Appearance Pact, the Unexpected Love

I'm a true businesswoman, 24 years old, running a telecommunications company. My parents, Martina and Raymond Roberts, are a bit protective. My father is one of the most renowned lawyers in Canada, and my mother is a highly sought-after architect; her work is magnificent, and they are the best parents I could ask for.

I don't have a boyfriend, a fling, a husband, or anything of the sort. After that devastating breakup, I decided to close the doors to any possibility of a relationship. I can't risk another disappointment in my life. The wound is still fresh, the heart still shattered. It's like I'm wandering in a sea of uncertainties, without a safe harbor to anchor.

I sit at my desk in my small office, a cup of hot tea trembling in my hands. I gaze into the emptiness in front of me, the painful memories of that day echoing in my mind. Tears threaten to escape, but I swallow them back forcefully, refusing to succumb to the pain again.

"I don't need another disappointment in my life," I whisper to myself, the words sounding weak and shaky in the silent air. I take a deep breath, trying to find some peace in the whirlwind of emotions swirling around me. I decide to focus on what matters most to me, the only thing that still keeps me sane: work.

Today is a big day. I have a meeting scheduled with an investor who could change the game for me. I feel the tension pulsing in my veins as I prepare to face this battle in the ruthless world of business. I glance at the clock and offer a silent prayer, asking God for everything to go smoothly.

With my car still in the shop, I can't afford to be late. I need to get to the meeting on time and with a sharp mind. I call a taxi and wait anxiously, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. Every second feels like an eternity as I wait for the vehicle that will take me toward my defining moment.

Finally, the taxi arrives, and I quickly hop in, feeling my heart race with anticipation of what's to come. On the way to the meeting place, my mind is occupied with plans and strategies, mentally rehearsing every word I'll say to the investor. I can't leave anything to chance; every detail matters in this game of power and influence.

As the taxi navigates through the bustling city streets, I try to control my nerves and stay calm. This is my chance to make history, to achieve the success I've longed for. And I'm determined not to let this opportunity slip through my fingers.

I've always liked being one of the first to arrive at the company; it's always been my trademark. Stepping out of the taxi, I adjust my wool coat and firmly hold onto the cup of hot coffee between my cold hands.

With confident steps, I approached the sidewalk, focused on my thoughts about the upcoming meeting. The sun reflected on the concrete pavement as I hurried toward the imposing building in front of me where my company was located; the sound of my heels echoed on the asphalt, blending with the city's bustle. But before reaching the safety of the building's entrance, I had a surprise. A collision, a sudden impact that made me stumble backward, and the coffee cup flew from my hands, spilling its scalding contents over me. My eyes widened, and a curse escaped my lips, a mix of surprise and frustration.

I opened my arms, shaking the liquid dripping down, and as I raised my gaze, I was met with a tall, imposing man in front of me, as if I had hit a wall of muscles. His eyes, a deep grayish-blue, stared intensely at me as if seeking some explanation for our misfortune.

My breathing quickened as I realized the damage; I looked down and saw the dark stain spreading across my expensive cream-colored outfit. A wave of anger and indignation ran through my entire body; how dare this person ruin my impeccable clothes on such an important day?

He seemed surprised by the impact and raised his hands in a gesture of apology.

"Oh my god!" My voice came out shrill. "What now?" I shook my hands, trying to get rid of the liquid running down my arms. "Could you pay more attention to where you're going?" I shouted; the indignation and irritation were apparent in my words.

"Oh! I'm sorry, it was an accident," I hear his voice as he takes out a handkerchief from his pocket and starts wiping me. "Let me help clean this up." His hands were large but gentle.

"Clean up!" I took a deep breath. "Look what you did to my clothes," my voice trembled with anger as I struggled to contain my overflowing emotions; I felt a mix of frustration and embarrassment, my carefully planned morning now ruined by a simple accident.

He continued his attempts to clean my merino wool coat, but to no avail; he only made it dirtier.

"Please, take your hands off me; look, you ruined an expensive coat," I yelled louder than usual.

"It wasn't my intention; you just appeared out of nowhere in front of me..." I interrupted him.

"Forget it, I've already said it, take your hands off me." I pushed him a bit too hard.

He staggered back and almost fell; I put my hand over my mouth, trying to stifle a laugh; his expressions were of surprise and confusion.

I walked away without looking back; arriving at my company, I took the elevator, Eliza was already waiting for me as usual.

"Hello Liz! Good morning! How's everything here, any news?"

She looked at my coat and covered her mouth, looking shocked. "Hello! Amora, good morning. What happened to you?"

I handed her my bag. "A long story, but it'll have to wait for another time."

"Ah! Okay, ready to reign today!" She smiled.

"My dear, I've been ready since birth."

We laughed together and entered my office; I handed my coat to her and sat at my desk facing a huge glass wall, from there I could see the entire city of Montreal.

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.

