9

The rest of the afternoon passed more quietly than usual.

Inside the presidential office, Nathan remained seated behind his desk for a long time, his eyes fixed on documents he barely even read. The conversation he had overheard in the hallway kept replaying in his mind, word for word.

He didn’t like doubts.

Much less the realization that he might have judged someone too quickly.

Still, he said nothing about it. Nor did he intend to.

As the clock approached the end of the workday, Nathan finally closed the folder on his desk and began organizing his things with precise movements. He put a few documents into his briefcase, adjusted his jacket, and turned off the light before leaving.

As he closed the door, his eyes immediately found Hanna sitting at her desk, focused on some papers.

She looked up when she noticed him.

Nathan walked over, maintaining his usual firm posture.

— Miss Roshe.

— Mr. Albuquerque.

He rested one hand on the edge of her desk.

— Before I leave, I need to give you a few instructions for tomorrow.

Hanna picked up a notepad almost automatically.

— Go ahead.

Nathan watched the gesture for a second before continuing.

— The meeting with the project team has been moved up to nine in the morning. I want all the reports organized on my desk before then.

— All right.

She quickly wrote it down.

— We also need to review the documents for the McCartney project before the end of the week. — he added.

— I’ll have everything separated and ready.

Nathan gave a small approving nod.

Then he continued:

— One more thing. Tomorrow night, we have an event with an important client.

Hanna looked up from her notepad.

— An event?

— A business dinner. — he explained. — And I’ll need you to be there.

She looked slightly surprised.

— To take notes during the negotiations and record some important points from the conversation. — he added.

Hanna nodded.

— Of course.

Nathan crossed his arms slightly.

— You’ll need to leave the office earlier to get ready.

She blinked once.

— Get ready?

— Yes. — he replied naturally. — It’s a formal event. You need to be dressed appropriately to accompany me.

Hanna remained silent for a few seconds, as if processing the information.

Nathan then asked directly:

— Do you have something appropriate to wear?

She lifted her chin with a small, confident smile.

— Yes, I do.

Nathan held her gaze for a moment, assessing whether there was any insecurity there.

He found none.

— Good.

He picked up his briefcase again.

— Then be ready tomorrow at seven. I’ll come pick you up here at the company.

Hanna closed her notepad.

— I’ll be ready.

Nathan gave a slight nod.

— Good night, Miss Roshe.

— Good night, Mr. Albuquerque.

He turned and walked toward the elevator.

Hanna remained there for a few seconds, staring down the empty hallway after he disappeared.

Then she let out a small sigh and returned her attention to the papers on her desk.

That was definitely going to be a long night.

And the next day… even more unpredictable.

The following morning, the activity at the company’s reception area was already intense. Employees coming in, phones ringing, and the constant sound of footsteps across the marble floor gave the building its usual beginning-of-the-workday rhythm.

Paula was behind the reception desk organizing some records when she saw Hanna walking through the lobby.

— Good morning! — she called with an excited smile.

Hanna stopped near the desk.

— Good morning, Paula.

Paula leaned her elbows on the counter, wearing the unmistakable expression of someone who clearly had something to say.

— Listen… we were thinking about having a girls’ night.

Hanna tilted her head slightly.

— A girls’ night?

— Yes! — Paula replied excitedly. — Laura, you, and me. It’s been so long since we’ve gone out together.

Hanna smiled, finding the idea tempting.

— Sounds great.

— Then it’s settled! — Paula said, clapping her hands softly. — How about tonight?

Hanna made a small face.

— Tonight won’t work.

Paula frowned.

— Why not?

Hanna sighed lightly.

— I have an appointment with my boss. A business dinner.

Paula’s eyes immediately widened with curiosity.

— With Nathan?

— Yes. — Hanna replied. — He needs me to come along and take some notes.

Paula made a small thoughtful “hmm.”

— Then we’ll have to postpone it.

Hanna rested one hand on the counter.

— But we’ll pick another day. I promise.

Paula smiled again.

— Deal. I’ll talk to Laura, and we’ll plan another night.

Hanna nodded.

— Perfect.

— And afterward, you have to tell us how this fancy dinner went. — Paula added, already looking curious.

Hanna laughed softly.

— If there’s anything interesting to tell.

The two exchanged one last smile before Hanna continued down the hallway toward the elevator, ready to begin another day at work — without imagining exactly how that night would end.

The restaurant chosen for the meeting was discreet, sophisticated, and private — exactly the kind of place where major business deals were made away from prying eyes.

Inside, a private room had been prepared for that evening’s meeting. A long table, soft lighting, and a quiet atmosphere, ideal for important conversations.

Outside the room, Nathan Albuquerque was speaking with Mr. Gusmão, an experienced and respected businessman in the industry. Standing beside him was his son, Guilherme Gusmão, known for his more impulsive nature and for behavior that often crossed the boundaries of good manners.

Nathan maintained his impeccable composure as they discussed a few preliminary details of the project.

Then Guilherme, who until that moment had seemed distracted, suddenly stopped talking.

His gaze fixed on something behind Nathan.

A slow, malicious smile appeared on his face.

— Tonight is going to be interesting… — he murmured.

Nathan slightly furrowed his brow.

— What do you mean?

Guilherme didn’t answer immediately. He simply continued looking in the same direction, his eyes following someone who was approaching.

— I think I’m finally going to have a little fun.

Instinctively, Nathan turned to see what had caught his attention.

And then he saw her.

Hanna was walking toward the room with elegant, confident steps. The long black dress with a side slit followed the natural movement of her body, revealing just enough with each step. Her satin sandals with small rhinestones caught the light discreetly.

Her blonde hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders, and her light makeup simply enhanced what was already naturally beautiful.

She wasn’t dressed provocatively.

She wasn’t trying to attract attention.

But it was impossible not to look.

Nathan felt his heart unexpectedly quicken.

For a brief moment, he simply forgot where he was.

Hanna came even closer, greeting the driver who had accompanied her to the entrance and thanking him before continuing toward the group.

Beside him, Guilherme let out a small laugh.

— So that’s her…

Nathan remained silent.

— I’ve been wanting to get to know that woman better for a while now. — Guilherme continued, without taking his eyes off her.

Nathan’s blood boiled.

Something inside him immediately tensed, like an instinct he hadn’t invited.

Even so, his face remained impassive.

No reaction.

No words.

Only his eyes fixed on Hanna as she approached.

And for the first time that night, Nathan had the distinct feeling that this business dinner might become far more complicated than he had planned.