I get up early even though I slept at dawn as usual. My body is already trained to wake up at seven thirty in the morning every day, and there is no one to make me stay in bed late.I change into clean clothes after I take a shower and brush my teeth. I run my hand through my hair to comb it, put my watch on my wrist and put on my shoes before going to where Cecília is sleeping. I knock on the door and it takes a few minutes for the employee to open it. I go in and see that the girl is still sleeping. I don't know what she was thinking going off like a madwoman drinking all the drinks in the world, but I'm not going to give the little princess a taste of rest after all.— You can let me take care of everything from here — I say to the lady, who just nods and leaves.I approach the bed and look down at the girl's makeup-smeared face. I shake her shoulders slightly and she grunts, smacking my hand.— Wake up, Cecília — I say and shake her body again. - Wake up!The girl wakes up with a
I was so mad at everything Thomas is trying to force me to do that I agreed to go to a party with Kelly, which I never do. Is not fair. I always do everything right, I'm a good daughter, a good student. And for what? To be sold into marriage to a gruff man who only wants revenge on my father."It's not his fault, it's yours!" I say and lift my chin even though I just want to run away from him giving me that intimidating look. “You were the one who decided to punish me when I didn't do anything.Thomas tilts his head to the side and gives me a warm smile that confuses me. He reaches across the table and grips my fingers. His hand is warm and soft and somehow makes my body relax.“It was your father who chose this, Cecilia. He could be a man and pay for his mistakes. But he chose to sell you to me, didn't he? He would rather you suffer for the rest of your life than go to jail as is fair. I feel my eyes fill with tears and Thomas pats my hand. “No, honey, don't cry. Everything is fine.
Cecília- I was worried about you.I hug the pillow and sigh as Kelly settles into bed next to me.It's been a few days since my life turned upside down and I'm at a loss for what to do. I'm getting desperate about missing classes, but I emailed some of the teachers and they let me make up later. I just want my life back. I don't want to be stuck in a hotel room waiting for the good will of an arrogant tyrant who has decided to make a puppet of me.My dad keeps calling, but I didn't pick up the phone once. I don't want to talk to him, I don't want to hear his excuses. The last time I spoke to Mom, she said he's in a lot of pain from this whole situation, but what about me? I am paying for a mistake that is not mine and they are not doing anything to help me.“I'm fine,” I lie and try to smile at my best friend.“I didn't understand anything when that guy picked you up at the party. I only let you go with him because he said the name and I remembered that you told me you were your fath
thomasI wait for Cecília in the hotel's meeting room. The lawyer is at my side, reviewing the paperwork I asked him to review and have ready for today. The damn girl is late and I need to control the urge to go after her and shake her until she understands that she needs to act different from what she's used to from now on. I'm not going to get involved with someone who runs the risk of tarnishing the good image I've always given to the media. The girl will have to walk the line.I hear a light knock on the door minutes later and I know it's her.- Goes into.I have my back to the door and I hear the hesitant footsteps approaching.— You're late, Cecilia. When I make an appointment with you, show up. Not a minute later.- I got lost. I didn't know where the meeting room was,” she whispers and walks over to the chair across the table from me.I arch an eyebrow when I see that it's all produced. Baggy clothing no longer exists, let alone horrible, see-through pajamas. Do not say anythi
thomasAs soon as I arrived in São Paulo, I came straight to the company because now, more than ever, rest is not part of my life. I got investors in New York, but the confusion is far from over. The damage left in the company's coffers was great. The man, in addition to stealing a large part of the cash allocated for labor, sabotaged the purchase of materials, replacing the good quality ones with inferior ones, but that was not what appeared on the invoices.Just thinking about that bastard's roguery makes me even more motivated to destroy him. The headache I'm having right now won't go away.I'm working hard, rereading emails, reviewing reports, when I hear a knock on the door.- You may come in.“Sir…” Diana looks agitated. “Securities got in touch saying that Cesar is trying to speak with you downstairs. He looks furious, and since he's banned you from entering—” “You can let him in, Diana.She nods helpfully and hurries off. This is going to be interesting. I really didn't have t
I'm in fucking stress. It's been two weeks since I arrived from New York and everything seems to be going wrong. When I take two steps forward, it feels like something pulls me back. I discover that the hole César put me in is much bigger than I thought. But that just makes me more motivated.I leave work and go to a bar close to home. I'm in need of a drink and some other air to relax with, because I've done all I can today.Cecília is walking on the rails, as she promised. I have people watching her so that she doesn't do anything that will tarnish my image. After all the work the last few days, I just had time to announce our engagement to the press today. The news swirled everywhere, with speculation and gossip. But I do not care.I take a seat at one of the far-flung tables and lift my finger to order a brandy. The place is discreet, empty and quiet. I rarely come here due to lack of time, but it's a good pastime when I need to relieve myself. In every sense of the word.I see a
Because my stupid body is all hot just remembering the way that asshole touched me uninvited.I can bet anything that Thomas won't be here for long."Can I go to your house?" I ask and widen my eyes at Kelly.She looks at me confused.- To my house? My parents' house? ’ I nod. "Why do you want to go to my parents' house?"“Because I'm sure Thomas will be here any minute and I don't want to have to deal with him,” I confess like the beautiful coward that I am. I already know I'm stuck with him for the rest of my life, or at least as long as he wants to torture Dad before he gets sick of me, but I can't think straight right now. I'm still feeling sick and I don't doubt he'll try to make me go back to Brazil after this one.I need time to at least think.- Please? I insist. She seems torn. “Only for a few days.Because it won't take longer than that for him to find me.Kelly sighs and nods. She starts typing something on her cell phone."I'll let my mother know you're going there."- Tha
Cecília—Thomas…I take a step back when he gets up from the bed. I expect him to scream or threaten to end my life again, but Thomas just crosses his arms and looks at me silently.“I can explain,” I say. He flashes a demonic smile and starts walking towards me in short steps. I keep taking steps back until the wall is at my back.“I think you better get started,” he says when he catches up with me. He puts a hand on either side of my head and brings his face close to mine. “What the fuck were you thinking when you tagged me in those pictures, girl? he growls. I feel hot breath on my face and I swallow hard. "I thought we had a fucking deal." "I'm sorry…" I whisper. He laughs again.“You're going to need a lot more than an apology to get out of this,” he says quietly. I take a deep breath and feel my chest rise and fall with the movement. Thomas notices too, because their eyes fall right there.His eyes darken even more as they stare at my body barely covered by the towel and my body