thomasCecilia did not return. It's already three o'clock in the morning and the bitch girl is gone. Her cell phone remains unavailable. I already called her parents asking for her, threatening, but they both seemed surprised and worried, so I ruled out her running away at their behest. I'm pissed because I hate it when people disobey me. I told her to be here at the hotel when I got back, and she was supposed to be here. Simple.I give up waiting.I get out of bed and put on a shirt before grabbing my car keys. I take the elevator down and make some calls. I look for information about parties in the vicinity and it is not difficult to find the location of the “big party” on social networks. I put the location into the GPS and it only takes ten minutes to arrive. I see a bunch of brats in front of a fraternity house with red cups in their hands and the racket rolling down the middle of the street.I curse Cecilia out loud, wanting to crush her little neck, and park the vehicle. I go d
I get up early even though I slept at dawn as usual. My body is already trained to wake up at seven thirty in the morning every day, and there is no one to make me stay in bed late.I change into clean clothes after I take a shower and brush my teeth. I run my hand through my hair to comb it, put my watch on my wrist and put on my shoes before going to where Cecília is sleeping. I knock on the door and it takes a few minutes for the employee to open it. I go in and see that the girl is still sleeping. I don't know what she was thinking going off like a madwoman drinking all the drinks in the world, but I'm not going to give the little princess a taste of rest after all.— You can let me take care of everything from here — I say to the lady, who just nods and leaves.I approach the bed and look down at the girl's makeup-smeared face. I shake her shoulders slightly and she grunts, smacking my hand.— Wake up, Cecília — I say and shake her body again. - Wake up!The girl wakes up with a
I was so mad at everything Thomas is trying to force me to do that I agreed to go to a party with Kelly, which I never do. Is not fair. I always do everything right, I'm a good daughter, a good student. And for what? To be sold into marriage to a gruff man who only wants revenge on my father."It's not his fault, it's yours!" I say and lift my chin even though I just want to run away from him giving me that intimidating look. “You were the one who decided to punish me when I didn't do anything.Thomas tilts his head to the side and gives me a warm smile that confuses me. He reaches across the table and grips my fingers. His hand is warm and soft and somehow makes my body relax.“It was your father who chose this, Cecilia. He could be a man and pay for his mistakes. But he chose to sell you to me, didn't he? He would rather you suffer for the rest of your life than go to jail as is fair. I feel my eyes fill with tears and Thomas pats my hand. “No, honey, don't cry. Everything is fine.
Cecília- I was worried about you.I hug the pillow and sigh as Kelly settles into bed next to me.It's been a few days since my life turned upside down and I'm at a loss for what to do. I'm getting desperate about missing classes, but I emailed some of the teachers and they let me make up later. I just want my life back. I don't want to be stuck in a hotel room waiting for the good will of an arrogant tyrant who has decided to make a puppet of me.My dad keeps calling, but I didn't pick up the phone once. I don't want to talk to him, I don't want to hear his excuses. The last time I spoke to Mom, she said he's in a lot of pain from this whole situation, but what about me? I am paying for a mistake that is not mine and they are not doing anything to help me.“I'm fine,” I lie and try to smile at my best friend.“I didn't understand anything when that guy picked you up at the party. I only let you go with him because he said the name and I remembered that you told me you were your fath
thomasI wait for Cecília in the hotel's meeting room. The lawyer is at my side, reviewing the paperwork I asked him to review and have ready for today. The damn girl is late and I need to control the urge to go after her and shake her until she understands that she needs to act different from what she's used to from now on. I'm not going to get involved with someone who runs the risk of tarnishing the good image I've always given to the media. The girl will have to walk the line.I hear a light knock on the door minutes later and I know it's her.- Goes into.I have my back to the door and I hear the hesitant footsteps approaching.— You're late, Cecilia. When I make an appointment with you, show up. Not a minute later.- I got lost. I didn't know where the meeting room was,” she whispers and walks over to the chair across the table from me.I arch an eyebrow when I see that it's all produced. Baggy clothing no longer exists, let alone horrible, see-through pajamas. Do not say anythi
thomasAs soon as I arrived in São Paulo, I came straight to the company because now, more than ever, rest is not part of my life. I got investors in New York, but the confusion is far from over. The damage left in the company's coffers was great. The man, in addition to stealing a large part of the cash allocated for labor, sabotaged the purchase of materials, replacing the good quality ones with inferior ones, but that was not what appeared on the invoices.Just thinking about that bastard's roguery makes me even more motivated to destroy him. The headache I'm having right now won't go away.I'm working hard, rereading emails, reviewing reports, when I hear a knock on the door.- You may come in.“Sir…” Diana looks agitated. “Securities got in touch saying that Cesar is trying to speak with you downstairs. He looks furious, and since he's banned you from entering—” “You can let him in, Diana.She nods helpfully and hurries off. This is going to be interesting. I really didn't have t
