Baby of CEO

What do you mean, my son? I've never had a son. As I tried to process the information, my gaze instinctively turned to the baby. He was there, looking at me with those big curious eyes, biting and drooling on the sleeve of his jumpsuit, completely oblivious to the bomb that had just been dropped on my life. But how could that be possible? The baby was months old, how could I not know that? My eyes met the lady's once more, searching for some answer, but all I found was a serious and determined look, as if she was waiting for a reaction from me. "Mr.

Xavier, would you like a glass of water?" - I heard the distant voice of Sofia, my secretary. I was probably whiter than a sheet of paper. I took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the situation. I was Lúcio Xavier, CEO of one of the largest companies in the country. I couldn't afford to lose my composure now. - This is a mistake - I managed to articulate, my voice sounding firmer than I felt. The lady shook her head slowly, as if she had been waiting for that answer. - It's not a mistake, Mr. Xavier. This is your son. His name is Miguel. A shock wave ran through my body, making my legs wobble slightly. I looked at Sofia, her red hair moving slightly in the air conditioning wind. I searched her eyes for silent support, but all I found was a look of bewilderment, reflecting my own confusion. The lady reached into her bag and took out a photo, which she held in front of me with a somber expression. In the picture, a stunning blonde girl beamed at the camera, wearing a bikini while holding bottles of champagne on a sunny beach. Shit. It was a scene I recognized all too well. "Do you remember her, Mr. Xavier?" the lady asked, her voice thick with bitterness. My eyes fixed on the photo for a moment before my mind connected the dots. Yes, I remembered her. She was one of the waitresses on the cruises I'd taken the year before. I'd slept with her. The sex had been awful, but she was incredibly beautiful. "Yes, I remember," I mumbled, a lump forming in my throat. The lady let out a heavy sigh and lowered the photo. "That was my daughter, Melissa." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice cracking. "She died of an overdose a month ago." The realization hit me like a punch in the gut. "I'm so sorry," I think I mumbled something like that. - It was a mistake to have Melissa, and now it's too late to fix it. That's why I can't raise anyone else. This boy won't be my responsibility. Sofia, noticing the tension and discomfort in the room, acted instinctively. She approached me, delicately holding the jacket I was wearing and gently pulling me to the corner of the wall, away from the intense conversation with the lady. I felt the soft fabric of the jacket under the pressure of her hand, as she gently guided me, her touch transmitting a comforting sensation in the midst of the emotional chaos I was facing. Sofia stopped and looked at me with concern in her eyes. Her delicate freckles contrasted with her heavy gaze. - Sir... - she said in a whisper. - I don't know if this child is really yours, but this lady is not in a mental condition to take care of him right now, we need to call a social worker... I nodded slowly, recognizing the gravity of the situation. She was right. Together, we turned our gaze to the lady, ready to act. However, as soon as we turned around, we realized that the place where she had been standing was now empty. There was only the baby. CHAPTER 3 Sofia And then, like a gentle breeze, the baby who had been playing sweetly began to cry. I looked to Lucio for guidance, but his eyes reflected the same bewilderment that I felt. Neither of us knew what to do. Instinctively, I took a step forward, approaching the baby. He was there, wrapped in his baby carrier, his round, tear-stained eyes fixed on me, as if seeking comfort in the midst of the unknown. Carefully, I reached out, gently stroking his rosy cheek. His crying subsided a little, but it still persisted, an expression of vulnerability that broke my heart. "Lucio, what are we going to do?" I asked, my nerves already bursting, as I imagined his countless meetings being canceled due to his absence. Lucio seemed lost in his own thoughts, pacing in circles around the room. His expression was a mixture of anxiety and frustration, unable to find an answer to the unexpected situation we found ourselves in. Faced with the lack of clear direction, I made an impulsive decision. I lifted the baby from the baby carrier, holding him carefully in my arms. He continued to cry, his cries echoing throughout the room, but I couldn't leave him there alone, lost and scared. The baby's facial features, despite his young age, were surprisingly familiar. The eyes, the shape of his nose, even the curve of his lips... everything reminded me of Lucio in an almost supernatural way. A shiver ran down my spine as I observed the baby more closely, marveling at the disconcerting coincidence. Could it be possible that this baby was really Lucio's son? It was then that I noticed something that made me certain. For me, a DNA test was not necessary. On the back of the baby's neck was a reddish birthmark, almost in the shape of an apple. