Hazel Eyes

By LS Morgan

After years of hard work, Alex Hazel is now a successful businessman. Left by the woman he loved and betrayed by those he trusted, he has dedicated his life to one desire, revenge. But will he be able to stay the course when fate decides to pull the rug from under him by bringing back the one that had once stolen his heart? Torn between hatred, rage and love, he'll have to figure out a way to deal with the conflicting emotions.

WARNING: This book contains mature scenes and language. Its content is improper for those under 16.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BadPress
• Release date: Aug 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781071541135

Book preview

Chapter 1

* * *

Alex Hazel lingered in his cold morning shower. He let the freezing water run hard down his upper body for long minutes.  As he went into his closet to choose the suit he was going to wear he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He knew today was his day, his moment of triumph, the day when he could finally let go of all the bitterness he’d held on to for so long.

His jaw clenched and he closed his fists in anger.  The eight-year-old memory was still as fresh as if it had happened the day before. He thought of everything he'd gone through to get to where he was and it momentarily occurred to him that if he hadn't gone through all that humiliation and abandonment, maybe he wouldn't be where he was now. Pain came with the memory of the innocent life that was gone... A life his enemy had taken... The life of someone he'd loved so much.

While he finished putting on his three-piece suit he felt his chest tighten with a feeling he couldn't identify.  Maybe there was anger, resentment, or locked-down anguish inside. He knew he needed to put an end to the story that had shaped his life and made him who he was today: for some, a cold, calculating, and dispassionate man; to others, a visionary, hard-working, and successful businessman.  To himself, a person shaped by life's flame and fire and his desire for revenge.

* * *

Lara Muller stopped running and looked at her wristwatch, 7:16 AM. She had time, she thought. She wiped the sweat off her face with her hand and waited for the cars to stop so she could cross the street and walk to Princesa Isabel Avenue. She was used to this morning run around Copacabana to the edge of Arpoador.

She liked running during cool mornings, with the smell of the ocean filling her lungs. She kept to this exercise routine almost every morning, sometimes alone, other times with her friend Patrícia.

The young woman changed the music folder on her MP3. She no longer wanted to hear the dance beat that usually accompanied her running rhythm and put on Mirrors by Justin Timberlake. She stopped at Carlinhos' dinner and, before she could put in her request, the owner himself showed up with her detox juice in a large, 16oz plastic cup.

You know I only do this green sludge for you, right? the northeastern man teased with a smile on his lips.

And you know I've already given you permission to add my wonderful juice recipe to your menu. I swear I won't come after you for royalties when this ‘green sludge’ is a success.

What crazy person besides you would buy this thing? Do you really think celery, cabbage, apple, and carrot will ever outsell soda and beer?

Well, it doesn't hurt to try. At least this way, you'll be making people healthier.

Yeah, yeah.

Lara left the money for the drink on the counter, waved to the short man, and resumed her walk toward the building where she lived.

Living in an apartment on the Nossa Senhora de Copacabana Avenue had the advantage of location: it was close to Brazil's most famous beach and provided easy access to the bus and subway lines, which, for a woman without a car in Rio city, made a huge difference.

She went into the building and up the stairs, and the smell of pee and dirt reminded her of the not-so-luxurious side. The fifth floor, cramped with studios apartments, reminded her of a huge pigeon loft, filled to the brim with people from different walks of life.

Someone in apartment 503 yelled curses that echoed through the hallway. Up ahead, a big-bellied man was leaving an apartment while pulling up his zipper. He passed Lara while looking down, seemingly embarrassed. A tall brunette woman, around six feet tall, who was by the door to apartment 524 watched her client leave and said good morning to Lara when she walked by. The transvestite closed the door a second after hearing the good morning returned.

Lara walked into her apartment and had finished locking the door when she heard a gentle admonishing, Are you crazy? You went running on the day you have that big interview for your dream job? You're going to be late to the fucking selection you worked so hard to get, just because you insist on keep your body perfect.

Lara threw the empty plastic cup in the kitchen's trash and answered the messy-haired friend in front of her.

My God! That's a lot of stress for 7 AM! What happened? You fell off the bunk bed?

"No. I got woken up by a fucking donkey yelling, ‘I'm cumming! I'm cumming!’ at this hour in the morning! Can you believe it? Fucker. This place is already a dump and now I have to wake up to the sound of the fucker letting the whole building know he's cumming. Fucking awesome!"

Lara couldn't stop laughing, picturing it.

Knowing you the way I do, you didn't let it slide.

Actually, I was ready to open the window and tell him that if he didn't cum soon and stop yelling, I'd go there myself and put a stick up his ass to see if it would hurry things up, but I didn't get there in time. When I got to the window, the yelling had stopped already. At least he finished and stopped bothering us.

My dear friend, everyone does sex in their own weird way, and I doubt you're quiet in bed.

