13 — Noah Foster
“All the things I want to say
They're not coming out right
I'm stumbling over words,
You got my mind spinning”
You and me — Lifehouse
The last two months have passed in a flash, but that strange feeling has stayed with me since we went to that graduation party.
In short, I'm fucked up, because I imagined — innocently — that the crazy dreams I'd been having would disappear, but the opposite happened, they kept appearing every night.
Inevitably, I recorded in my mind every detail of the body of the girl we are indirectly helping and, I don't know what her name is, because they only refer to her as C.R., besides, I still imagine her with those blue eyes that have tormented me for years and, the coolest thing about it all is waking up every day with a huge erection, dreaming about a “woman” who is practically not real, just a work of my fertile imagination.
Deep down, it would be much easier if that person existed, I could find them, fuck for one night and detox my system, or continue to be intoxicated by them for the rest of my life. However, what I need now is to find a way to get this crazy thought out of my head and focus on what's important right now, like, for example, the fact that my friend is talking to me and I haven't paid attention to a single word, because I got trapped inside my own mind, something that happens very often.
— Noah, did you pay attention to what I said? — he questions, bringing me back to real life.
— To be honest, Gael, I don't even know what time it is — I confess, throwing my body back in the chair and playing with the pen between my fingers.
— Dude, speaking now as a friend, not as a company lawyer. — He looks at me as if analyzing me. — You've been having distant thoughts for weeks and we've all noticed that. — Sigh. — I'm here to help you, tell me what the fuck is happening, because the most centered of us has always been you...
— I don't know what it is, but I guarantee it's nothing serious. — I pass my hand over my face, exhausted from feeling this impotence. — Maybe we'll talk about it another time, but at the moment if I start talking, I won't be able to focus on work anymore, so let's get back to company matters, for now, okay? — I ask, because all I need right now is someone else to rave about me.
— Ok, but you won't run away from this conversation, after all, I was here talking to myself, being completely ignored by my boss, let's say, and best friend. — I can't take it and I burst out laughing at the drama.
— Are you laughing at me? Am I a joke to you?! — He makes an indignant expression.
— Yes, but continue, without drama…
— Idiot! — Throw a ball of paper at me. — Anyway, I scheduled a meeting with Otávio, I need to know the arguments he has for wanting to close the contract with Foster and collect some more information that old Jack requested. And, in addition, today there will be a company presentation for new interns. Have you seen the newbies' CVs? — pour it out in one go.
— First, tell me everything you can get from that idiot, I don't know how, but he has my cell phone number and I can't take this insistence any longer, even though I reject the calls. He must be really upset with his urgency to close the deal — I comment, remembering the incessant calls I've been receiving. — In fact, I asked Erik to check information about the financial situation of his company. I believe we will have something by tomorrow. —This matter has become a big mission. — And no, I haven't seen them yet. What time was the presentation scheduled for, do you know? — I ask, because Gael is more aware of my own agenda than I am.
— I hope he achieves something, this guy is very slippery. — He stops talking when we hear a knock on the door, which is then opened.
— Good morning, my boys! — Norah speaks as she enters my room.
— Good morning, queen of my life, did you have a good night? — Gael, clearly, is going to do something.
— Of course, I'm in a great mood, if that's what worries you — he replies, calmly.
— In fact, I was going to compliment your skin, that must be the result of a night of hot sex, my delight — he says, squeezing her waist.
I watch their interaction and for a moment I imagine they could be mother and son, because their acidic humor is unmistakable, but I know the idea is foolish, since my assistant never had children.
—Then you should learn from me, Gael, because yours is terrible. — She doesn't let it go.
— Have you two finished with the little show? Good morning, Norah.
— I said good morning when I came in, it was you who was quiet again and lost in thought. — Okay, another one you noticed. — Noah, the company presentation starts in thirty minutes, the room has already been properly organized and I will direct the interns there.
