CEO smile

object. Even though I'm sure it would be positive, I'm still not prepared to know that I'm going to be a mother. No, I'm not a mother. Because there's a heart beating inside me. With shaking hands I take the exam and check it once again. ─ Pregnant, Ali. You're pregnant – Márcia says, and even though she tries to sound calm, I can hear the desperation in her voice. She didn't need to say that information out loud, because I was seeing that result with my own eyes. With shaking hands I bring it to my eyes and burst into tears.

I know that crying won't solve my life, but at this moment it's all I have left. Then I would try to get my head straight to sort things out. CHAPTER 1 Months later I put Theo's bottle inside my backpack and go to the living room to pick up my baby who is in the stroller. Since I had Theo, my rush has only increased, because in addition to helping my father in his grocery store, I also had to take care of the house. I had no choice, despite everything, my father helps me with a lot. He welcomed me into his home when my own mother said it would be better for me to live with him. I confess that when I heard this I felt very sad, but the reality is that we were never very close, not even when she was still married to my father. I always chose him. He was always the one I preferred. And come to think of it, today is no different. Months ago I fought with my father because of his new girlfriend, but the truth is that it was my daughter's jealousy speaking louder. He is single. What can I do but swallow the women he chooses? Well, it's a good thing he left the woman who made me leave home, today he has a new girlfriend, and I really like her. When he comes to visit, he always helps me with Theo. . ─ Come on, sweetheart, see grandpa? – I talk to my baby while pushing the stroller out of the house. The place is just a hundred meters away from our house, which makes our trip easier. My father is crazy about his grandson, I thought he wouldn't accept my son so well, but what I see is that he is much more than a grandfather to Theo, he is a father too. Seeing him drooling over my son makes me emotional. ─ Mom is thinking about looking for a job. What do you think my love? – Theo looks at me and shows a toothless smile. – Do you agree, my dear? And even? I don't mind sounding like a child in the middle of the street. When we became a mother, we became silly. Paying attention to the movements on the street, I take care and head to the grocery store. I work there to help with the expenses my father has with me and Theo, and even though I refuse every month, he always gives me some money. Mr. Joaquim no longer has any obligation to support me, after all, I am already of legal age and have a son. ─ We're here! – I announce my arrival, drawing the attention of my father who is fixing something behind the cashier's computer. He drops what he is doing and comes towards Theo. ─ Hi, grandpa. – With a silly smile on my lips, I watch the two of them closely. – Do you know who is here to stay with you today? Grandma Vania. Even though I like Vânia, I want to say that his girlfriends are not Theo's "grandma", but to avoid causing confusion, I remain silent, especially because my son loves Vania. I take over as the cashier while he is paying attention to Theo. Despite being a neighborhood market, it has a good movement, as it is the only one. ─ Oh, daughter. I have something for you. ─ My father gives me a pamphlet from the chocolate factory. ─ The representative I buy from gave me this, said they were hiring. I take the paper and evaluate it. Theo is still little, but I need to work and take some of the responsibility away from my father. ─ Don't think I think you're bad at home, but I've already seen you talking to Theo, who needs to get a job. ─ In silence I face my father. ─ You know you don't have to do this now if you don't want to. ─ Father... ─ You help me a lot, daughter. Since I had my son, my emotions have been very heightened and I get emotional about everything. According to information on the internet, it's the hormones' fault that they get messed up. ─ I know that you take good care of us, but I need to find a direction in my life. Can I put Theo in daycare... ─ No! Not that now. ─ Dad, even if I start working, I can't afford a nanny. ─ Aline... ─ Most mothers place their children in daycare centers. And besides, it's just a scheme, when I get something. I'm not starting work tomorrow, Dad. ─ Theo is so little... he's only five months old. ─ I know. ─ I smile