Chapter 40
When Bruno entered the Executive Match, Inc. office, the soft doorbell chimed. Soon after, a young man with dark hair approached. Lori must have already moved into her new role as matchmaker, probably taking over Marissa’s office.
“Hello, welcome to Executive Match, Inc. I’m Dane. How may I help you?” the man asked.
“I’m here to see Arnie. I don’t have an appointment, but you can tell him Bruno Santana would like to speak to him about the Marissa Liburd situation.”
“Sure. Wait here and I’ll let him know.”
When Dane left, Bruno paced to the far wall, anxious to get the meeting over with.
As soon as Marissa had snapped her ultimatums at him, he had known he needed to do something. He was certain he couldn’t get her job back, and he had no intention of trying. Besides, despite what she had said, he doubted she wanted to come back to work for Executive Match after what happened. What he hoped to do was halt any additional fallout from her dismissal. That was the least he could do since the reason she lost her job was his fault.
He had upended her life and might lose her because of his actions. He couldn’t imagine life without Marissa. He barely remembered life before her.
She was the type of woman he had been looking for, the type of woman he had come to Executive Match to find. She was the woman he wanted to marry and have children with.
Dane returned. “Arnie is available. This way, please.”
He led Bruno to the back. The CEO’s executive assistant watched him from her desk as he was led to the closed door.
Dane knocked and then popped open the door, waving Bruno in.
“Thank you,” he said.
Arnie came to his feet when Bruno entered. He was a huge man, with meaty arms and a thick neck. He thought again how Arnie didn’t look at all the way he expected the owner of a matchmaking service to look. No wonder his sister was the face of the organization.
“I appreciate you taking the time to see me on such short notice,” Bruno said.
“When Dane told me the reason for the visit, I thought it was a good idea for us to meet.”
Arnie sat down and Bruno followed suit.
“I won’t waste your time. I’m here because of what happened to Marissa. As the other party in the relationship, I’m partially to blame for her… decision to break the rules.”
“That was a gross lack of judgment on her part,” Arnie said.
“You’re in the business of helping people meet and fall in love. Surely you can understand that love doesn’t care about rules,” Bruno said.
“Nonetheless, we have strict guidelines that I expect all my matchmakers to adhere to. Without that, the integrity of the company is threatened.”
Bruno nodded. “I understand, and that’s why I’m here. Marissa mentioned that, in addition to losing her job, she could be sued for damages. Is that correct?”
“That’s correct. I’ve already spoken to my lawyers about the situation, and we’re going to draw up the papers soon. I hate having to do this. I liked Marissa, and she did a good job, but I need to set an example. I can’t let her get away with such a breach. Then every employee will think they can do the same thing.”
Bruno wasn’t surprised by his reasoning. As a business owner, he would have the same thoughts. “I want to cover the cost of the damages.”
Arnie’s eyebrows shot toward the ceiling, and he leaned back in his chair. A predatory gleam entered his eyes, and Bruno prepared for the next words out of his mouth.
“The sum of the damages is high.”
“What is the cost?”
Slight pause.
“One million dollars,” Arnie said.
Bruno almost burst out laughing. Greedy, mother?—
There was no way Arnie expected Marissa to pay that kind of money. He had clearly come up with the outrageous figure solely for Bruno. He almost leaped across the desk to strangle the CEO but remained calm. He would pay a price ten times that amount to help the woman he loved.
“I’ll pay the one million in damages, under two conditions. Your attorney prepares a statement that Marissa’s debt has been paid in full, and you provide a reference letter she can use while looking for a new job.”
Marissa had put in years of work at the company, and by Arnie’s own admission, she’d done a good job. A reference letter would help as she searched for a new position in the matchmaking field or elsewhere.
Arnie steepled his fingers, never breaking eye contact. Finally, he released a heavy breath. “All right, I can do that.”
“I want to have this settled right away. Can your attorney draw up the paperwork within the next hour for my attorney to review?”
“I’ll make sure he does.”
Arnie’s attorney drafted a one-page agreement, which Bruno then forwarded to his own attorney for review. After a bit of back and forth, Arnie signed the final version and handed the document to Bruno.
Next, Bruno contacted his business manager and had her transfer one million dollars into Arnie’s bank account. Once Arnie confirmed the direct deposit was pending, both men rose to their feet.
“Pleasure doing business with you,” Arnie said.
“Wish I could say the same. Hopefully, we’ll never have to see each other again,” Bruno said.
Then he exited the office.
* * *
Standing near the doorway of the den in the mansion he grew up in, Bruno observed the small gathering. Family get-togethers were usually a joyous occasion, and celebrating Andre’s graduation was no different. Monica’s fiancé had worked hard over the past year to earn the credits he needed for his degree in hospitality and food industry management, while also opening NV Lounge.