Ha! But at least I don't fuck in this crawl space we call an apartment so the rest of the building hears me, nor do I yell ‘I'm cumming!  I'm cumming!’ at 7 AM. Like, what the fuck? But worse than yelling at the neighbors, is not fucking at all. Because you, my dear, will turn back into a virgin considering how long your little flytrap has caught anything. Besides, studies proof that lack of sex can lead to depression and the need for escape.

She wasn’t wrong. Lara’s complete lack of a sexual life was both obvious and impossible to hide, since not only did she share the apartment with Patrícia, but she was also her closest confidant. 

She wasn't a virgin anymore, but during her twenty-six years, she'd only had three sexual partners, which she knew wasn't considered ‘normal’ in today's world.

Now my sex life is the reason for your bad mood?

Honey, first of all, you don't have a sex life. That's what I'm saying. Second, I'm not in a bad mood because of that, I'm just saying.

Lara kept laughing while taking off her sweaty clothes.

But, seriously, Lara. You won't be late, will you?

"Relax, I have time. I really needed this run and it wasn't to keep up the bod, okay? You know it's almost like a mental scrub. I need this."

Patrícia huffed and shrugged. She wasn't going to argue with her friend, so she opened the fridge, pouring herself a glass of milk while Lara went to take a shower.

She was entertaining herself by reading Cosmo and time flew before she noticed Lara was already dressed up in front of her, waiting for an opinion regarding her outfit.

Honey, are you going on a job interview or to a seminar called ‘the new puritans of the 21st century’?

What do you mean? Don't I look good?

You do and you don't. First, that skirt is too long, the shirt too buttoned up and it looks like you're on your way to a convent. You're going to a job interview, you don't need to hide every inch of your body.

That's not really true. On the contrary, executive assistants prize respect and decorum. We already have enough of a reputation.

Reputation or no reputation, an assistant should at least wear modern clothes, and your ensemble is straight out of your grandma's wardrobe.

Lara swallowed her friend's harsh and honest opinion. She hadn't inherited it from her grandma, but close. She'd bought it at a thrift store with the little money she'd been able to save from her last job and had saved it for a special occasion. Spending money on clothes was superfluous when you had to pay rent, condo fees, food, and student loans.

It's all I have. The rest is too informal: jeans, shorts, mini-skirts... At least in Dr. Leopoldo's office it's was totally normal to wear jeans.

Patrícia felt that she'd been too rude as she saw the sad look on her friend's face.

Come here. We'll fix it up real quick, after all, you're not going to interview for a small little office. We're talking about the huge KPX. The skirt is fine, but let's change the shirt because these bunch of buttons up to the neck plus this white ruffle is not okay. Here, put this on. She threw Lara a pink satin shirt and ran to the wardrobe to find a jacket to go over it.

Lara changed shirts and smoothed it over the plain black skirt, putting on the black blazer her friend brought over.

Now let down that bun and let your gorgeous soft hair fall down your shoulders.

Oh, no! That's too much, what will the HR woman think of me?

True... I hadn't thought of that. First rule of getting along at work: flirt with the men and don't make the women jealous. Leave the bun then, but I'm going to pull out some strands so there's some charm to it.

Patrícia then did her makeup and lent her high heels and when Lara finally looked at herself in the mirror she felt a shiver of happiness. She looked gorgeous, well-dressed, composed, and with soft, discreet makeup done by Patrícia.

There. Now all that's left is the wristwatch... Damn it! The time! Oh my God, I'm going to be late! Lara yelled annoyed.

She grabbed her purse, the folder with her resume and left running out the door, but still had time to hear her friend yelling down the hallway.

If you break my heels, I'll kill you!

* * *

Alex was finishing a video conference on his phone with the board of one of his Miami companies when his vehicle entered the mirrored building's underground garage, a building that occupied part of a block in the center of Rio city. The driver opened the car door and Alex walked to the private lift, without having to go through the building's reception. If he had, he would've seen the huge number of women that, in a way, battled each other for the executive assistant position. It was the third day and he couldn't stand to see so many women together anymore. Not that he had an issue with that. Personally, women were his favorite hobby, but in his professional life he prized seriousness, commitment, strictness, and he never mixed his adventurous pleasures with work.

The company had an open policy about it, as per the employee manual that Alex himself had approved. Relationships between employees were allowed as long as it didn't go overboard at work or hurt the company's interests. He had never taken advantage of the policy. Despite the beautiful women around him, he preferred to hunt far from his company.

When the lift stopped on his floor, the doors opened revealing the huge entrance hall. A seductive blonde got up from her chair, greeting him with a husky voice. He took the newspaper from her hands and would've taken a peek at her blouse's deep sexy v-neck if today had been a different day. Today he had to keep all his focus on the grand finale he'd engineered against the man who had ruined his life.

He went by Mrs. Magali's desk, greeting her, and walked briskly to his office. He threw the newspaper on his desk, sat on his large office chair and rested his head against his folded hands.

Is it worry or boredom? His thoughts were interrupted by the caring voice of Mrs. Magali, who had entered the office.

Neither. Simple anxiety.

He was anxious because he knew that soon he'd make the final move on the fight he'd been covertly fighting. This afternoon he'd meet with his biggest enemy: João Ferrero.

