CONTRACT LIMITED

" Daughter, the fever won't go away for nothing... "I looked at my Aunt Cassandra, I just nodded with my hand on my chin. Once again I looked at Alice in bed sleeping. " I don't know what else to do, Auntie, this medicine is not working."I got up after sitting for so long, the night passed before my eyes. I felt her hand caress my shoulder, I looked behind me, trying to reassure myself. " I don't know what to do anymore auntie, I'm scared, this doctor won't tell me what she really has, I can't go on like this. " He agreed, looking at me.

"I can't help you with money, Liz, you know that if it weren't for you, I would be on the street. " I held her hand, stroking it, even though she lives with me, if it weren't for my aunt, I wouldn't even be able to go to work.

" I know, Auntie, I'm not charging you, it's just an outburst, the worst thing is that I can't miss work, I have only two months of experience and Mrs. Ivonne seems to hate me, tries in every way to hinder my work. I know I have no training in the area, but..." I keep looking at myself, it's just a way to expose my desperation, I have no one to turn to.

" Mom... Mom... "The half sleepy voice made me look at the bed, I observed my little one in bed, looking at me, her little black eyes so broken. " Alice? Alice, my love, how are you? Are you feeling better? " She shook her head yes, I smiled, sitting up in bed, smelled her still warm forehead, tucked her hair behind her ear.

" Aren't you working today, Mom? " I nodded my head yes, and whined with my lips. " Mom has to go my daughter, remember mom promised that when I sign my license I will take you to that park? " She smiled weakly, saying yes. " That's right, to sign mom's license, she can't miss my life.I looked at my aunt standing up, I sighed sitting down, I still have to get ready, go to the bus stop. I kissed Alice's forehead, I left the room wishing I could hold on to my daughter, but I need this job so badly. After I was dressed to go to the company, I entered the room once again, quickly kissed both of their foreheads, leaving the wine lipstick mark on both foreheads. "I promise to bring you some candy when I get back, honey.

I promised from the door before my super maternal side chose to stay. I left the house trying to hold back tears so as not to lose my makeup, being a receptionist at Luxes, is a good thing, at least with the room'rios that promises after the trial period, I will be able to balance the bills a little.

I arrived at the bus stop with a little difficulty, I have thought a million times about the possibility of walking to the bus in sandals and changing to heels only inside, but it is always so crowded. I got on the bus once again, closed my eyes holding on to the bar to go back and forth, this is one of the most crowded times, I would say the worst to go.

I arrived at Luxes with ten minutes to go, I was mentally thankful for this, I passed through the glass door that only opens when standing in front of it. " May God deliver and keep me from all evil"- I saw Amanda looking me up and down. " I should ask her to give you a car too, your clothes are all wrinkled, friend.

I frowned, looking at myself, and ran my hand over it, trying to get rid of the wrinkles. " If it was just the clothes, it would fix it, but how is your daughter? " I denied, still running my hand over her body, trying to undo the wrinkles in her blouse. " Not well, the whole night the fever coming and going, did not know what was lying in bed, and you left with Rodolfo? "

He opened a wide smile, and I held up one hand. " No need to answer, apparently there was balladinha, motel and much romance." He bit his lower lip and nodded with both hands. " Wow, that was exciting! " He just smiled, coming towards me. " Come, let me help you with this blouse. " I sighed reluctantly to myself, trying to improve my appearance.

'' Good morning!" I heard the strong, deep voice of a man, still with his head down, trying to get the wools out of my room. "Good morning Mr. Tyler, how are you "

I felt the movement in my blouse stop, my friend drooling over the president. " Good morning sir..." I stopped as I realized he was looking at us with a disapproving look.

'' Everything ok ladies? '' I looked at Amanda standing behind me, affirming, I looked at him again. '' Yes sir Tyler, is there anything you want? '' She asked him, until her green eyes stopped at my skirt, I looked at it too. "Oh my God!" I turned quickly as I noticed that the open slit was revealing my legs, ''I'm sorry sir we had...''

He didn't let me explain and continued on to the elevator. "Liz, you naughty girl, you have left Mr. Tyler paralyzed. I denied it, I kept doing the same thing, I barely rested the night before, how would I have the head to think about seducing someone. " Amanda do you really think I have the head to think about a man after everything I just told you? " she denied laughing.