Monica had wanted to throw a bigger bash for him, but he had insisted a small family gathering was sufficient. She reluctantly respected his wishes.
In attendance on Monica’s side were Bruno, their parents, Thiago, Audra and her husband, and Ethan and Skye. On Andre’s side, family members present were his uncle, his cousin Phin and his girlfriend, and Andre’s mother, Priscilla Campos—perhaps the most interesting person in attendance.
Priscilla had spent years in prison for killing her abuser, and she was finally free after a retrial. As planned, she had moved to Atlanta and was living with her brother. Bruno could see the difference in Andre now that his mother was free and nearby. There was a lightness to his step that hadn’t been there before. And though he was the guest of honor, he catered to his mother, bringing her food and drinks and making sure she was comfortable.
Bruno caught Monica’s eye from across the room, and she shot him a wan smile. That was unlike his sister, whose fun-loving personality often made her the life of the party.
Thiago sidled up to him and asked in a low voice, “What the hell is wrong with Monica tonight? She’s behaving like a different person.”
Bruno also whispered. “She’s worried about impressing Priscilla. She found out Andre’s mother wasn’t happy when she learned Monica was back together with her son.”
Thiago grimaced.
Bruno checked his phone, hoping to see a missed call or text from Marissa. He had missed calls and texts, but none were from her.
She should be here, experiencing this special moment with them. He wanted to call her but was determined to give her the space she asked for. For a while, anyway. A few more days, max. Any longer and he’d lose his damn mind.
He tucked the phone into his pocket.
“When are you going back to Brazil?” he asked his brother.
“I’m not.”
“What do you mean you’re not?”
“You’re not going to believe this, but Father asked me to stay. He said he could use my help.”
“With the entire company, not just the consulting department?” Bruno asked.
Thiago nodded. “That’s what he said.”
“What do you think caused him to change his mind?”
“I don’t know. He asked if I was interested in taking on more responsibility, and of course I said yes. I’ve been wanting him to let me take control of the business for years, and maybe this change will eventually lead to that.”
“Something must have happened.” He shot a look at Benicio. “You don’t think he’s sick, do you?”
Thiago looked thoughtful. “I don’t think so. He hasn’t said anything to me.”
“Hmm. I guess I’ll be seeing more of you for a while.”
“If Father sticks to his word. I’ll have to see, but I’m excited about the possibilities. I have some ideas to spur growth in the company. If he allows me to do significant work, the sky is the limit.”
Thiago had run the consulting arm of their father’s empire for years. During that time, he’d not only helped other companies, he had learned a lot. No doubt he intended to apply those lessons to their father’s business.
A hush came over the room, and Bruno’s attention was drawn to Priscilla, who had left her chair and was standing in front of the fireplace. Despite being well dressed, she looked frail and drawn, her curly hair streaked with gray and pulled into a ponytail. Bruno suspected the years behind bars had aged her.
She cradled a glass in her hand. “I’m not… good at speeches,” she said in a halting voice. “But the past week has been emotional and overwhelming. Everyone here knows my story. I had given up hope and resigned myself to do the time I had been given. But my baby boy, he never gave up on me.” She sent a grateful smile in Andre’s direction.
“But tonight isn’t about me. Tonight is about him and his accomplishments. I’m a proud mother. What he has accomplished is a big deal. Before I leave tonight, I need to say, loud and proud, my baby has his bachelor’s degree!”
Pure joy and pride radiated from her smiling, glowing expression, lighting up her entire face. Andre had been on track to be the first in his family to earn a college degree before his plans were derailed. Phin had ended up accomplishing that goal, but Andre’s success was just as sweet. More than happiness, Priscilla’s teary exclamation represented a dream realized and the accomplishment of a significant milestone for their family.
Applause and multiple “Congratulations!” were heard throughout the room.
“One more thing. Thank you all for being so welcoming to my son. He’s a grown man, but I’m a mom, and I worry about him. It’s good to know he has a second family. Monica, I won’t lie, I had my reservations about you.” She softened the words with a smile, and a soft chuckle rippled across the room. Priscilla sobered. “But I see how much he loves you, and I see how much you love him. Love like that comes along once in a lifetime—if we’re lucky. I hope you can forgive me for my thoughts, and know that I look forward to the day that I get to be your mother-in-law.”
She opened her arms, and Monica rushed over. They hugged warmly, both of them rocking from side to side to the sound of “aww” filling the room.
“Maybe now Monica can relax,” Thiago said.
Bruno nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts on Priscilla’s words. Love like that comes along once in a lifetime.
That was exactly the way he felt about Marissa. She made him believe in love and believe it could last. They weren’t just compatible. She wasn’t just his companion. She was his forever.
He would do everything in his power to hold on to her.