I’m Not Afraid of You 

Alaia 

I went to my office and made a call before sitting down with Ignacio to review the studies we had done, outlining the project in the United States. My father, Darius, and the board members would give their points of view for my team and me to take into account. I included some details in my presentation until it was time to go to the meeting. 

I walked with Ignacio, two members of my team, and Erika to the boardroom, where my father looked at me and nodded. Darius was sitting at the head of the table, and the other board members entered behind me. Erika, Carolina, and I would be the only women in this meeting. Suddenly, González arrived. I could see Erika was uncomfortable. Like the old fox he was, the 

guy didn’t even look at her. 

“You can go,” I whispered to Erika. She nodded and left in a heartbeat. 

Darius greeted everyone and welcomed them once the meeting began. 

“As you know, a large–scale project has come to our company, which is why we have organized 

this meeting. At your request,” he pointed at me with his outstretched hand, “Alaia, you are in 

charge of it.” González made a mocking gesture that only I was able to notice. “So, let’s start,” 

Darius finished. 

“Excuse me, Darius, but I disagree. Alaia is too young to handle a project of this magnitude. I 

believe my son is the ideal person to take charge. He has the necessary experience,” González 

spoke. Those present listened to him and began to comment among themselves. 

“Your son? I understand that he has not been able to complete the construction and 

connections in Portugal. What makes you think he would do well with this project?” I 

questioned, and he was ready to answer me when… 

“González, your son is busy, and he has indeed fallen behind in his work, but we will not talk 

about that now, my dear…” My father gave me the floor again. 

I sat down and began to explain the details, the organization and preparation, the personnel 

we required, how the project would be developed, the start dates, and the approximate time it 

would take us to carry it out. 

They listened to me in silence. When I finished, they gave me their opinions. Ignacio and the 

engineers on my team took note of each one. I listened attentively to their words, and we 

discussed various points of view. I could see González glaring daggers at me, but I didn’t mind 

him. 

1/5 

R Point: 

I’m Not Afraid of You 

The meeting ended and they were all about to leave when I spoke. “Please, I want to talk to 

you about a very delicate matter.” They looked at me and sat down again. 

Everyone remained silent. Ignacio left the room and returned a few seconds later. I waited for 

him to stand beside me before I began. 

“Well, Alaia, go on,” said Sergio, a man my father’s age. He was pleasant, of course, one of 

those who enjoyed life since he didn’t need to lift a finger. His investments allowed him to be a 

man free of work commitments. 

“This morning, something happened that cannot be allowed in any company. I imagine you 

have daughters, wives, mothers, and sisters, and you would not allow anyone to harm or 

violate them. Along those lines, I think you would not agree if someone took advantage of 

their position to attack a woman’s dignity.” They nodded, and I continued. “One of the 

company’s senior executives sexually harassed Erika, the girl who recently joined my team,” I 

explained. I could see frowns and chatter among them. The implicated man looked at me, 

almost daring me to continue. 

“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, replying to that look that he gave me. 

“My dear…” My father looked surprised while Darius remained serious. 

“I want to inform you that I will support Erika so she can formally denounce González,” I said, 

and everyone gasped and turned to look at him. “Investigations will begin to ensure that this 

has not happened to other girls before.” 

“Have you lost your mind?” The aforementioned stood up and looked flustered. “You will 

believe what these little girls are saying? They are trying to slander my name!” He raised his 

eyebrows as he spoke to the board members. “Please, I am an honorable member. I have a 

wife and children. How could I even approach a simple secretary?” That just infuriated me 

even more. I clenched my jaw. 

“It is for her, your wife, and your daughters–if you have any–that you should not behave like a filthy degenerate,” I said angrily. I couldn’t believe his level of nerve. 

“Alaia!” Darius spoke for the first time. 

“It’s the truth.” I looked at Darius. 

“Darius, you can’t believe those baseless accusations. I’ve worked and been a partner in this 

company for 20 years. You’re not going to let some little girl come in here and discredit me. What’s more, where is this woman I supposedly harassed? Shouldn’t she be here speaking for 

herself? This seems like a plan of hers.” The imbecile pointed at me, and I thought Darius could be fair, at least in this case. However, he said nothing. “You have no way to prove what 

2/5 

+8 Point 

I’m Not Afraid of You 

you’re saying. I could sue you for this accusation.” He was furious. I remained calm as I stared at them. 

