CEO of Family

obvious, knowing what day it is. - Ah, the dog's humor. Typical. Come on, Mau, don't go home and get drunk alone. I'm leaving the company now and I've already told Luana that I won't arrive early today because I would take you somewhere. - Go back to your wife. You won't gain anything by keeping me company tonight. - I am going yes. My little place in heaven. - My cousin knew how to be a pain in the ass when he wanted to be. - I'm going to that bar we used to go to; the one in Copa, facing the beach. This is what you need. - I need to sleep. I've worked so much.

- You can sleep tomorrow, it's a holiday. If you don't show up there, I'll release a very false press release about you. - My cousin was a journalist. Like me, he had switched careers out of sheer convenience, but he still had his contacts. I knew he wouldn't actually do it. He had blackmailed me like that a thousand times before, but that night there was something different. I didn't want to go home. Even though I no longer lived in the same place where I lived with Isis when she died, there was still a piece of her in every thing I owned. Every thing I achieved, every dream I achieved. - Bad, do you think Isis would be happy seeing you like this? The way she loved you? She would want you to move on, to live your life, to meet someone else. It's not fair to her memory for her to be buried like this. It wasn't the first time Fernando had made a speech like that, but, somehow, it had a little more effect. I stopped in the same place I was, freezing my steps and looking over my shoulder, in the direction of her grave. Five years. I would never forget her, but maybe it was time to dig myself out too. - Okay, Nando. I'll meet you at the bar. My cousin celebrated on the other end of the line, but I wasn't as excited. It would be a process, of course. Go out, have a few drinks, see people, listen to some music. I didn't feel ready yet, but I could try. I could try... CHAPTER ONE FOUR MONTHS LATER I had popcorn in my hair. Popcorn! How far had I reached? How many days had it been since I was lying on that couch, finishing the entire Netflix catalog and eating an insane amount of junk food? Two? Three? My God... I lost count. How pathetic! Soon I, who always swore I would never end myself because of a man, was there, suffering for the biggest asshole that could have come into my life. And the worst part was that I didn't even like him that much. I was so depressed by the way things turned out. For the reason for the termination. It wasn't the first time. Being cheated on wasn't exactly a bed of roses. Much less when the partner in question claimed the worst possible justification: I was a twenty-three year old virgin, I just asked for time to get to know each other better. For God's sake... what are we dating for? Two weeks? I just wanted to feel safer. And this was purely and simply to do with chemistry. Maybe I was an incorrigible romantic, who wanted to hear bells and sigh with breathtaking kisses. I wanted a guy who would throw me off track and make me weak in the knees. Was it too much to ask? Probably yes. But I wanted to at least try. I knew that first times can be painful and uncomfortable, and allowing it to happen with someone who didn't even make me excited about the idea seemed stupid to me. As if wanting to torture me, the movie I left playing on Netflix, a romance movie, of course, started a very hot sex scene, where the guy seemed to know exactly what he was doing, leaving the girl completely off track. - It saw? That's what I was talking about! - I commented without even thinking, alone, looking like the crazy person I really should be. -What about that, woman? - Alessandra, my best friend and roommate, appeared in the living room, after waking up, and, when she saw me, her black eyes opened wide. I must be worse off than I imagined. - Did a hurricane hit here, and I didn't see it?

lessandra asked, sounding worried. - Looks like I just got a job. At Antunes Viana. - Wow! Congratulations, my friend! - She got up and came to hug me, sitting next to me and stealing some popcorn from my bowl. - What is the position? - I have no idea, but I want to. I can't choose much, Alê. Not in the situation I'm in. - I'm connected. But either way, it's a great company. They definitely have a great marketing department there, with a design team. You can try to probe and be relocated. For that reason alone, I think we can go out today to celebrate.