João Ferrero was sixty-eight years old, tall, and with more extra pounds than was healthy. He used to be a renowned building contractor and even used to have a significant fortune, which he’d been able to diminish throughout the years, through bad investments and too much money spent on women and gambling, all marinated with high quantities of booze.

Even though Alex had been raised in Ferrero's house and had had him as a father figure, the truth was he’d been nothing more than his boss. His mother had been a maid in the house for years and, when she got injured, the young man remained there, working first by cleaning the cars and gardens, then becoming Ferrero's driver.

His mind flew to eight years before, when he’d been just a twenty-two-year-old, living in one of the employee building's rooms in Ferrero's propriety. Even though it wasn't exactly his home, he'd thought of it like one, as he'd been raised there since he was eleven. The money Ferrero paid him wasn’t much, little more than minimum wage, but it was enough for his limited spending since he didn't have to pay rent or food, or even education – as he'd been able to get a scholarship at a private college, right there at Barra da Tijuca. He studied administration at night and would've been a great student if he didn't miss so much class. Working with Ferrero didn't allow for a fixed workday. There were days when he left at seven in the morning, was at his disposal the entire day, and come night, had to take him to parties, get-togethers at friend's houses, and, sometimes, even to his mistresses' houses. There was no time off or bank holidays, he was his driver and was always on call.

Alex knew that if he’d looked for it, he'd have probably been able to find a better job, probably even getting more money, however, he stuck with Ferrero. His mother had been hospitalized for over a year and João was the one paying the private hospital’s medical bills.

All in all, not counting his mother's health condition, he’d been okay with the situation. After all, he had somewhere to live and could take, once or twice, girls back to his room. Sometimes he found it funny when some women would think he lived in the elegant mansion and then saw the disappointed look in their faces when he led them to the employee building, around the back, and then to the small room and living room where he lived. Although he was missing status and money, the same thing couldn't be said for constitution and experience. No woman had ever left his bed unsatisfied.

It all changed when she showed up in his life. No longer a curious child or a skinny teenager, she’d turned into a woman. He remembered her eyes, her smile, and her sweetness. It was because of her that João Ferrero had decided to ruin Alex's life and cause him to lose everything. 

The famous contractor's empire had been crumbling for years, Alex had only sped up the process. João didn't know that behind his failures, the loans demanded before time, was Alex. Little by little the businessman outflanked and controlled the edges of the big Di Ferrero Construction, always protected behind big anonymous companies and deals made in secret.  In the end, Alex’s name was nowhere to be found and João believed that competing construction companies were uniting to destroy him.

No one paid much attention to what a barely sober man said, especially regarding conspiracy theories. For a long time, his board of directors had believed that the empire’s fall was caused by his lack of ability in choosing the correct locations for new businesses and by his megalomaniac ego.

Alex knew it all because he had planted people he trusted at Di Ferrero, paying generously for the information gathered. He had an administrator, two interns, an accountant, and João Ferrero's personal assistant in his pocket. Liana was the one who gave him the more personal information and let him know his greatest enemy's habits and vices.

Anxious to choose the assistant who's taking my place or anxious to see me leave as fast as possible? A voice interrupted his mental ramblings.

He threw a veil over his own thoughts and looked at the kind lady in front of him.

You know I take no pleasure in your leaving, but you need to take care of your health. It's long past you enjoyed a prolonged vacation.

Retirement is not a vacation! And as for my health, I'm perfectly fine. What you want is to get rid of me and replace me with some bimbo with fake boobs.

Alex walked around his table, went behind the bespectacled gray-haired woman, and hugged her.

I'd never push you away, let alone replace you with some bimbo with fake boobs.

I know, I know, she grumbled.

So much so, I'm not interfering with the new assistant's recruitment. I left the resume selection, group dynamic, and interviews to HR. And you'll be the one to do the final interview and choose your replacement. You can choose a blonde or a brunette, with or without silicone, disabled, with a lisp, one leg shorter than the other. As long as she's capable and tries to be at least 10% as good as you. If she does, I'll hire her. But you know, he squeezed her tighter. You are irreplaceable. He gave her a big kiss on the cheek and let her go.

I know I am, so I can't guarantee I'll find a young woman as competent as me, but I'll at least try and choose someone not as dumb as the one out there.

Don't be jealous! Evelyn works hard.

I know how hard she works. Me and two or three of your directors.

What she does or doesn't do in her private life is none of my business, and it shouldn't be yours either. So, let's let the young woman enjoy her life and we'll take care of the boring, business part that has to be done.

Magali left a gray folder on top of the table and went on, Here are the documents your lawyer sent over. Your schedule is free this afternoon as per your instructions, but at night there's no escape. It's the inauguration party for the Children's Medical Center and you're the guest of honor.

Do I really have to go? Can't I just send a check?

No! You've sent all possible checks. The only reason this medical center exists is because of your donations, and because you built it. All they want is for you to go there and accept a thank-you-very-much.

I don't need a thank-you-very-much. Those children with cancer deserve that and much more.

