Chapter two

I can say that it's hard to find someone luckier than me, as soon as I got home on Saturday morning Giovanna wasn't waiting for me and there weren't any missed calls from her either.

Something I find strange, very strange.

Well, the weekend passed very quickly, and I took the opportunity to do my walks and yoga exercises.

It was Monday, and I arrived early at the music producer, I had taken 30 days of vacation and then today I preferred to arrive earlier than usual. I greet Belinda, my secretary and one of the few employees who speak to me.

Upon entering the room I was surprised by a blonde hurricane that practically flew toward me

"Hi to you too, Giovanna," I told her as I placed my bag on the hanger.

— There's no hi, where were you Friday? Why disappear like that?

"My mother went away and left you in her place? Because you look like her " - I sat in the chair and turned on the computer

" You know very well that I don't like you leaving without warning Mary, how am I supposed to know if you're all right? "

" You should know by now that if anything happens or if I feel sick, you're my emergency contact and you should also know that on Fridays I like to have fun "

" Okay, I was just worried" - She sat down in the chair in front of me - "But did you meet someone cool ?"

"If he was nice I wouldn't know how to answer you why I don't pay attention to it, but he was handsome and good in bed, okay?"

"And what's his name? Did you write down the number?"

"And do I happen to write the name and number of who I go out with, Giovanna? Please! - Looking at some papers - "You know I don't keep in touch with the men I date"

" Mary, why are you like this? need to change "

" And you need to do your job, we're here to work, aren't we? "

" These are the results I brought " - Pointing to the folder she was holding - "they will be presented at the meeting this afternoon, but I don't know if you'll like them" - I saw her cross her legs

“Okay, save the bad news for the meeting. Tell me, what did you do on Friday that didn't go to my house after me, let alone call me like crazy?"

" I also met a guy on Friday and we went out to a motel " - She said, already sitting on the chair

" That's how I like it, seeing my friend enjoying life "

"Wow, he's so handsome and he said he's new in town," she sighed, leaning back in her chair.

"For God's sake, have you fallen in love?"

" No, but we agreed to see each other more often, he came from Mexico and he's new here in town. He wants me to introduce him to the city "

"Careful, that's all I can tell you!"

" That I have and a lot. "

I turned my attention to the computer, there were some emails to be answered that were pending.

Giovanna went to her office and Belinda came in carrying coffee and cookies, while I looked at music trends and also the company's shares on the stock market.

I heard the door slam, it was Belinda again

" Miss Mary, don't forget the meeting will start in 15 minutes"

“You don't have to remind me, I have a watch and a diary.

"I'm just doing my job, excuse me."

I got up, straightened my skirt and hair, and went towards the meeting room, where everyone was already waiting for me.

" Good afternoon Dona Mary, how was your vacation?" - Asked one of the producers

"No talking, let's get down to business." - I sat at the table and looked at Giovanna

" Well, these days when Mary was on vacation she asked me to do a survey of the company in the last 6 months "

" And what was the result?" - asked another producer

" Lately, the company has not been sought out by artists to record their albums and with that, the profit has dropped by 20% from 6 months to now "

He turned on the overhead projector and put it on so we could see the numbers

“This is not good,” I muttered. “And our producers aren't doing anything? Don't they bring in new talent?

" We bring them" - replied Ricardo, one of the producers, getting up - but some don't pass the tests we do and others are not successful, and then we have a lot of expenses

" We need to do something to return to profit or else we could go bankrupt in less than 1 year - explained Giovanna

" I was away for a few days and you do this with the company?" - I said sharply

“Miss Mary, may I remind you that you have only been gone 30 days and these results are from 6 months ago. "

" The results are from the last 6 months, but in the last 3 weeks they dropped almost twice "- said Giovanna

" I LEAVE THE COMPANY FOR A FEW DAYS AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS?" - I shouted slamming my hands on the table - "I PAY YOU SALARY FOR WHAT?"