“Well, let me clarify why I asked Erika not to be here. It’s because I don’t want her to see this guy. What happened this morning was enough.” I paused. “It is important to remind you that two years ago, my father decided to install cameras in the offices of the company’s executives.” I turned to look at González, who maintained his innocent act. “It was for security, as my father told me.” I looked at Dad, and he nodded. “Well, I took some tapes of the surveillance camera in your office to confirm what just happened, Mr. González. I even sent all of you a copy in your emails. I assume you received it, Mr. González.” There were murmurs in 

between the board members. 

“I didn’t receive anything,” he stated angrily. 

I made a gesture with my mouth. “I see.” I hit the play button of the video that was already projected on the big screen installed in the boardroom. In the footage, we could see how he approached Erika and touched her leg. She moved aside and looked scared. The recording’s 

voice was not clear, but we could enhance it. 

“Now, what do you have to say to that?” I fired back. “There will be an investigation to ensure that you have not done this to other women.” The brute shook his head. 

“It’s a setup. You and your little friend did it all. I’m sure she wants money, and you’re willing to help her.” He pointed at me and laughed humorlessly. 

“González…” My father said, and it sounded like a warning. 

“Enough!” Darius shouted when I was about to retort. “González, is that all you have to say? Is that your defense? This is not the man I have known for years–the one who would not be capable of doing something as reprehensible as this,” he said, pointing to the screen. I swallowed hard. I didn’t know why but I was a bit worried that Darius might take the brute’s side. Damn it. I suddenly felt the rage building up in me. He wouldn’t do that, won’t he? 

“Of course not, I would never do such a thing! Fire that girl; she will cause us problems later. And her, I don’t know what you will do with her. Just because she is your granddaughter, she can already take it upon herself to do things that don’t concern her.” González composed himself. 

“Son of a bitch.” 

“You are not the man that we all thought you were,” the other men commented. There was so 

much whispering in the boardroom and the brute seemed to have lost his comrade’s respect, yet, he was still composed as he waited for Darius to say something. I was furious inside, too, 

as I waited for his comment. 

3/5 

+8 Points 

I’m Not Afraid of You 

“You will be removed from your position as of today, and someone else will have to deal with 

your actions in the company. I don’t know, one of your sons?” Darius spoke, and for the first 

time in these two years, I didn’t dislike him so much. González’s jaw dropped. 

“What are you talking about?!” he questioned furiously. 

“A company like ours cannot be tainted by the reprehensible actions of one of its board 

members, much less at this time. You can easily sell your shares. I am more than willing to 

buy them.” Darius asserted. González looked at him in disbelief. 

“I’m going to sue you. Cameras should not be allowed in offices. It’s a violation of our privacy.” 

González shouted. 

“That doesn’t absolve you of guilt. You can take whatever action you deem appropriate,” I said, leaning on the table. 

González looked at me with hatred and walked out of the boardroom. Before closing the door, 

he looked at me, and I could see him silently mouth, “This isn’t over,” and slam the door shut. 

“Adjourned,” Darius said after that, making the board members stood again. 

“You did well, my dear. We cannot allow that kind of behavior.” My father hugged me proudly. 

“Thank you for supporting me, Dad,” I said as we walked together towards the door. Darius 

looked at me before leaving the boardroom. 

I returned to my office and met with my two telecommunications engineers, my assistant, 

Erika, and three other team members with whom we organized immediate actions. I had to be 

in Los Angeles in five days. 

When we finished, I looked at the time and realized that I was running late already. I was 

supposed to leave two hours ago. I took my things and walked out of my office. 

“Thank you, ma’am,” Erika said to me when I passed by her and Ignacio. 

“That was interesting.” Ignacio stood up. “Remind me not to mess with you. I pity the one who crosses your path.” I laughed at his comment. 

“It was nothing.” I took Erika’s hands and looked at her. “And please, if it happens again, don’t 

hesitate to talk to me. And call me Alaia, not ma’am,” I said with a smile. She nodded. 

I smiled back before I hurried home. My little ones must be anxious to see me already.