Chapter 29
Oliver Ferraz
What was that crazy woman doing here? I broke up with her. She shouldn't even be coming around. But of course, Andréa never could take no for an answer. There she was, standing in the middle of my office, as if she still had some claim on me.
As soon as I see her, I wave her in and close the door. She walks toward me without hesitation, trying to hug me.
“Hi, my love, I missed you.” She wraps her arms around my neck.
“Don't call me love, Andréa. What do you want? Your latest fling didn't want anything to do with you anymore?” I say, pushing her away firmly and walking around the desk to sit in my chair.
“Oliver, I already told you he was just a fling. I love you, and I chose to marry you. We grew up knowing we'd end up together, and our parents would never back out.”
“Well, you lost the title of my fiancée when I caught you in bed with that bastard. I warned you there'd be no going back.”
“That's not what our parents think. They didn't call off the engagement, and I'm not giving you up. Are you seeing the secretary now? Have all the fun you want, as long as you walk down the aisle with me in the end.”
“I don't owe you any explanations, Andréa. Now get out of my office. I have work to do.”
She approaches again, as if my words mean nothing, and sits on my lap. Before I can push her off, the door opens.Alice.
She looks at us in shock, apologizes, and quickly closes the door.
“Looks like you're going to have problems with your ‘darling secretary.’” Andréa smirks.
I stand up abruptly, making her slide off my lap. I grab her arm and point to the door.
“Get out, Andréa, before I call security!”
She just smiles, satisfied, and leaves my office. I wait for the elevator doors to close before calling Alice back.
“Alice, come to my office.” She looks at me from across the room, coldly, and turns her attention back to the computer. This woman drives me crazy. Finally, she gets up and walks over.
As soon as she enters, I close the door and press her against it. I cup her face and speak softly:
“There's nothing between me and that crazy woman. I don't even know why she came back to Brazil. We broke up a long time ago, and I already made it clear I'm not going to marry her.”
“You don't owe me any explanations, sir. Like I said, we're boss and employee.”
“Stop that, my little one. You know I love having you in my arms.”
“But this has to end. Your fiancée is back, and soon you'll be married. It's better for both of us.”
“Don't say that.” I bring my face closer to hers. “I don't want you far from me. Or from my bed.”
I kiss her urgently, my whole body thrumming. I don't want to be without her. I can't be. There's something about her that has a hold on me, something I can't explain, but it already consumes me.
The kiss deepens, intense, my hands roaming her body, and just when I'm about to grab that delicious ass and lay her down on my couch, the phone rings. Damn it.
I pull away with effort, grab my phone, and see the name on the screen: Dad.
I answer.
“Hi, Dad, how are you?” Alice is still there, motionless. I let her go and she leaves the office.
“Hi, son. I just called to let you know that Andréa is back in Brazil.”
“Yeah. I already had the displeasure of her showing up here at the hotel.”
“Don't talk like that about your fiancée. Your mother and I will be back soon to set the wedding date.”
“I already told you I'm not marrying her, Dad. She cheated on me.”
“You two have been promised to each other since you were children. When we get back, we'll talk. Just wait.”
“All right, Dad. Enjoy your trip.”
I hang up and stare at nothing.They can try to decide my fate, but they won't succeed.I'm not going to marry a cheater.And I'm sure as hell not giving up the woman who, without meaning to, has already become my downfall.
And if she's my ruin, so be it—because it's already too late to turn back.