Chapter 5
Eliza Campos
After talking to Giulia, I realized that it was already very late, and I had to go home. I had to pack a few things and get ready to go to work early tomorrow, since Pedro had asked me to start work in the morning.
So I decided to say goodbye to her.
- Giulia, I loved being able to talk to you, but unfortunately I have to go," I answered, "Tomorrow, as you well know, I have to start work as a personal assistant.
- All right, I am glad you are better, you know that whenever you need to let off steam, I am here for whatever you need," she says.
After saying goodbye to Giulia, I get into my car and drive towards my residence.
When I arrive home, I finish tidying up some things that my mother had left behind since we had had that little argument. Until today, I wanted to understand why she didn't want me near the Monterey company, could it be that she knows Pedro, my boss?
Of course, I didn't care what my mother had said, I loved the new job and thought it would be a difficult interview because I believed in their level of demand, however, what surprised me even more was not the interview but my boss, who, when I closed my eyes, came a monument that was that man, who made me feel in ecstasy.
I assumed that I couldn't forget that man even if I wanted to, he had made me feel strange things, I felt a chill run through my entire body. Would this job make me open my heart again to a new passion? That could make me see the world differently, with more color.
When I remember the way Peter had looked at me, it was as if he wanted to unveil all my darkest secrets. After thinking about all these things, I end up falling asleep.
I was sleeping peacefully when I heard my alarm clock go off, I tried to ignore it, but the sound didn't stop.
Looking at the clock on my bedside, I realized that it was already time to get ready for my first day of work, strangely I am not nervous but anxious, because, to think that I will meet Peter, his presence makes me good, calms me down, makes me happy. Carla had sent me a message on my cell phone explaining what I will do today and the time I will be in and out.
It was a good schedule, from eight in the morning until five in the afternoon, but I would probably stay late to help Pedro with some pending issues at the company, since I am his personal secretary.
I got out of bed, took an invigorating shower and after finishing getting ready, I saw that it was almost seven o'clock, I decided to leave home soon for fear of catching some traffic, but, until it did not take long to reach my destination, greater my disappointment to realize that Pietro was with his girlfriend who I discovered had started working there the same day as me, and that Pietro already worked there some time.
I park my car in the company garage and get out of the vehicle, walking forward without even looking at Pietro's face for fear of having a relapse when I remember again the things that only bring me sadness that I want to forget at all costs.
Upon entering the company, I am greeted by Carla.
- Eliza, how are you? - She says, hugging me tightly and with a kiss on the cheek, she seemed to be already waiting for me.
- I'm fine—She answers, I was afraid of Carla noticing my deep dark circles under my eyes, last night I was more afraid than today, but when I imagined meeting Pedro that nervousness magically went away, however, if she ended up noticing something, she preferred not to say anything - Since you arrived early, I will prepare you, because today we will have a very important meeting.
- But already? This early - I question because I wasn't expecting it, a meeting on the very first day of work.
- Usually it is not like this, but, as Pedro's secretary just left the company, I was swamped with all the service, besides taking care of all the interviews, I had to help Pedro temporarily - She answers - Now with you here, everything will be easier - Carla says smiling in my direction, her smile was so contagious that I could not help but reciprocate.
Carla has a wonderful way, and although I have known her for such a short time, I feel that we can be friends. Her way reminds me a lot of my brother, Lucas was this way, playful, charming smile, and welcoming to everyone.
- All right, then, tell me what you'll need for the meeting, and I'll try to arrange it as soon as possible," I say. I was really committed to being the best employee in this company, I couldn't bear to disappoint the others one more time.
After this brief dialogue with Carla, she leads me to where my office was located. The space was quite large the size of my room, maybe even a little larger, the place was equipped with a dark wooden table, a padded chair, on the table there was a computer that I would probably use while working here and there was stuck a paper with a very cute note written "Welcome to work, I hope you enjoy everything", worst of all it was signed precisely by the man who lurks in my thoughts in recent days, Mr. Pedro Monteiro.
After analyzing that room, I finally sat down in the chair that was super-comfortable, and now I'm starting to feel a little nervous, I didn't know what could happen in this meeting.
I come out of my thoughts when I hear someone knocking on the door.
