Episode 12

I was crammed inside the bus heading to Barra da Tijuca. It was getting worse and worse using this transportation; there was no air conditioning or any security. I had put on my best clothes, black jeans and a yellow shirt. On my feet, my best pair of sneakers, and in my heart, the hope that in the end, my decision to go to this place would be good for my life.

At least when I got off the bus, I would have to walk a bit to the company. I could get some air and unwrinkle myself, as I was being crushed by the people.

I gave my mother the name of another company I found on Google, also located in Barra. I didn't like doing that, but it was necessary.

When I got off the bus, it felt like there was air conditioning outside, it was so hot inside. And it wasn't even a hot day, but the crowd of people made it unbearable.

I took my hand sanitizer out of my bag and cleaned my hands before taking my mask off for a bit to let my face breathe. I had brought a clean one in case I needed to wear a mask at the company. Here in Rio, we were allowed to walk around without it, but I always wore it on public transport and always had my hand sanitizer with me. I got that damn Covid at the beginning of the pandemic. I got really bad, but I isolated myself and didn't even infect the others at home. Now we were all vaccinated, and that made me a little calmer.

After about 15 minutes of walking, I saw the large building of AGM Construtora. I stopped on the sidewalk, thinking about what all this meant. I thought about my father and asked for his help in getting this job and being able to help my mother so we wouldn't go without anything.

When I entered the building, there was a beautiful reception area, and I identified myself as having a scheduled interview. I was directed to the HR department, and there I sat on a sofa while I waited to be called. When I had been sitting there for about five minutes, two other young men and a young woman arrived. Both they and I arrived a little earlier than the scheduled time.

The only young woman present was touching up her lipstick, while I was worried about the wrinkles in my shirt. The place was very fancy, and I even felt underdressed.

"Fernando Viana." My name was called by a friendly and very elegant young woman who identified herself as Michele.

As soon as I entered the HR room, I realized that every room I entered became more luxurious. I discovered then that they were conducting an initial interview, and if I was selected, I would be interviewed by the company's CEO. At that moment, my hands went cold.

"Fernando, I really liked you, and I'm informing you that you've been selected. Please wait in another room, and the secretary, Flavia, will come and get you for the other part of the interview, okay?"

"May I know the name of the person who will interview me now?"

"Yes, it's Mr. Caique Montenegro, the company president." Now I couldn't remember if the CEO's name at the time was Caique; I had seen his name somewhere, but only the company name stuck in my memory. Many times, they just referred to him as the CEO of AGM Construtora.

"Okay, thank you. I'll wait."

I sat down in another room and waited there. Until a short young woman wearing glasses came up to me.

"Good afternoon, Fernando. We spoke earlier on the phone."

"It's a pleasure, Ms. Flavia."

"Welcome to AGM Construtora. Come with me; Mr. Caique will see you now."

All the way there, I wanted to ask if he was the CEO of the accident, but I would never say that. My heart wasn't at ease in my chest.

We passed by a young man with a nice cleaning cart, and he was cleaning a board.

"If I stay, will I work like him?" I asked Flavia.

"Yes, they are from the outsourced company we currently have. But in three days, the contract ends, so we are hiring."

"Oh, I see."

We took an elevator, and the top floor, the 13th, was the Presidency. Flavia asked me to sit in an elegant and spacious reception area and wait. I was offered water and coffee, and I accepted the water. I needed to calm down.