"I know you don't, I was just trying to relax you, undo this face Lisandra, you look like you haven't slept for ten nights in a row, have a coffee hell just opened the doors, you've seen that the president is not in a great mood today, that means in a little while...in a little while not now, there my God, may it not come to me."

I sighed, trying to ask our superior to simply walk straight through. " Miss Ivone, how are you? " Her eyes went from side to side in the reception, looking from me to Amanda coming and going, behind the burgundy wine glasses, I smiled ungraciously after Amanda's greeting. " Good morning!" Came dryly and with no smile at all back. "Good morning, ma'am. "I replied trying to reassure myself.

"You know the rules of the company, don't you newbie?" I nodded standing behind the counter.

"You missed the night at the club, your face looks horrible! "I stood up and felt Amanda's hand on mine. "No ma'am." I tried to explain myself to her that there was no explanation. "Better keep quiet, Liz, neither he nor she is in a good mood today. I swallowed the saliva in my throat, this is already the sixth job just this year, and it is still August.

"I hope you improve your appearance by the end of the day, our guests and visitors are not obliged to see something so... so clumsy at the company reception. I said gratefully, at least there was no resignation. He walked out in long strides, looking around, until he passed his hand on the countertop, looked at the palm of his hand, observed the golden rings on his fingers, and left with an unpleasant expression on his face.

"What a relief, for a moment I thought I was going to quit. "I sat back in my chair watching Amanda get up. "You say that because you don't know what to expect during the day, coffee, lots of coffee. " I looked at her going to the coffee pot filling two cups. "It should be water, I need water to hydrate myself, coffee makes us stressed, why are you so pessimistic today?

I asked, still watching him sack the coffeepot. "Still asking? Don't you read the gossip sites Liz? Your life, your world revolves only around Alice and Wonderland, our boss, this handsome guy, this delightful guy who just walked by looking like he went to the Oscars yesterday? " I laughed taking the disposable cup from his hand.

"Thank you."

"Wait, I'm not finished yet, you're the target of some kind of gossip. I bent over the counter so that he wouldn't speak loudly. "... was seen leaving a penthouse hours before Miss Olga Swton, the two families don't get along anymore, this meeting happening days before her wedding is much worse for the company's image, has there been a relapse?

I shrugged, sipping my coffee. "Maybe I went to the same place to see different people, I don't know? I tried to explain as I thought about this possibility, but Amanda hit the counter rolling her eyes, you have no idea what a penthouse is do you Liz? "The place on top of a building, the last apartment in the place. " She affirmed looking at me. "That's it, it might even be if this penthouse didn't belong to Luccas, I read in the article that it was his first love, can you believe it?"

I laughed in front of him, but arched my eyebrows when I saw a tall blond woman in a fancy pink dress, holding a designer handbag, brown glasses on her face walk through the door. "Come, come visitor. " I warned my friend to change sides and stop gossiping, as she sat down next to me, she looked at her covertly. " My God, I wonder who this is?"

" I can't accept that, Olga!" I shouted at my girlfriend in a loud voice, who just remained seated. " Do you have a better suggestion Lucas your father hates me, he accuses me of stealing company information through you, I have no choice left." I sighed, going from one side to the other, I denied it several times.

" And marrying this man is the way out?" He kept turning the ring on his finger, the damn engagement ring on his finger, and finally said. "It's just an arranged marriage, Lucas, I don't know why you're so offended, married I can come and go to you whenever I want, and all the fighting between our families will be over. "I crouched down in front of him, looked into his blue eyes, his long hair shining red and loose, the red lipstick on his lips. "Another will touch you, kiss you, love you, are you sure this is the only way out?

I felt his hand on my face, closed my eyes at his touch, took his soft, smelling hand, kissed it tenderly. "Do you think I want this, Lucas? Do you think it's easy for me to be someone else's, to sign another last name instead of yours? To have to sleep next to someone else? No, I have no choice, if only your father would accept me."