encouraging him. ─ You're right. Seu Joaquim gets out of my way and goes back to being with Vania and his grandson. Taking advantage of the fact that the cashier doesn't have any customers, I pay attention to the pamphlet I'm holding. It's been years since the chocolate factory opened vacancies. According to information, the employees are very old and because it is a good company to work for, there are few layoffs. I share my attention with some customers who arrive with their purchases, and in spare time I reformulate my CV and send it to the email provided. I use the computer and send them to other places that have open positions. Now we have to wait for some contact. Unable to contain my excitement, I pick up my son from his crib and dance around the room. He had just received a call to participate in the chocolate factory's recruitment, and also a message to do an interview later this afternoon. It's noon, I need to run and see where I can leave Theo while I do the interview, but for a moment, I allow myself to enjoy happiness with my son. ─ Cheer for mom, okay son? ─ I kiss his hair and put him in the cart. Theo always gives me toothless smiles, like he's encouraging me. Accompanied by him, I go to the bathroom, take a shower and start to produce myself. The office where I will do the interview in the late afternoon is almost two hours away by bus from where I live. In the meantime, I send a message to my father and inform him of the news, before even asking to keep his grandson, he is ready and tells me to leave him there with him at the market. When I finish packing Theo's bag, my cell phone starts ringing. When I see Márcia's name on the screen, I answer by putting it on speakerphone. ─ You forgot your son's godmother, did you? She and the usual dramas. It almost feels like w

was just two days ago. ─ Theo is listening to you, if you continue with the dramas he will find you an insufferable godmother. ─ Aline... ─ he mumbles and makes me burst out laughing. ─ Hi, dinda, how are you my little Goduch? I stop what I'm doing and watch Theo, who is attentive, listening to my friend's voice. ─ Dinda misses you so much. Don't listen to what your mother says about me. ─ Friend, if I wasn't in agony, I would put the call on video mode so he could see you, but I need to run. ─ Are you going to the grocery store? ─ No. You know those CVs I sent last week? ─ Yes.

─ I was called for an interview today, and another tomorrow. ─ Do you swear? Oh, how wonderful my friend! ─ I'm here in ecstasy too. I know it's the interview today, but I'm anxious and happy. ─ It worked, friend. Who will stay with Theo? ─ I'll see if my father can keep it today, and tomorrow I'll leave it at the hotel, as the chocolate factory is a little far from here. ─ If you want, I can stay with him tomorrow, I'll take the opportunity to satisfy my longing. ─ Oh, friend, if you could I would be very grateful. ─ I already said I can. I'm not going to the hospital tomorrow, I have classes on Saturday all day and that's why we were released from the internship. ─ I'll be calmer. I know that if I start working I'll have to leave him at the little hotel, but first I'll do some research. Now I need to go, so I don't be late. ─ Good luck! ─ Thank you! ─ Bye my Godinho, we'll see you tomorrow. I keep my cell phone in my bag and after finishing packing Theo's things, I leave the house towards my father's grocery store. CHAPTER 2 I close my eyes taking a deep breath. I don't want to lose control. I don't want to lose control. I repeat this phrase in my mind, not just once, but twice. The guy in the suit in my office is my friend and it's not his fault, he just passed on information from my father's shitty associates. And despite being my friend, Eric knows very well how to separate things, it's no wonder that he has worked for the company since he graduated, almost ten years ago. I clench my fist tightly, while my arms are beside my body. Of course the subject of me being single at thirty-four would come up again. ─ So that's it, David. Know that you will face four partners willing to remove you from your position in the company. They already pressured your father, which is why they requested the meeting. I open my eyes and turn my body to face Eric. Swallowing the urge to explode right in front of him. ─ I'm going to show them that I have the capacity. ─ I know there is. Don't forget, the meeting is tomorrow at six in the morning. ─ Six? ─ I can't hide my dissatisfaction with the time, because who the fuck holds meetings at six in