Chapter 2 Amora Roberts The Proposal!

That's why they call me the queen, because my building is the tallest in Montreal and the whole city is at my feet. I don't really like this nickname, but I know Liz says that without malice, unlike the "others."

Liz hands me my schedule, and I see that my meeting is in 20 minutes, and even after the morning stress, I'm quite excited.

"Amora, your dress even under the coat still has a little stain," she points to a spot near the dress collar.

"I know," I close my eyes to contain my anger when I remember that person. "I'll try to clean it in the bathroom."

"Amora, I believe we have some of your other clothes, I got them from the laundry room."

I get up and go to Liz enthusiastically. "Thank you so much, my dear, that's why I love you, you always have a solution to my problems," I kiss her cheek.

She smiles and leaves; I return to my desk and give the documents another once-over.

In a few minutes, Liz returns with a hanger in her hands. I quickly go to the bathroom, freshen up, touch up my makeup, and once I see everything is perfect, I go to the Meeting Room and start reviewing my spreadsheets to show Mr. Trevis, not long after, Liz enters the room.

"Miss Roberts, Mr. Trevis." She extends her hand, and the man appears at the door.

He enters, and I get up and go to him, extending my hand.

"Good morning, Mr. Trevis, please have a seat! Would you like some coffee, water, or juice?"

"I'll have the coffee, Miss Roberts."

He says and sits where I indicated, I look at Liz, and she leaves the room to get Mr. Trevis' coffee; then I sit down too, taking a deep breath.

"Mr. Trevis is..."

"Please, Miss Roberts, you can call me David, no need for Mr. or Tavares."

"Okay, Mr. Tav... I mean David." I smile and continue speaking, already turning on the 60-inch screen.

"So here are the spreadsheets, and you already know our guidelines and have seen everything related to our company. So now it's up to you, and you can call me Amora."

"Well, Amora, there's nothing wrong with your company, everything is fine, but there's just one problem here. I really want to invest in your company, but the issue is that you're not married!"

"Married! What do you mean?" I'm shocked by this and end up speaking louder than I should.

"I'll explain: I'm a very conservative man, and as I will invest 25 million in a company, I have my doubts, because I don't know how a woman will manage a family? Business is one thing, but family is another," he pauses.

"Look, I know you're not dating and not engaged either, how will I know that this company won't go bankrupt? I'll give you half of the investment money if you get a boyfriend and then get engaged and married, then I'll give you the other half that's missing, and if you stay married for 6 months, I'll give you another 15 million. That way, I'll have total confidence in partnering with a woman who sees her company as family and knows how to handle it wisely."

I was stunned by what he said, unable to believe what my ears had just heard. Where did I get myself into, my God? I thought to myself, feeling a wave of concern and anxiety washing over me. I need this investment more than ever, and now what will I do? This question echoed in my mind as I tried to find a solution to this sudden dilemma that presented itself before me.

I stood there, shocked, unable to find words to express my surprise and confusion in the face of that unexpected situation. Before I could even open my mouth to say something, he added, "I'll be waiting for your response and have a good day."

His tone of voice was calm and controlled, but his words echoed in my mind, leaving me even more perplexed. I felt like I was in a whirlwind of emotions, trying to process what had just happened and find an answer to that surprising proposal.

He brought the coffee cup to his mouth, taking the last sip and finishing the coffee Liz had brought. Then, he got up and left. I sat there, lost in my thoughts, not knowing how much time had passed. The cloudy mind and tight heart seemed to weigh on me as I tried to process everything that had just happened.

Suddenly, Liz entered the room, all smiles, bringing a new energy to the atmosphere. Her smile was comforting, and for a moment, I managed to free myself from the burden I was carrying.

"Amora, did it work out?" she looks at me curiously.

As soon as she realizes how I am, her smile disappears.

"Is everything okay? You look pale," she looks at me alarmed.

"No, I'm not okay. You don't know what Mr. Trevis proposed to me."

She looks at me confused, but after I tell her everything, she's shocked too.

"Amora, he's a sexist, that's what he is. What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know, I'll think about it and then talk to him."

"Okay, if you need anything, I'm here to help."

"Thanks, Liz," I return her smile.

I got up and went to my office, but as soon as I entered, I realized I couldn't concentrate on work. My mind was racing, and I felt completely lost. With a sigh of frustration, I got up from my desk and went to the windows, resting my arms on them while lowering my head, trying to clear my thoughts amid the chaos that had taken over my mind.

"Think, Amora, you're not one to give up so easily," I tell myself.

Then, a sudden thought occurs to me, and grabbing my phone, I dialed the number of the only person who could get me out of this mess. To my surprise, she answered on the second ring.

"Hi, Amora, did something happen?"

"Persephone, are you too busy at the publishing house right now?" as I speak, anxiety consumes me, I lean my weight on my heel and repeatedly tap the front of my Scarpan on the floor, producing constant beats.

She's the owner of Sullivan Publishing, one of the best in Montreal.

"Wow, when you call me by name, it's serious! And no, friend, I'm just sitting here playing solitaire, this morning is quiet."

"Then I'll meet you at that café we love, I really need to talk."

"Okay, friend, I'll be there in 15 minutes."

"See you soon, love."

I hang up the phone, put it in my bag, and leave my office. As I pass through the workspace, I see Liz sitting at her desk, focused on her tasks.

"Liz, cancel all my appointments for today, I'm leaving and won't be back, and you're free to go too. Just let Filipe know, okay? I'm heading to our favorite café to meet Pê, and I'll wait for you in the car, okay?"

"Got it, I'll be in front of the building in 5 minutes."

"Oh, I forgot, we'll take a taxi, my car is in the shop."

I turn and head to the elevator, determined to get out of there and resolve the situation. As I descend, my mind goes back to what happened earlier, and anger begins to consume me. I recall those eyes staring at me, and a shiver runs down my spine, accompanied by a strange discomfort in my stomach. I shake my head to clear away these disturbing thoughts and wait for Liz to join me.

Once I see her, I hail a taxi, eager to head to the café. I urgently need to find a solution to my problem, and every minute lost only increases my frustration. Determination burns within me as we make our way to the café, ready to face any challenges that may arise on the way to resolving this issue that troubles me so much.