07 — Noah Foster
“I want to see you run
Wherever you want
Never let the darkness hold you back
No fear of getting lost”
I’ll fight — Daughtry
I've arranged with Erik to meet me here at home, so we can go to the place together, I hope you don't find anything too unpleasant and that this all ends soon, I'm not a big fan of wearing suits at night, I'm just wearing them to work, besides needing to see a bunch of ass—kissing people.
In fact, what I've been needing lately is a good fuck.
I take my cell phone and look for Dom's contact number.
— So, man, what's the good one? — he answers the second call.
— Will you be at Secret later? — I question. — I have a really boring event to go to, but I want to clear my head today.
— Lucky for you, I arrived in Manhattan an hour ago and heard about a new dancer they hired who has been receiving a lot of praise. I want to meet her and see what it's like — he comments.
— Do you want to know if love arrives this time? I ask, already knowing the answer.
— You know I don't fall in love, that's up to you. — Gargalho. — I feel anxious just thinking about a relationship. Noah, throw that curse at someone else, the woman I have as a mother is enough to offer me as a future husband to any socialite that comes her way.
— Okay, since that's for sure, who am I to disagree, at least we'll never see you crawling over a pussy. — I learned from my father, who talks a lot about not getting attached, ends up falling in love with no return, so when it comes to love, I keep to myself so as not to pay with my tongue.
— I already told you, I'm going to get on with my life like this, she's too good to have a skirt on my feet — he responds ironically. — So, I'll meet you at the club?
— For sure. I'll see if stupid Erik wants to come along.
— I can call him, I want to see how my investments are going.
— Okay, he's going to the event with me — I explain, rubbing my face. — I need to relieve the stress of the week today, prepare something on a whim — I add.
— Ok. I'll see if Gael wants to go too and, speaking of which, do you have any news about Beni?
— He didn't show any signs and I haven't seen his father around in a while, I haven't even seen Thomaz with my father lately — I randomly think about which corner of the world my friend must be venturing into this time. — I'll see if I can find anything useful, but considering the time he's been gone, he should be back soon.
At least that's what we hope every time he says goodbye to us, to continue with his purpose of defending our homeland and helping others.
— Let me know if anything happens, I miss getting the group back together. — Sigh. — I need to hang up, duty calls me, I'll meet you later. But...Noah?
— Talk, man.
— You know that the girls at the club aren't meant to fuck, you won't get into trouble there. Outside of there, they can do whatever they want, but I don't want to have to sue a friend for harassing one of my employees.
— Who was the idiot this time, Dom? Do you need help with something? — I question, knowing the respect he has for the girls who work at his clubs.
— Nothing much, I shouldn't even be giving a message like that, because I know you would never do anything against their will, I just think I'm exhausted from so much shit happening at once. — vent. — I'll explain to you another time, I've already got around the situation. Now I need to go, I'll meet you later. — Turns off.
I never wanted to invade his privacy, but internally I've been wondering if this heightened concern for girls doesn't have something to do with Mr. Thompson's arrogance, the guy who calls himself my friend's father, however, I know that when Dominic needs me he will call for us, at least I hope so.
I finish getting ready, thinking about how five very different guys ended up getting along so well. It's almost difficult to understand, but for me, they are the brothers that life gave me.
No matter what happens, we know that we are each other's foundation.
Nothing will be more valuable, no money will be more important than this bond that we create over time and where no one lets go of anyone's hand.
I'm almost ready when I hear a knock on the door and I go to check who it is.
— My boy, Erik is already waiting for you — Iolanda says, with that love in her eyes. — You look prettier every day — he comments, adjusting the collar of my shirt. — I can't wait for you to find the girl of your dreams.
— Answering, I'm just going to get my wallet, I'll be right down and I don't think I'll find it anytime soon. — I smile, disguising my discomfort. —Actually, I think it's just my mind projecting some illusion, so don't get too attached to that dream.
— Boy, boy — he repeats, waving his hands in the air —, destiny knows what it's doing. — Blink. — I'll see you downstairs and behave yourself — he says and then disappears down the hallway, leaving me even more thoughtful.
