CHARLOTTEWe spent the rest of the day shopping, and what I thought would be a tedious spree turned out to be unexpectedly delightful. It gave me a glimpse of Thiago in a completely different light. I’d seen him in many shades, commanding with his security personnel, thoughtful and kind, calm yet simmering with intensity. But this carefree, lighthearted side of him was new.He had Sonia and the other guards keep a respectful distance as we moved between stores, selecting outfits. Thiago would try on clothing, examine himself in the mirror, and eagerly ask for my feedback. I knew he valued honesty, so I gave it without hesitation.If something looked good, I told him; if it didn’t, I suggested a different color or style. He did the same when I modeled my picks, though it took me a little while to loosen up enough to show him.Each time I tried on a dress, skirt, or blouse, he offered playful yet sincere critiques that eased my nerves. By the end of the day, I was laughing at his exagge
ROGERIO“Hello, Rogerio,” the voice rang through the speaker, and my eyes flew open as I recognized who the speaker was. My mother rarely called. She was prone to making unannounced visits; a call meant that she had grown weary of the situation but couldn’t be bothered enough to make a trip.If it was important enough for her to make a call, there were two things attached to it. One, it needed to be urgently resolved. Two, she wouldn’t want to have the conversation again. I sat up and glanced around the room.I had taken the day off to schedule a meeting with Thiago, but he rescheduled, and I went home. It was a strange decision, an impulsive one, but I did it. The alternative was to go back to the office, then prepare for dinner with Elena, but I chose peace and quiet.“Hello, Mother, how’re you doing?” I replied and closed my eyes as she cleared her throat.“Were you asleep?” she asked, and I arched an eyebrow.“Why? You sound surprised,” I answered, trying to steady my nerves. I co
ELENARogerio’s approach to planning the wedding had finally pushed me to the wall, so I decided to call his mother. My family had spent the last few weeks reminding me that I’d thrown away my chances with the Thuthai family the first time, and I had to ensure the wedding happened this time. They didn’t care if I had to grovel or beg to become the next Signora Thuthai; they simply wanted me to do whatever it took to get it done.I knew calling his mom was a power move. She wouldn’t entertain the flimsy excuses Rogerio had been giving me for not picking a date, and he’d be forced to do whatever she said. As I sat at my vanity table, doing my makeup for the dinner Rogerio and I were supposed to have tonight, I wondered if he’d detest me even more than he already did - or if he’d understand that I’d done what needed to be done.The door creaked open, and a head full of red hair peeked through. I blinked, confused. I’d been expecting my assistant and had already prepared a speech to addre
ROGERIOThe wind blew debris across the estate as I stepped out of the front door. I watched the gardener and another worker dash toward the trash bins, trying to gather the scattered pieces and secure them. Climbing into the car, I glanced back at the house one last time.Maria’s response lingered in my mind as the vehicle hummed to life. The driver guided us through the gates and into the bustling city center, a blur of movement and noise. My visit to Maria had been a dead end; she was hell-bent on keeping Charlotte’s whereabouts from me, and for good reason.I was certain Maria knew exactly where Charlotte was staying, but she’d made the same calculations I had. My confession hadn’t helped my case.I’d assumed that being honest with her would make her see reason, that she might even try to help me out of this impossible situation. But hope, as I’ve learned, is a fickle emotion— present one moment, gone the next. As soon as she started laughing, I knew I’d lost the fight completely.
CHARLOTTEThe party had gone according to plan; everyone had a great time, and I was delighted to have pulled it off despite my initial doubts. It felt like, for the first time in a long while, something had gone according to plan without any hitches, and I was delighted to be part of it.As people filed out of the establishment, I settled into my office chair, sipping wine straight from the bottle. It felt like a small reward for a job well done. However, by the time I reached my second bottle, I knew leaving the office without stumbling over objects, or even people, was becoming increasingly unlikely.I giggled at the thought of falling over things, but knew it would be a terrible sight for everyone involved to watch their new manager embarrass herself because she couldn’t hold her alcohol. That was why I had stuck to drinking only a few glasses while the party was in full swing. Now that I was certain everyone had enjoyed themselves, it was time for my little celebration.When I le
CHARLOTTERogerio was the type of man any woman would dream of. I spent my time doing things I thought would make him happy. Today, I asked the cook, Maria, to prepare his favorite meal in anticipation of his return for dinner. However, he had not arrived yet.“How many times have you seen a rocket in the sky?" I asked aloud.“What?” Maria asked and lifted her head to meet my gaze. “I don’t understand.”“A rocket, Maria. Do you know what that is?" I questioned, arching an eyebrow.“Of course,” she answered with a knowing smile.“Good. How many times have you seen one?”“Barely," she replied, her expression shifting from curiosity to confusion repeatedly.“Yeah. That’s how much I’ve seen Roggie in this house,” I acknowledged, and an awkward silence filled the room.“He doesn’t like to be called that,” she said after a long time.“I know. Perhaps that’s why he’s angry? And he hasn’t come home. Have I let out that name unknowingly?”“I doubt it,” she responded dryly and lowered her gaze.
