Far from where Mel was, in one of the most well-known commercial buildings in the city, the security guard went up to the presidency floor to check why the lights were still on at that hour.
“Excuse me, sir, I didn’t know you were here,” the guard said as he entered the room and found Eduardo working.
“It’s okay… you’re doing your job well,” Eduardo said politely before the guard left.
Eduardo Bittencourt, thirty years old, was a young and handsome man with a serious but friendly air. He gave up managing the family business to become the new CEO of one of the most important multinationals in the country, and his rapid rise in the corporate world was a testament to his competence, determination, and strategic vision.
Eduardo had a striking personality. Determined and focused, he always sought excellence in everything he did. Despite his youth, he displayed a mature posture and a clear vision for the company, which earned him respect among colleagues and subordinates. His leadership was based on competence and fairness, but he also possessed an approachable and welcoming side, making employees feel valued and heard.
And he not only stood out for his leadership, but also for his ability to inspire and motivate his team. He believed in the importance of a collaborative and innovative work environment, and always sought new ways to encourage creativity and productivity among his employees.
In addition to his professional success, Eduardo maintained a balanced personal life. He valued moments with friends and family, and always found time for his passions such as travelling, reading, and playing sports.
However, Eduardo chose to maintain a certain distance from romantic commitments. He had only found opportunistic women in his life, and therefore did not want to get married.
An experience from the past made him focus on his career and his personal passions, avoiding involvements that could bring more disappointments.
Eduardo looked at his watch, it was almost nine o'clock on a Friday night. It was time to go home. He sighed, turning off his computer and organizing his desk. The days at the office were long, but he knew his commitment was essential to the company's success.
As he put some documents in his briefcase, his mind wandered over the week’s events. It had been an intense period, with important meetings and crucial decisions to be made. Despite the exhaustion, Eduardo felt a sense of satisfaction in seeing the results of his hard work.
He turned off the lights in his office and locked the door. On the way to the elevator, he walked down the silent corridor, with only a few security lights illuminating the space. The building, which during the day was a frenzy of activity, was now quiet and almost deserted.
Arriving at the parking lot, Eduardo got into his car and started it. As he drove through the almost empty streets at that hour, he thought about what he would do over the weekend. Maybe a quick visit to his parents or going out with friends to a club.
Stopping at the traffic light, he found himself reflecting on the solitude he would find in his home, sometimes comfortable, sometimes sad and empty, a reflection of the scar he carried from the past.
When he was in college, Eduardo met Julia, with whom he was madly in love. They started dating and he already imagined the future by her side, the children they could have.
However, everything changed suddenly. Julia broke up with Eduardo, revealing that she had fallen in love with someone else, who had a stable financial life and could give her a better future.
The betrayal was a blow to him, but the worst was yet to come when, at a Sunday lunch, Rodrigo, Eduardo’s half brother who was always their father’s favorite son, introduced Julia as his girlfriend to the family. Seeing the woman he loved had traded him for his brother made the pain of being exchanged hurt even more.
“I didn’t know Rodrigo was your older brother…” Julia tried to explain to Eduardo when they met again at college.
“Julia, you made your choice, stay with him… with his money…”
“I didn’t know you were rich… you ride the bus…”
“Why am I remembering this?” Eduardo again found himself remembering the last conversation he had with Julia, and the pain of seeing her next to his brother.
Julia and Rodrigo had married and lived in the city, leading a quiet and stable life, and his brother was at the helm of the family business. Eduardo rarely saw them and, although the wound was no longer so painful, the distrust and emotional reserve that settled in him were remnants of that betrayal.
This experience shaped the way Eduardo viewed relationships. He became more skeptical and cautious, preferring to focus on his career and personal goals. He was dedicated to his work, determined not to let the pain of the past dictate his future.
Eduardo arrived home reflecting on this whole situation and went to the balcony, while having a glass of wine. He didn't believe he could find someone to love him for who he really was, with no ulterior motives. So he tried to keep his heart protected, closed to the possibility of true love.
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