Everyone was silent and thoughtful until one got up.

"If you'll excuse me, I have an idea!"

"Say... What's your name ?" - I questioned

" Robert"

I have a serious problem with names, I never remember any

" Tell me, Robert "

“I would say maybe it's time we partnered with some other company in the same field.

“Are you guys going crazy? Where do these ideas come from? None of that, let's do marketing, go hunting, and bring in more musicians. Or maybe I'll fire our producers and hire better ones. "

“I don't think you understand that we don't have the money for that. If we do it, it might not work, it's a very high risk " – said Giovanna moving her pen

“She's right, Miss Mary. I even know a company that could help us.... " - said one of the producers, tapping his pen on the table

"  Which? "

"Taylor's Music"

Everyone started talking at once when he said that.

"SHUT UP!" - I screamed

" I've been reading that Taylor's Music is going from bad to worse, and I think it's worse than us, the new owner is going to have a lot of problems" - said Giovanna

" I don't care about another company "

"But what if we propose a partnership with them? it would be better for us. If we analyze Taylor's Music, it goes from bad to worse, but this is due to the mismanagement of the former owner since the last albums released nationally and internationally successfully were recorded and released by them "- Said Roberto

 

" But if you want my opinion as a friend and also a financial manager of the company, at least try to arrange a conversation with them "

"Okay, you win! Get in touch with them, go over the proposal, and try to set up a meeting. I hope it works out or I fire you all "

I got up and left, going to my room, I was very irritated with what I had just heard and I hope that nobody comes to irritate me even more, but it seems that my dear friend decided to follow me

" I know how much it upsets you because you give your life for this company but you need to accept that this may be the time to make changes "

" The company has history and is renowned in the music industry, how did we let it get to this point? "

"The country is going through a crisis and unfortunately we have been affected"

“I will do what I can to save this company "

“did you make an appointment with Dr. Leonardo? "

" No, and I won't, I thought I had already explained that to you."

"But Mary..."

" This conversation is over and I've pissed myself off enough for today, I'm leaving "

"And I'm going to my office to work, then I'm going to go out with the brunette from Friday "

" Bye Giovanna! "

I grabbed my bag and left, said goodbye to Belinda, and told her I didn't want anyone to call me.

As I walked to the elevator, I noticed that people had their backs to me and it didn't bother me.

"They should thank me for employing them," I whispered to myself.

I took the elevator and went down to the parking lot, bumping into Mariazinha, a beggar child who was always there.

I don't know why, but something about her reminded me of my sister who passed away a few years ago.

" Good afternoon Dona Mary, can you help me with a donation please?"

"Okay, go eat something."

I opened my purse and gave her a $5 bill.

"Thank you, Miss "

I got in my car and drove home listening to The Beatles on the radio.

 As soon as I arrived, I noticed that there was a moving truck parked in front of the house, which until then was going to be rented.

I saw a shirtless man, he had his back to me, with a very striking body by the way.

As soon as he turned around I saw it was the man who I had sex with on Friday, Taylor or something like that was his last name

"Miss No-Name over here, you over here!" - he said approaching.

Impossible not to notice that defined body again

" I live here, but I won't even stay here talking to you, I have other things to do "

"Okay Miss, no one is asking you to stay" He winked "But can you at least say your name?" Now we'll be neighbors and I'll have to ask you for sugar

" You still won't know my name and if you need sugar ask other neighbors "

“But what if it's sugar and a request to repeat our Friday night?

He moved closer to me, holding my waist and whispering in my ear.

"Sorry, but there won't be another night."

"Not even if the man is me?"

“You're hot, but not all that.

Before he said anything I left there and went to my house, I hope they don't bother me.

I went in and saw that the maid had already prepared my afternoon coffee, I was stressed so before that I went to take a shower and relax, that was all I needed

"Yes, it might work and it might be good," someone else replied