I pick up my things and head towards the living room, remembering how Dona Iolanda was, literally, my father's find. We never had employees at home, of course there were the cleaning, gardening and other staff that are necessary for the maintenance of a mansion like ours, who come weekly to check everything, but we always knew how to handle household chores on our own, such as cooking. , washing our own dishes, which any family can do, without depending on employees.
When he told me that he had hired a housekeeper, I was surprised, but he said that it would be great to have someone who could solve things that we couldn't, take care of the daily running of the house and our routine, and that in addition, she needed a job and a place to stay for now. With that, Iolanda has been with us for a few years and I can say that, despite being a very discreet person, this nice lady is already part of our little family. Nothing is imperceptible to her, who knows us with just a glance.
There was a morning when I was woken up by her after having a nightmare and straight as always, I wanted to know who the girl I called “blue angel” was.
There were a few times that the past came back with force, however, that day, I felt as if I needed to save someone from an imminent danger, something that not even I knew, after all, the possibility of it being a delusion in my head was huge. Since then, Iolanda has continued to insist on this girl and to be honest, for me she doesn't exist, however, if she is real, my memory must be pennies, so I don't remember her.
— The bride has arrived! — Erik mocks. — I've been waiting for you for hours. — puts his hands in his pants pocket.
— Don't come with that talk, it doesn't work, you arrived a little while ago and I was ready. — I hear Iolanda laugh, as she comes towards us and places the tray on the coffee table in the living room.
— Boys, I brought you some coffee. — We make it clear that she doesn't need to do this, but in return her answer is always the same: that she loves to feel useful.
— Thank you, Iaiá, you're the best — my friend doesn't even give her time to finish speaking and lifts her off the ground.
— Put me down, boy! — he says through smiles. — I'm going to go to bed now, you guys behave and... Noah?
— He can talk. — I responded, taking the cup.
— Remember that destiny knows what it does. — So, she turns and leaves, leaving me with a flea behind my ear.
I'm not a very gullible person about fate, but every time she insists on it, something inside me becomes apprehensive.
— I love Iaiá, but she's quite mysterious, don't you think? What is this story about destiny? — he asks, confused, taking a sip of his coffee.
— She's just a lady who believes in love, my friend — I shrug. — And I think she just wants me to find someone. — I'm not going to tell you why, that's already too much information for this idiot to mock me all night.
— Okay, I'm not even going to insist... If you don't want to tell me, that's fine, but you know we're friends and I'm here, brother. — He has a very keen perception. — Let's go quickly or we'll be late, my driver is waiting for us. — he adds, when he finishes his coffee, which he only took a few sips of and I confirm silently.
Not excited for a torturous night like that, I think the thing I hate most are these events with hypocritical people who only treat me with respect, because they think I'm Jack's biological son, because I guarantee that if they knew about my past, they wouldn't even come. close to me.
As we head to the car, I realize that I haven't seen my father in the last few hours, he was probably enjoying the night, after all, life is one, as he says.
From the moment I woke up, I've been restless. Maybe it's the adrenaline or the fact that I need, against my will, to attend a party that I don't even feel like going to, or it could just be the cumulative effect of the stressful week I've had. The only thing I know is that I haven't felt this way in many years. An uncomfortable sensation, as if something was about to happen, like a sixth sense.
There are people who don't believe in intuition, however, I am part of those who believe blindly. A very contradictory theory for those who don't trust destinies.
Damn, Noah. Stop thinking nonsense! It's just another event. — I reproach myself.
Erik remained silent the whole way and I didn't make a point of talking either, taking the opportunity to dissolve this dark cloud that seems to have been hanging over my head. I hate feeling this way, it brings me memories of childhood, when instead of smiling all my dreams seemed distant and increasingly imaginary, a place that I don't like to remember, but that is inevitable when this internal chaos hits me.
As soon as the driver passes through the gates of the Rowedder family mansion, I can get a glimpse of what awaits us by the number of cars in the parking lot, the number of guests must be exorbitant, it's the type of event that exhibitionist people love.
— Ready to face this hassle? — my friend asks.
— No.
— The good thing is that we have quality entertainment waiting for us at the club, so all this shit will fall into oblivion — he comments seriously.
He, like me, has never been a big fan of events like this, even though he comes from a traditional banking family in the United States, he is too humble to be a spoiled high society playboy, despite being labeled that way in any article that comes out. about him on social media.
