Mel was alone in the elevator, waiting for it to return to the floor she was supposed to get off on. The unexpected encounter with Eduardo had stirred her emotions in a way she hadn't expected.
"What is this, Mel? You look like you've never seen a man like him before? You are here to work, not to be charmed by someone you've never seen in your life. Mel scolded herself as the elevator reached the top floor and began to descend again. She tried to regain her composure and focus on the work that awaited her."
"Good morning, Celia, Eduardo greeted, still thinking about the woman he had met in the elevator and wondering in which department she worked, as he didn't recall seeing her at the company."
"Good morning, Eduardo."
"Celia, are you really going to leave me?" Eduardo asked anxiously, for he knew Celia's competence and didn't know how long it would take for the new secretary to be as efficient as she was.
Celia smiled, understanding Eduardo's concern.
"Mr. Bittencourt, don't worry, I have found an excellent replacement. I'm teaching her the job, and she is attentive, intelligent, focused on work. I believe your new secretary will do very well."
"No more Mr. Bittencourt, it will always be just Eduardo for you, Celia. You helped me so much when I first started; I will miss you. Eduardo was a bit skeptical but trusted Celia's judgment. He glanced at the elevator, unable to get the memory of the delicate scent and intense gaze of the woman in the elevator out of his head."
"Thank you, Eduardo, but without your competence, I would not have been able to reach the position you have in this company. Eduardo and Celia had a mutual admiration for each other." It was good working with you during these months. I will miss you, but I need to move on.
"I say the same! And Celia, what is the name of my new secretary?"
"Her name is Mel, answered Celia."
"Mel?" Eduardo asked, intrigued. "What is her name? Is Mel a nickname?"
"No, her name is Mel, just Mel, explained Celia with a smile." I'll introduce her to you soon.
"Okay. I'll be in my office, sorting out some pending matters. Eduardo went to his office, still with the image of the woman he met in the elevator on his mind." I know her… he concluded, trying to remember where he knew Mel from.
Mel got out of the elevator in a hurry and went straight to her desk.
"Good morning, Celia," she said, a little flustered.
"Good morning. Mr. Bittencourt just arrived. We'll go to his office in a little while."
"Okay," said Mel, feeling butterflies in her stomach.
Mid-morning, Celia called Mel to accompany her to the main office.
"Excuse us," Celia asked as she entered Eduardo's office accompanied by Mel, who froze when she saw him. "Eduardo, this is Mel, your new secretary, Celia introduced." And Mel, this is Mr. Eduardo Bittencourt, President of Sand Imports.
Eduardo, looking at Mel, remembered what had happened in the elevator. Their eyes met again, and he felt a strange sensation, as if his heart were reacting in a way he couldn't explain. There was something in her eyes, something that awakened a distant memory, a feeling of familiarity and curiosity at the same time.
"The bartender… he whispered to himself, remembering that he had seen Mel at the nightclub where she worked, and every time he saw her, he couldn't stop looking at her." Nice to meet you, miss, Eduardo tried to disguise the whirlwind of emotions he was feeling, but his voice came out a little deeper than he wanted. "Welcome to the company, he wished, looking away from Mel's."
"It's a pleasure, Mr. Bittencourt. I'm excited to work with you, sir. I will do my best to do a good job," Mel replied, extending her hand to greet him, surprised to learn that she would be working directly with him.
Eduardo, still lost in his thoughts, did not shake Mel's hand, who, embarrassed, withdrew her hand when she saw that he would not greet her. Eduardo noticed her discomfort and tried to remedy the situation.
"I hope you have a smooth transition and that you feel comfortable at the company."
Mel smiled shyly, but the awkward moment had already left its mark. Eduardo, on the other hand, couldn't get Mel out of his head.
After an intense morning of work, Mel went out for lunch. She knew she was in one of the most upscale areas of the city and that the restaurants on the block were not within her budget, at least not until she started receiving the benefits of her new job. As she searched her cell phone for an affordable place, she heard a woman's voice calling someone "Edu."
Looking to the side, Mel saw Eduardo hugging a young woman, very beautiful by the way, and kissing her cheek affectionately. The scene made Mel feel a little uncomfortable. Eduardo seemed so different from that cold man who had left her embarrassed earlier by refusing her handshake. Now, he was smiling and relaxed, his rigid posture softened by the presence of that woman.
Mel looked away quickly, trying to concentrate on finding a place to eat. She didn't want to seem like she was spying on Eduardo, but the image of the two of them together was etched in her mind. She crossed the street, and as she walked down the sidewalk, she couldn't help but think about how Eduardo seemed like a completely different person from the distant boss she had met that morning. She wondered who that woman was and what her relationship was with him.
"Edu, you look great. You deserve a bite! Ellen, his younger sister, joked."
"Where did you get that idea? Don't tell me you like to bite your fiance."
"I love it!"
"Poor Rafael," Eduardo said, starting to laugh.
"I guarantee he likes it," Ellen replied, laughing.
"What are you doing here?"
"I know you're having lunch with Mom today, and I was missing you, so I came to see you."
"I was missing you too… The two continued talking as they walked towards the restaurant where Eduardo had arranged to meet their mother."
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