He pulled his hand away from my face, and I opened my eyes, looking at him as I sat there waiting for an answer. "I leave the company, I give up my family... He denied, he denied looking at me. "For you, for us, my love, I'm leaving everything, we're leaving here. He smiled weakly. "My father excludes me from the family and your father deserts you, Lucas, what are we going to live on? What are we going to do?"

I nodded, seeing that he was right, and bit my fist closed. "Can't you at least ask me to postpone this wedding? I will talk to my father once again, the situation of the company is improving, I can get new customers, this month will close in the blue, he will understand me ... "He denied in front of me, I held his legs in his thin white pants. "Lucas, you don't understand, you get new clients, increase the company's profits, it only increases your suspicions about me.

I frowned with a half laugh. "Of course not, impossible my love, my father only accused you because he... "I felt his attachment to the shiny golden stone ring on his finger, he hasn't stopped turning it since I got here. " Your father Lucas accused me of stealing ideas, of spying, stealing your clients for my father, he didn't even listen to you in my defense, do you think that with our termination, our estrangement you're doubling the company's client-la, what will he think? "

She looked at me with her back still turned, I nodded, she is right, I hugged her, feeling the cold wind by the pool. "I understand, now I understand Olga, forgive me, I will not close the contracts I have opened, I will give some obvious excuse for not accepting, give me one more month, I promise to resolve the situation with my family, they know I love you, they will accept you."

I appreciated his smile, standing in front of me, his hand touched my arm around his shoulders. " It's been a long time Lucas, my luck is that Daddy arranged this marriage for me, how would I be in the media spotlight now? Huh? Thief of clients? Of ideas? At least they have forgotten me now, I am managing to clean up my image with Ravel as my fiancé, I see no way, I will have to marry him if his father does not give a clarifying statement, although time has passed, only him saying he was wrong could reverse my situation, ah unless I become Mrs. Tyler soon."

I whined, my heart aches listening to her, Olga is my first love since school, we grew up together, and I have since chosen her to be my wife and mother to my children, the idea that she will marry another just sickens me. "Is that what you want?" I asked at the last moment, I saw her sigh looking at me.

" You don't understand me, it's obvious, you are not in my place, aren't you seen as a thief by people, pointed at on the street, while you are just the victim, I am the villain Lucas." She picked up her purse from the armchair, I approached her, holding her hand. "Won't you stay a little longer, please Olga, we hardly see each other, I miss you. "She smiled, looking away, finally at my face.

"Get a girlfriend Lucas, someone who accepts to be exposed to end the buzz at each meeting we make, it's hard for me to come to you, when you never come to me, I'm always the one to make sacrifices in this relationship, you always say you're full of work, you do nothing for me ... "I put my hand over my face in denial. "Olga, that's not true, you know I'm the image of the company now, but who always came all the way from New York to see you, who failed six college components for too many absences just to see you?

She looked me in the eye, and I could see that she was distant, cold, bitter. "Do you think this is too Lucas? If my father knows that I am here with you now, that we never finished, I can never call him father again, I can never appear in front of him, what would your father do Lucas if he knew that you are here with me?

I let go of his hand, he just grabbed his bag walked out I saw the wind swing the bars of his white pants going towards the elevator, he looked at me before entering, what would my father do with me if he dreams that I never broke up with Olga, even with six of the top ten clients that migrated from our company saying that Swton's proposal was better than ours, the same, but a little better, what would he do, kick me out of the house and family, without even listening to what I have to say, even though I am his only blood son?

I sat on the roof watching the nothingness in front of me, Olga is getting married soon and I can do nothing for the love of my life, I drank half a bottle of whiskey watching my dreams go to the wind, home, laughter, marriage, the happy life I dreamed of due to the weight of being a Tyler, I swallowed the urge to rush downstairs, looking for her, I love the life I have, but without Olga, without my beloved none of this makes sense.

I felt the drops of water fall on my face, still lying on the lounger, the white blouse with the dark blue and gray tie loosely on my neck, the buttons open, on my chest, I felt each drop fall on my face and body, until it increased, I got up leaving the glass and bottle by there, I walked to the cover I looked at my watch, it is twenty-three hours and forty-two minutes, I just passed my hand on my face, the image of Olga with the engagement ring in my head did not leave.