— Since we have no other option. — I open a cynical smile. — We need to identify the girl too, as my father asked. In fact, I think that's the main thing.
— This will be easy. I will find her. Recognizing women is for me. — Laugh. — Damn, I said the same thing as Gael just now. — scratches the back of his head.
Something in her speech leaves me possessed, but completely meaningless, I don't even know who the girl is, let alone care at that level.
We are welcomed and taken to the hall where the ceremony, or dinner, will take place. I believe we arrived at the right time. I turn my face towards the stairs and see a couple walking down the steps elegantly, but I don't clearly see the girl coming behind them.
I shake my head, in disbelief at how curious I am becoming like Iolanda. I need my focus back and I decide that it's really best to let Erik take care of the girl, while I mingle among the guests.
— I'm going to get a drink and walk around, I don't want to be seen by them before time — I warn my friend, considering that we have a plan drawn up and there can be no mistakes on our part.
— Ok, see you later, if you discover anything important let me know — he replies.
A big point that we still have in our favor is the lack of knowledge that people have about our friendship, of course they have seen us together in the news, at parties, however, it is something common for those who have businesses that connect our companies , what we avoid making clear is that we kill for each other, thus limiting the information that the majority of people present here have. It's just a practical and safe way, which helps us in different situations, both in investments and today, for example, where we need to disguise the real reason for having attended.
I've been shaking hands and having sporadic, succinct conversations for an hour now. I managed to obtain some basic information, but nothing that would denounce the man we were investigating, just praise from ass—kissers who believe that this guy is someone who opens new paths.
I confess the looks on some people's faces, they instigated me, they seemed like a mixture of fear and concern, whenever I mentioned Otávio's name and if there's one thing I can say, it's that this is a sign that something is very wrong, more than just we already suspect. Now all I can do is find out what it is…
— Good night Sir...? — An arrogant voice sounds next to me.
When I lift my head, I see the couple who were coming down the stairs when we arrived and I conclude that they are the girl's parents.
— Foster. Noah Foster. — I extend my hand towards the man who is analyzing me, greeting the woman immediately afterwards. — Good evening, ma'am, congratulations on your daughter's graduation. — She simply nods, showing a restrained smile, without letting go of her husband's arm.
Strange.
— I believed I would see Mr. Jackson Foster here, I hoped to do business with him — the man says, with a pride that I have always hated.
— Unfortunately, my father doesn't usually attend events, much less discuss proposals sent to our company. After all, I am the one who has the final decision. — I'm not arrogant, just direct.
— Decided, I like it. — He smiled wryly. — Don't get me wrong, I just thought he was too young to be in charge of a large company like your family's. — He tries, unsuccessfully, to correct his previous words.
— If you are urgent, you can contact my assistant on Monday and schedule a time with her that I have available to receive you. She will be able to tell you when we can talk,” I continue, in a firm tone.
I already had a certain hatred for this guy, due to the things we know, but now, I say with everything I have in me, that I feel sorry for her. It's a shame that such a mediocre soul is ruining the lives of a mother and daughter.
— Noah, I see that your way of working is a little different from how we, more experienced men, deal. — His expression is stern now. — Events like this, which I am hosting, are of great value in reaching an agreement, so I would like you to give me a minute to talk about the proposal I sent to you. — He smiled triumphantly. — A few drinks can help you make a simple decision.
Really, he doesn't know anything about my life, much less who he's talking to. I bet his way of negotiating must be with prostitutes, drinks and more substances, so that he never gets a no.
— What's your name again? — I ask without animosity.
—Miller. Octavio Miller. You must have heard about me, boy. And, mainly, my company. After all, it's in my house. — Again, arrogance is present, however, I see your wife shudder as if she wanted to warn me of something.
— No, I've never heard of you, but rather the former owner of R.C., and as I said, my assistant can schedule an appointment if she wants to discuss business. — I narrow my eyes. — Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find someone. — I turn my back on him, leaving him unresponsive.
I know that my attitude was risky, but correct, as he was nervous, anxious and his posture gave him away, the man is on the edge of a precipice. It is clear that he depends on the value we are offering in this contract, what his company would earn, could get out of any financial crisis, if that were the case.