the morning in the United States? ─ Ok. ─ I accept what I cannot change. I take advantage of Eric leaving the room and lock the door to my room. No longer able to control my anger, I walk to my desk. Still standing, I open the drawer and take out a bottle of whiskey. I open it and turn it into my mouth. For a long time in my teens, I used to vent my anger by beating up the idiots who were bold with girls at school, but after my father let me work at the factory, I had to restrain myself, or I wouldn't take over what was mine. I pull out the black chair and sit down, turning to face the glass window behind me. My room could see part of the production area. My parents worked hard to build this empire, I wasn't going to let those shits who invested a few million years ago, and who don't do anything for the factory, guess at anything. I feel the alcohol starting to calm me. I don't usually drink in the company, I like to set an example for my employees, however, after the information Eric gave me, it's impossible to stay without getting stressed. I continue to watch the employees work while keeping a smile on their face and talking to the colleague next to them. Here I value the well-being of each person, as long as they can do the job. I don't make anyone a slave, however, if they are making a loss, we dismiss them immediately. Which is rare, most employees have more than ten years. I drink some more whiskey and then close the bottle, returning it to the drawer, which is locked with a key. I pick up my cell phone from the table and call my dad, putting the call on speaker. I wait for just one ring and my mother's voice rings out. ─ Hi, son. ─ I love the excitement in her voice when she hears my voice. ─ Hi, mom. where is my father? ─ Leaving the back of the chair. ─ He's in the shower... ─ I hear his voice in the background, but I don't understand what he's saying. ─ Ah, he arrived. I'll pass now. Hey, come have dinner with me today, I haven't seen you in fifteen days. ─ I'll send you a message confirming if I go, okay? ─ Okay. I love you. My mother's voice manages to calm me down. I am very loved and I have nothing to complain about. I could use this treatment and think of someone to live with me, but the truth is, my focus is the factory. It's taking over my father's position so he can rest and pay more attention to my mother, as she has always worked hard to make the company grow. I don't want that for the woman I one day choose to be my wife. I'm not a scoundrel for not having someone by my side, but I'm single because I believe that marriage demands quality time, which I can't offer to a woman at the moment. I have money to support myself until I grow old, however, I want to carry on my family's legacy. ─ Hi, David. ─ After almost a minute, my father speaks to me. ─ Eric left here a few minutes ago... ─ Good to know that he is already aware of the meeting. ─ Six in the morning, dad? Really? ─ Businesspeople don't have schedules, Davi. Deep breath. ─ The agony is going to start so that I have someone by my side, is that it? ─ He remains silent. ─ You have the money to buy their shares, why don't you do that? Are you going to let them dictate the rules and just go along with it? I fire one question after another. Anger is stuck in my throat. ─ Even if I wanted to buy the shares, they are not selling and, they are as much owners as we are, so they can say what they want and what they don't want. That's what meetings are for, to reach a consensus. I laugh mockingly. ─ And the current consensus is to talk about my personal life? ─ The meeting hasn't even happened yet and you're deducing things? ─ Dad, be serious. Every time there's a meeting, someone has to mention that I'm not married yet. We are in the twenty-first century, it is normal to be single. ─ Davi, I'm not going to argue with you on this subject. You know my opinion. I palm the table hard, closing my eyes tightly. ─ My marital status does not determine my professiona

but after hanging up on me after telling me to get married, I'm even more certain that this will be tomorrow's topic. Do they want Davi Blanc married? They will, and when they least expect it, I will take each of them out as a partner.I arrive at the chocolate factory ten minutes late. I feel like my heart is going to come out of my mouth at any moment. If I had followed Márcia and my father's advice, to take an Uber or a taxi, I would have arrived early, but I decided to take the bus. I run my hands over my dress pants to wipe my sweaty hands from nervousness.

