Contract CEO

people's lives, so against my will, I didn't look for him. The first time I saw him, I realized that everything I had heard about his physique was true, but nothing prepared me for when he started talking. Since then, the screams, curses and ironies have been constant. Daniel Lourenzinni may be handsome on the outside, but he is a real monster on the inside. "If I deducted from your salary every time I find you daydreaming while sitting at that table, rest assured that I would not earn anything." I hear his harsh and firm voice behind me.

I sigh deeply, immediately closing the browser and picking up the folders he asked me to separate. As soon as I get up, he simply picks up the folders and throws them back on the table, staring at me as always, authoritatively. "Come on." He says firmly and, even without understanding, I walk past him, entering his huge office. I don't know how much time I spent daydreaming to myself about my boss, that I didn't even notice that he had finally come back from lunch. I remain standing in front of his desk. I stare at my feet for a few moments, noticing that I urgently need to buy a new pair of heels, since they are already showing their wear and tear. I'm sure that if my dear boss notices, he will criticize me. - Have a seat. Even though I find his request strange, I sit down and wait for him to pass by his desk and sit in front of me. Usually, the time I spend with him is spent handing out papers and organizing things. Not once in the months that have passed have I sat in this chair. Well, it's comfortable. - How long have you been graduated, Miss Moraes? - he asks, and I look at him blankly. He's already read my resume, hasn't he? - Three years ago, sir. - I say, and he nods, running his hands through his thin hair, which I can never tell the exact color of, since in the light, it looks like copper. He suddenly stands up and loosens his tie, without ever looking at me. He goes to a cabinet on the left side of the room and leans against it, as if he's thinking about something serious. Okay, I think I lost my job. - I have one more job offer. - he says, surprising me. Wait a minute... One more? - I won't tell you why, but just know that you'll earn the same as if you were one of the company's economists. What? No, he's making fun of me... That's the only way it can be. I stare at him, analyzing his expression that looks like he's being tortured. Suddenly his eyes meet mine, and I try to at least see if it's some kind of bad joke... But he doesn't seem to be joking, he's completely serious. - Sir, what's the job about? - I ask, and he looks away, looking at his watch. - Pretending to be my wife. - he says, looking at me again. I freeze, not understanding anything anymore. What do you mean, your wife? He's gone crazy! - I think it's better... - I get up from my chair and move away from the table, heading towards the door. I don't even have time to think and soon my body is turned and pressed against the door. - Quiet, there's someone at the door... - he says, practically shouting. I stand still, not knowing how to react. A few seconds pass, and I hear footsteps moving away... How did he know there was someone out there? I look up and find him wandering, staring at the white door behind me. I didn't pay much attention, but now I notice his hand is on my waist, holding me tightly. "Let me go." I ask, and he looks at me, moving away from me at the same moment. Never, at any time when we were close, did he touch me. Except for the time he had to pull one of "his women" off of me. "I need to leave, sir." I say, already distressed, and he rolls his eyes. "No, you're not going to," he says, looking at me seriously, as he always does when he's nervous. "But..." "You'll be able to bring your mother from the countryside and live with her... In addition to buying a nice house for the two of you." "What?" I ask incredulously. "How do you know that..." "I know everything, Sophie," he says convinced. "You can't do that!" - I say, unable to think straight anymore. - Look, you're answering me for the first time... - I smile weakly, and that makes me feel worse. - There's no way to run away, your mother has already given me her blessing... No! He didn't... - Yes, I spoke to her. - He says as if it were the most natural thing in the world. - For all intents and purposes, you belong to me, and you should act that way from now on. - Until when? - I ask, analyzing the arrogant smile on his face. - Until when is it necessary. - He says, going to his desk and sitting down. - Now sit down, we need to talk about the details. Literally, Daniel Lourenzinni is the best definition of a