I turned my gaze to the lady. That woman didn't seem like the typical investor profile that my boss, LĂșcio Xavier, usually served. Even with the rush, my curiosity forced me to change my focus for a few moments. With a polite smile, I approached her. "Good afternoon, ma'am. Can I help you with something? Are you waiting for someone in particular?" The woman looked at me with serious eyes, as heavy as a rainy day, and nodded. "I'm waiting for your boss." "For Mr. Xavier?" I repeated. - Yes. A feeling of intrigue mixed with curiosity took hold of me as I tried to understand what was going on. But before I could ask any more questions, the phone rang, interrupting our brief conversation. I picked up my cell phone. It was Lucio, of course. Who else could it be, considering the emergency situation he seemed to enjoy creating for himself? - Lucio, you're late for the 10:00 meeting - I informed him, trying to remain calm while the lady and the child at the reception occupied my thoughts. - I'm going to the company now - he replied, an irritated tone in his voice. He had probably left his house late and hit traffic on the way. - The traffic was hell. Didn't I say? I took a deep breath, trying not to let the frustration that was bubbling under the surface show. - Okay, I'll keep you updated on anything urgent - I replied, with a hint of resignation in my voice. I turned off the cell phone, knowing that it would be a long day ahead. After all, with Lucio Xavier in charge, there would always be more than enough to occupy my mind. I looked at the lady and the baby. Should I tell my boss about them? Something inside me kept whispering that there was something wrong here. While I was lost in my thoughts, pondering the presence of the lady and the baby in the reception area, a sudden movement caught my attention. I looked up in time to see Lucio Xavier coming towards me. His bearing was impressive, as always. Lucio had a way of moving that seemed to command the attention of everyone around him. His steps were firm and confident, his posture erect and determined. The impeccable clothes, tailored to his body, flowed elegantly as he moved around the office. His dark hair was combed with precision, every strand in the right place, without a single strand out of place. His beard, neatly trimmed, accentuated the defined contours of his face. The scent of his perfume, sophisticated and enveloping, permeated the air around him, filling the room with an aura of masculinity and power. Our eyes met in the middle of his walk. And then, to my surprise, my heart gave an unexpected jump. I blinked, confused with myself. I had to control myself not to put a hand to my chest. I was used to seeing him every day, after all. Why, then, did it seem like a disconcerting anxiety was taking over me as he got closer and closer, with an intensity that was impossible to ignore? I think my head was spinning because of all the stress I had already been through this morning. Even so, LĂșcio's proximity only intensified the turbulence inside me, a strange sensation that seemed to wrap itself around my chest, imposing itself in a way that left me a little breathless. Focus, woman! What is this?! You need more sleep, you know? - Sofia. I had to lift my chin to look at him. Lucio was a tall, strong man with a presence that filled the room. His impatient eyes anticipated the questions he wanted to ask. "Have the shareholders arrived yet? Are they in the meeting room?" he asked, his voice urgent, while his breathing seemed to match the rapid rhythm of his heart. "Yes, Lucio. Everything is ready," I replied calmly, accustomed to dealing with his impetuosity. Before we could continue our conversation, the lady at the reception desk cleared her throat, drawing our attention. Lucio and I turned to her. "I need to speak with you, Mr. Xavier," she began, her voice carrying a harshness I had not expected to hear. Lucio frowned, his impatience clearly evident in every line of his face. "Do you have an appointment?" The lady shook her head. "No, but it is urgent." "Make an appointment with my secretary," he huffed impatiently, pointing at me. "I am late for a meeting. "What I have to say is about him," the lady declared, pointing to the little baby beside her. Lucio arched an eyebrow, as confused as I was. "Who is he?" She took a deep breath. She stared at my boss. And opened her mouth. "Your son."Lucio Your son.
Chapter 1 with surprise
What do you mean, my son? I've never had a son. As I tried to process the information, my gaze instinctively turned to the baby. He was there, looking at me with those big curious eyes, biting and drooling on the sleeve of his jumpsuit, completely oblivious to the bomb that had just been dropped on my life. But how could that be possible? The baby was months old, how could I not know that? My eyes met the lady's once more, searching for some answer, but all I found was a serious and determined look, as if she was waiting for a reaction from me. "Mr.