- Do you swear, friend? Look at my condition! - I pointed to myself, feeling like a mess. - We have hours and hours until night. You might as well get yourself decently dressed up, and here's what we'll do? You're going to pick a guy at a bar today to make out with. A very hot guy, very hot, and God is witness that you need to be caught well, so go and pay attention to the envoy. - Don't put God in the middle of something like that - I joked. - Okay, okay. But what do you think of my idea? What did I think? Stupid, absurd, crazy and clueless. I wasn't the type of woman who went out clubbing and kissed a guy out of the blue. The very few boyfriends I had were men I had known for a while, with whom I had had more interaction. College boys, or friends of friends, things like that. How would I have the courage to let a complete stranger touch me? But how far did all this modesty take me until that moment? Broken hearts and idiots who never knew how to appreciate me. Maybe the idea of ​​a night in the arms of a stranger might be exactly what I needed? Hot kisses, making out on the dance floor, all without commitment? Yes, the idea started to form in my mind as something very interesting. - Okay, Ale. You won. Let's go crazy tonight! CHAPTER TWO Three small glasses of tequila were raised in a toast. Alessandra and Tamires – another friend of mine from college who accompanied us – drank their shots in one gulp, but I wasn't that bold. Not so resistant. If it started like that, it wouldn't last as long as it planned to last that night. I was excited, I wanted to have fun and celebrate. The bar was packed, the live music was good, and, without a doubt, the prospect was much better than staying at home doing nothing. - Our little girl's new job here - Alessandra said, already drinking a second glass, because that was a double dose night. She hit him hard on the table, and Tamires followed suit. I preferred to continue with the first one. - Today is her day. We have to choose a really handsome guy for her to date. - You? I asked, raising an eyebrow. - Like this? Tamires and Alessandra looked at each other, with malicious expressions. - Friend, no offense, but your finger is rotten. You don't have the slightest experience with men, and we, two of you, your guardians - Alessandra spoke in a solemn voice, putting an arm around Tamires' shoulders -, we're going to do our best and choose a boy who will make you see stars with just his footprint. I crossed my arms against my chest, raising an eyebrow in complete disbelief. - And you're going to achieve this sensational feat just by looking at the guy's face? - There are men who emanate, you know? - Tamires began to move one of his hands in the air, imitating whatever could "emanate" from someone. - That man who has a look, a way of moving, who from afar you understand is confident, who has that aura of natural sensuality. - Wow, I'm even getting my panties wet! - Alê spoke, perhaps louder than he should have, because two young men, who were at the next table, looked in our direction, smiling. They were handsome, one black and one with light hair, who stared at Alessandra while she took a sip of her beer. The two began to whisper, but took no other action and resumed talking. My friends didn't notice. Maybe I had less alcohol in my system. Another request for a double shot from the waiter, and as soon as the tequila arrived – I was still on my first glass –, the next thing the crazy people decided to do was take a photo of us, with our hands raised, holding the drinks, to post on Instagram. It was nice to be with them. Who needed a man when you had such good friends? We started talking about other topics, mainly about the design market in Brazil. Tamires worked making book covers, mainly e-books, for national and even foreign authors, and she was managing to pay her bills fine. Alê used to provide services to companies, agencies, etc. I, in turn, really wanted to be able to earn a living with what I really loved doing, but I wasn't so brave to launch myself into the freelance world. The topic soon turned to my new job, and I was surprisingly excited for Monday to arrive. I couldn't wait to get my salary straight every month, and from what Sílvia sent me via WhatsApp it was pretty good, especially since I'm bilingual. I did some research on the Internet about the company, but it didn't tell me the name of the director I would work with, so I couldn't look for more details about him – whether he was young, old, whether he was known for being a tyrant or people. good. He was really rooting for the second option because he hated working under pressure. - That one! - Alessandra, next to me, spoke loudly again, breaking me out of my thoughts, which arose when we were silent for a while. - There, Carol. The one with curly hair. I took a look in the direction she was pointing and saw a guy in the best Jesus Luz style – yes, Madonna –, leaning on the counter, ordering a drink. Beautiful. Model type. From what I could see, very clear caramel eyes, long-sleeved t-shirt, jeans with a few rips. I was very impressed, without a doubt. - Damn, Ale. It's him, without a doubt! - Tami agreed, lifting the cup of the third round of double shots, which they had already ordered, and turning it over. - Go to the bar, Carol! Stand next to him, ask for something... water, whatever. Make him notice you! It will be? Well, I wasn't that awkward talking to men. As inexperienced and shy as I was, I managed well, and I knew I was beautiful. I was never given to false modesty, although I didn't feel conceited. Maybe it would work. I stood up, determined, and my friends roared excitedly, making the two kittens at the next table look at them again. They were so intent on getting me a man that night that they weren't realizing the obvious. So, before going to the handsome guy at the bar, I poked Alessandra and drew her attention to what was right under her nose. The four greeted each other by raising glasses, but nothing more than that. It was only time for me to look back towards the bar to see that the dark-skinned guy who caught my friends' attention was already with someone. A beautiful blonde had arrived, and they exchanged a passionate kiss that made me believe they were lovers. - Wow! - I commented, observing the kiss indiscreetly. - We were right, at least, about the footprint - Tamires said. Yes, they were. It was a kiss sir. But I wouldn't try it. I would have to choose someone else. And they really tried. The

managed to gather all my courage and did as the girls instructed me. I got close, pretending to be innocent, and started the conversation. Within two minutes I discovered he was gay. Super friendly, kind, we exchanged a few words, but both he and I quickly walked away, because we were both looking for the same thing. Shrugging my shoulders, I returned to the table, hands empty. The third attempt was with a guy in a suit. It was also not stunning or unforgettable looking, but attractive enough.

