Episode 8

Today, I'm here with ten days left until the end of this blessed contract. I'm in this enormous house, alone. The husband? I don't even know him.

I told Mr. Augusto that I will continue as general manager and that my mother will come back to stay with me. He was delighted with my decision.

He had to travel. My mother decided to return to the country so I could continue working as general manager. As she said:

"Telma, Ari can't miss this chance to do what she loves, and if you've come this far on your own merits, don't leave. I'll come back and stay with you."

We agreed that she would come as soon as I sign the divorce papers.

Maria went shopping for the house with Lena.

Marcia and Julia, two of the kitchen staff, are already doing their daily chores around the house.

So, it's just me, alone, having my coffee. Afterward, I'll head to the company. I have a new secretary now too.

She is very efficient. The former secretary and friend, Ana Luiza, has been promoted to planning director.

She's doing very well and has been a great help to me in improving the company.

I've also bought a three-bedroom apartment. I've already moved all my belongings there, leaving only a suitcase for these last few days here.

My mother will be arriving from France soon, and she will be my companion.

I better get going because there's a dinner tonight with some managers and directors. I'm glad that Ana Luiza will be there as one of the directors. At least I won't be alone among those men who devour us with their eyes.

They look like vultures, just waiting for the body to drop to feast on the flesh.

There are few women in higher positions. As directors, there are more women, but as general manager, I think I'm the only one in the country, and that makes things a little complicated. Sometimes I hear nasty comments.

I've gotten used to it. It's been almost a year since I became general manager, and the company I work for is gaining ground every day.

It's already the fourth best managed in the country. It was eighth when I started as a manager.

So I am happy with the position we have achieved, and we will be in second place very soon.

I will work hard to make it happen.

I went to the company. Upon arriving, I was greeted by my secretary, who went over my schedule for the day. The last item was dinner with the managers and directors.

I thanked her and asked for some tea. She nodded and went to prepare it.

I went inside and started reviewing and signing all the papers on my desk.

At lunchtime, I called Ana Luiza to have lunch with me. She accepted, and we met at the exit.

We went to a restaurant near the company, as I needed to get back quickly for a meeting right after lunch.

I also booked an appointment at the salon for nails and hair. It was going to be a bit of a rush, but at least the dinner wasn't until seven o'clock.

That would give me time. I would get ready at my apartment, which is closer to the company, and then head to dinner.

Everything went according to plan. I got ready and waited for Ana Luiza, who would go with me. I had already bought another car since I wouldn't have a driver, and today I didn't want to go with the driver, so I asked him to stay at the mansion.

It wasn't long before Ana Luiza arrived, and she looked beautiful.

This is Ariane Miller's dress.

This is Ana Luiza's dress.

We got into the car and headed towards the restaurant.

It was a very fancy, five-star restaurant, fitting for hosting the managers and directors of a large company.

We introduced ourselves at the entrance and were directed to a private room. When the door opened...

There were about ten people, including managers, directors, and directresses. I had already met some of them when I was a director.

Everyone stopped to look at us as we entered. Even the conversations paused, but soon resumed as normal.

I proceeded to enter the room with Ana Luiza. We went towards an armchair and sat down. Soon the waiter came to serve us.

It wasn't long before the door opened again. Everyone looked towards the door as a handsome man entered.

I looked towards the door. He looked at everyone and focused on me. I froze. He greeted everyone.

Then he went and sat down with the person he was accompanying, somewhat facing me.

He talked and looked at me. I was so flustered that I decided to get up and move from where I was, but I felt his eyes following me.

I went near the door, where one of the directors, certainly one of those vultures, stood. I was only polite as the director introduced himself as Director Marcos and asked:

"Miss, which area are you a director in? You're one of the prettiest ones here."

"Thank you for the compliment, but I'm not a director. The one accompanying me, the planning director for the Midwest region, is my friend and colleague, Ana Luiza."

"So you must be her secretary?"

"I'm Ariane Miller, the general manager for the Midwest region. Excuse me."

I moved away from that clueless man and went back to where I was. I preferred to be stared at by that handsome man than interrogated by these clueless individuals.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***