I know. But you have to go. So find a date, pretty and not dumb like the one outside, and take her to the party.

I'd rather celebrate my victory with a good whiskey in my hand.

I know what you plan to do this afternoon. You haven't told me, but I know. And don't think you'll be as happy as you think you will. It's not victory you'll find. When you finally finish burying Ferrero, it's not joy you'll feel. Vengeance brings no peace to the soul.

I might not feel joy or peace, but I'm going to draw a line under this story and finally be able to close the book on this part of my life.

Will you? Will all those years dwelling on this anger and keeping this hatred in your chest bring you peace? It won't, son... It won't... Forget that man, move on with your life, find a good woman, get married, have a bunch of kids, and get a Labrador.

Alex smiled at the last part, after all, Magali always thought that everything could be solved by building a family and raising a dog. However, he didn't find that kind of relationship appealing, which was why he didn't agree with her words. His life would never be so simple. He wished. He'd already been married for three beautiful years to his late wife, whose last name he'd kept. Besides Anne Hazel being an extraordinary woman, she'd been extremely important to the building of his empire, beyond being there supporting him at every big step. She had given him more love than he deserved. In a way, she’d helped him glue back together some of the broken pieces of his life, but not enough to make him abandon his desire for revenge and move on without looking back. She’d loved him either way. Even when she realized, deep down, that he admired her, desired her, wanted her, but was unable to return all that love.

Before he was this stone-and-ice man, he'd been an enamored man, who had believed in love and equality. He'd believed in a woman's fake words, had sworn eternal love to someone that had only despised him and had left him for the first rich playboy that had crossed her path. His heart had been under lock and key, but Anne had almost unlocked it. If she hadn't died before her time, maybe she would've finally been able to reach his bitter heart, and rekindle the love inside. But life had taken her too soon. And he’d gone back to his revenge plans.

I don't plan to remarry. I'm good the way I am.

I know Anne was a great woman. I miss that snub-nosed English woman, but life moves on, and you've grieved. It's time to settle down, find a good woman to start building your life with, and not to destroy another's. Ferrero is already digging his own grave. Forget him, and forget this revenge. Find a good girl and stop sticking it in all those mercenary floozies that follow you around.

Magali. You're a good mom. But a naive one. Life is filled with mercenaries, that's inevitable. What I do is match wants. Some want pleasure and status, others money and power. In the end, I only give them what they want.

And they give you what you want! I know! Save me from those inappropriate comments! I'm going to see if I can choose someone to take my place fast. Because when I leave, just you wait! I'll be sipping margaritas in the Caribbeans while you stay here, falling to pieces without me.

She stomped away.

Alex finally smiled, he loved that woman as if she was his own mother. He'd met her in England, while she was still an illegal immigrant. He’d hired her and taken care of her legal status and saw her transform from maid to housekeeper. Taking care of everything, always efficient and helpful. 

She’d taken care of Anne when the disease had consumed her and had always worried about him. She'd been a kind and loving mother to him and Anne. When he’d returned to Brazil, to follow through with his plans, he brought her with him. Since Magali had wanted her own place, Alex bought a comfortable house in one of few residential gated communities in Botafogo and gave her the keys and deed. In order to keep her close, he hired her as his personal assistant at KPX, a job that she’d performed with skill and expertise, since she was efficient and spoke English well – an important skill in her job since they had many businesses with companies from other countries. Actually, if it had been up to him, Magali would've never had to work, she'd always been too kind and was already family, but the stubborn woman had her pride and refused to accept any money that she didn't earn. So, he made sure she kept her job as his personal assistant, with a big paycheck.

Until the moment came for Magali to retire, she’d tried to hide it, but he knew about her issues with arthritis and other age-related problems. He knew the kind woman needed less stress and more rest. He knew she'd be leaving, and soon enough another assistant would take her place. One who would no longer be like a mom. He sighed and in his mind only wished the new employee was as efficient as her.

Chapter 2

* * *

Lara was sitting on the stuffed chair trying to take in everything the woman in front of her was saying: stable company, career plan, R$30 daily meal vouchers, R$600 monthly food vouchers, life insurance, health plan (for employees and dependents), private assistant-specific pension plan, and an additional R$800 monthly voucher for clothes. Lara thought that people here had to be well-dressed, because spending R$800 every month on clothes seemed strangely insane for her. At least in her current life.

Years ago, when she had been a rich, high-status girl, that amount was nothing. However, nowadays, in the life she'd chosen and her new limitations, R$800 in clothing every month was an unparalleled luxury.

However, her breathing disappeared when the woman wrote R$7.530 on the white board.

I know, ladies, this is a significant paycheck, but it matches the position you'll be occupying. I also have to highlight that to this amount is added not only the previous mentioned benefits, but, annually, we also have a profit share, which can be quite generous.

Some of the women smiled, others pressed their lips together, others stood still like Lara. Then the woman went on.

