Page 7 of Please, Forgive Me

As she spoke, I lingered there, studying her with a fresh curiosity. Our exchanges were always a push and pull, but deep down, I knew she understood me better than most.

And that was dangerous.

Because the closer she came to seeing who I really was, the more I felt that relentless need to keep her near—even if it was only to keep playing the game.

She hung up, then lifted her hand in a clear “you’re dismissed” gesture.

“Work, Diego. The work you so kindly dumped on me. Don’t you have a meeting right about now?” she asked, eyebrow raised in mock challenge.

I chuckled, shaking my head.

“All right, all right. I’m going. But this isn’t over.”

She smiled—that smile that always twisted something in my chest.

“I’m counting on it.”

And with that, I walked away. But not without stealing one last glance at her. Because even when I left, even when the game seemed paused, there was always that expectation that it would start again.

And honestly, I didn’t know what I wanted more: the next move… or to find out where this game would finally take us.

CHAPTER 3

“True transformation happens from the inside out…”

DIEGO BITTENCOURT

“Why is it so hard to stop flirting with your secretary, Narcissus?”

Alexandre strolled into my office without knocking—like he always did. He’d been pulling that stunt for years, and even though he knew I hated it, he never stopped.

My twin brother loved to get under my skin, especially with that irritating nickname: Narcissus.

I was well aware I could be narcissistic at times—no denial there—but nothing pissed me off more than Alexandre calling me that. Maybe because he was the only one who knew exactly where to press, the one person who dared to get under my nerves.

I lifted my eyes from the laptop slowly, keeping my face blank. Holding my expression steady was a talent of mine. Most people gave up trying to read me. Alexandre? He enjoyed the challenge.

“Who said I’m flirting?” I shot back, my tone flat, not even bothering to get up from my chair. “I’m simply encouraging her efficiency. Something you might try with your own employees.”

Alexandre laughed, dropping into the armchair across from me with his usual laid-back ease. He was the relaxed twin—the one everyone called the “friendly brother.”

What they didn’t realize was that this facade hid a sharper, more calculating side. But of course, he loved to play the joker while I was stuck with the role of the “serious one.”

It was a part we’d been rehearsing since childhood.

“You can convince the whole world you don’t feel a thing, but I’m your brother. I know you enjoy that little game with Maria Gabriela.” He leaned forward, crossing his arms. “Problem is, it’s only going to blow up the day you inevitably screw up. Which, by the way, would be a fascinating change in your spotless record.”

I didn’t have the patience for this today.

Alexandre loved to meddle in my personal affairs, especially if they involved Maria Gabriela. He always had an opinion—usually an unnecessary one. Unlike when I was with her, I didn’t feel the same urge to keep the conversation going with him.

It was exhausting.

“If you came here just to provoke me, as usual, maybe try your own office,” I shot back, dry as ever. “Pretty sure your team misses your charm.”

He chuckled again, though with less enthusiasm this time. He knew when I was done with his games. He also knew when to shift gears, which he did quickly—like slipping on a different mask.

“All right, all right. Let’s talk business, then,” he said, sitting up straighter. “We’ve got a problem with the latest shipment of equipment to the client in São Paulo. The network dropped again. I’ve done what I could with the team, but this one’s your area. We need to fix it fast before it turns into a bigger mess.”