I have dreamed of this moment in my life, but being the one who gave her this ring, not another man of dubious reputation, no one will love her like I do, respect her, even though she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life, I got into my car headed straight to my father's house. I opened the door, the shiny marble room was dark, the semi-closed light of the lamp in the corner.

I went up the stairs, took off my blouse as I entered my room, closed the door with my foot as I took off my belt, I was going to the bathroom when the door was opened. "Were you with the tramp?" his tired voice came out showing annoyance. "I answered without looking at him, after Olga left the company he became more distant and demanding with me, he was like that with my mother, until she lost him to cancer, after her death he closed himself to the world, leaving only me to embrace him, to listen to him.

"Have you brought any proof that she is not the one who stole from our customers? "I denied it, she will never be able to prove it. "Ok, she may not be a tramp, but she is a thief until proven otherwise Lucas, what did they talk about? " She's getting married dad, Olga is getting married and it's not with me, if mommy..." He smiled mockingly at me.

" If your mother was here, this wouldn't have happened Lucas, your mother never liked this girl, she only treated you well, because she always knew that you love her. " I denied, being surprised by a sneer, he looked at me warily. "Cheers. " He touched my shoulder looking straight ahead of me. " No need to change the past, Dad, my mother always loved Olga, treated her like a daughter. "He laughed, denying it. " We men, Lucas, can never say, explain, the love of a mother, when I say that Angela couldn't stand that girl, it's because I know perfectly well what I'm talking about, she never showed it in front of her, but who was her shoulder of support and ear for her venting was me for fifteen years straight to listen to her complaints about her."

I stood up ignoring him, my mother is dead, there is no changing what he says, I saw it, I grew up seeing how Olga was always quiet for my mother. I walked into the bathroom, leaving him alone in my room. "I hope this doesn't interfere with the company's business Lucas. "I listened to the door being closed, I approached the bed, once again.

I picked up the connected tablet. " Olga Swton is seen leaving the penthouse of Lucas Tyler who left an hour later, the businessman has owned the penthouse for six years, was this a possible remembrance of the bride with her ex? Days before the wedding?" I threw the device on the bed, filthy, filthy pigs who have no life of their own, I picked up my cell phone, dialed the number love, it rang several times with no return.

I took a worried shower, as I was leaving I saw her missed calls, I called her back. "Tomorrow I will come to your company, we will make a statement in public, Lucas, I hope you will confirm everything I say. "The voice came dry and direct. " Is your father with you?"

You didn't answer, I noticed that you did, he is once again controlling you. "What will be said?"

He hung up without at least telling me if he was okay, I spent the whole night wandering around the room, I got ready earlier than usual, I arrived at the company anxious, when I got to the reception desk. "Come let me help you with this shirt. "I heard the voice of one of the receptionists running towards the other, I looked at both women, who forgot that they were in a respected company getting ready at the reception.

" Good morning!" I greeted them to get ready, but only one looked at me leaving the other aside, the crumpled blouse, the black skirt full of wool, the half worn heels on the heel, the long curly black hair loose had not let me see her face. "Good morning Mr. Tyler, how are you?" asked the well dressed and made up black rooted blonde looking at me with a smile on her face.

"Good morning sir..." Finally the messy woman looked at me, how did they let this woman work in this company, had she been run over? She threw her hair back, her big curls tidied up with her gesture, still far below the company's standard. "Is everything alright ladies?" I asked, watching the woman look at the other woman who was still smiling.

- Yes, Mr. Tyler, would you like something? "Yes, Mr. Tyler, is there something I can do for you?

I got into the elevator, ignoring both of them. I got to the top floor, Ms. Ivone came running up to me, "Good morning Mr. Lucas, I already called the lawyer to come in with a..." I didn't finish listening to her apology, I walked straight to my office.

I left my coat on the chair, my briefcase on the table. "Mr. Luc..." He came to the door, I looked him up and down, chanel hair in a deep red shade, brushed, the dress lined white. "Who is in charge of the receptionists' selection?

I stood as well, since Amanda who has worked at the company the longest stayed, I stood as well. "His ex I just talked about." I heard her say between teeth, I stood as if I were in school during the anthem and flag raising. "Good morning, Miss Swton."