dictator. And now, he's simply my man. How am I going to deal with this? - I've arranged all the details. - He says and places an envelope on the table. - Take it. - He says impatiently and I just take a deep breath. Don't be weak. I take the envelope and open it, taking out a card with my name on it, as well as car keys. What? - I need you to be safe. - he says, as if he heard my silent question. - The card is for whatever you want and the car, well, so you can get around better. - That's wrong. - I say, and put the things on the table. I stand up and turn my back to him. - There's nothing wrong with that. - he says, and I feel his presence behind me. I take a deep breath and wait for him to order me to turn around, but he doesn't. I feel his hands on my waist, and he gently turns me around. - Sophie, I know it sounds strange, but you're the only one who can help me. - he says, and for the first time I see him in a moment of fragility. - Sir, I... - Daniel. - I correct myself quickly. - Let's start with this, call me Daniel or Dani. - Dani? - I ask, unable to control my tongue. - Excuse me, I... - My sister calls me that, I thought it might make you more comfortable. It's impossible to feel comfortable with anything right now. - Sir... I mean, Daniel. - I say and take a deep breath, and I notice a new sparkle in his eyes. Okay, I'm starting to ramble. - You... I mean, you have so many women and... There's no reason to use me for that, whatever the purpose may be. - I say calmly, trying not to let any shouting or rude words come out of his mouth. - You don't have to understand the reason for anything yet, Sophie. When it's time to find out, I'll tell you myself. - he says, and I notice his frown. I feel his fingers tighten a little against my waist, and I instantly pull away. - You need to get used to my touch. - he says and pulls me by the waist again. I open my mouth to resist, but he shakes his head. - I'm not going to abuse you, Sophie. This... - he makes a sign between us. - There's no purpose in sex, and I would never, listen carefully, never do anything against your will or force you. - Okay. - I say, no longer able to think. Daniel has always been rude and

contain him, I spread my hands against his chest, but the same tingling sensation runs through me again. "We need to do something before that." "What do you mean?" I ask, feeling his breath close to my face. He's much taller, which makes me feel completely defenseless. But a strange confidence inside me makes me look at him, and his light brown eyes enchant me.

Don't digress, Sophie! He's an ogre, you know that! - For the first time, you will appear in public with me, and even though it won't be a special dinner, if we meet any of our acquaintances, they will have to believe that we are in love. - What? - I ask out of the blue, incredulous at his request. - It's easy. - he says simply. - I will lightly touch your cheek and look straight into your eyes. - He then turns his words into movements. - In the meantime, you hold the back of my neck and don't stop looking at me. - I do so, before his watchful gaze and he continues. - With my free hand, I will firmly pull you by the waist. - he says, and he does so, making me let out a breath of air. - Now, your other hand will be on my chest. - He touches my open hand on my chest. - I will meet your lips very slowly. - he says and does so. - And you will look at me as if you didn't want to be anywhere else in the world. - I have already forgotten how to breathe, due to the surprise of everything that is happening. - And so, I will kiss you. I open my mouth in fear, and when I'm about to say something, it's already too late. His full mouth assaults mine, without any delicacy. I've kissed other guys, but none of them did it like Daniel. He seems to want to take everything from me, just with a kiss, and without knowing how to get away from it, I kiss him back, and he lets out a moan into my mouth. I should think about how strange this is or even that he's my boss, the dictatorial boss. But all I can do is give in to the lust of the moment. We separate in a few moments, due to lack of air. Daniel's lips are stained red, most certainly because of my lipstick. I expect him to ruin the moment or say something that will make me even more confused, but for the second time that day he surprises me. "This will work out," he says, relaxed. I take a step back, but his arms hold me back. "We need to talk about a few more things," he says, and moves away, pulling the chair in front of the table for me. This is even weirder than the kiss. Daniel Lourenzinni being nice to me... What world am I in? He walks around the table and