Chapter 18
Oliver Ferraz
I told Alberto everything that’s been happening between me and Alice. He said I should go for it, even though she’s a virgin and also my secretary. His advice was to let things unfold and see where it leads.
The next day, I arrive at work with my mind made up to invite her to dinner at my place. It would be a great start. I enjoy her company and would love to cook for her.
Since I arrived a bit early, I went straight to my office. I’m settling into my chair when I feel my phone vibrate in my jacket pocket. I pull it out and see my mother’s name on the screen.
“Good morning, Mom. You’re up early?”
“Good morning, sweetheart. I’m finishing packing. Your father and I are traveling this weekend, but I want you to come have dinner with us before we leave.”
“Of course I’ll come. Just tell me when.”
“How about today?”
“I’ll be there at eight. See you later, Mom.”
I hang up feeling like my plans just went down the drain. But it’s fine. There’ll be another day. She won’t escape me. You’ll be mine, Alice.
The day flies by. We sign two more contracts that were pending. Everything seems to be moving along well—soon I’ll be able to put my hotel plans into action.
When the workday ends, I leave my office and find Alice still hunched over her desk.
“You’re dismissed, Miss Alice. It’s past quitting time—you can go.”
“Oh, yes... I was confirming some meetings and lost track of time.”
“Have dinner with me tomorrow,” I say, approaching her desk.
“What?”
“I’m inviting you to dinner at my place. Will you accept? I hope so, because I’ll be doing the cooking myself. And I don’t usually do that for anyone.”
A shy smile crosses her lips before she answers:
“Okay... I accept.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow, miss.”
“See you, sir.”
I walk to the elevator, satisfied. I’ll stop by home quickly before heading to dinner with my parents. But I know the evening won’t be pleasant.
When I park the car, I see my mother waiting for me at the top of the stairs. I get out and go straight to give her a hug.
“Oh, sweetheart, I’ve missed you!”
“You saw me just a few days ago, Mom.”
“Tell me that again when your children are grown and don’t live with you anymore.”
She laughs, but then warns me:
“Your father invited Andrea’s parents. Just so you’re not caught off guard.”
“Great... thanks for the heads-up.”
The feeling I had earlier wasn’t for nothing. I sensed there would be trouble tonight. They’ll definitely bring up the contract and that damn engagement. I go in and head straight to the bar in the corner of the living room. I need a drink before facing the beast—in this case, my father.
“There you are! Hello, son!” He appears and hugs me.
“Hello, Dad. How have you been?”
“Good. By the way, I spoke with Alice today, asked how things are going. She didn’t complain about you.” The smile on his face is genuine—he really likes Alice. And so do I.
“So you’re talking to my secretary in secret, behind my back?” I joke, trying to calm myself for what’s coming next.
“Relax, son. Alice will be leaving her position soon. I need to keep a close eye on her, see if she can handle it.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, alarmed. My little one is going to leave me? Wait, since when did I start calling her that? I scold myself mentally. “Where is she going?”
“Her dream is to move up in the company, and we’re going to give her that opportunity. She deserves it.”
“Yes, she’s very good. Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her. When the chance comes up, she’ll be the first to know. Thanks for the heads-up, Dad.”
At that moment, the doorbell rings. Andrea’s parents come in, accompanied by their younger daughter.
I greet Fernando, offer him a drink, and we all head to the living room.
“Tell me, Oliver,” he begins, “your father mentioned you have plans for the company. Could you give me a preview?”
“As soon as I wrap up the projects I have in progress, I’ll schedule a meeting. For now, I can’t say anything.”
“Cautious as always. I like that about you. Perfect for becoming part of my family.”
I’m about to respond, but my mother calls us to dinner. I notice that Lisa, Andrea’s younger sister, is sitting quietly beside me, but I ignore her.
Dinner goes smoothly. But when we finish, my father calls me to the study along with Fernando. I already know what the subject will be. So I follow them.
“As you know, Fernando,” my father begins as soon as we’re through the door, “your daughter cheated on my son. He ended the relationship and said he won’t marry her. But we have a contract. We need to resolve this.”
“Dad, I already told you I’m not going back to this,” I cut in, irritated.
Fernando intervenes:
“She told me everything. Oliver hadn’t been giving her the attention she deserved for a while now. I won’t blame her.”
“I’m sick of this topic. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. As far as I’m concerned, it was over the moment I left,” I say curtly.
My father sighs and continues:
“I’ll be traveling this week and won’t be back for a month. When I return, we’ll meet again. We can’t ignore the contract. In the meantime, Oliver, I want you to get to know Lisa. If you won’t marry one, you’ll marry the other.”
“You must be joking. Lisa is still a girl!” I respond, indignant, thinking of the shy eighteen-year-old who was sitting beside me just minutes ago.
“We’ll pick this up again in a month.”
I turn my back and leave, slamming the door behind me. I’m old enough to make my own decisions. I’m not going to let my father decide for me.