Daniel:
My mother was so excited when I told her I had hired a new architect. Her enthusiasm was so great that it seemed as if I was about to walk down the aisle.
"It's not that big a deal, Mom. I just hired a new architect for the company. Have you forgotten that a company hires and fires employees all the time?"
"But I feel like this time it will be different... A mother's sixth sense. This woman is going to stir things up with you."
"Oh, but she won't. She has a flaw that I don't like in women."
"Is she ugly? Or old?"
"No, Mom. She has a daughter. I would never get involved with someone who has a child. I don't want to have children."
"Here you go with that story again, Daniel! You're my son, and I want to have grandchildren. It's your obligation as a son to give me grandchildren, isn't it, my love?"
My father, who until then had only listened to the conversation with that amused air, soon joined in.
"Of course, my queen. I'm tired of telling him that for a man to be successful in life, he needs a woman by his side and to start a family. Daniel, haven't you ever heard that saying? 'Behind every great man there is a great woman.' If it weren't for your mother, I wouldn't have been the successful man I am."
"You have a life story, Dad. I have another. I'm not at the top of my career yet to start a family and risk everything for it."
"I give up! This boy is hopeless, my love. I just want to see when he's madly in love... I'll still have the pleasure of holding my grandson in my arms. You can count on it, Daniel!"
"Dreaming is good, Dad. But reality is usually much better."
They still believe they will convince me to change my mind. Little do they know that my conviction is more solid than they seem to imagine.
I arrived at the company early. I needed to introduce Bruna to the other employees. As soon as she entered the meeting room, I noticed Leandra's sideways glance. That woman is too suspicious. I'll have to keep an eye on them to make sure they don't come into conflict.
A contract came up for Bruna. It was from a client who wasn't very demanding, ideal for a test. I wanted to see how she would do—especially under pressure. I made a point of making her as nervous as possible, just to test how she would react in stressful situations.
As she gave her presentation, I carefully analyzed every detail of the project. My company almost lost a great professional. What I saw there impressed me. But of course, I didn't let it show. Easy praise doesn't build excellence.
"That's enough, Miss. We can schedule a meeting to present the project to the client. But I believe you can push yourself even harder. Dedicate yourself more to the work. The next project can be flawless."
She squeezed the projector remote with trembling hands. She was nervous, but she didn't let it get to her.
"Yes, sir. I promise to strive to present a better result next time."
"And I hope you work on your vocabulary as well. You will be the one presenting the project, not me."
She lowered her head, clearly irritated, and left the room with a flushed face. As soon as the door closed, I swiveled my chair slowly and smiled to myself. I want to extract the maximum potential from her. And I'm not going to achieve that by praising her and saying she's on the right track. It's by provoking her. It's by challenging her. Only then will she surpass herself.
I was lost in my thoughts when Miguel walked into the room without knocking.
"Excuse me, brother. I came to return this to you."
He held out the watch that I hadn't even noticed I had forgotten at the club.
"What did you do? I saw a hottie leaving your room breathing fire."
"Work matters. And I don't want you hitting on my employees. There are plenty of women in the world for you to hunt. Not here."
"But you can't deny that she's a hottie. And that was with that formal work clothes on. Imagine her in a sexy dress, going to the club..."
"You need a woman to put you in line."
"Look who's talking... The man who keeps saying he'll never get married."
"But I don't use women and discard them afterwards. I don't deceive anyone with false plans and promises. I'm direct. I say what I want. Whoever wants to spend time with me, fine. Whoever doesn't, won't be deceived—unlike you."
"Okay, man. You're hopeless. You're going to die single and childless. You're going to leave your inheritance to the government!"
"It's a long way off. I can still stick to my convictions for a long time. I have plenty of time to decide who my fortune will go to."
"I do have plans to start a family. I just haven't found the ideal woman yet. While that doesn't happen... I have fun with the wrong ones."
I shook my head, silently disagreeing. Miguel stayed for a few more minutes chatting until he finally left. I turned my attention back to work.
The next meeting was already scheduled.
And it would be the first time Bruna would present a project to a real client.
I could hardly wait to see how she would do...
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