All of you sent your resumes to this company because you know the huge opportunity it represents. You know here talent is converted into success. Here an assistant is not just the woman who answers the phone and delivers coffee at meetings. I know each one of you has a degree, either in administration or secretarial science, and have extensive education that doesn't deserve to be wasted on post-it errands and questions like ‘sugar or sweetener?’. Not that the employees who do that are to be looked down on, but you're here for the position of executive assistant to our president Alex Hazel and that goes beyond controlling his schedule and answering phones.

He had a strong name. Lara knew it from some articles on newspapers and business magazines, but she knew little about the man and his history.

Our president is reserved and, therefore, I don't believe everyone knows what he looks like. He skews self-propaganda, though he could be on the front page of Forbes or even celebrity magazines. Our CEO values discretion and only keeps the company's image under the spotlight. I know there are rumors, so I want to make it perfectly clear that it doesn't matter if he's ugly or absolutely gorgeous, the fact is that whoever becomes his assistant should be professional and highly ethical. And believe me when I tell you, he won't keep an assistant for her charms or looks. He's known in the business world as the Tiger, and it's not because he's meek. He likes to be around capable, clever, competent people.

Lara should've been paying attention to the company's president description, but she was still lost in that huge number on the board. With that money she could rent a better apartment, taking Patrícia with her of course. She could help her mom more, build up her life with dignity.

The woman doing the presentation hit the board.

This salary here is compatible to many engineers’, but it will go to the assistant that earns the position, someone who combines responsibility, availability, and total commitment to the company. You've been through the written tests, but there's still group selection, then interviews in English, and, in the end, you'll be personally interviewed by Magali, the president's current assistant, who's retiring and whose job you'll be taking over. I'm certain she'll be tough and will let you know that it's not because you'll be working for the boss that everything will be easy. Availability is the watch-word. Anyway, don't be sad if you don't pass, you might still be employed in a different department, and we'll keep your resumes in our archives for future positions. Time for questions. Does anyone have any?

An extremely skinny woman raised her thin arm and asked, How, exactly, will you test our English?

Thank you for the question. What's your name again?

Joana Soares.

Well, Joana, there won't be another English test. The English test you did during the first phase of the selection, together with current news and logic tests. What those who are selected will be doing after group dynamic will simply be an interview, like any other, but in English. Our boss was adamant about wanting someone in the job who speaks English fluently. Of course, knowledge of other languages will be an advantage. Any other questions?

How does the clothes voucher work? Hum, my name's Luciana Silva.

Luciana, the company has agreements with three major stores specializing in elegant, company-friendly clothes, where you can do your shopping. The vouchers are given monthly, but they're only valid for two months.

My name's Camila Nascimento and I'd like to know if the president will be interviewing us too.

Camila, thank you for the question. In fact, it would be very important if he did, but due to his numerous commitments, that won't be possible, so the final word on the assistant will be Magali's.

My name's Janete Castenho and you said that it's important to be ‘available’. How does that work?

Well, Janete, the thing is, being the president's assistant comes with a lot of responsibility. Among them, accompanying him on business trips, attending meetings that may happen during after work hours. Obviously, the contract is for the normal 8-hour workday, but if there's a need to be at an event, meetings after work hours will count as overtime and will be strictly paid. So, we don't eliminate candidates who are married or have kids, but you should know that you might, actually, you will, have to work after hours and your partner should be understanding, and you must be available for business trips. Speaking of that, I advise keeping your passport up to date. At least, those who have the interview with Magali, since from there you'll either be Mr. Alex's assistant or the backup. This way, if the chosen doesn't adapt or pass the probationary three months, we'll immediately call one of the finalists. Any other question?

The small auditorium was silent.

Then let's begin the selection. Under each chair there's an envelope containing a magazine cutout and a number. I ask that you form groups according to numbers.

Lara found the number 7 and a page ripped off a magazine talking about acne. She ran to find who was organizing people from group 7. Group dynamic had always been her weakest point, she hated this part that always seemed illogical and senseless to her, but she’d promised herself she'd try.

* * *

João Ferrero got out of KPX's limo. He was pleased as punch in the certainty that he was about to close on a huge deal and he prove to everyone that Di Ferrero could still be one of the country's leading construction companies.

He thought about the generous proposal the famous Alex Hazel would put to him, as his attorneys had told him in advance. Something about an advantageous partnership to form joint ventures and take a bite of the big tenders. Even though it was an informal meeting, without the presence of lawyers on either side, he knew that meetings like this led to closed deals.

He'd go back to moving forward, buy back the company stock he'd partially liquidated and return to the luxurious life he'd always deserved.

Good morning, Mr. Ferrero. Good to see you again. Please, let's go in.

João followed the lawyer that had visited him a few times.

Have you been in this building before? Eduardo asked.

No. It's a beautiful building. He looked at the luxurious reception as they passed by it. And with beautiful receptionists, he answered and winked at the two women that were there.

They didn't answer him back or even smiled.

Carla, give me a visitor's badge, please.

The lawyer took the badge and gave it to his guest.

They both took the public elevator to the fifth floor.

Meeting room E, he told the two floor receptionists.