I even drank a second glass of tequila to give myself courage after the first two fiascoes, and things seemed to go well. He looked at me longingly, and we talked for some time. He offered me a drink, which I declined, but he actually made me laugh. Everything seemed to be going well, until I noticed the wedding ring on her left hand. Son of a bitch! As soon as I saw her, all he did was shrug his shoulders, like it wasn't important. Oh, for God's sake! I wasn't looking for a serious relationship, but kissing a married guy? No way. I glanced over at the girls' table and saw that the two boys had finally joined them. As I returned, ready to feel left out, I made two signs: one representing the ring on the left finger of the bastard I tried to approach, which made them visibly indignant, and another showing that I was going to the bathroom. They nodded, but soon returned to their conversation with the boys. I entered the bathroom, almost feeling like a refuge. When he got back to the table, he planned to tell the girls he was going to take an Uber and call it a night. I was starting to feel tired and frustrated. Maybe that thing about meeting a guy in a bar and kissing without commitment wasn't for me. Those three failed attempts were probably more than a sign, which I needed to interpret correctly. Coming home, to my Netflix and my popcorn: better choice. Rest at the weekend and prepare for a week of work at a new company? Even better! Yes, that's what I should do. Was not? CHAPTER THREE I couldn't say when a tradition was formed, but it was customary for Fernando and I to end up at some random bar every Friday, after work. That one, in particular, we were at one in Barra, closer to home, because we had a tiring meeting, where we needed to replace our uncle, who was away for a few days, after the beginning of a heart attack that had scared us a lot. Uncle Geraldo has always been a rock. A man who came from nothing and built an empire. For us, an example. For me, more than my father had been. In fact, it was exactly the image of my drunk father, cheating and attacking my mother, that made me the man I was – focused and workaholic. Seeing him succumb somehow was more disconcerting to me than I imagined it could be. - Big day, huh? - Fernando commented as soon as we sat down at the bar and each ordered a shot of whiskey, neat. - How can Uncle Geraldo handle it? What does he already have? Seventy years? - More than that, I think. He was the oldest of the three brothers. - And the only one that lasted, too. Both my father and Fernando's mother had already left. In fact, we were both orphans, and our uncle did a great job practically raising us. We were like children to him, as he had none with his long-time wife, our sweet aunt. - Both of us, at thirty-seven, are complainers. I guarantee that if it were him, he would be there, happy as hell, commanding all those people to eat out of his hand. The guy is a master. I couldn't help but smile as he raised the glass to his mouth, thinking how right my cousin was. Uncle Geraldo was truly a master. A perfect commander for the ship that Antunes Viana had become. One of us would have to take his place when he retired, and from what Aunt Adelaide had said, she was very committed to making that happen sooner rather than later. Apparently, this was the same thought as Fernando. - Have you ever thought about one of us in his place? - he commented, almost surreptitiously, as if it weren't important. But was. Whoever was going to take on the role would have to do it with honor, because we owed it to the man who gave us everything. - I think so, but I don't like the idea that much - I replied with conviction. - How not? Isn't that what we work so hard for? - It is and it isn't. I work for the company to continue being what it is. I like what I do and leaving the legal sector to work in the administrative part of the company would be something that I would not like. But I would do that, if it was our uncle's wish. Fernando nodded, taking another sip of his drink. Whenever we talked about Uncle Geraldo's retirement, he was as reluctant as I was. That night, on the other hand, I had the impression that that had changed. He seemed more interested in being the successor than before. - We don't know what's going on in his head, do we? He never showed any distinction between us, and we always worked the same. We've never been negligent, so I really don't know which one of us he'll choose. I remained silent for some time, pondering. Whoever he chose would only have more duties and responsibilities. More power too, of course, and more money, but that wasn't all. One day I thought it was, but after I lost my wife my concepts changed a little. - We don't know, but whoever is chosen will be able to handle it. He wouldn't hand over his precious CEO chair to someone who wasn't extremely capable. Fernando nodded again, thoughtfully. There was something different about his behavior that night, but who was I to understand him? Not that he didn't have a close relationship with my cousin. Damn, we were like brothers, and at this point in our lives we should practically be able to read each other's thoughts, but for a while now he'd been doing things I didn't agree with, so it was a little hard to understand him. Like, for example, what happened right after. A beautiful blonde stood next to us, at the counter, wearing a red dress and a neckline that didn't leave much to the imagination. Fernando looked her up and down and licked his lips. - For God's sake, Mau, tell me you're going to get to that goddess - he commented, still without taking his eyes off the girl, who was throwing her hair back. She wasn't even looking in our direction, just sat down and picked up her drink. - She might be waiting for someone - that's what I replied, and he agreed, nodding. Minutes later, in fact, I got my guess right. But the blonde soon stood up with a smile, ready to welcome another girl. As beautiful as she is, with brown curly hair. - Look... it's God sending us gifts after such a busy day. I'll even let you choose which one you want, because that's the perfect definition of "whatever". I knew that Fernando was not faithful to his wife. This made me very embarrassed when I visited them, because Luana was an incredible woman. Sweet, dedicated, she had a career in the fashion industry, she was a former model, beautiful and was crazy about her husband. There was no reason for my cousin to complain about his marriage, but he had always been the catcher for both of us. Not that I didn't have a past, some women passed through my bed, especially when I was in college, but