CHARLOTTE“Rogerio,” I whispered as he shut the door behind him and stepped into the night. The clock ticked softly in the corner of the room as my heart pounded against my chest. I clutched the sides of my stomach to steady my body as a sharp pain shot up my spine, and my eyes ached terribly.I stood up a few seconds later to look at myself in the mirror again. My reflection stared back at me as my heart broke into a million pieces.“I did everything right!” I yelled and sobbed loudly. I heard the door open and looked up, expecting to see him and hear that he had changed his mind, but it was the door that led to the staff quarters, not the one he had walked through.I felt whatever was left of my dignity shed as Maria stepped into the hallway. “Signora,” she said and ran towards me, enveloping me in an embrace. “Let’s get you out of here.”“I did everything right, Maria,” I repeated in between sobs. She sighed and patted my head.“Let’s get you into the bedroom. This has caused quite
CHARLOTTEI woke up to the sound of hurried footsteps moving through the house and voices yelling in unison. Too disoriented to make sense of it, I struggled to block out the noise coming from the engines of trucks revving in the distance. Yawning and stretching my arms, I sat up, looking around the room with a confused expression.My mind felt like a blank slate for a hot minute, delighted yet frightened at the prospect. But a few seconds later, the feeling dispersed as my brain started to recall the events of last night.I sighed and smiled sadly. Life had taken a different turn, one I couldn’t deny I hadn’t foreseen as the days rolled by. I remembered the terms of the marriage that Rogerio and I had. We hadn’t started our relationship on the basis of love, but I could swear we were great friends.When I fell in love with him, he never made it feel like it was an unrequited love. I felt safe and secure, like I had found someone who was ready to stick with me through thick and thin u
CHARLOTTEThe party had gone according to plan; everyone had a great time, and I was delighted to have pulled it off despite my initial doubts. It felt like, for the first time in a long while, something had gone according to plan without any hitches, and I was delighted to be part of it.As people filed out of the establishment, I settled into my office chair, sipping wine straight from the bottle. It felt like a small reward for a job well done. However, by the time I reached my second bottle, I knew leaving the office without stumbling over objects, or even people, was becoming increasingly unlikely.I giggled at the thought of falling over things, but knew it would be a terrible sight for everyone involved to watch their new manager embarrass herself because she couldn’t hold her alcohol. That was why I had stuck to drinking only a few glasses while the party was in full swing. Now that I was certain everyone had enjoyed themselves, it was time for my little celebration.When I le
ROGERIOThe wind blew debris across the estate as I stepped out of the front door. I watched the gardener and another worker dash toward the trash bins, trying to gather the scattered pieces and secure them. Climbing into the car, I glanced back at the house one last time.Maria’s response lingered in my mind as the vehicle hummed to life. The driver guided us through the gates and into the bustling city center, a blur of movement and noise. My visit to Maria had been a dead end; she was hell-bent on keeping Charlotte’s whereabouts from me, and for good reason.I was certain Maria knew exactly where Charlotte was staying, but she’d made the same calculations I had. My confession hadn’t helped my case.I’d assumed that being honest with her would make her see reason, that she might even try to help me out of this impossible situation. But hope, as I’ve learned, is a fickle emotion— present one moment, gone the next. As soon as she started laughing, I knew I’d lost the fight completely.