The afternoon before when I went to the interview at the other company, I was calm, but now? I'm a nervous wreck. Maybe it was because of the delay. Without even appreciating that place, I just ask reception for information about where the recruitment will take place and head to the indicated location. I'm scared by the number of people waiting and then I get discouraged. I don't know how many vacancies are being offered, but given the number of people here, even if there were fifty vacancies it wouldn't be enough. More than twenty minutes pass and all I hear is random conversations from all the contestants. Do I have a problem with not getting along with someone? I ignore my own questions and remain silent, waiting. Five more minutes and then a woman appears from the wooden door at the end of the corridor. ─ Good morning everyone. My name is Louise, I'm from Human Resources and I will do your final interview. Before you will undergo an assessment, I ask you to please follow me. The woman walks down the aisle, passing the candidates and when she approaches me, I can see how beautiful and elegant she is. She exudes confidence as she walks between us and opens another wooden door on the opposite side of the hallway. This time it's a double door. The woman stands outside, greeting everyone as they enter, including me. I choose one of the chairs at the back, as the front is already occupied. Another woman takes over the room and introduces herself as a psychologist. After a brief conversation, she administers a psychotest. We stayed there the whole morning, and the longing for Theo only increases. Since my son was born, I have never spent so much time away from him. Upon leaving the room, the HR employee who took us to that location reappears and informs us that she will call those who progress to the next phase and hands us a bag with some chocolates. I leave the company eager to leave, I need to get used to my son's absence for a few hours a day, as at some point I will be working. Walking quickly, I pass the reception towards the factory entrance and end up falling over a man in a suit. Even if I don't act rude, I just apologize without even looking at the man. ─ Next time, pay attention to where you go. That's all I hear, until I continue my run out of the factory, because I can't miss the bus schedule. I search for more job openings. Three days have passed since the last interview I had, and the chocolate factory recruitment. I can't wait too long. ─ I already separated Theo's diaper. Remember to pick it up when you go home. ─ My father places a cup of coffee on the computer bench. These and other things are why I need a job. I know I help around the house and here at the grocery store, but I feel like we spend a lot, and I don't want to leave this responsibility to my father. ─ Thank you, father. I assist a customer who arrives at the checkout and when I am alone again I continue my research. Vania always stays with Theo, when I come to help my father, he takes the opportunity to spend time with his grandson, as he always finds him at home sleeping, as he leaves early and arrives late. When I finish writing down the email of a company I found on the job openings website, a message arrives on my cell phone. As soon as I pick up the device, a customer arrives at the register and I give preference to her. After serving four people, I finally manage to grab my cell phone and open the message. Miss Aline Santigo, It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the next stage of our selection. The stage will consist of a face-to-face interview at the Blanc Choco Factory headquarters tomorrow, at nine o'clock. We wish you luck! Blanc Choco Group. With my heart beating fast, I reread the message to be sure and to be even more certain, I exit the messaging app and log in again, reading the message once again. ─ I've moved on to the next stage ─ I whisper, still amazed by the news. ─ I passed, dad! ─ I scream. With my heart beating wildly, I get up from the register and go to meet the man who is my hero. ─ I was called to do an interview at the factory. ─ I clap excitedly, my father's smile warms my heart even more. ─ I knew I would go to the next stage. This vacancy is already your child. ─ Oh, dad, I'm so happy and nervous and agitated. ─ Calm down. ─ Smiling, he strokes my arm. ─ Congratulations. I hug him tightly and go back to the register. I had to contain the mix of feelings and continue helping the market. I'll leave it to freak out later. I arrive for the interview early. I don't want to run the risk of being late and having evaluative eyes on me. The delay in the first stage was enough. With my nerves on edge, I do a breathing exercise to try to control my anxiety. The number of people waiting confirms that it would be as I imagined, busy. This is a place where employees and exes speak well, the competition will certainly be fierce. I just had to impress in the interview and secure the position, after all I need a job. It doesn't take long and a door opens, calling out a person's name. I calculate the time it takes on the clock and twenty minutes later, someone else is called. It took three names, until I heard them call me. Upon entering the room, I greet the woman I met in the first stage. I sit in the chair she indicated and then listen to her introduce herself once again. The interview begins with basic questions, such as my education and professional experience. I only worked in one place and so I try to respond in the best way possible. Louise makes some notes on some paper and then begins the personal questions. Of course the question about children would be asked. It was like that in my first job. ─ I have a five-month-old son. ─ Are you married? ─ No. I'm a single mother. Silence reigns for long seconds. ─ If you needed to start working tomorrow, would you be able to? ─ Yes. Even today, if necessary ─ I respond, trying not to sound desperate. Louise shakes her head and writes it down on the paper again. Before she can say anything else, the door to the room opens and we are interrupted. From the look in her eyes and the way she stood up, I imagine she is someone superior. I control my curiosity to look back and remain focused on the woman in front of me. I think it could be some test. ─ Lou, I want the women's resumes... ─ The male voice disappears. ─ Mr Blanc! I feel the presence of the person behind me and then he turns around and positions himself next to Louise. I hide how impressed I was by his beauty. I blink a few times and refocus on what matters. Get the job! ─ You can go Lou, I'll take over here. ─ Yes, sir. Here are the resumes of the next candidates. ─ She pushes a stack of papers towards him. The man stares at me. Embarrassed, I look away at Louise. Smellful and Beautiful. I'm crazy, it's not possible! I can't and don't want to give myself the luxury of thinking about any man, sinc