Chapter 4. Restlessness

I can't understand what's been happening with Marta lately. She seems to be getting stranger and even angrier with me each day. I know I'm not an easy boss to deal with, but that doesn't justify this behavior change, especially considering she's been working with me for over five years.

I was thinking about this when Caíque entered my office unannounced, and soon Marta was behind him, concerned about my reaction, as had happened before.

"What are you doing here, Caíque?" I asked angrily, standing up behind my desk. "This is my office, and you can't just barge in here without my permission."

Caíque showed no concern for my words, calmly sitting in the chair across from my desk and crossing his legs at the ankle. He seemed quite comfortable.

"Just for a little while, my dear."

I stared at my cousin, unable to understand what he was trying to insinuate with that statement, and when I questioned him, he replied with great satisfaction.

"I'm sure you know what I'm talking about," Caíque used a tone of great cynicism to speak to me. "After all, you haven't met Uncle Frederico's conditions, and the company will soon be mine."

"First point," I began to count on my fingers, anger consuming me. "I still have ten days to fulfill my father's requirement. Second point: The company won't be yours if that doesn't happen. You'll just be the president of the company."

Caíque let out a sarcastic laugh.

"I'll be president, and you'll be nothing more than the owner's son. You won't even be able to work here."

The truth in Caíque's words bothered me, but I wasn't going to let him see that he had gotten to me. I maintained my arrogant posture and dismissed what Caíque was saying.

"Do you think I care about that? These absurd conditions imposed by my father mean nothing to me. I'll do as I please, and no one can stop me."

Caíque smiled provocatively as if he knew something I didn't.

"Oh, Liam, you've always been a fool. Do you think you can defy Uncle Frederico's will? Don't be naive. He has a plan, and you're not following the rules."

Those words deeply irritated me, but I tried to remain calm.

"I won't submit to any plan or blackmail," I said firmly.

Caíque stood up, looking at me with an air of superiority.

"You may think that way, but the truth is, you've always lived in his shadow. And now, you're about to lose everything you believe you've achieved."

Those words hit my pride head-on, but I didn't let it show. I maintained my haughty posture and defiant gaze.

"We'll see who comes out victorious in the end. Don't underestimate me."

Caíque shrugged, as if all of this were just a fun game for him.

"I want my office cleared in ten days."

He left my office with a satisfied smile, leaving me with a mix of anger and concern.

When Marta came to my office a few minutes later, I was still seething with anger towards Caíque, so when I saw the displeasure on my secretary's face, I decided to put an end to this situation once and for all.

"Marta, what's going on? I don't understand the reason for all this sudden anger. And don't come up with silly excuses."

Marta stared at me with a determined glint in her eyes, and I realized that she would now tell me the truth. I wasn't mistaken, I soon found out.

"I don't understand how you can be so harsh and cruel to someone who hasn't done anything wrong," Marta said audaciously.

"Are you talking about the cleaning girl?" I asked in great surprise.

"Cecília. Her name is Cecília, sir," Marta corrected me. "She's a humble young woman who needed the job. Her stepfather was threatening to kick her out of the house if she didn't help with the expenses."

"I believe that was just an empty threat, Marta," I said with feigned calmness. "You're being dramatic."

"It wasn't an empty threat!" She protested vehemently. "I went to the house where she lived with her family, and the stepfather kicked her out. She had no savings, she didn't even have a cell phone, sir. I offered to let her stay at my house, but Cecília didn't accept. Now I have no idea where she might be."

Marta seemed genuinely concerned about the girl. Her eyes were on the verge of shedding the tears that had accumulated in them. I confess that even I could see how insensitive I had been in my actions.

Marta's words echoed in my mind, stirring feelings of guilt and remorse.

"I hope you manage to find your friend, then," I said, pretending to return my attention to the computer and arrogantly dismissing Marta.

Marta understood my intention and left my office after giving me a disheartened look, her shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world was on them. Her friendship with the girl was truly admirable.

After Marta left, I found myself wondering where the girl could be and if she was going through as serious difficulties as Marta believed.

"Oh, this is just what I needed!" I scolded myself aloud, hating this strange feeling in my chest.

I already have a big problem to solve, and I can't waste time thinking about other people's problems. Even so, the image of Cecília being thrown out of the house and refusing Marta's offer to move in with her kept lingering in my mind.

I decided to leave the room to get some fresh air. Perhaps a short walk down the office corridor would help me clear my head. I walked towards the common area, past the staff bays, but a conversation between two colleagues caught my attention.

“Poor Cecília, I don't know how she's going to manage now…” one of them whispered, unaware of my presence.

The other nodded in agreement.

“I heard she has nowhere to go... I don't know how they let this happen. The cleaning staff never last long here. The atmosphere is too heavy.”

My back stiffened when I heard that. The guilt I'd been feeling since my conversation with Marta intensified. Perhaps I had been unfair. Perhaps I was ignoring the seriousness of the situation.

At that moment, an idea crept into my thoughts. Perhaps I have the perfect solution to my guilty conscience and can still fulfill my father's wish and annoy him in equal measure. He couldn't go back on his word.

Whichever woman I decide to marry, Frederico Ricci can only accept my decision.