- Come in," I say, believing it to be Carla who had gone there to talk about the meeting that would take place in a few moments.
However, I was more surprised to see that it was Pedro, so I immediately tried to get up from the chair, I didn't want him to think that I was some kind of lazy person.
- Eliza, is everything all right? - Pedro asks with a penetrating look in my direction.
- Yes, - I answer smiling broadly, I was afraid to answer something that might displease him - And you?
- Better now," I end up being embarrassed by his answer. Peter then takes my hand.
Neither of us could look away, it was as if the world had ended around us. Pedro smiled as if I had given him the best thing in the world.
Before anything could accidentally happen, however, I end up bumping my leg against the chair, bringing us out of our stupor, and Pedro then lets go of my hand.
- Okay, Miss Eliza, I just came to see how you were doing and if you needed anything," he looks away, even ashamed.
- No, I'm fine and don't need anything - I answer - I don't need anything, Carla gave me some information about the meeting.
I know that Pedro probably was not talking about it, however, I could not let anything happen between us, not at that moment. I needed to be professional.
- Okay," he says looking disappointed, "Well… I'm going, I'll ask Carla to come by your office to call you when it's time for the meeting.
After this brief interaction, Pedro leaves the room and after fifteen minutes, Carla finally appears knocking on my door.
- Eliza, the meeting's about to start, shall we go? - Carla says.
- Yes, let's go - I answer, getting up from my chair, grabbing some papers that I had made for the meeting, there were things that could help me in the meeting after Carla had told me that it would be to discuss the company's finances.
And so we proceeded to the meeting room. I wonder if everything will go well, I am afraid of what might happen, and I might relapse because of a possible rejection.
Chapter 6Eliza CamposI walk with my head down, with a certain shyness and a little nervous, I know that everything has to be perfect, my permanence in the company depends on it.So I decided to ask Carla.- Carla, but, has the meeting already started?- It is about to start, but Pedro asked you to go to his office to show him that project you had told me you were doing.As nervous as I was, I thanked Carla and went to Pedro's room.Upon arriving at Pedro's room, I take a deep breath and knock on his door.- Come in," Pedro says in a thick voice that sends shivers through my entire body.I open the door slowly and speak.- Carla said you wanted to talk to me before the meeting started?Pedro looks deeply in my direction before answering my question.- Yes, I wanted to know about your project, Carla had told me that you had put together some spreadsheets, when I went to your office, I forgot to ask.I swallow dryly because of that look he was giving me, but I hand him the project I cr
Chapter 07Eliza CamposI stood in the hall waiting for Carla to call me, the meeting will be with several partners of the company. Pedro really wanted me to present my project in front of all of them. I am very nervous, because for sure in the room would be Pietro and Cassandra, his girlfriend.I don't know how I can face Pietro after his harsh words to me. Not only that, but I know that I have a share of the blame for how our relationship has turned out since I got addicted to drugs. I have ruined not only my life, but the lives of everyone around me.I came out of my thoughts when I saw that Carla was calling me, probably the meeting was about to start. Furthermore, I wiped away some tears that were running down my face and hoped that Carla hadn't noticed.- Carla, has it started yet? - I questioned.- The meeting is about to start. Pedro asked us to go - Carla answers - Are you nervous?- A little, Pedro asked me to present that project - I say.- I am sure that everything will be
Chapter 08Eliza CamposWe had just arrived at the Roxy Club, the hottest club in São Paulo, where several people meet to drink, dance, and have fun, and right at the door we almost bumped into Pietro and Cassandra, who didn't seem happy to see me, and Pietro was as if he didn't care about me anymore, as if I didn't exist.Carla turns toward me.- My friend, how angry they are that they came too," she says. Carla had really taken a dislike to Pietro.- Unfortunately, but, what the hell, they are also employees of the company - I say - But they might as well not have come at all, they would save our eyes from seeing this toxic couple in front of us - I completely with a laugh.Cassandra had probably realized that we were talking about her because she almost stepped forward, but Pietro held her back.We giggled for a few moments until we were interrupted by another unwanted person.- By the looks of it, they're pretty excited," Heloise says, "May I ask the reason for the joke?She was p