— Okay, I'll take a look at the CVs before I go. — Now, I'm going to leave you, Gael? — Turn to him.
— Hi, my delight.
— You have urgent contracts to analyze, so let Noah work.
— Positive, general — he replies, making a sign of salute.
Norah looks at him with a serious expression, which makes my friend leave the room like lightning with her following him and I just know how to laugh at them. One day, I will understand the connection between these two.
With the silence, which I value so much, I open my email to start seeing who our new collaborators are, and one in specific catches my attention. There is no experience, but she graduated with honors and merit.
Interesting!
I admire people who focus on the opportunities that life gives them, after all, not everyone has the chance to attend higher education and graduate.
Among the five, there are three boys and two girls, one of them is the one I just checked and if she really works hard, she could stay here at the company after her contract ends. I check my watch, have ten minutes to start the meeting, close my laptop and head to the reserved room.
— Sweetie, I'm going, but you don't need to accompany me. From what I've seen, it will be peaceful — I say and she nods, with her usual smile.
I enter the elevator and feel a shiver run down my spine. Since the last meeting I had with my father, I have actually worked from home, it has only been a week since I returned to the company and it seems there is no sign of that man yet.
As I approach the reserved meeting room, I return to focusing on the image of the cold CEO, as I am known in the company, but something bumps into me, causing the folder in my hand to fall to the floor, scattering the pages. I'm about to complain, but I'm distracted by a sweet smell that invades my nostrils, hypnotizing my mind.
— I'm sorry, sir — the silence that lasted for some time is broken by a sweet voice, bringing me back to reality.
Then I notice a girl crouching down, picking up some leaves from the ground.
— No need to apologize, are you okay? — I helped her to get up.
Instantly, my world comes to a standstill. She has a striking and expressive look, as if the world passed through them, however, I don't allow myself to admire it too much, I already have enough problems and one rule: I don't get involved with employees, which basically she must be, to be on this floor from the company.
It may seem like an idiotic rule, in fact I've heard this several times from my friends, after all, what there are most are girls from here trying to get a chance with the CEO, but that would only be harmful to the progress of the company — and to my psychology, which doesn't know how to deal with the female drama —, I also have a reputation to uphold, I don't mix fun with work, one that I deserved to have and thousands of people depend on me, that I am directly responsible for their salaries, but I need to admit that for this woman, maybe, just maybe, I would make an exception.
Don't travel, Noah! No exceptions! — I rebuke my idiotic thought.
— Yes, thank you. I need to find the meeting room, I ended up getting lost from the others — he speaks quietly, in an almost imperceptible tone, moving away from my touch, as if he were scared.
I don't insist, even though this attitude caught my attention, having seen hell up close, so my imagination tends to visualize situations to any reaction, from any person.
— Come, I'll accompany you. — I signal for you to follow beside me.
— No, you don't need to! — he says softly, with a certain fear. — Yeah, sorry... No need, I can find my way alone.
— Can you come with me. I'm going to the same place as you. By the way, I'm Noah Foster, the president of the company, and you're...? — I question calmly and calmly, trying to calm her down.
— Catarina — shows a slight smile, which doesn't reach her eyes, but due to her posture, there's an internal battle going on inside her head.
With the necessary introductions, we went to the room in total silence. When we arrive, I open the door and see that the others are already there, so I wait for her to get comfortable before the presentation begins.
— Good morning, I'm Noah Foster. — Everyone wishes me good morning, only the girl remains silent. — I analyzed each person's profile here and I hope that you, in addition to adding knowledge to the company, can learn from us, improving your knowledge and growing in your areas. — I pause briefly, analyzing the expression of the majority, where their eyes shine expectantly, except hers. — I will pass on all the information about Foster Enterprise and at the end of the meeting, Norah, my assistant, will direct everyone to their appropriate sector. — I continue explaining the rules and what we expect from them, everyone is participative and that motivates me, but the girl who attracted my attention remains expressionless, just analyzing everyone around her. — Miss Catarina, would you like to ask any questions before we close the meeting? — I question, encouraging her to become participatory.