My life has never been easy. I grew up in a humble family, where every penny counted to buy the bread that would feed our empty stomachs. I always saw my parents eating little so that my siblings and I could eat more. The daily struggle for survival taught us to value every achievement, no matter how small.

I decided to leave behind our small hometown in search of better opportunities in Montreal. Here, the tall buildings and bustling streets contrast with the simplicity of the life I left behind. But the promise of a better life for my family drives me forward, even in the face of the unknown challenges that await me.

It was in the midst of this quest for a new life that I met Blayde Müller. A man shrouded in mystery, whose cold and meticulous aura made him an intimidating figure in the business world. He's the type of person who doesn't take no for an answer, who charts his goals with surgical precision and spares no effort to achieve them.

His imposing presence evokes a mix of admiration and caution in me. I recognize in him the power and determination that I myself desire to possess. But I also see the danger, the shadow looming over his actions and decisions. Blayde Müller is a man who doesn't settle for anything less than the best, and I find myself drawn into his world of ambition and power.

I started working for him at his luxury escort agency, diving headfirst into a world I knew little about. At that time, I didn't have much experience in this field, but I was determined to learn and stand out.

In the first few years, I faced challenges and learned valuable lessons that shaped my path. It was a tough journey, full of ups and downs, but every obstacle overcome strengthened my resilience and determination.

Alongside working at the agency, I decided to invest in my education. I enrolled in a business administration college, where I immersed myself in studies while juggling professional commitments. It was years of hard work, but I finally completed the course, earning not only a degree but also confidence in my own abilities.

With the money I earned working at the agency, I was able to bring my family here, providing them with a better and more comfortable life. Every achievement was a victory not just for me, but for those I love.

However, amid all the changes and challenges, one rule remained as my moral compass, guiding my choices and actions: the foremost of all.

"NEVER GET ATTACHED, NEVER FALL IN LOVE."

This rule is like a mantra echoing in my mind every day, a constant reminder that in this unforgiving world of business, the heart can be too burdensome to carry. I never allowed myself to forget that, even when feelings tried to seep through the cracks of my determination. Getting attached to someone, falling in love, would be like opening a door to vulnerability, a luxury I can't afford in this game where every step must be calculated, every move planned with surgical precision. So, I repeat to myself, as a reminder and a warning: "Never get attached, never fall in love."

I've heard and lived by this rule for the 5 years I've worked in this field; my family always knew what I did and never questioned or complained because it was through this job that I pulled them out of poverty. My older brother Clark even wanted to do the same as me, but I advised him to follow a different path because in this winding road of lust and greed, if we're not sure of ourselves, we fall like flies into a pot of molasses, and we fall to die.

Before falling into Anny Lews's trap, the most beautiful and cruel woman I've ever encountered, I realized how dangerous it can be to ignore the primordial rule that always guides me. Thanks to Blayde's advice and decisive intervention, I managed to free myself from her claws before it was too late. Now, more than ever, I follow my own rules with unwavering determination: Not to love, not to get attached, not to let myself be carried away by any woman, except my mother and sister, because there's an exception for them. I won't let my feelings dominate me and will be cautious not to be deceived again. These are the rules that protect me in this ruthless world of business and personal relationships.

That experience was a turning point in my life, a wound that left deep scars on my heart. I decided then that it was time to close the door to love and never open it again. The past taught me to be cautious, to protect myself from new disappointments. Thus, with firm determination, I embarked on a new journey in the business world. Trading the luxuries and traps of the escort world for an office was a challenge I embraced with courage. I found a new purpose in business administration, a field where my ability to make assertive decisions and my work ethic stood out.

It was in this context that I came into contact with the renowned telecommunications empire run by none other than Miss Amora Roberts. Her name echoed through the company's corridors like a living legend, a ruthless and visionary businesswoman. Working in her company represented not only a professional opportunity, but also the chance to learn from one of the best in the business.

Pleasure to meet you, I'm Marco Tullen, and I know I'm any woman's dream man, but don't be fooled. You'll never penetrate my heart! As I hurried along the bustling sidewalk, I felt the urgency driving my steps towards work. The morning sun was already warming the cool air, creating a favorable atmosphere. I couldn't be late; I knew very well about my boss's reputation for punctuality. Even though I hadn't yet had the displeasure of meeting her personally, the rumors circulating through the company's corridors painted a vivid picture of a cold and authoritative figure.

Some colleagues even called her 'queen,' a title she hadn't fully grasped yet. Was it due to her imposing posture? Or perhaps because of how she ruled the company with an iron fist? While pondering these questions, I hastened my pace, determined to arrive at work on time and confront the challenging day ahead.

With my head down, lost in thoughts about the looming day's responsibilities, I was abruptly startled. I quickly looked up and found myself staring at the most stunning woman I had ever seen. She was completely soaked in a liquid that seemed to be coffee, her clothes stained, and her damp hair framing her delicate face.