Chapter 09Eliza CamposLucas was driving me in his car to my house, but on the way, he decided to ask me some questions.- Eliza, I didn't believe what you told me. Where were you?I guess I'll get a lecture from Lucas just for having fun.- Lucas, I told you I went for a drink of coke and ran into someone there, you probably already know what happened next.- Eliza, you are very irresponsible," says Lucas.- Brother, stop being so grim - I say - Carla told me that you guys are staying, right? - I said, trying to change the focus of the subject.Lucas ends up getting embarrassed by my question.- Yes, we did, but we don't need to talk about it now," he says, making me laugh because of the look on his face.- Brother, you don't have to be embarrassed," I say and decide to tell Lucas the same thing I told Carla, "I would love to have Carla as my sister-in-law, you two would make such a cute couple.Lucas gives a small smile and continues to drive to my house, which doesn't take long to
Chapter 10Eliza CamposAlready in my room, I begin to think that my father and Heloise have the same names and Carla couldn't tell me the name of Peter's brother, I can't explain this whole mystery.After a few minutes of analyzing the paperwork that Peter had asked me to do, I hear someone knocking on my door.- You may enter - I speak to the person, who opens the door, and it is precisely Carla - Do you need something?- Peter told me to tell everyone to gather in the meeting room, it seems that the visitors have just arrived - She answers - Shall we go?- Yes," I say, and so we proceed to the meeting room.I just didn't expect to meet that man again, even more so being the one from the ballad.- Thomas? - I say without managing to contain my smile.When he hears his name called, he turns toward me and is even more surprised than I was.- Eliza, I didn't know that you work here," he says, "It seems that fate is trying to bring the two of us together.Probably Peter had become jealo
Chapter 11 Eliza Campos Carla's question made me freeze for a few moments, this secret is kept under lock and key and only my family knows about it. Only that I trust Carla a lot, as if I have known her for many years. That is why I decided to tell her everything. - It is not easy, it is a delicate matter, but, yes, I can tell you,” I answer. What do you think? - That's fine,” she answers, “Now let's go back to the meeting room, Mr. Manuel was very worried about you and even tried to follow you, but Heloise wouldn't let him. Thank God he didn't come when you were crying. - Thank God he didn't come - I said - I'm only going back because I still have to work, but I didn't want to talk to him. - I understand your friend - Carla says, holding my hand in a sign of support. Then we went to the meeting room and as we walked down the hallway I noticed people looking at me and pointing their fingers blatantly at me, probably they have already found out that my father is one of the own
Chapter 12Eliza CamposAs I leave the meeting room, I bump into Pietro again. It's probably going to get messy again.Pietro smiles debauched.- That means that the ex-drug addict is the daughter of the company owner, who would suspect that Mr. Manoel was that rich - Pietro says.I look around to see if anyone had heard what he was saying.- Pietro, what do you want from me now? It's not enough that you and your girlfriend got into this mess," I say with almost no patience left to put up with him.Pietro slowly approaches me until I lean against a wall that was next to us.- I want you," he says, making me confused, until he completes what he wants to say, "now that you're rich I'd love to date you again... I just feel disgusted to be near you.- What? I can't believe you had the nerve to come here and tell me this," I say, surprised by Pietro's boldness.When Pietro says such a thing, I feel like flying in his face, but, I take a deep breath, and if he would just stay close to me be
Chapter 13 Peter Monterey I never would have suspected that Manoel was Eliza's father, he had told me that he had two other children from another marriage, but never told me anything more about them. And when I found out that she is Heloísa's half-sister, I thought about asking Manoel to give me Eliza's hand in marriage, but I don't know if it was the right thing to do. I don't want her harm, but, I can no longer stay Heloisa, I don't have the same feeling as in the beginning. I'm sure I can achieve this with Eliza, I feel something so good coming from her, but, when I saw that Thomas met her at the company party, he even warned me about a wonderful woman he had met, but, I never suspected it was Eliza he was talking about. I still haven't figured out how I can talk to Manoel about the change of plans since I want to break up with Heloísa and get married to Eliza, but I need to prepare the ground; I know that Thomas is interested in her, even though he has been married for years t