I'm in fucking stress. It's been two weeks since I arrived from New York and everything seems to be going wrong. When I take two steps forward, it feels like something pulls me back. I discover that the hole César put me in is much bigger than I thought. But that just makes me more motivated.I leave work and go to a bar close to home. I'm in need of a drink and some other air to relax with, because I've done all I can today.Cecília is walking on the rails, as she promised. I have people watching her so that she doesn't do anything that will tarnish my image. After all the work the last few days, I just had time to announce our engagement to the press today. The news swirled everywhere, with speculation and gossip. But I do not care.I take a seat at one of the far-flung tables and lift my finger to order a brandy. The place is discreet, empty and quiet. I rarely come here due to lack of time, but it's a good pastime when I need to relieve myself. In every sense of the word.I see a
Because my stupid body is all hot just remembering the way that asshole touched me uninvited.I can bet anything that Thomas won't be here for long."Can I go to your house?" I ask and widen my eyes at Kelly.She looks at me confused.- To my house? My parents' house? ’ I nod. "Why do you want to go to my parents' house?"“Because I'm sure Thomas will be here any minute and I don't want to have to deal with him,” I confess like the beautiful coward that I am. I already know I'm stuck with him for the rest of my life, or at least as long as he wants to torture Dad before he gets sick of me, but I can't think straight right now. I'm still feeling sick and I don't doubt he'll try to make me go back to Brazil after this one.I need time to at least think.- Please? I insist. She seems torn. “Only for a few days.Because it won't take longer than that for him to find me.Kelly sighs and nods. She starts typing something on her cell phone."I'll let my mother know you're going there."- Tha
- "What happens now?" Lora questioned.- "Steve will listen to the whole recording countless times" Colton replied, nonchalantly.Both walked side by side to the end of the hall, where the training room was located. The soundproofed room was empty that morning when Colton opened the door, then waited for the redhead to enter.Deep down, that militarized man didn't like what he was doing. Teaching Lora to be an agent, when she hadn't even mentioned that she enjoyed the profession, felt wrong.- "Today is your lucky day. Let's practice some shooting" he commented.Target shooting was an activity that involved testing proficiency and accuracy, foresight and speed. It didn't matter if the shot was short-range or long-range.- "Where do we start?" The redhead questioned.There was a demarcation on the floor of the room, which indicated the place where people should stand, so they could aim at the target and shoot. The distance between the mark and the target was ten meters. Lora positioned
When she returned to her desk, Lora realized that the reason she left was no longer an issue. Her fame would be irrelevant if she was busy lusting after the one man she shouldn't. The redhead felt her knees weak; the fallen angel's touch was as vivid on her skin as her cells. Drake rose to pull out the chair for her, elegantly and gracefully. For strangers, thinking of them as a pair was automatic. - "I said you would be my key ring at events, but I think the key ring is me" he commented as he sat down with his friend, who held back a laugh. They both focused on stage as the musicians finished a classical melody, giving space to the master of ceremonies. - "Ladies and gentlemen, we hope you are having a pleasant evening. The starters will be served now, then we will have a greeting from the host" and, after an elegant gesture, the music reverberated through the environment, along with the murmur of voices in conversation private. - "You're a little flushed, but you don't seem to b
Home to the most acclaimed films in the cinematographic world, the city of angels was more an environment of pretense and performance than of pleasure. The venues, as luxurious and elegant as they were, didn't exude money like Vegas. And neither should they. For Los Angeles, Hollywood's legacy was enough. The events were also an appropriate time to reaffirm ties of influence and show the world that, in addition to money, guests had contacts. It was a confidential agreement between the American stars; be at the top and help those who were at the top to stay. In the backseat of the limousine, Jean, Drake, and Lora waited outside the Roosevelt. One of the most famous hotels among the stars of the red carpet. At first, it would just be a dinner among the cast that made up the film, but it ended up becoming the reason for a small gathering of photographers. - "You're quite famous" Drake smiled at Jean. - "It seems so" the older man looked out, seeing all those people worshiping his name