It's ready, Mr. Eduardo, the young woman in front of him answered.

The two went in and João saw a big glass table and a mirrored wall that reflected the amazing view from the window. You could see Guanabara Bay and the Rio-Niterói Bridge, a beautiful and important commercial point, he thought.

Please, sit down. Would you like some water, soda, whiskey? Anything special to drink?

A whiskey with two ice cubes would be good.

While the guest sat down, Eduardo promptly pushed the button on the speaker, and repeated the request. Very little time passed before a beautiful woman showed up bringing in a Blue Label and served it as asked.

Ferrero felt the 21-year-old whiskey going down his throat and he knew it was the real thing. He was still savoring the drink when another young woman entered he room carrying a tray with small glass jars filled with fresh dates and pistachios. The young man had done his homework, he knew exactly what he liked and João felt victorious because he knew that if someone is trying to please you, they need you.

Excuse me for a moment.

The lawyer left, leaving the business man alone. He looked at himself in the mirror, adjusting his suit jacket while sipping his drink. In the meantime, behind that mirrored wall, Alex was secretly watching him, not daring to blink.

The devil was there, right in front of him. It seemed to him as if he could smell the stink of alcohol, the smell of armpit sweat. Maybe if it had been a few years ago, he would've gone in there and broken his nose. But no, that was too little for the man who had ruined his life and killed his mom. He deserved to be eaten alive. Annihilated. Humiliated.

Alex, he's all yours. Do you want to start the meeting? Eduardo asked, interrupting his thoughts.

He reflected. He had some ideas. He had planned so many things. Now there he stood, incapable of making a move.

What would João think when he was in front of him? What would he say? Would he apologize? Pretend nothing had happened? Would he recognize him?

Alex grabbed the black briefcase, and was about to turn to leave the hidden room when he saw that João was dialing a number on his phone. He waited to see who he was going to talk to.

Lara.

Alex felt a shiver down his back when he heard the name.

Lara. Please. Talk to me. It's your father. I wanted... She's fine... I just wanted to tell you that things are getting better. I'm about to close on a big contract. We could see each other... I could come visit you...Lara. Lara!

He finally looked at the device in his hand then put it on the table.

Meanwhile, Alex tried to make sense of the conversation fragments.

Eduardo. Apologize, tell him I had to take care of some urgent business and we have to reschedule. Offer to give him a tour of the company, but send him away.

But what about the acquisition?

Say nothing.

And if he asks?

Tell him you don't have permission to give him any information without me. Go! Go on!

He saw his lawyer and friend leave and waited for the end of their conversation. Only when he thought João Ferrero had left the building did he leave the hidden room, wishing, secretly, that he didn't have to sense the smell of that repulsive old man in the air.

* * *

Lara had her heart in her mouth. She'd just heard that she'd been selected to the next stage, an interview in English. She wasn't nervous about the English conversation, as she'd studied in a boarding school in the States and had also lived in Canada, so she was fluent in English and French, and was intermediate in Spanish. Her only concern was about her little experience in big companies.

They'd been sent on break and the ones that had been selected were led to a room for a coffee break, with two huge tables filled with a delicious vision of several types of pastries, bread, jam, and sweets, along with several juices, coffee, and milk. As nervous as she was, she couldn't eat more than a cheese bread ball.

Her phone rang and she realized she should've turned it off. She looked at the screen and her expression froze. It had been a long time since he had tried to get in touch with her. She thought about not picking up, hesitating, but ended up taking the call.

Lara.

She didn't have the guts to answer.

Lara. Please. Talk to me. It's your father. I wanted...

Is mom okay?! The daughter interrupted, a little scared.

She's fine.

Then we have nothing to say to each other, she answered dryly.

I just wanted to tell you that things are getting better. I'm about to close on a big contract. We could see each other-

Please don't call me again or I'm changing my number.

I could come visit you...

The young woman disconnected the call and pressed the button to effectively turn off the device.

She was aware that children had a duty to respect their parents, but only she knew what that relationship had cost her. The pain, the loss, the death. She wanted to cry, but she held back the tears.

* * *

Magali didn't pay much attention to the HR supervisor’s assessment of the last five girls selected to the final interview.  All she wanted was to talk in person with each of them, to get to know them better, look in their eyes and feel the truth of their words. She prided herself on being a great judge of character, needing only a little conversation. She was never wrong.

She remembered when she met Alex, a handsome young man fighting for a start-up company in a foreign country. She saw more than cunning and entrepreneurship in him. She noticed behind those eyes a sadness the young man tried to hide, and it took her a few years before she'd gained his trust enough for him to tell her his big secret. A secret that explained the reason why that boy had nightmares, the reason why a young man had been able of incredible victories for someone so young, and still feel like he wasn't enough. Alex wanted more. His objectives weren't only to do well in life. He had a higher purpose, a goal, a plan that would take him to the heights of success in business and would bring about the ability of one day executing a revenge plan that he believed would be enough to bring him the peace he so longed for.

