Chapter 38
Alice Mendes
My day starts off different. Something's missing—of course it is. I look at my desk, always organized just as I left it the day before, and sigh. That's where I keep all my things. I walk to Oliver's office—I know he's not there, but I need this moment.
I open the door slowly and take it all in.
He's so organized, so methodical... everything in its proper place, even the chair pushed in at the desk.
I walk over, sit down, and hold his favorite pen in my hands—the one I gave him as a gift, with his name engraved on it.
The pencil, as always, is perfectly sharpened.
The laptop, open. I look around and see the sofa where we shared moments I'll never forget, the coffee table where we ate together so many times, and the bathroom...
where we shared experiences that still burn in my memory.
For a brief moment, I remember everything and think:“Oh, Oliver... why did you have to ruin everything?”
The phone rings and I jump, running to answer it, leaving his pen tossed on the desk—without even realizing, I forget to put it back.
“President's office?” I answer, breathless.“Good morning, girl, sounds like you ran a marathon,” Mr. Edgar jokes from the other end of the line.“Good morning, sir. I was in Mr. Oliver's office, organizing some papers,” I lie, and immediately ask God for forgiveness.
He asks me questions about college and work, as always, and I answer politely. Then he drops the bomb:
“Oliver will be leaving Brazil soon, girl. As soon as we return, we'll set the date for his and Andréa's wedding. Oh, and I need you to meet the designer at their new house—I want nothing but the best for my son.”
I'm speechless. The floor seems to disappear.
I thank him, hang up, and when my phone vibrates with the address of the new house, my heart plummets. I put my hand on my belly.“A pastime. That's all I was to him.”Catarina's voice snaps me out of it, calling me to the meeting.
Later, I meet with Gabriel and arrange a dinner. I need to keep my mind busy, pretend everything's fine.
The week flies by. I train a new secretary, say goodbye to everyone, and end my apartment lease. I go to the convent to say goodbye to the nuns—they took me in when no one else would. Now, nothing ties me here. Two suitcases, a new destination, and a shattered heart.
At the airport, I meet Gabriel. He notices how much luggage I have, but says nothing. Sitting in the departure lounge, I look up and... he's there. Oliver. Handsome, in that impeccable suit, his hair tousled and the same look that always took my breath away.
Our eyes meet. I turn away. I call to Catarina and Gabriel and we hurry out. I feel his gaze on my back, trying to reach me, but the security guard stops him.
It was close.It was better this way.Let him think what he wants—like he did last time.
And even with my heart in pieces, I move forward. With tears in my eyes, I silently say goodbye to the man I loved... and to the father of my baby.
Bonus
I'm sitting next to Gabriel on the plane and, since we'll be spending time together visiting the branches, I decide to tell him everything.
“Gabriel, I need to tell you a secret, and I ask that it stay just between us, please.”
“You can trust me, Alice. What happened? Tell me everything,” he says, holding my hand.
“Since we'll be spending so much time together, I won't be able to hide it. Before you ask...” I put my hand on my belly, which is already starting to show. He looks directly at it, and I confirm: “I'm pregnant with Oliver's baby. He doesn't know, and I don't plan to tell him for now.”
“I already suspected you two were together, which is why I didn't pursue you anymore.” He squeezes my hand in a gesture of affection and continues: “You can rest easy, my dear.
Your secret is safe with me, and I'll do everything to help you, if you'll let me, of course. And thank you for trusting me,” he says sincerely.
I'm grateful to have met Gabriel. He's an honorable man. I feel we'll be great friends, and that comforts me.
“Thank you, Gabriel. I'm going to live in Ceará—I requested a transfer to the branch there. So, I'll do the visits with you and then stay there.”
“Let me take care of you both. You don't have to accept me as a man, but as a friend. Please, Alice!” he asks, almost pleading. I didn't expect this from him.
“But, Gabriel, what about your company? You just took over...” I say with some hesitation.
“It doesn't matter. We have companies in several cities, and I can run the headquarters from there.
If there's any problem, I'll go there to solve it.
You're going to need someone to count on.
Let me be part of your pregnancy—going to appointments with you, buying the layette, setting up the baby's room—” As he spoke, I imagined the whole scene.
I confess I was happy with what he proposed.
“It doesn't matter if you accept me as a friend or something more, I just want you both to be safe.”
“If that’s the case, I accept.” At that moment, I feel tears streaming down my face. I never thought anyone could do this for me, besides my friend. “Thank you, Gabriel. I don’t have the words to thank you for everything.”
He hugs me, and for a moment I let myself forget all my problems and think about what the future holds. I feel like we’ll be happy.
We arrive in Ceará, rent an apartment, and start working.
It takes a long two months to learn everything, and we decide to expand our work and take on all of it.
By the end, I’m exhausted—I never imagined pregnancy could be so tiring.
Finally, we finish our work. We continue living together: me, him, and Cata.
These are the best moments we share, despite the suffocating longing I feel for Oliver. I don’t think I’ll ever forget him.