— No, Mr. Foster, there is no open doubt — he responds, with firmness in his voice this time.
I watch this woman, feeling that there is something familiar about her, something that pulls me towards her at the same time that possibly, it must just be an idiotic disturbance in my head.
She is, without a doubt, a beautiful woman, one of those who do not attract attention due to excessive makeup, “attractive” clothes and high heels, but rather because she is indecipherable to me.
I could almost say that my newest employee is the faceless woman who has been tormenting my nights, however, she doesn't have the beautiful blonde locks that make her look like an angel, much less the sparkling blue eyes, from the memory that I have.
— Therefore, our meeting is closed. Again, welcome. — I make a simple gesture with my head and leave the room, as if I needed air to breathe and, above all, some peace to clear my mind.
I find Norah, coming towards me as soon as I reach my floor.
— I'm going to accompany them. There are no more meetings today, but your father asked to let you know that he will come to lunch with you. — informs.
— Thank you, I'll see you later, I'll be in my office — I say goodbye and enter my office.
I should start analyzing the reports, but I see that I won't return to my daily concentration. The view I have from here is wonderful, but I can't even admire that lately, because I keep letting these random thoughts torment me, just when I'm at a stage where I need to pay more attention than ever, there are many problems arising all at once.
Why on earth did I have to bump into that girl with the mesmerizing scent and eyes?! I'm so fucked! — I shake my head, uneasy.
I hear my cell phone ring and the name of the man who is my role model appears on the display. How lucky I was to find him…
— What's up, old man? — I answer.
— This morning I was a father, did I give reasons to call myself old? — he retorts, but with acid humor.
— Norah gave me the message, are you really going to come here?
— Yes, in fact, I'm already waiting for you here at reception.
—Didn't you want to go up? — I ask, already taking my wallet and going to meet him, knowing the answer.
— I was resolving some matters. Come quickly, Gael is already impatient .
— See you soon, old Jack. — I don't expect an answer, but I know he must be snorting.
The walk to reception seems to take forever or is it just my day, which is extremely strange.
What is it about that girl that makes me feel so weird?
Why that reaction to my touch?
What does she hide?
Possibly none of my business.
While these questions keep pounding in my head, the elevator stops and as soon as the metal doors open, I see the two talking, but they are not laughing, as usual.
Shit. Will this day only get worse?
— Hi, son — My father greets, giving me the usual hug.
— Hi Dad. Will you tell me what brought you here?
— Can't he just pick you up for lunch? How suspicious — Gael, as always, relaxing the situation.
— In fact, I intend to clarify a few things with you at lunch, if we don't have any mishaps.
— Okay, where are we going? Not John? — I question.
— I think it's perfect, we haven't been there for a while and, honestly, his food is really good — Gael says, directing us to the exit.
— So let's go. — Jack concludes, passing in front of us.
— And I thought it was a father and son lunch — I comment, teasing my friend.
— And yes, you're the intruder, if you don't know — he says, laughing. — Idiot, I won’t fall for that anymore.
— The ego of millions is another level — I respond.
— Your life would be very dull without my presence — I just shake my head, because he is once again right.
We continued, in silence, through the streets of Manhattan. It's a nice day and the place we're going to is close by, the guys and I usually go to John's bar at the end of the day, for happy hour, but a few months ago, he decided to add lunch service to his establishment, as cooking has always been his passion from what he tells us, as well as drinks and this guy really has the gift of managing a kitchen.
At this time, the area designated for the restaurant is still empty, as most companies nearby have later lunch hours. Our security team is positioned further away as usual, giving us privacy. We settle in, John comes to serve us and we choose our dishes, as we already know the entire menu by heart. We return to the silence we were in and I decide to start the subject, but Gael does it first:
— Wow, what a woman! Will she be willing to go out with me later? — he asks, with his gaze fixed on the entrance to the place.