"Good morning, Miss Swton." I spoke next, with a smile on my face as well, the woman looked from me to Amanda and from Amanda to me, her eyes went all over my body, and face, until she raised her glasses, and looked at me with some contempt in her eyes. "Tell Mr. Tyler I've arrived, I won't be coming up. "

Amanda grabbed the phone in a hurry, because of her nervousness, some bomb would be released and exploded in a few moments. 'Newbie?" I affirmed, looking at her shakily. "Would you like a seat, water, or coffee, miss? She sighed in front of me and looked around."Sparkling water, please." I walked to the fridge, poured the water in the cup, walked towards him, served him the water with mastery, at least two months working as a waitress until I met Amanda. " A magazine, Miss? " His eyes returned to me just sipping some of the water, he looked at me again. "No, thank you. " I nodded, following once more to take the tray.

"Sir, Tyler, he's already...he's already coming." I looked at Amanda trembling in front of him, I left the tray going back to the reception desk, it didn't take long for him to appear a little nervous, he ran his hand through his hair, as he approached he went towards her." Why don't you come up?" They whispered among themselves, being the mother of a three-year-old girl, I am an expert in understanding whispers.

"Amanda tapped me on my shoulder, practically hiding behind the counter, I looked at her, leaving the couple aside. Is this how rich ex-boyfriends treat each other? I shrugged, I have no idea, Alice's father simply said one day that he didn't want her and the next he was leaving, I cried, I held his legs without wanting to let him go, but Marcos went without caring that he was giving birth to our daughter, that was the day I saw him, how will I know what a rich man's ending is like?

'' I can already see the flames. '' He pointed to the door, a thin-faced, gray-haired man came in, tall, in a black jacket, an arrogant posture. ''Good morning, my child... '' Looking around, he stopped at that moment. " So Olga? Ready for the statement?" The voice was loud, arrogant, barely glancing at Lord Tyler who looked lost.

''Yes, Daddy, Lucas has agreed...'' '' I saw the man's expression change quickly upon seeing her, he smiled with animation, he winced. ''I will do what you are asking, but you know Olga...'' The woman took his place, I felt sorry for Mr. Lucas, who seemed to be suffering with all this. The three of them left the company.

"I wonder what they are going to do. The elevator stopped next, I looked at the door, the whole company seemed to have left it, Mrs. Ivonne trying to get ready after getting out of the elevator, walked to the exit, Amanda also went, I took advantage of everyone's departure and dialed my aunt's number.

" Auntie?" I called out, hearing her voice next. "Liz? Can you speak now?" I smiled weakly seeing that yes, thanks to Mr. Tyler's love life, yes. " Aunt, how is my daughter? " It took her a while to answer, I was distressed without answers, the tears came, I closed my eyes trying to stop them from falling. "I just gave her some oatmeal dear, if we don't feed her she will end up weakening and fever won't budge, she ate little, but she ate, how are you?" I sighed, looking around, how can I be okay? How can I be okay when my daughter is sick and the doctor just prescribes paracetamol, dipyrone to bring the fever down, I take her to the hospital, they don't give me a direct diagnosis? "Everything is fine here, Auntie, there is some event going on outside, I had to call you now, is Alice watching TV? "Yes she is, I dragged her out of bed, all the time lying down is not good, I have to go Liz, someone is calling at the door. " I smiled contentedly, at least she got out of bed, "Okay my aunt, thank you." We said goodbye, everyone was still outside, the gossip seemed to be good, but I don't have the head for it right now. The electricity is in arrears, the water, internet, Alice sick all the time, the food ticket only when I sign the card, I sighed sitting on the chair, the phone started ringing, I answered not only one several of them. "No, I'm sorry I can't give this information sir." As soon as I hung up, another called, "Hello, transfer me to Lucas now. "The voice came angrily, not even letting me introduce myself. "Sir, I'm sorry, but at the moment Mr. Tyler can't speak. " I know he can't, I am calling to stop him from doing this nonsense, he will end my working life, silly boy. "He shouted in despair. "Unfortunately, I can't help you, sir. "Of course you can't, what could you do? You'll be fired soon, we'll lose the company." I looked up, asking God to give me patience. "Sir, unfortunately..." shouted the other. "You can only say that, unfortunately, I'm an idiot woman? Then I'm going to have a heart attack, Lucas... Lucas, my son? I'm in pain, call a doctor, my son Lucas? I panicked when I heard him. "Sir? Sir? Don't hang up, please give me your address, I'll send an ambulance. "The phone rattled, it seemed to fall, I was desperate until I had to let go of the phone, the cord would not allow me to go any further. "People didn't care what happened to me, only to the couple in front of me. "It's a life, people, does anyone know who Mr. Aloisio is? In vain, I rang, I called out, going in the middle of everyone, there was no way out, it's a life, everyone was looking ahead, I went to the front. "Excuse me, excuse me. " I asked, increasing the tone of voice, Amanda put her hand on her head to her mouth, when she saw.

