Page 36 of Please, Forgive Me

I stayed there a few more minutes, talking about other things—about the company, about life, about how time seemed to run faster every day.

But inside, my mind stayed fixed on that decision, on the insistent, tangled feeling that Maria Gabriela was far more than just an employee to me. And that scared me.

When I finally stood to leave, I reached for my father’s hand, squeezing it lightly. Even without words, he was still my anchor. He always had been.

“I’ll fix this, Dad,” I said before stepping out of the room, knowing that promise wasn’t just about the company—it was about my whole life.

I left the bedroom.

The air in there always felt heavier, denser. And yet, talking to him—even without an answer—brought me a strangecalm. He’d always been my greatest adviser, the man who taught me everything about business and how to control my emotions—skills that had become essential for surviving the ruthless world I lived in.

Almost the moment I stepped out, I heard the front door open. My brother, Alexandre, walked into our parents’ house, wearing his usual look of mild surprise at finding me there. We both popped in unannounced, but it was rare we crossed paths on these visits.

“You’re here?” he said, one eyebrow arched, his tone half-joking but edged with seriousness. “That’s a surprise.”

“Decided to come see Dad.”

Alexandre and I had always been close, but there was a quiet competitiveness between us that had kept us sharp all these years. He was my best friend, but also the only one who could really challenge me.

We walked together into the living room and sank onto the old sofa from our childhood. On the surface, it looked like any ordinary afternoon, but we both knew our conversations were rarely small talk.

And I knew that sooner or later I’d end up bringing up what had been weighing on me lately: Maria Gabriela.

“Something happen at work?” he asked, studying me with that sharp gaze of his.

Alexandre had always been good at reading people—especially me. He picked up on the small shifts, even when I tried to mask them.

I sighed, crossing my arms, knowing he’d find out sooner or later anyway.

“Maria Gabriela wants to quit,” I blurted out, bracing for his reaction.

Alexandre’s brow furrowed, genuine surprise flashing across his face.

“She what?!” He leaned forward, his tone now serious. “You’re kidding.”

“No. She told me she’s leaving at the end of the month,” I said, keeping my gaze steady. “But I made her an offer.”

Alexandre gave me that measured look he always did when he was piecing something together.

“What kind of offer?” he asked, curiosity laced with skepticism.

“I’m keeping her on for six more months,” I said flatly. “During that time, nothing changes. I’m going to prove to her that her place is with me—that she belongs at Amacel.”

Alexandre slowly shook his head, his eyes scanning my face, already knowing what he wanted to say.

“You’re planning to make her life hell for those six months?” he asked bluntly.

“Only if she gives me a reason,” I replied with a confident smile. “Knowing Maria Gabriela, I don’t think that’ll happen. I’ll be the same man with her. Nothing will change.”

He arched a brow, clearly unconvinced by my simplicity.

“And why would nothing change?” he asked, his tone sharper now. “You’re talking about keeping someone in a job against her will. It’s not going to be as simple as you think.”

“Because I’m going to show her where she belongs,” I said with the same firmness I used in any business negotiation. “With me.”

“That sounds way too possessive,” he shot back, a hint of concern creeping into his voice.

“Yes,” I admitted without hesitation. “I am possessive. And she’s mine.”