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the similarity of the mark to the one I knew Lucio had on his forearm. This child could only be his. "Lucio... look..." I whispered, my tone filled with surprise and admiration as I gently tilted the baby's head so he could see the mark. Lucio's eyes widened as he realized the similarity. He reached out to touch the mark on the back of the baby's neck, as if needing confirmation that he wasn't imagining it. "Oh my God..." he whispered. As the baby continued to cry in my arms, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I turned to see Ligia, an older employee of the company approaching, her face conveying a mixture of concern and compassion. "Can I help you in any way?" she asked, her voice soft and comforting as she reached out to pick up the baby. Carefully, I handed him to her, watching with relief as she began to rock the baby gently and murmur comforting words in his ear. - Is he your nephew, Mr. Xavier? It's incredible how much he looks like you! Lúcio remained silent, not knowing what to say. Little by little, the baby's crying diminished, replaced by soft sighs and small sobs. - Sofia, come to my office - he murmured, turning his back on Lígia and his supposed son, while walking with firm steps towards his private space. CHAPTER 4 Lúcio I was sitting in my office, with Sofia in front of me. The tension hung in the air, heavy and palpable, as we both faced what seemed like a dead end. My hands were shaking slightly, a physical manifestation of the nervousness that consumed my thoughts. Sofia, in turn, was sitting across from me, clutching the ends of the pencil skirt she was wearing. Her face was a mask of concern, and I could feel the anxiety emanating from her. - Lúcio, what are we going to do? - she asked, her voice full of uncertainty. I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words to respond. The situation was too delicate, and I knew that every decision we made would have significant repercussions. "We need to keep this a secret, Sofia," I said, my voice firm

confirm his true identity and make sure he gets the care he needs." "Okay, sir," Sofia replied, her voice sounding a little more restrained than before. "The social worker can keep him at the shelter until we can resolve this situation." I could see the light in Sofia's eyes slowly fading as she took in my instructions. "To a shelter?" "Yes, Sofia. To a temporary shelter until we can resolve this situation properly," I stated, keeping my voice steady, even though I knew how difficult this decision would be for her. Sofia's expression turned serious, and a hard smile formed on her lips.

It was a smile that looked forced, almost painful to see. "No," she stated, her voice firm and determined, but thick with emotion. "No?" I began, but she held up a hand to stop me. "You can't leave him. You can't just send that baby to a shelter like he's some unwanted commodity," she said, her voice wavering slightly as she struggled to contain her emotions. I raised an eyebrow. "They'll take good care of him there, why are you talking like that?" "I'm sorry, sir. I'll call the caseworker, but we can't leave him at the shelter." CHAPTER 5 Sofia I had never spoken to my boss like that before. But he was stronger than me. That innocent little baby couldn't go to a government shelter. "Call the caseworker. Make an appointment with her," Lucius ordered, turning his back on me. "I'm going to go into the meeting right now." "But we don't have the head space for that right now, sir!" "Do as I say, Sofia." I took a deep breath and nodded. After being alone, I left his office with my cell phone in my hand, rescheduling Lúcio's meetings and juggling to fit clients in the middle of the earthquake that had just hit us. Every now and then, I would take a peek at Lígia. She was much older than me, a mother of three children, and was holding down the fort for Lúcio and me with his "nephew." So, with all the work matters resolved, it was time to take care of the baby-related matters. "Hello, you've reached the Child Protection Agency. How can I help you?" a friendly voice answered on the other end of the line. "Hello, my name is Sofia and I work for Mr. Lúcio Xavier. I need to schedule an appointment with the trusted social worker as soon as possible." I waited. "Yes, it can be here at the company. The appointment is for Mr. Xavier. Is there any chance the social worker will come here today?" "Hmm, let me check... Oh, it seems the social worker is only available for tomorrow morning. She could meet you at 10:00 at the office. Is that okay? I sighed, a little frustrated with the postponement, but I accepted. "Yes, that's right. Thank you very much. See you tomorrow." I hung up