The city lights of Los Angeles were what lit up the world in dark times. The future was in the skyscrapers and in their grandeur. Every building on the outskirts of the city that never slept had a purpose; show your power. The Roosevelt Hotel was an interesting setting. With its white facade and large rounded supporting pillars, the building had a modern look. Its interior was no different, boasting an abundance of elegance. The chandeliers in the various rooms, the pure marble floors and the superior suites with indoor pools were signs of a fortune. In the master bedroom bathroom, in one of the city's most sought-after hotels, Evans Donovan was finishing lining up his bow tie in a millimeter way on his tuxedo. He surveyed his reflection, looking for flaws that anyone else wouldn't notice. But that man was obsessed with perfection in the details. His attire, as usual, was entirely dark. The only glow on her figure came from the silver rings on her fingers. When there was a knock on
ANGELIC...The sun's rays hit my face, making me wake up. For the last few days, we've slept with the balcony doors open, listening to the sound of waves crashing against the ocean's horizon. This has been my paradise; sleep and wake up on this island.I open my eyes, looking around the room for Aaron. He's always the first thing I look for, the first thing on my mind from the first minute of the day. He's not here, but he's left an arrangement of lilies on the bedside table instead.I get up, pluck a flower from the arrangement, and spin it around, studying the white petals. I'm invaded by an old memory, which used to hurt a lot. I was twelve years old, and right after my mother's wake, I was in the garden at home. I was devastated after losing her, not only to her death but knowing that it meant I would be alone. And for a twelve-year-old girl, being alone in such a big house was really cruel.I thought I loved my family. I was so loyal to each one of them that I believed I loved th
LEBLANC...Technology always amazes me. The way the world evolves, even if people don't follow the same path. And with that said, I'd like to point out one technology in particular: the Ferris wheel.Yes, the ferris wheel. Let's talk about her then.A large hoop of reinforced iron, with booths hanging from it, revolving endlessly to the right. Fast enough to entertain people, slow enough not to make you queasy. Simply fascinating, especially considering the colorful light show around.'I thought it was charming too,' Angelic says, interrupting my thoughts about George Ferris, the creator of the Ferris wheel.- What? I ask.- The ferris wheel. I was fascinated by her as a child.I look at Angelic, who is in front of me. I can visualize her child version, maybe with a bow in her hair. I can almost see her, tiny, staring at the ferris wheel, marveling at everything the curious eyes of a normal child can reach.However, on the other hand, I don't think she can have the same vision of me.
LEBLANC...She's looking at me, her big blue eyes expectant, making me feel like the worst person in the world. Hope glimmers in every blink, and I, like the asshole that I am, am about to lie to Angelic.- And then? she asks as she holds me transfixed with her disgracefully beautiful eyes.Being a good liar doesn't mean I enjoy lying, and more, it doesn't mean I enjoy lying to her. However, I have no options left. I nod my head, because I believe false gestures are less cruel than false words."Just be honest," she pleads.No. No way.I'm leaning against the kitchen jamb, meanwhile, Angelic is behind the counter, in front of the stove. In my right hand is something she just cooked. Angelic said they were chocolate chip cookies. She said they were Christmas cookies. But honestly, I still haven't found the taste of chocolate, just burnt dough and sadness. This is really bad. In fact, bad is an understatement. It's a disgrace.- It is very bad? She frowns.Right now, Angelic is the most
ANGELIC...When we got off the helicopter, the entrance doors to the house were already open. LeBlanc carries me in his arms, because I fell asleep at some point on the trip. This is explainable, as we took a short drive and then simply traveled to an island. He told me something about being a private person, but I couldn't imagine how much.I still feel half my brain asleep, so I don't even flinch at being held. I'm tired of tonight. In fact, in addition to being tired, I am resentful.I do my best to capture the details of the house. It appears to be an old building, with details reminiscent of castles. This suits LeBlanc as he appears to have king syndrome.'You live on an island,' I say. My words sound drunk with sleep."I don't like neighbors," he argues, making me smile.- Sounds arrogant.- Looks? – He looks at me – Make no mistake, I am.I snuggle into his chest as he heads upstairs. The place is so silent that it seems to be beyond the world. It looks like a bubble, where onl
THE WHITE...I don't knock on the door, I just turn and push the handle. The Bellagio is famous for representing elite scum, and this room represents that taxation well. There are black leather couches on either side, a bar to the right, and a bottle of tequila on every square foot.I find Benjamin sitting on one of the sofas. First his eyes fall on me casually, then they stare at me. He is part of this little group that would dance on my grave.- Where are the good manners? – he asks, puffing out the smoke from his cigarette – I think old LeBlanc will remember that I don't change my face to kill a bastard.Nothing like old friends.- We can skip the threat part. I know them all.I close the door behind me and step forward. I sit down on the sofa across from him. The contrast between us is interesting. His excessive alcohol consumption, the clothes that make him look like he's just been in prison, the numerous tattoos and the cigarette. I'm very surprised Benjamin didn't already die i