sits in front of me. "Fidelity," he says, and his harsh tone is back. "What?" "I demand fidelity, Sophie." "Oh," I exclaim, finally understanding his purpose. "You don't have to worry about that." "Great," he says, and leans back against his chair, looking completely unconcerned. "Do I have to sign something?" I dare ask. Not that this is part of my world, but I know very well that many rich people make contracts and more contracts about anything. "No, it will be something just between us. I can trust you, right?" he asks, and I nod immediately. "There's no need to tell anyone about this," I say. Especially something I'm not proud of. "Okay, as soon as I finish work, we'll have dinner," he says, and I nod. "Can I leave, sir?" I ask, and he changes his expression, showing a frown. "Oh, Daniel." - Much better. - he says and nods for me to leave. With uncertain steps I leave his office and try to stay standing. As soon as I sit in my chair, I take a deep breath. What the hell just happened? Chapter 2 Sophie I lean against the table and try not to freak out about everything that happened. I lightly touch my lips and still feel the tingling from the kiss... Daniel kissed me. My boss kissed me. This is wrong, completely wrong. I look at the room that is a few steps away from me and think about talking to the other owner of the company - Levi Gutterman. But I don't know how to say it or at least express it, since I turned down his offer to be an assistant. At the moment with Daniel inside the room, there were so many surprises that I couldn't react. But now, I see how much this can hurt me. I take a deep breath and stand up, gathering the courage to go to the other room. As soon as I take the first step, my personal cell phone rings and I get a fright. Suddenly I pick it up and look at my mother's number. As if I finally understood everything, I look back - Daniel's office - and see him leaning against the half-open door. I wait for him to say something, but he just follows my movements. - Hi, mom. - I say uncertainly, answering the phone. - Oh, Sophie Moraes! - he warns me. - I just spoke to your boyfriend and he told me that you haven't been eating properly. Just look, you're the one who's always been responsible. I widen my eyes and for the first time, I look at Daniel, furiously. - But mom... - No "buts", Sophie. When I get there in two weeks, I want to see flesh on your body. You have to take care of yourself, girl. - Wait, two weeks? - I ask, completely lost. - Oh yes, your boyfriend said it was a surprise. Damn! - she complains to herself. - By the way, I want to know everything about the proposal and daughter, what great luck? A man who came to talk to me to ask for your hand in marriage. He's old-fashioned and I like that! - she says and lets out a sigh. I look at Daniel, who is smiling. And for the first time I don't want to hold back in front of him. I'm furious. "He's a gentleman, daughter. Just like your father," she says, and I can tell by her tone of voice that she's emotional. This jerk managed to fool my mother. "Oh yes, mother. He's a gentleman," I say quickly, trying not to sound dismissive. "Well, I have to get back to the kitchen. Kisses, my love. God bless you!" "But mother, what's in two..." She hangs up and I'm speechless. I'm not sure what she was talking about. "What did you say to her?" I ask, no longer able to hold back. I've always remained calm, I didn't look at him, I didn't dare show my sadness and anger at his treatment of me. But because it was all strictly professional. He left the professional sphere as soon as he made that ridiculous proposal and even involved my mother. "Hey, calm down," he says calmly, and I want to punch him. "I told you I told your mother about us." "For God's sake, Mr. Lourenzinni." - I say in disbelief and he looks at me in disgust. - There is no "us". Much less could he have involved my mother in this. - It's already done, Sophie. Look on the bright side, you'll earn good money and you'll be able to give her a better life... - That's a low blow and... - You know what you have to do. - he says, cutting me off.

defeated. - Take the day off to think about it. - he says and hands me the same envelope that was only a few minutes old. - I insist. I just nod, taking the envelope and my bag hanging next to my desk. - Have a good day, Daniel. - I say and head to the elevator, as if I were carrying the world on my shoulders. I enter through the metal doors and press the button for the ground floor. I look ahead and notice that Daniel is still standing, watching me. The only thing I can think is that this man has gone crazy, or is simply running away from something.