the phone, feeling relieved that I had scheduled the meeting, but still worried about what would happen next. As I headed to my desk, several people stopped me in my tracks, commenting on Lucio's nephew. Yes, gossip traveled quickly in that company. And Ligia wasn't the most discreet person in the world. The hallway was full of excited voices, and I felt a little overwhelmed by all the attention. A colleague approached, her eyes shining as she mentioned the baby. "Sofia, what a beautiful baby! He looks so much like Lucio, doesn't he?" I forced a smile, trying to hide my anxiety. "Yes, it's amazing how much they look alike." Another colleague joined the conversation, expressing surprise at finding out about Lucio's supposed nephew. - I had no idea Lucio had a nephew! He's never mentioned it before. A lump formed in my throat as I tried to find a convincing explanation. - Well, it's a recent situation. His sister is going through some personal problems, so he's temporarily taking care of the baby. As my colleagues continued to approach me with questions about the baby, an anxiety I hadn't experienced in over two years began to take hold of me. Each word seemed to weigh tons on my shoulders, and I could barely breathe under the weight of expectations and fear of the unknown. With a forced smile and evasive answers, I managed to free myself from the conversation and excuse myself to leave. I ran to the bathroom, afraid of having a meltdown in front of everyone. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my tumultuous thoughts. But as soon as I looked in the mirror, chaotic memories began to fill my mind, memories I wanted to forget. An abandoned baby. Social workers. Child Protection Services. Shelters. A wave of panic enveloped me, threatening to suffocate me with its overwhelming intensity. I tried to push away the memories I was struggling to suppress, but they clung to me like sharp claws, clawing at my mind and heart. With shaking hands, I turned on the sink faucet, letting the water run over my hands. The cool sensation was a welcome shock, a momentary distraction from the turmoil inside me. I closed my eyes and focused on the sound of the water, trying to block out the memories that threatened to engulf me. For a moment, it was as if I were back in those dark days, days I didn't want to remember, struggling to survive in a world that seemed determined to destroy me. But then, with a conscious effort, I pushed the memories to the back of my mind, locking them in a mental box and throwing away the key. I couldn't afford to get lost in the past now. There was a baby who needed help, a boss who was counting on me, and a situation that demanded my immediate attention. With a resigned sigh, I wiped my wet face, gathered my courage, and left the bathroom. I knew that this day would be a long one yet. CHAPTER 6 Lucio I was in the middle of a conference in one of the large rooms at my company, leading and conducting the meeting with partners and clients, as I always did. My voice sounded confident, my words flowed with precision, but as much as I could talk, my mind was elsewhere. I couldn't stop thinking about the baby. That baby who had suddenly appeared in the reception area, with curious eyes and a birthmark so familiar. Did I really have a child? Why had Melissa never said anything? The questions echoed in my mind like a constant mantra, filling me with a suffocating anxiety. I tried to focus on the discussions of the meeting, the business proposals and the numbers presented, but my mind kept wandering to the baby and the mysteries it represented. I felt as if I were in a dense fog, unable to see clearly or make concrete decisions. It was too much to think about, and I felt like I would collapse at any moment. The pressure was building, the air in the room felt heavy and suffocating. I needed fresh air, space to breathe, but I knew I couldn't just walk out of there and leave the meeting. I swallowed hard, trying to control the tremors in my hands as I continued to lead the discussion. I was Lúcio Xavier, CEO of one of the largest companies in the country. I couldn't afford to falter now. "Mr. Xavier? Mr. Xavier?" I looked at one of the partners who had caught my attention. "Tell me." "Did you hear my question?" "No, I'm sorry. The numbers here excited me." I laughed to disguise the growing tension in me. "Can you repeat the questi

couldn't let these obstacles undermine my determination. As I spoke, a flame of determination lit inside me. I wouldn't fail. I couldn't fail. I would solve that baby thing and continue running the business as usual, to prove to my father that I wasn't the useless piece of shit he thought I was. CHAPTER 7 Sofia "Sofia, my schedule has been set and I have to go pick up the kids from school. Here's the little one. He's so sweet." When I heard Lígia's voice, I looked up, coming out of the trance I was in. Lígia placed the baby carrier with Miguel on the table in front of me. I blinked.

