- We're sure we can meet Imperium's demands, Mr. Mason. - the lawyer smiled confidently in my direction.I looked at the papers in my hands a little uncertainly. The representative of the company that was counting on our investment had put things in a very promising light, but investing in a company that had serious financial problems didn't seem like good business to me.- I don't like investing in anything that doesn't give me guarantees. - I reflected.- And I can see that you have some serious problems.- Nothing that can't be solved if we have a company as big as Imperium as an investor. - He smiled again. - We're just asking for a chance to prove that we can be great partners and bring even more profit to your company.- A dream proposal. - I admitted. - But a multinational doesn't live on dreams.I got up from the table and he got up too.- Mr. Mason, we're just asking for a vote of confidence.He insisted.- Trust is something that can be dangerous. - Ellen returned to my thou
I looked impatiently at Nicholas as he spoke on the phone. He signaled for me to wait a little longer. I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. Now that the sting of anger had passed, I was feeling even guiltier.- You've done a lot of harm, Damien. - Nicholas sat down in the chair opposite me and hung up the phone. - Ellen must be scared now.- I know, I know. I've lost my mind. But damn it! She told me it didn't have a price! She told me it wasn't for sale! I thought I was being an asshole and it's your fault too.- It's my fault? - He looked surprised.- You planted those ideas that Ellen wasn't that kind of woman, I was unprepared.- Don't put the blame on me. And I stand by my view of Ellen. - Nick ran his hands through his hair. - Have you ever wondered why she decided to accept your proposal out of the blue?- Because she wants money? - I said angrily.- But why Damien? What does she want that money for?- I don't know, Ferraço. Women have many futile expenses. - I stood up.
Ellen frowned in confusion.- You don't think I'd pay to have someone frigid by my side. And that's how you were a few minutes ago and how you were yesterday. But I realize that was just another one of your masks. - I smiled. She still wanted to be mine. - You can hide it, but you won't be able to escape the desire you feel for me and that's why I'm willing to make an interesting clause.- What are you talking about? - I'm telling you that I'm not going to force you into anything, Ellen. - I've given her the contract. - I'm hiring you as my escort, but it won't include the services I had in mind at the beginning.- I don't understand.- I'm saying that you won't have to go to bed with me, at least not under contract. - I left my chair and walked over to her. Then I turned her armchair around and pinned her down by putting an arm on either side of her on the upholstery.- I don't want to have you like this, Ellen. And I know I don't need a contract to make you mine, I think I'm quite
Damien offered me his hand to help me out of the car and smiled at me:- Welcome to the Palace, again.I blinked, perplexed that I hadn't realized where we were. I'd sat on the opposite side and hadn't noticed when we'd stopped on the sidewalk I already knew.- Is this another reception? I thought it was dinner. - I replied, keeping my eyes on the magnificent hotel and trying to control the nervousness that Damien's gaze was causing me.- No. This time we're just having dinner. - He offered me his arm and I took it. - Be back by ten, Tom.- Yes, sir. - Tom replied and got back into the car. Damien then began to guide us into the hotel. It wasn't as surrounded by people and cars as last time, but it still contained a fairly generous number of people.We passed through the Lobby and the staff greeted us with restrained courtesy. I smiled politely, but they seemed a little taken aback by my reaction, leaving me confused too.- Don't worry, Darlings. They're just not used to it. - Damien
Arianna and Jenny were already starting to find my frequent outings strange and I was afraid of my aunt's reaction when she found out. It was true that I wasn't sleeping with Damien, but I had still sold myself to him as his luxury escort. The name itself had a heavy charge.- Is there a problem? - I heard Damien call me and I put my cell phone back in my bag.- No. I think everything's fine today. - I said without looking at him.- Today?I lifted my head and realized he was staring at me in confusion.- The desserts are very nice. - I diverted the subject. Damien continued to stare at me. Finally, he sighed and nodded.- They are. - He nodded. - You're spending the night with me tonight.- What? - I swallowed the Fondant hastily.- At my place, Ellen. - Damien smiled mischievously.- I can go back to the house.- It's not convenient. Besides, I want to enjoy it some more. - His eyes analyzed my face. - I'm sorry about what happened in the store earlier. His comment caught me off gu
- The finals are killing me. - Arianna came up to me with a huge smile, while I was having coffee with Júlia in the hospital canteen.- Ary, you're going to be late for the cafeteria. - I scolded her, but got up and hugged her. Just a few minutes. I needed to know how you were. She smiled at me and then gave Julia another smile. - How's your brother? He's fine. The treatment will start this week. The doctors say that if he responds well, he won't need a bone marrow transplant.- He'll respond. - Arianna encouraged me. - Jenny sent this to you.She opened her bag and took out an envelope.- What's this? - When I opened the envelope, I was astonished by the notes inside. - No. Tell her I can't accept it.- You have to take it. - Arianna refused to take the envelope. - We all contribute a little to your brother's treatment. Even Takashi. I know it's still not much, but I think we might be able to get some help from the city.- Ary...- Ell, we're in this together. - She smiled. - Anythi