A man like him could ask this of any woman. Any woman would give anything to spend time with him, both because he is rich and because of his beauty. If I accept this, I will be as crazy as he is. And that is why I need to think. Daniel I throw myself back into my chair again, unable to believe what I have just done, or rather, what I have been doing. I went to the countryside of Minas Gerais to look for Sophie's mother, talked to her about her daughter and asked for her hand in marriage. Since when have I done something like this? This may only sound like a romantic act, but I remember well how it all happened when I did it for the first time. The woman I was once in love with chose another man, who at the time, in my mind, did not deserve her. I look again at the ring I bought, wondering if I really made the right choice. Okay, the saleswoman was the one who chose it, but I ended up telling her every little detail about Carla. And in the end, a delicate wedding ring with a pear-shaped diamond was the chosen one. Simple and romantic, according to the saleswoman. I ended up stealing a ring from Carla some time ago, since the moment I traveled with her to the northeast. Just the two of us, and I just wanted to help. Help her overcome such a difficult phase in her life. Where she was trying to get over a betrayal and the loss of a child. I take a deep breath and look again at the door of her house. The house where she lived with her husband, but which suddenly became part of her routine again. And when she called me and told me that she had accepted the fruit of her husband's betrayal as her own, I didn't judge her. Carla just showed me again how tender she is, and even when she said she had accepted her husband back, I couldn't oppose her. I didn't really understand what had happened, but I knew that part of me had already lost her. Now I just had to try to fight for what was left. I know she'll have to choose between me and her husband, but for the first time in my life, I've decided to take a chance on a woman. I send her a simple message and within minutes the front door opens. Carla appears, as always making my heart race and my breath become short. I never imagined myself falling in love, much less buying a ring... But for her, I know it's worth it. She has the best of me. "Dani," he says and comes over to me, hugging me. "I'm so sorry I disappeared for a few days. So many things happened and..." "Marry me," I ask suddenly, completely ignoring the lines I tried to memorize and the scene I imagined. I then kneel down and Carla's eyes widen at the same moment. I take the box with the ring and open it, showing her that I'm really willing to do this. That I'm here for her. Even though I know she may have already made her choice. Even though she doesn't even know that I see her in a different light, not just as a friend. - Dani... She seems surprised, and at the same time, speechless. - I know it's early, I know I never told you that... Damn, I'm not good with words, Carla. But I love you, I can give you the world, and everything that's most real that I have inside me. Will you marry me? - I ask again and tears run down her face. For a second, for a brief and mere second, I think that this is a good thing... However, her frightened eyes remain intact. - I don't know how to give you an answer, Dani. I accepted Rafael as my son and I... I accepted Ricardo too. - she says, and I close my eyes at the same time, absorbing her words. I always knew I would be a fool to try a chance, even more so buying a ring and asking her to marry me. But what can a man madly in love do? Watch the woman he loves simply end up with someone else and accept it in silence? Without trying? Well, I tried. I get up from my position and stand up, facing the woman I love. The one who just broke my heart. I turn my back and walk to my car. - Dani, wait... - Carla comes over and lightly grabs my arm. - No. - I say rudely, for the first time using this tone with her. - I need to go, Carla. - I love you. - she says, and my heart skips a beat. - But the love I can give you is not the same as the one you are offering me. She forces me to turn to her, and even without wanting to I look at her. Tears run down my face, in a way I never imagined I would. - You are an incredible man. If I could choose who to love, the way a woman loves a man, it would be you. But I can't... We can't choose that. - she says and lightly touches my face. - Forgive me. - I didn't choose to love you either, Carla. It just happened. - I say, letting out a fake smile. - But I can choose to take that love away from me, and I will. I let go of her, leaving her with a distraught expression. I turn my back on her and walk to my car, driving off immediately. The first woman I ever loved simply threw my love away. The only thing I can do is forget her. And never let any woman dominate my heart again. I take a deep breath, coming back to reality and staring at my messy desk. Now, I find myself lost, trying to be close to a woman who doesn't even look at me. At least Sophie awakens something different in me, something different from what Carla was. Sophie brings me different feelings, which I can't define, but somehow, I know that none of them are love yet. Chapter 3 Sophie I look at the photo in my hands and take a deep breath, trying to understand the mess I've gotten myself into. The wide smile on my mother's face in the photo, looking at me, right on the day I left home, says everything about how Daniel used her against me, it shakes me. I was raised only by her, a woman who fought and conquered the world for me. I've never heard her complain or even seen her cry. She's always acted strong and unshakable, and I know I'll never be able to give her back everything she gave me. My phone buzzes and I pick it up right away, imagining it's her. However, to my complete contradiction, it's Daniel. Can I keep today's reservations? I take a deep breath, staring at my mother's photo again. I think about everything. About how strange this arrangement is, especially because Daniel could choose any woman to play this role. I feel like I'm in a romance novel, one of those in the movies, where the hero comes with an indecent proposal. However, Daniel is no hero. Ever since I left home, a small town in the interior of Minas Gerais, I've always dreamed of bringing my mother to live with me