6

Athos

"Mr. Mazza, here's the translation of the document you requested," Barbara, my assistant, announces as she enters my office. However, I gesture for her to wait a moment and continue speaking on the phone.

"Mr. Eron, this clause does not exist in our contract. You cannot charge me because you don't have that right."

"Athos, I demand an apology immediately!"

"I will not apologize for anything because the mistake was not mine!"

"Damn it, Athos!"

"Eron, here's what you're going to do. Ask your lawyer to explain this situation to you in detail. I don't have time to teach an ignorant layman like you."

"Well, you... don't you dare..."

"That's enough, Eron! If you want, feel free to sue me, but I guarantee that if you do, I can take everything from you, even your pants if I wish. Think about it, Eron!" I snarl angrily and end the call, then release an audible breath and glare at my secretary, who looks somewhat apprehensive. However, I pick up the paper I just placed on my desk and begin to read it. My stern gaze meets hers harshly, and in that moment, I crumple the document right in front of her eyes.

"Do you call this a translation?" I growl through clenched teeth.

She stammers nervously.

"Fire the idiot who did this damn job!"

"But, Mr. Mazza..."

"I'm heading to a meeting now, Barbara. Find someone suitable for this position, someone capable of doing it right," I interrupt her and then quickly leave the office.

In the corridor, I notice a small commotion in one corner. A young woman is being comforted by her coworkers, and I stop to look at them with disapproval.

"What do you think you're doing?" They look at me with tangible apprehension. "Don't you have work to do here?" I growl, and immediately they disperse. However, the girl remains standing there, looking at me. As I approach her, she takes a few breaths. "I suppose you're the one who did that translation?" In response, she swallows hard. "Tears don't fix your mistakes, girl. I suggest you study harder to qualify for a top-notch company like this. I don't want to see you here when I return, understood?" After making my position clear, leaving her behind, I enter the elevator, glancing at the clock on my wrist.

Running a prestigious law firm like Mazza Law & Order is not as easy as one might imagine. Believe me, I didn't get here by receiving friendly pats on the back or hearing from businessmen how good I am at what I do. It requires demanding order and discipline, but above all, competence to keep us at the top, and that has been happening since I took over the presidency after my mother's death. And since then, I have taken on all of her duties, including providing for our family.

"Mazza!" Felipe Bragança says before the doors close, entering the small, cramped space.

"Felipe!" I greet him formally and stare at the numbers on the panel.

"I hope you're ready to accept our proposal. This will be our final offer."

"You know me well, Bragança. I'm not one to accept deals."

"Athos, you have no other way out."

"I always find one. I advise you to tell your client to prepare their pockets because I won't hesitate to extract a value higher than what he defrauded from my client," I growl and leave as soon as the doors open again.

"Mazza, please..."

"No please, Bragança!" I get into my car and place my briefcase beside me. "To the courthouse, Roger!" I order my driver.

***

Later tonight...

"Look who's here!" I hear Romão say as soon as I enter the bar, making the guys excited. I'm not the kind of man who makes many friends, but the few I have, I trust my life with them.

Romão, for example, is a great childhood friend. He knows my secrets and knows my story. Enrico, on the other hand, I met in law school, and since we graduated, he's been working for me. He's the one I confide my work problems to and often listen to his advice. And then there's Andreas, he's a party buddy who tends to lead me astray.

"How are you guys?" As you can see, it's only when I'm with them that I feel relaxed and at ease.

"I speak for myself when I say I'm up for catching a certain brunette," Andreas says somewhat mockingly, raising his glass for a silent toast to a beautiful and voluptuous stranger sitting on a high stool on the other side of the lounge. I laugh at his pretension and signal the bartender to bring me a drink.

"So, how are things?" Romão asks as I settle on the stool next to him. However, I shrug and take a sip of my drink.

"You know, nothing ever changes," I grumble indifferently and empty my glass, ordering another one right away.

"You need to forgive yourself, Athos."

"Don't start with that again, Romão, and this isn't a night for confessions, okay? You're getting married, my friend!" He beams a wide smile, and I take the opportunity to hug him, giving him a pat on the back. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you! In that case, LET'S DRINK UP!!!" He shouts, getting everyone in the bar pumped up.

That's exactly what I needed. A night of heavy drinking and some women, but I'll skip the latter part. Seriously, with a certain day approaching, my head is filled with thoughts that I wish I could throw into the fire and simply watch them turn to ashes.

So, after we settle at a table, I just watch my friends revel in the arms of the girls while I drown myself in alcohol. After all, when I return home afterward, I just want to collapse into my bed and pass out without even having time to dream.

***

The next day...

"Good morning, Mr. Mazza!"

"Good morning! Barbara, could you bring me a headache pill and some water?"

"Of course, Mr. Mazza!" I turn away, settling into my chair and massaging my temples. In the next moment, my phone starts ringing, and Andreas's name pops up on the screen.

"Here you go, Mr. Mazza." Barbara hands me a glass and a pill as I take the phone and swallow the medicine, dismissing her afterward.

"Hello, Andreas!"

"I need your help!"

"What happened?"

"That bitch stole all my money, and now I can't pay for the damn hotel room." Inevitably, I start laughing.

"You slept with her?!" I chide him with a hint of dark humor, and he huffs on the other end of the line. "What are the rules for nights like these, Mr. Rocha?"

"Oh, screw you, Mr. big shot! Are you going to help me or not?"

"Maybe!"

"Athos Mazza, don't you dare leave me hanging!"

"I have a meeting in a few minutes, Andreas, but I'll send someone over to help you out."

"Thank you very much, I owe you one!"

"Just don't fall asleep next time!" I scold, somewhat annoyed.

"You got it, daddy!" He retorts mockingly, and I roll my eyes.

"Idiot!"

"Mr. Mazza, here are the files you asked to be prepared for the meeting."

"Great, Barbara!"

"The new translations are ready, and the new intern is waiting for her interview."

"Alright. Let her know I'll see her after the meeting. I need to go."

"Yes, sir!" I gather the documents and immediately head to the meeting in a room on the fifth floor of the building.

A new secretary.

It has never been so difficult to find the right person to work with me.

Actually, Barbara would be sufficient for this job, but the fact that she's graduating in law these days will give her a position befitting her degree. A beautiful, hardworking, and intelligent girl. Definitely, this transition won't be easy, and until finding another diligent student like her, the suggestion of a secretary seemed quite appealing.

"Oh, Barbara? Have my driver take my card to Mr. Rocha at the Royal hotel."

"Of course, Mr. Mazza!" She leaves my office, and as soon as I step out, I feel a strong impact that makes me drop the folders on the floor, and an uncomfortable burning sensation in my abdomen makes me look in the same direction.

"What the...?" I growl angrily, staring at the hot coffee stain on my white shirt. At that moment, I lift my furious gaze, finding a pair of brown eyes staring at the same stain with extreme surprise.

"Who are you?!"