- Do you like lace? - He looked at one of the drawers I had left open. And to my misfortune it was the lingerie drawer.- Look there! - I scolded him and ran to the drawer to close it.- Black and with lace. - He looked down my body and smiled mischievously. - Just the way I like it.- That's none of your business! - I shouted, feeling my face burn. He laughed and touched my face.- Who's being rude now? - Damien moved closer and my back hit the wooden furniture. - Now I'm curious to know what you're wearing.- Damien... - I tried to keep him at bay with the rest of my sanity. - We're going to be late.Damien ignored my comment and his lips touched my neck.I gasped and he laughed to weave a trail of kisses down the base of my neck to my lap. Then suddenly he stopped and kissed my lips.- Pink. - He said and smiled sideways. - Approved.His eyes flicked down to my lap and I noticed my bra showing. Suddenly, we heard another knock on the door.- Mr. Mason. Tom is already waiting.I pus
I waited patiently for Damien to make a statement to the woman in front of us, but he resigned himself to pressing me against his body and turning away without a word. I noticed that his face was suddenly tense and his eyes narrowed as he led us into the room.- Is everything all right? - I should have stopped asking him that, but I couldn't help it.- It is, Darling. - He assured me, but didn't look at me.Before I could insist again, we left the building and I was faced with a large green field and a kind of sophisticated wide veranda that housed a small group of people.- Damien! - Another man approached us. But this one was thin and slender with wavy brown hair. - I thought you were going to give us another cake.Damien let out a not very genuine laugh.- And miss the chance to see him beaten by me for the fifth time in a row in a different country?The man grimaced, but smiled. Suddenly, he noticed me.- Who's your beautiful friend?-This is Ellen and she's decided to give me the
BONUS DAMIENI stopped before entering the balcony, just enjoying it. She looked even more beautiful against the classic Italian backdrop. Her hair took on bronze tones in the sunset and the exposed skin that slipped through her robe glowed, capturing my attention. To think that the woman sitting on the parapet with her eyes focused on the Italian landscape was my wife filled me with pride and relief. I tightened my fingers around the glass, silently thanking her for having me. I wouldn't risk losing her ever again. I would take care of her. My eyes went down to her abdomen with our little miracle that still had no sign. I would take care of them both.She wouldn't suffer any more, I would make sure that everything for her went full and happy. That's what she deserved after so much suffering. I made her my life from the moment we walked up the aisle on the island of Solstice and I would love her until the very end.Ellen raised the coffee cup next to her to her lips and her well-drawn
To my surprise, Nicholas and Arianna managed to get along and ended up giving a speech together. Damien and I danced together once again in the Golden Room, to the same music we danced to the first time. When I heard Michael Bolton's final chord, I managed to snatch him into the garden before we were surrounded once again by guests. He looked as surprised as I had imagined when he saw himself in the hotel's empty garden. - Where's my present? - You'll have to look for it. - I nibbled my lower lip and took a step back.Damien frowned in confusion. - All over the garden? - In the immediate vicinity. - I nodded positively. He smiled and ran his hands through the hair on the back of my neck. Then he looked around and I smiled when I realized he was lost as to which direction to go first. - Look, Mr. Mason! - I urged him. Damien looked at me and smiled in my direction and then started walking towards a flowering bush. - It's not there. - I warned him. He stopped immediately. Then
" - I promise to protect and respect you, loving you and our family above myself and my desires. I'll be there every time you need me, because you're the woman I've always hoped for and the only one I've ever really loved, Ellen. As long as my heart beats, it will beat for you and to you."His words still rang in my ears, like a sweet dream. I closed my eyes to remember the recent emotions I had experienced in front of the altar, when he promised me that we would be each other's forever. I opened my eyes and looked at my reflection in the mirror. The happiness was so great that I couldn't keep the tears at bay. We decided on an informal ceremony on the beach before sunset. sunset. Solstice Island was the chosen location. There, six months after an intense night, Damien and I exchanged the vows that would last the rest of our lives. rest of our lives. It was almost impossible to believe that after the troubled way we met, things would end in such a beautiful way.However, things weren'