As I walk away, I can hear some of him grumbling to his wife. Tomorrow I will ask my father to look for some information about this woman. She was not at ease next to him, her empty and distant look, are overwhelming proof that appearances can be deceiving.
How do I know this? Simple, I saw my mother disappear in the same way.
I stop near a door that leads to the garden and I can see, from afar, Erik talking to a woman. Even from a distance, I can glimpse the silhouette of a beautiful body in a light dress, matching the blonde hair, which falls like a waterfall down her spine. I can calmly imagine my hands holding that hair while I fuck her on all fours.
Fuck! I haven't even seen this woman and my dick is showing signs.
My friend says goodbye to her and I decide to go to a further corner, wait for him to tell him that we will be leaving soon, we already have enough information. I need to drink, fuck and get this stranger out of my head, I refuse to have another image haunting my nights sleep.
— So, did you manage to discover anything? — I question uneasily, when he approaches.
— Almost nothing, but I was surprised by the honoree of the night. — He pauses and signals us to go to another corner. — Let's say she doesn't conform to the description Gael gave that night, about being an antisocial nerd, she, besides being beautiful, of course, is very focused and I saw a lot of determination in her eyes, she looks like those girls with the face of an angel, but who They're a hurricane wherever they go, if you know what I mean — he says with a naughty expression and I want to punch him in the face.
What drugs, Noah! Concentrate.
— Did she say anything about her stepfather? — I change the direction of the conversation and end up being a little harsh with him.
—What animal bit your ass, man? First, no bad mood here, second, the impression was of a very well—educated and smart girl if you ask me. — He passes his hand over the back of his head and continues: — What little we said seemed like a rehearsed speech, being too succinct, however, you know that I'm very observant and, in my opinion, she's hiding something. Something serious I would say.
Interesting and worrying.
— Ok, let's go around, I heard there will be a speech, a dance and then we'll get out of here, I can't take these fucking annoying people anymore.
This environment is leaving me feeling suffocated and feeling like I'm being watched, even though I haven't noticed anything that would raise suspicion or anything out of the ordinary, apparently everything is the same as any event I attend.
We proceed to the main hall, joining the other guests and it doesn't take long for the host to open his mouth to praise his ridiculous speech as a loving stepfather, however he needed to have trained more if he wanted to show any affection, because we only noticed superiority and greed , as if people should bow down to their family, disgusting me.
My eyes fall, once again, on the wife, who continues with a tense posture, at the same time as she admires her daughter, who unfortunately has her back to me, pretending to admire this display of family love. I'm no expert, but the way this girl's mother is, acting mechanically while the fingers on her hand twitch uneasily, gives the impression of a person who suffers from claustrophobia and needs air as much as possible. quickly as possible so as not to suffocate.
As a good observer, the girl's agitation was clear, another who seemed to be counting the minutes to escape.
Noah, you're seeing things! Do not travel! — Recriminate me mentally.
After long minutes, the asshole finishes talking shit and apparently gets ready to announce his stepdaughter's dance, however, she approaches them, whispering something, and quickly leaves towards one of the side corridors.
Still looking confused, the man opens the dance floor to the guests and tells them that his loving daughter will soon return.
— Erik — I called my friend, who was distracted on the phone. — Did you notice the girl?
— Sorry, man, I didn't see it. I was responding to Dom and letting him know that we'll be at the club soon. — He sighs, tired. — That speech was one of the most boring I’ve ever seen. But what happened? Where is she?
— I don't know. — I sigh, frustrated with all of this already. — I only saw her heading towards that corridor, after saying something to them — I commented. — She was agitated, as if she wanted to escape this torture.
— Who would run away from their own party? — He arches his eyebrows. — Although, if it weren't risky, I would say to go after her, the idea doesn't seem that absurd, Noah — he ponders.
— Well, leave it alone, I think we have enough. Do you want to say goodbye to someone, or can we leave without being seen?
— Let's go quietly, the club is waiting for us — he says, already heading towards the exit.
We crossed this sea of ??guests without attracting attention, but a point, close to one of the windows, aroused my curiosity, a profile that I certainly recorded well. I consider going there and checking if I'm not having a distorted vision, however, I freeze as soon as a voice I know and fear sounds close to us.
No. It can't be. That would be too much of a coincidence.
Hell can't be that close.