Xavier, would you like a glass of water?" - I heard the distant voice of Sofia, my secretary. I was probably whiter than a sheet of paper. I took a deep breath, trying to regain control of the situation. I was LĂșcio Xavier, CEO of one of the largest companies in the country. I couldn't afford to lose my composure now. - This is a mistake - I managed to articulate, my voice sounding firmer than I felt. The lady shook her head slowly, as if she had been waiting for that answer. - It's not a mistake, Mr. Xavier. This is your son. His name is Miguel. A shock wave ran through my body, making my legs wobble slightly. I looked at Sofia, her red hair moving slightly in the air conditioning wind. I searched her eyes for silent support, but all I found was a look of bewilderment, reflecting my own confusion. The lady reached into her bag and took out a photo, which she held in front of me with a somber expression. In the picture, a stunning blonde girl beamed at the camera, wearing a bikini while holding bottles of champagne on a sunny beach. Shit. It was a scene I recognized all too well. "Do you remember her, Mr. Xavier?" the lady asked, her voice thick with bitterness. My eyes fixed on the photo for a moment before my mind connected the dots. Yes, I remembered her. She was one of the waitresses on the cruises I'd taken the year before. I'd slept with her. The sex had been awful, but she was incredibly beautiful. "Yes, I remember," I mumbled, a lump forming in my throat. The lady let out a heavy sigh and lowered the photo. "That was my daughter, Melissa." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, her voice cracking. "She died of an overdose a month ago." The realization hit me like a punch in the gut. "I'm so sorry," I think I mumbled something like that. - It was a mistake to have Melissa, and now it's too late to fix it. That's why I can't raise anyone else. This boy won't be my responsibility. Sofia, noticing the tension and discomfort in the room, acted instinctively. She approached me, delicately holding the jacket I was wearing and gently pulling me to the corner of the wall, away from the intense conversation with the lady. I felt the soft fabric of the jacket under the pressure of her hand, as she gently guided me, her touch transmitting a comforting sensation in the midst of the emotional chaos I was facing. Sofia stopped and looked at me with concern in her eyes. Her delicate freckles contrasted with her heavy gaze. - Sir... - she said in a whisper. - I don't know if this child is really yours, but this lady is not in a mental condition to take care of him right now, we need to call a social worker... I nodded slowly, recognizing the gravity of the situation. She was right. Together, we turned our gaze to the lady, ready to act. However, as soon as we turned around, we realized that the place where she had been standing was now empty. There was only the baby. CHAPTER 3 Sofia And then, like a gentle breeze, the baby who had been playing sweetly began to cry. I looked to Lucio for guidance, but his eyes reflected the same bewilderment that I felt. Neither of us knew what to do. Instinctively, I took a step forward, approaching the baby. He was there, wrapped in his baby carrier, his round, tear-stained eyes fixed on me, as if seeking comfort in the midst of the unknown. Carefully, I reached out, gently stroking his rosy cheek. His crying subsided a little, but it still persisted, an expression of vulnerability that broke my heart. "Lucio, what are we going to do?" I asked, my nerves already bursting, as I imagined his countless meetings being canceled due to his absence. Lucio seemed lost in his own thoughts, pacing in circles around the room. His expression was a mixture of anxiety and frustration, unable to find an answer to the unexpected situation we found ourselves in. Faced with the lack of clear direction, I made an impulsive decision. I lifted the baby from the baby carrier, holding him carefully in my arms. He continued to cry, his cries echoing throughout the room, but I couldn't leave him there alone, lost and scared. The baby's facial features, despite his young age, were surprisingly familiar. The eyes, the shape of his nose, even the curve of his lips... everything reminded me of Lucio in an almost supernatural way. A shiver ran down my spine as I observed the baby more closely, marveling at the disconcerting coincidence. Could it be possible that this baby was really Lucio's son? It was then that I noticed something that made me certain. For me, a DNA test was not necessary. On the back of the baby's neck was a reddish birthmark, almost in the shape of an apple. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the similarity of the mark to the one I knew Lucio had on his forearm. This child could only be his. "Lucio... look..." I whispered, my tone filled with surprise and admiration as I gently tilted the baby's head so he could see the mark. Lucio's eyes widened as he realized the similarity. He reached out to touch the mark on the back of the baby's neck, as if needing confirmation that he wasn't imagining it. "Oh my God..." he whispered. As the baby continued to cry in my arms, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. I turned to see Ligia, an older employee of the company approaching, her face conveying a mixture of concern and compassion. "Can I help you in any way?" she asked, her voice soft and comforting as she reached out to pick up the baby. Carefully, I handed him to her, watching with relief as she began to rock the baby gently and murmur comforting words in his ear. - Is he your nephew, Mr. Xavier? It's incredible how much he looks like you! LĂșcio remained silent, not knowing what to say. Little by little, the baby's crying diminished, replaced by soft sighs and small sobs. - Sofia, come to my office - he murmured, turning his back on LĂgia and his supposed son, while walking with firm steps towards his private space. CHAPTER 4 LĂșcio I was sitting in my office, with Sofia in front of me. The tension hung in the air, heavy and palpable, as we both faced what seemed like a dead end. My hands were shaking slightly, a physical manifestation of the nervousness that consumed my thoughts. Sofia, in turn, was sitting across from me, clutching the ends of the pencil skirt she was wearing. Her face was a mask of concern, and I could feel the anxiety emanating from her. - LĂșcio, what are we going to do? - she asked, her voice full of uncertainty. I swallowed hard, struggling to find the right words to respond. The situation was too delicate, and I knew that every decision we made would have significant repercussions. "We need to keep this a secret, Sofia," I said, my voice firm
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