- No, no, no... - He pulled me close and wrapped his suit around my waist. I wanted to help him, but I was feeling weak and dizzy.- My love, don't... - Damien sobbed and his lips touched my forehead. - It's all my fault...I reached out slowly and took his arm. He hadn't forgotten me. He had come back to me, as he had promised. And although I was in a lot of pain, my heart warmed inside with happiness.- You came back... But when you called me... I thought...- Ellen, forgive me... - her fingers brushed my right cheek.- It was supposed to be a surprise... I wanted to make you happy...He seemed to despair even more and his sobs became louder.I held his face between my hands.- It's all right... Damien, I... - I felt a twinge and let out a groan, but I didn't give up. I had been foolish to hide my feelings from him and now there was no turning back. It was the deadline. - I love you. I love you with everything I am.Damien let out an agonized moan and more thick tears rolled down hi
I spent Monday trying to distract myself. I bought ice cream and rented romantic comedies to watch, even alone. Jenny and Arianna tried to persuade me to go to a club in Urca, but I refused on the grounds of feeling unwell. Which, in a way, wasn't a lie. They accepted my excuses, but assured me that they would come and visit me later.At lunchtime, I put a supermarket lasagna in the oven and mixed it with some rice. At times I couldn't help shedding a few tears and convinced myself that I was only doing it out of emotion for a few scenes in the movies. At least that's what I'd tell Julia and David when they arrived in the evening. I curled up on the sofa and stared at my cell phone. I'd called Arianna just before four o'clock, but she hadn't picked up or returned my call. She must still be at the club with Jenny. So I kept my cell phone in my hand, staring at his name.I should have told Damien. Told him how I felt. He was right when he said he was the only one fighting for what we ha
I watched the black liquid drip down and gradually fill the cup with dishes of the same color. I continued to pour it slowly and without any pretense of paying attention to the task at hand. That's how I'd been acting since that morning after the Solstice.The cup finally reached the goal I had hoped for. I sighed and brought it to my lips, trying to convince myself to face the hours that awaited me outside. I concentrated only on the taste of the strong coffee for a few moments, but soon the scene was back in my mind. His blue eyes had a melancholy glow and were as hazy as the cloudy morning sky when we arrived at theinternational airport. He tried to convince me to accept the keys to his house one more time, but I stood firm in my decision.Finally giving up, he gently took my hand and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss full of devotion under my skin. I choked back a sob and Damien moved closer, placing his cupped hand on my left cheek.- Are you sure you don't want to come wit
He seemed to hesitate and then let out a long sigh.- I need to go back. - He revealed what I already knew, but added something more.Things in New York have changed a lot and I'll have no choice but to leave. My trip is scheduled for tomorrow. - Then I finally understood what was happening. The whole thing was our farewell. It was to end our relationship. I felt my heart speed up and then tighten in my chest. This was the momentthat I had always dreaded, even though I knew it was bound to happen. Damien and I were from different worlds and at some point the gap between us would become apparent.- It's all right. - I stroked the hair on the back of his neck and held his gaze, but when I felt my eyes getting teary, I put my face on his shoulder. - I'll understand.I had nothing to complain about. When we got together, our time together became something precious to me. So it wasn't fair to spoil the moments he had prepared for us with tears.- Ellen. - Damien called me, but I couldn't
Damien rested his free hand on my waist and we walked to the garage as if we were once again going to one of the usual parties. He chose the Ferrari this time and before long we were crossing Rio de Janeiro.Damien kept silent about our destination and really surprised me when he maneuvered the car and parked it in front of the international airport.- You'll be well looked after, Mr. Mason. - A man in a suit with an airport badge met us. - The platform is ready for you.- Platform? - I looked at Damien without understanding.He just smiled and led me into the airport. Another employee greeted us with a smile and I was stunned when we stepped onto the take-off platform.- Your private jet is ready, sir. I wish you a safe journey.He waved goodbye.- Jet? Damien, we're going...- We're going somewhere special. And since I know how much you like that airplane movie, I got a bit of inspiration since I know how to fly and I think I look better than Tom Cruise. - I let out a laugh.- Wait
David had a huge smile on his face when he entered the house and the first thing he did was announce that it was time to catch up on his series. Jenny and Arianna were also with us. Aunt Meiry had gone to the hospital, but couldn't follow us home, promising to come and see us later.- Things seem to be getting back to normal. - Arianna glared at me as I finished sorting out the chocolate cake I had made for David.- Yeah. It looks like they are. - I agreed.- What is it, Ell? - Jenny stopped pouring herself a soft drink next to me and stared at me. - You don't seem very excited.- I am. - I smiled at her. - I'm very happy that David is finally home.- But... - Jenny insisted. - You can't fool us, my friend. Go ahead.She gestured to Arianna who went to the door leading to the living room and then came back.- David is explaining something about that series he likes to Julia and Renata. We can talk about it.- I'm fine. - I assured them. They both looked at me incredulously. - Damien i