As I am curious by nature, I turn my face in the direction in which my friend directs his mesmerized gaze, however, now the woman is sitting at the counter, facing away from where we are.
I feel it again, that unfamiliar sensation, as if my friend's comment bothered me.
I could have just hit my head, that's too delusional!
Will I feel this every time someone talks like that about a woman?
I can't lose control like that. This never happened.
Fucking shit!
— Noah, are you going to shamelessly stare at the girl? If you want, I can go there and ask for her number, after all, she's alone... — Gael takes me out of the madness in my head and I look back at him.
— Forget it, man! I wasn't looking at her, just lost here, thinking about company matters. — I tried to talk, without success.
— Noah Foster, do you want to deceive your father, who knows you better than anyone? — The old man manifests himself for the first time since we arrived. — There's no point in running away from the truth this time, this kid here. — Points to Gael. — It is true. But let's leave the girl alone and focus on the subject I want to clarify for both of you. After all, Beni and Erik are already aware of some things.
— And why am I one of the last to know, dad? I believed that, as a son, I had some privileges. — I arch my eyebrow.
— And yes, but to begin with, you have the privilege, as you said, of being my son and of me deciding when is the right time to inform you about the investigation we are carrying out.
— That one hurt, a right kick to the butt. — Gael scoffs, soon changing into his serious mode. — Okay, Jack, now I'm even curious. Will you need my lawyer services?
— No, but I need you to keep your eyes open to any attempt to approach Otávio, in case he decides to come to Foster. He cannot enter the company, for the safety of a new hire.
We observe the waiter approaching with our dishes, but I wait until he leaves to continue the matter.
— Let's start from the beginning, dad. This new person who is working with us, when did he start? As far as I know, only the interns started today, and I also wanted to know what her relationship was with this man.
— She's just there and for now, the less you know about her, the better. It's not to hide you, but I prefer it to be like this, if there is a meeting where you and Otávio are in the same environment or an informal meeting, you won't feel the need to take your anger out on him, because I know how much your sense of justice is. big. Depending on the direction of the investigations, I will soon tell you who the person we are protecting is – he explains.
— Okay, I know there's no point in insisting, you won't tell me anything more. Gael and I will be left in the dark, not knowing who she really is. — Sigh.
— It's a good strategy, if he did her any harm, I really wouldn't be able to show indifference. And, speaking of which, did you hear anything about your missing daughter? I saw something about her going on a trip, is that true? — Gael doesn't divert my father's attention, waiting for the answer, he's always been too observant, even though he has a high mood, he knows how to read people well, but old Jack is the type who doesn't show his emotions.
— Yes, she went traveling for a while, believe this information, for now. — His expression becomes serious, as he observes the counter where the girl, who until recently I admired, was sitting. But there is no one else there.
We continued talking about a few more things and unfortunately, I didn't find out what the matter was that he went to check at the company, but I trust him with my eyes closed, because everything I know came from him.
After finishing lunch, we said goodbye to my father and went back to Foster, as work awaits us. My friend will spend the day here, in the room he has in the legal sector, despite having his own company, we have an exclusive contract with him, where he stays here a few days a week, so we don't have any inconvenience in our bureaucratic sector.
The new resort project needs to be reviewed, there is something about it that is not going very well, as if something was missing, none of the plans pleased me as they should, no matter how much I take care of the administrative part, I like to check all the details.
I arrive in my office and the first thing I do is reread the information about the new interns, even though I already know who will be chosen. I pick up the phone and call my assistant.
— Trying? — he meets.
— Norah, can you ask Miss Catarina to come to my office?
— Is there a problem with the girl? — It's strange that she questions, usually, she just responds to my request, but she must have liked the girl.
— None, it's about the resort project. Don't worry, my beauty.
— Okay. I'll call her.
Now I just have to wait, I believe that she, with that observant look, will be able to help me, or completely take my focus away with those perfect eyes.
Holy shit, Noah!