Magali knew what he'd suffered; the burden that he carried, so she understood all that anger and pain inside his chest, but she'd also lived enough years to know that only love heals. Only peace brings peace. So she stayed long years next to that young man, even though she couldn't discourage him from his plans, no, because that, she'd found out, was impossible. But she’d decided she'd be with him through it all and that she'd be there when he was finally able to carry out his whole revenge plan and when it was all over, and emptiness was all that was left, she'd be there, to hug him and take care of the sad, lonely boy he'd become. Alex was like a son to her, and Magali knew she needed to take care of him.

She looked out into the waiting area and saw two older women and three younger ones. She didn't know where to start. She decided to call them by the order of the resumes on her table:

Francisca Souza.

One of the older women, wearing an ensemble of cream skirt and blouse, got up and walked her way, shaking her hand and saying good afternoon, following her into the room.

* * *

Magali already had her choice in mind, but there was still one more candidate to interview. She looked at that young face and glistening eyes. She was in fact very beautiful, which made her think, Alex definitely doesn't need something else to distract him.

She knew he avoided getting involved with his employees, but there was always a first time and Alex was, after all, a man like any other.

Anyway, Magali disguised the fact that she'd already made her choice and still called in the girl who was waiting her turn:

Lara Muller Lemos.

* * *

Lara was anxious. Everyone had left already and even though each one who left wished good luck to the others, deep down she knew that that was the opposite of what they were feeling.

She felt a shiver down her spine when her name was called. She stood up calmly and breathed in courage to face this last obstacle.

Chapter 3

* * *

The afternoon was starting when Magali entered Alex's office and found him standing, looking out the window.

Alex. He didn't answer, so she called again, Alex.

He came back down to earth and turned toward his approaching assistant.

What is it, Alex? What did you do?

He looked at her in silence for a few moments, then said, Nothing. I didn't do anything. He was standing right there in front of me. All I had to do was go in there, but I couldn't.

Then you're giving up on your revenge?

No. I just didn't reveal myself to him. All the documents have been signed, one of my companies already controls part of his' even without him knowing I'm behind it. I also have control over all his suppliers. Any time I want, I can take away his cornerstone and leave him to fall into ruin.

Alex...

Magali, you won't change my mind. That man is a coward, a worm, a... a murderer!

She knew the reason behind every one of those words, and she couldn't blame him for using them. She hugged the tall man and felt him kiss the top of her head.

You know I'll be here anytime you need me, don't you?

I know, Magali, but if you don't take care of your health, who will take care of me?

I told you, I'm fine, you little playboy! You may have all those muscles, but I can promise you I'm healthier than you!

Fine, now get straight to it. Have you finally chosen your substitute?

Well. That's what I came to talk to you about. I brought the folders with the resume and information of the candidates I approved. One is forty-one, has a lot of experience in a big company and was even the assistant of some big-shot director. She's focused, poised, speaks English well and says she knows Spanish. The other is twenty-six, with not a lot of experience, but she went to a great university and has lived outside Brazil. She's fluent in English, French and says she's good at Spanish. She has really good communication skills. She seems determined and hard-working. There's cunning in those young eyes. Look over the folders and choose one.

Alex didn't want to open the folders that were put on his table.

Magali choose anyone. I trust you. My only request is that you find someone who doesn't take naps on the table while I'm closing deals.

I don't take naps, Mr. Alex! I’m actually bored to death with those boring meetings that go into the night. I'm no longer a young thirty-year-old, who has the patience to stay up all night taking notes about what you men spend hours deciding, to then change your minds the next instant.

See? That's it! Then hire the young girl you talked about. The ‘hard-working’ one, and let's see if this time I can get an assistant with enough pep for lots of trips and business meetings.

Your decision. I'll tell HR to call her still today, that way she can start the training tomorrow, but don't put the moves on your new assistant.

Why the warning? Is she good looking?

Her photo’s in there in the folder, don't you want to see?

Well, if you're warning me is because you know what I like. I believe she must be quite beautiful yes, I trust your judgment, but you should trust me when I say that I don't get involved, and never will get involved with any woman here. I don't care which assistant you choose, as long as she's efficient, I'm okay. So you can take that folder back. I trust you.

Okay. I believe you.

Also, have them add another table at reception so she can spend this month being trained by you. Get it sorted, please. Oh! Since I've ended up clearing my schedule for the afternoon, set up a meeting with the marketing sector, I want to go down there to sort out the change of advertising agency.

Alex, you have to make decisions about the company's New Year's party, and the gift basket to the associates and clients.

Magali, I don't deal with parties. I've told you before, you're to deal with it. As for the end of year gifts, I'll tell them to bring up some options and you choose.

Okay. Fine. What else do you want to do this afternoon?

Set up a video call with Miami, I need to know if they were able to close with Marchal. If they can't do it without me, I'll have to travel there to kick their incompetent asses. One month! And they can't get a clear answer!

Okay. I call down to marketing now and schedule the video call for five.

Great, as soon as I get it sorted, I'll go home early since my head is killing me and I still have to go to that god-damned party. I don't know why. All they have to do is open the medical center and start seeing patients, they don't need this ridiculous cocktail party. 

