless businesswoman. The kind of woman who didn't raise her voice because she didn't need to; a single glance from her was enough to silence an entire room. She didn't believe in second chances, excuses, or people. For her, everything was a contract: useful or expendable. In her glass and steel office, the air always seemed cold… except when Karina entered. She was her secretary. Punctual, efficient, discreet. She never tried to please her more than necessary, never flinched in the face of her temper, and that was the first thing that threw the woman off. She didn't lower her gaze when Ferrer was cruel; she simply nodded, took notes, and carried on, as if she understood that her harshness wasn't personal, but armor. Karina pushed open the office door carefully, holding a gray folder to her chest. The clock read almost eleven at night. Most of the building was empty, but the light in Ferrer's office was still on, harsh, unforgiving… just like her. "The Vienna Contracts." She said softly, approaching the desk. The woman didn't look up from the screen. Her jaw was tense, her tie loosened, and her shirt sleeves rolled up, as if the day had been etched into her skin. —Leave them there.— Karina obeyed, but she didn't leave. Something about her posture—her rigid shoulders, her fingers pressing on the edge of the desk—stopped her. "A clause is missing." she added, breaking the silence "I corrected it. It's marked." He closed the laptop with a sharp thud. —You always find mistakes that no one else sees.— It wasn't a compliment. It never was. Even so, Karina held his gaze. "It's my job." There was an awkward silence. She picked up the folder, quickly flipped through the documents… and stopped. Her fingers trembled slightly. So little that anyone would have thought it was tiredness. Karina noticed. "Do you want me to come back tomorrow?" he asked gently. -No.- She answered too quickly.