"Are you happy?" I denied, looking at him, the beautiful appearance gone, leaving a red blush on my cheeks. "No, Miss Swton. "

Amanda pulled me by the arm, and I kept looking at her until I entered the company. "Girl, how brave was that? I knew you'd do anything for Alice, but not to save us. How much did he offer you? "Who? How much what?" I asked, causing her to snort. " Oh come on Liz, you just managed to interrupt the year's transmission girl, who told you to do that?"

I denied standing up. "No one told me to, the man on the phone really was having a heart attack, I heard the thud of the cell phone, when I called him he..." He laughed in front of me. "And you did all this because of a stranger? "It's a life, and they were only focused on the gossip. " You're right that to this day you still wait for your scoundrel ex Lisandra, anyone can fool you easily. '

I sighed looking at him, everyone went back to work with smiles on their faces. ' Not that I'm easily fooled, but Marcos just got scared, Amanda, he has no idea how beautiful our little girl is, she's wonderful like a fairy. " He denied coming over to me, tidying up my blouse and skirt, tossing my hair back. "With that body, and face you have, not with that blurry make-up, but even natural, you can be a much better father to Alice, without being this idiot.

I made the sign of the cross, asking for protection. "God forbid, another man living with my daughter? Never, every day, I hear someone on the bus saying that some stepfather or uncle has abused some child. "If it isn't Marcos, it won't be anyone else," he smiled as he smoothed my blouse and kissed my forehead at the end. "Go fix that make-up, Lisandra. "I nodded.

I went to the toilet with my purse, I cleaned my face taking off all the foundation, disguising only the dark circles under the eyes, I took off the heavy make-up look, I put on a pink lipstick, retouched the mascara, tied my hair in a ponytail leaving only two loose curls, one on each side, I looked at myself in the mirror adjusting my clothes.

I smiled looking at myself in the mirror, I still have a month ahead of me to get a signature on my wallet. That is, if Mr. Tyler doesn't fire me personally. I returned to the reception desk, receiving a compliment from Amanda, I smiled weakly, feeling shy for her nice. "Now, yes, we have Lisandra Albuquerque, our heroine. "I slapped my hand, so I wouldn't be embarrassed anymore, and sat down in my chair, answering the second ring of the phone. " Luxury Company, Lisandra Albuquerque, good morning!"

"Yes, he is having a heart attack, just tell me his address, so I can go or send help in a hurry, then you can continue with your love exhibition, it's a life..." I was pulled by the arm by the huge hand on my wrist.

I hit the strong, tall man in the chest and looked down at him, being shorter than he. "What did you just say?" The voice came hoarse, low. " I said... "I pointed inward. "Mr. Aloisio was on the phone with me, he is having a heart attack, do you know him? "He's my father! He burped in my face, I just opened my eyes.

"Your father?" He didn't answer, then left, and I looked back. "Lucas... Lucas, you know it's just another scene. "The redhead shouted exasperated, I looked at him running after him, to be totally ignored, until Ms. Ivonne came to me. "I denied seeing her victorious smile on her lips. "That's not it, ma'am, the man on the phone is having a heart attack." I followed him while dismissing the press, them complaining.

"Could you at least give me Mr. Aloisio's address? "I asked for the tenth time being ignored by her, I put my hands on my hips looking around, when the redhead came with everything she bumped into me, shoulder to shoulder.