Do you have a date for the party? The assistant asked curiously.

Why? Do you want to be my date? He smiled, winking.

You can hold your breath, you shameless boy! I'm too much of a woman for your hormonal butt!

Magali left the room laughing, making Alex feel more relieved. One less problem to solve, one more distraction to try and forget the image of Ferrero.

He took his phone and dialed a number.

Hello? It's me. What do you know about João Ferrero's daughter?

The woman's voice on the other side of the line said, The same thing you do. What I've told you before. He brags about his daughter marrying some bigshot businessman and has been living in Canada for some years.

Have you ever heard him call her? Have you ever seen any kind of correspondence between the two?

No. Never.

And her, has she ever called him? To his company?

Also no. He keeps bragging about her, but in truth, I don't think they're that close. Birthdays, Father's day, Christmas. I never took one call from her.

Do you have access to her number or address?

I've told you he doesn't share his personal address book, or at least the one that's in his office doesn't have that information. If it did, I would've told you already.

Today he called her on his cellphone, a little less than an hour ago. I need you to find some way to get that number.

It's going to be hard to get access to his phone.

You can do it, Liana. Give me your price and I'll pay you, but bring me that number.

You already pay me well enough, Alex.

Then think of something else, and it's yours, but get me that number as soon as possible.

Leave it up to me. Tomorrow you'll have that number, she said before hanging up.

Alex was trying to block his memories of her. His contact had told him she'd been out of the country for years and had little access to her father. He thought about the idea that Ferrero had finally gotten what he’d always wanted: his daughter married to someone he approved. He hadn't asked to dig any deeper for information, he’d tried his hardest not to think about her, or worse, to know more about her life with another man.

Lara was out of reach and Alex had set up the trap for Ferrero without taking her presence into consideration, but what if she was now in Brazil? The ending of his revenge could have a special flavor: Lara in the first row, watching while he ruined her beloved father's empire.

He tried to erase the image of the young woman from his mind, but it was impossible. It was as vivid as if he'd seen her the day before. He remembered her smooth skin, the silkiness of her hair, her laugh, her sparkling green eyes, and the intoxicating smell that seemed to cling to every part of her.

Damn it!

He felt hatred inside himself.

He needed to think of something else. He had a party to go to, and it might make a great distraction. He reached for his phone and dialed.

Hi, Beatriz. It's Alex Hazel.

Alex. I didn't think you'd ever return my calls.

I'm sorry. I've been busy with some important business. Besides, I didn't want to bother you. Are you free tonight or do you have a show?

For you? I'm always free, babe.

Would you like to accompany me to a party?

I would love to.

It's black tie. I'll pick you up at nine. Which hotel are you staying at?

I'm at the Sheraton, in Leblon.

Perfect. It's a date, then.

One less problem. Now he had a date to the party.

* * *

Lara felt her heart was going to explode. She'd just gotten a call from someone from HR saying that she'd been selected and should come in the next day with her documents.

She went into her own apartment with a fake defeated look in her face, looking sad, and her friend came quickly to hug her.

Don't look like that. If it wasn't this time, it will be the next one. That Alex Hazel has no idea what an excellent assistant he's missing out on, Patrícia said.

She hugged Lara tighter until she heard her laughter fill the air.

Psych! I got it! I got it!

Patrícia pushed Lara back hard.

You heartless bitch! How dare you fool me like that?

Lara pulled her back into a hug and started jumping while yelling, I got it!

Oh, my lord. You got it!

The pay is seven thousand, five hundred and thirty reais, and comes with a bunch of benefits. There's even money for clothes!

Wow! Are you sure the position was really for an assistant? It isn’t for a director or something?

No! This is it! I'm going to be the personal assistant of the famous Alex Hazel. We have to celebrate! Let's go out tonight, I'm buying!

Damn it! I can't tonight. I have to work an event. Well, if you want to earn some extra money, you can come with me. They're always looking for an extra waiter or kitchen helper.

Look, you know I would've never said no before, but today was tense and I don't want to be on my feet for four hours serving other people. Tomorrow is my first day at work and I have a bunch of stuff to organize.

Okay. But tomorrow is Friday and we’ll definitely celebrate after work.

Lara sat on the edge of the bed and took off her high heels, massaging her feet, while Patrícia put on black pants and a short-sleeved shirt.

She saw her friend take the caterering apron, folding it and putting it in her cloth backpack.

He called, Lara mumbled.

Who called?

Lara looked at the floor and her voice was barely understandable, My father.

Patrícia immediately stopped what she was doing to look at her friend.

Is your mom okay?

He said yes.

Then what did the son of a bitch want?

Nothing. Just to talk to me.

Did you tell him to go eat shit?

No. I just hung up.

Patrícia quickly knelt and hugged her friend sitting on the bunk bed. She knew what her friend's contact with her father cost her and that it brought up a lot of traumatic memories. 

Lara, I'm not going. I'll stay here with you.

"No! I'm fine,