ELENARogerio’s approach to planning the wedding had finally pushed me to the wall, so I decided to call his mother. My family had spent the last few weeks reminding me that I’d thrown away my chances with the Thuthai family the first time, and I had to ensure the wedding happened this time. They didn’t care if I had to grovel or beg to become the next Signora Thuthai; they simply wanted me to do whatever it took to get it done.I knew calling his mom was a power move. She wouldn’t entertain the flimsy excuses Rogerio had been giving me for not picking a date, and he’d be forced to do whatever she said. As I sat at my vanity table, doing my makeup for the dinner Rogerio and I were supposed to have tonight, I wondered if he’d detest me even more than he already did - or if he’d understand that I’d done what needed to be done.The door creaked open, and a head full of red hair peeked through. I blinked, confused. I’d been expecting my assistant and had already prepared a speech to addre
ROGERIO“Hello, Rogerio,” the voice rang through the speaker, and my eyes flew open as I recognized who the speaker was. My mother rarely called. She was prone to making unannounced visits; a call meant that she had grown weary of the situation but couldn’t be bothered enough to make a trip.If it was important enough for her to make a call, there were two things attached to it. One, it needed to be urgently resolved. Two, she wouldn’t want to have the conversation again. I sat up and glanced around the room.I had taken the day off to schedule a meeting with Thiago, but he rescheduled, and I went home. It was a strange decision, an impulsive one, but I did it. The alternative was to go back to the office, then prepare for dinner with Elena, but I chose peace and quiet.“Hello, Mother, how’re you doing?” I replied and closed my eyes as she cleared her throat.“Were you asleep?” she asked, and I arched an eyebrow.“Why? You sound surprised,” I answered, trying to steady my nerves. I co
CHARLOTTEWe spent the rest of the day shopping, and what I thought would be a tedious spree turned out to be unexpectedly delightful. It gave me a glimpse of Thiago in a completely different light. I’d seen him in many shades, commanding with his security personnel, thoughtful and kind, calm yet simmering with intensity. But this carefree, lighthearted side of him was new.He had Sonia and the other guards keep a respectful distance as we moved between stores, selecting outfits. Thiago would try on clothing, examine himself in the mirror, and eagerly ask for my feedback. I knew he valued honesty, so I gave it without hesitation.If something looked good, I told him; if it didn’t, I suggested a different color or style. He did the same when I modeled my picks, though it took me a little while to loosen up enough to show him.Each time I tried on a dress, skirt, or blouse, he offered playful yet sincere critiques that eased my nerves. By the end of the day, I was laughing at his exagge
CHARLOTTE“I can’t take the job,” I said as soon as I stepped into the office. Thiago raised his head to meet my gaze and broke into a grin.“I knew you’d come,” he replied, standing up. “Sit. How are you feeling?”“I’m exhausted, and it’s not the type that comes from physical exertion. I can’t explain it, but I’m genuinely tired of everything,” I answered, sitting down.He returned to his seat and watched my expression for a moment before speaking.“I can’t say I understand how you feel, but I know what it’s like to feel overwhelmed by situations, especially those beyond our control. But I think you should take the job.”“Why? I don’t have any experience. I don’t know what it’s like to run a business, and I don’t have a degree that would give me the foundation to pull it off either. What’s the point?” I replied, throwing my hands up in frustration.When we left the apartment, Sonia had tried to convince me to take the job. I had been considering it during the ride here, but when I st
CHARLOTTEMy eyes flew open when I heard a knock on the door, and I realized that I had fallen asleep on the couch. The empty bottle of wine lay on the floor next to my feet, and my head throbbed as the events of the previous night flashed through my mind. “Come in,” I called out, and the door opened.Two guards stepped into the room, carrying a large frame covered with a white film. I immediately sat up as they looked around, trying to figure out where to place it. Sonia walked into the room and pointed to a corner; they made their way there and carefully placed the frame on the floor before leaving as quietly as they had come in.“Good morning, Signora,” Sonia muttered, her eyes glancing around the room and resting on the bottle. “You look pale,” she added, and I clicked my tongue against the roof of my mouth.“Hello, Sonia. You look like you’ve come to make my life a living hell,” I replied, and she laughed.“You only think that because you’ve been drinking again— a little too much
CHARLOTTEI walked towards the elevator with slow, steady steps. The evening had ended on a calm note, and I was happy to be alone with my thoughts. The last thing I needed was a conversation with Sonia, or anyone else in particular.I simply wanted to walk into the apartment, take off my dress, and get into bed. I pressed the button on the wall, and the elevator doors slid open. As I stepped inside, I heard someone call my name and turned around to see Thiago walking towards me.I resisted the urge to groan and held the doors until he reached where I stood. I was just celebrating not having to talk to anyone, only to have the one person I absolutely had to talk to walk up to me.“I thought you had left,” I said as he stepped into the elevator.“Yes, but we had to turn around. I left something important in one of the apartments, and…” He reached into his pocket. “I wanted to give you this,” he finished, handing me a small black box.“What is it?” I asked, staring at the box intently.
CHARLOTTE“You don’t have to go there, you know. I know a…” he started to say as I stared at the card in my hand. It was a black business card that had an address and Tiana’s name printed on the back.“Where is this?” I asked, studying the card curiously.“It’s Tiana’s favorite restaurant, one of her favorites to be fair,” he answered, and I smiled. “Don’t pay her any attention; she’s a nosy brat,” he said with feigned annoyance, and I chuckled because I could tell that, as much as he acted like he didn’t want her in his business, it wasn’t hard to see that he still adored her.“I want to go. I like your cousin,” I said, running my fingers across the edge of the card.“I was afraid you’d say that,” he replied and shook his head. “She’d be delighted to hear that. I have to warn you, though. When Tee sets her mind on something, she doesn’t stop till she’s achieved it.”I turned to him and arched an eyebrow. “What could she possibly have her mind set on by offering me a card to one of he