Only then did I realize that the day had passed quickly, and it was already getting dark. "Thank you, Lígia," I murmured, feeling a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. - I don't know what we would have done without you today. Mr. Xavier's sister took us by surprise when she, uh, asked us to take care of him. Lígia smiled gently, her eyes conveying understanding and solidarity. - Don't worry, Sofia. If you need anything, let me know. And don't hesitate to call if you need help with the baby. I nodded, grateful for the offer. - Thank you again, Lígia. See you tomorrow. With a wave, Lígia walked away, leaving me alone with Miguel. I sighed deeply, feeling responsible for the little being who was now resting peacefully in his baby carrier. As I looked at Miguel, tumultuous thoughts invaded my mind. It had been two years since I started working for Lúcio Xavier, the longest period I had ever spent in the same job and in the same city. The stability I had longed for had been found, but now, faced with Miguel's unexpected arrival, that stability seemed more fragile than ever. Mainly because it was poking at my dormant demons. Demons I didn't want to awaken. But they were there. Waiting. Waiting to return, to grab me. "I'll find you, Sofia. No matter where you hide." I squeezed my eyes shut, struggling to control my breathing, feeling my pulse racing. Forget the past. Forget the past. Forget the past. But how could I forget something that was constantly hovering in the invisible air around me? As I tried to stifle the distressing thoughts that threatened to consume me, a new source of worry manifested itself. Miguel began to cry, interrupting my reverie. Wasting no time, I got up from the chair and approached the baby carrier. "Shhh, it's okay, Miguel," I whispered as I tried to calm him down, rocking him in my arms. At that moment, Lúcio opened the door to his office and appeared in my view, his imposing presence filling the room. "Sofia, what's going on?" "Miguel is just a little agitated. I'm taking care of it." Lucio pursed his lips for a moment, his eyes darting from me to the baby, and then back to me, causing me to shiver in a strange and inexplicable way. "Did you manage to talk to the social worker? What time is she coming? It's getting late." "I couldn't schedule a meeting with her today. I could only get an appointment for tomorrow morning," I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the agitation I felt inside. Lucio frowned, his lips pursing in frustration. "And what are we going to do with the baby until tomorrow?" he asked, the tension evident in his voice. I swallowed hard, pondering the best solution for the urgent situation we found ourselves in. "I think it would be best if you took him home," I finally suggested, gathering the courage to face reality. "My studio apartment is too small for me and a baby." "That's not a good idea." "Everyone thinks he's your nephew. It would be very strange if you suspected that the baby spent the night with me." Silence. The face of my boss alternated between expressions of tiredness and irritation. I didn't see him so much by the edge of collapse. But you will have to spend the night in my house too. Chapter 8 Lucius I don't know if my words were firm enough, or if Sofia was just reluctant to counteract my suggestions. My God... I had no idea how to take care of a baby. However, Sofia was like an anchor in the middle of the whirlwind, my only certainty at that time of chaos. While driving through the town streets, I kept my eyes fixed on the road, trying to block the tumultuous thoughts that threatened my concentration.Her soft, steady breathing filled the silence of the car. I quickly looked away from Sofia, wishing the worried expression had disappeared from her face. "What's wrong, will your parents be mad if you sleep with me?" Sofia's eyes widened, frightened. "Boss..." "Holy shit! No!" I blurted out inadvertently, my mind stumbling over its own words. That was not what I meant at all! No! No! Suddenly, she started laughing, bringing a momentary relief. "Sofia! I'm sorry, I didn't mean that!" I hurried to correct myself, embarrassed by the slip. "Lucio, I'm not a little girl!" she replied with her crooked smile, a gesture she always made when she was embarrassed. "I don't need permission to sleep outside, I live alone, and you know that." Little Miguel laughed sweetly, seeming to understand everything we were talking about. "Sorry to bring you into this. I really can't do it alone." She nodded, her eyes conveying a mix of understanding and empathy. "It's okay. Anything is better than spending the night in a shelter." Her voice was firm, despite the challenging circumstances we faced. "Even if it means sleeping with my boss," she murmured, holding back a laugh. An involuntary smile curved my lips as I looked at her. "Oh my, Sofia, that's not what I meant..." I realized my cheeks were turning red, but her light laugh stole any tension. "I hope you have a princess guest room in your mansion," she joked, her light and relaxed tone bringing a welcome relief to the situation. I let out a laugh, relieved by Sofia's humor at the uncomfortable situation. "I'll provide a throne and everything," I joked back, trying to keep the mood light. "But what mansion are you talking about?" CHAPTER 9 Sofia As soon as we arrived in front of Lucius's house, I discovered that he didn't live in a house. "An apartment?" - I asked, surprised, as I took the baby out of the car. - Respect my purchasing power, Sofia! - he shouted, jokingly - It's a very luxurious apartment, in case you ask me. - Hmm... If you say so... As I explored the lobby of Lúcio's supposedly luxurious building, my mind wandered about our relationship. Even though he was my boss, I knew how much he trusted me. It was as if we could go beyond the professional hierarchy and consider ourselves friends. I remembered the times we went out for drinks with other coworkers, all together, including Lúcio. He was always very friendly and treated everyone extremely well, from the waiter to his assistant. But it was different with me. It wasn't that I was better, or special, our relationship was just different. It was easy to feel his trust in me, and I felt a duty and obligation to honor it. But it wasn't just our friendship that made me agree to come spend the night with him. I looked at the baby, feeling pain in my arms from carrying the baby carrier. I had no idea babies were so heavy... I couldn't