MasukClosed DoorsAt lunchtime, Augusto appeared at Eloise’s desk, clearly intending to ask her to join him. But she spoke first.“I’m going to visit my father today. I need to have lunch with him,” she said firmly, before he could get a word in.It wasn’t a lie. She spent the time with her father, sharing a simple meal and laughing at his stories. But deep down, she just wanted to escape the weight she saw in Augusto’s eyes.When she returned to work, she buried herself in reports and emails, avoiding his gaze. She pretended everything was normal, but whenever she heard the door to his office open, her heart seemed to miss a beat.Around five that afternoon, her desk phone rang.“Miss Nogueira,” Augusto’s deep voice came through the line. “I need you in my office. Now.”Eloise closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath before standing. Her heels echoed down the hallway. Each step felt heavier than the last.When she pushed open the door, she found Augusto seated behind his desk,
The Weight of WordsThe morning had been quiet at the office when Eloise noticed the imposing figure crossing the lobby. José Monteiro was as elegant as ever, his expression stern, his posture carrying the weight of decades in power.Eloise stood at once.“Good morning, Mr. Monteiro,” she said politely. “Would you like to see Augusto?”José barely inclined his head, making no effort to return her smile.“Yes. Tell him I’m here.”She swallowed, but kept her composure, then pressed the intercom on her desk.“Mr. Monteiro, your father is here.”Augusto’s deep voice came through the speaker, brief and clipped.“Send him in.”José didn’t wait to be shown the way. He opened the office door and walked in to find his son seated behind his desk, eyes fixed on his laptop.“So, Father…” Augusto didn’t stand right away. He simply closed the laptop with measured calm. “What brings you here?”José crossed to the armchair in front of the desk and sat down, resting his hands on the cane he carried fo
Confessions in the Half-LightThe office was quiet. Augusto stood with his back to the door, hands in his pockets, staring out at the city beyond the glass wall. Everything below seemed small and distant, but the turmoil inside him was greater than he would ever admit aloud.The door opened without warning, and Thiago walked in as if he owned the place too. He closed it softly and leaned against the desk, watching his friend in silence. His usual playful air was gone. He knew when Augusto needed silence before words.“Are you going to stand there staring at the city until it answers your questions?” he asked quietly, without a trace of irony.Augusto didn’t turn around. He drew a deep breath, his jaw clenched.“I’m… confused,” he said at last, the words heavy, as if they were hard to let go. “What I feel… I shouldn’t feel. Not for her.”Thiago folded his arms, serious and attentive.“Eloise.”Augusto closed his eyes for a moment at the sound of her name, as if even that were dangerous
Invisible LinesThiago leaned back in his chair, unable to resist the chance to tease.“I see you’re still the same old Heitor…” he said, shaking his head with an amused smile. “A hopeless womanizer.”Heitor laughed, unoffended, and adjusted his jacket as if he wore the reputation with pride.“Just an admirer of beauty, my friend.”“Then admire from a distance.” Thiago gestured toward Nathalia, keeping his tone light. “This is my assistant, Nathalia. So please, don’t steal her.”Nathalia smiled nervously and greeted Heitor politely. But when he took her hand, he held on a second longer than necessary, his eyes gleaming with interest. She quickly recovered, gently pulling her hand away while keeping her polite smile in place.Augusto, who had been watching in silence, let out a brief smile at their banter—but it vanished a moment later. The green in his eyes turned hard again, and his deep voice cut through the mood like a blade.“Can we get back to the meeting?”Silence settled for a
Between Glances and TeasingAt 9:40, Augusto stood, adjusted his jacket, and left his office. The sound of Eloise’s heels echoed down the hallway toward the conference room.The corridor was quiet, but one thing caught his attention: her desk was empty.He frowned and headed for the meeting room, pushing open the glass door.There she was.Eloise was already arranging the materials on the table: the contract lay open, the pens were neatly lined up, and the glasses of water were precisely placed. Her hair fell in waves over her shoulders, and her dress subtly—but unmistakably—accentuated her curves.“I was looking for you.” His deep voice filled the room.Eloise looked up quickly, blushing.“I’m sorry, Mr. Monteiro. I should have let you know. I just wanted to get everything ready for the meeting.”Augusto closed the door behind him and walked toward her with firm strides. Every movement seemed calculated, but there was something different in his gaze—something hungry.He stopped close
Between the Rain and the FireEloise’s heels echoed down the hallway toward the elevator. Her elegant, neutral-toned dress followed her figure with understated sophistication. Mid-height heels gave her a steady posture, while her loose waves and subtle lipstick completed the look of a flawless executive assistant—though her heart was beating faster than she wanted to admit.At her desk, she fell into her usual routine: opening her leather planner, reviewing appointments, answering emails, and forwarding reports. She handled every detail with precision, as though discipline were a shield against the chaos swirling inside her.At exactly eight o’clock, the elevator chimed. The doors opened, and Augusto Monteiro stepped out.Imposing.His suit was perfectly tailored, his tie understated. Every movement radiated authority—the kind of man who made women forget what they were about to say.But to Eloise, something was different.He wasn’t holding his phone. He carried only a plastic cup, ic







