Chapter 3

Rules, Coffee, and Silence

The Monteiro Group’s lobby was a reflection of its owner: impeccable, cold, and intimidating. The marble floor reflected the cool overhead lights, while the glass walls revealed the frantic movement of the city outside.

Eloise arrived at 7:45 a.m.

Her heels echoed confidently through the lobby, but her heart was not nearly as steady.

She took a deep breath as she entered the elevator. She was dressed elegantly, without going overboard—a black pencil skirt, a white silk blouse, and her hair pulled into a modern bun. She wasn’t the type to flatter anyone, but she knew how to command attention.

When she reached the twenty-first floor, she was greeted by a thin woman wearing rectangular glasses and a sour expression.

“Miss Nogueira, correct?” the woman asked, looking her up and down. “I’m Marisa, the Human Resources director and… your immediate supervisor. Before you enter Mr. Monteiro’s office, I need to make a few rules perfectly clear.”

Eloise simply nodded. Marisa continued.

“Avoid personal matters. He despises tardiness. He prefers silence while traveling. Don’t ask unnecessary questions. And his coffee…” She leaned closer, as though she were about to reveal a secret. “Black. No sugar. No mistakes.”

“Understood,” Eloise replied with a faint smile. “I like demanding men.”

Marisa raised an eyebrow, clearly unamused.

“Good luck. You’re going to need it.”

The door opened automatically, revealing the office.

Augusto Monteiro stood with his back to them, staring out at the city. His posture was rigid, his hands tucked into the pockets of his dress pants. He looked like a man carrying the weight of the entire world—and determined to make sure everyone knew it.

Eloise entered without hesitation.

“Good morning, Mr. Monteiro.”

He slowly turned his head, his green eyes meeting hers. Cold. Calculating.

But there was a spark hidden within them.

Something restrained, yet dangerously close to igniting.

“You’re late,” he said.

“I arrived at 7:45,” she replied firmly.

Augusto turned fully toward her, his gaze slowly traveling over her as he studied every detail.

“Fine. Your desk is outside my office for one reason: so I don’t have to search the entire company whenever I need you. You’ll receive your instructions directly from me. Avoid mistakes, Miss Nogueira. They come at a high price.”

“Mistakes only happen when there’s room for failure.” She raised an eyebrow. “With me, there won’t be. I’ll be your shadow and make sure everything is perfect.”

He didn’t respond. He merely gestured toward the desk outside his office. The computer was already on, and a neatly organized stack of folders awaited her.

For hours, the office remained submerged in professional silence, broken only by the sound of typing, phone calls, and the occasional direct order from him.

At precisely ten o’clock, she stood.

“I’m going to get your coffee.”

He simply nodded.

When she returned, she placed the cup on his desk with perfect precision. Augusto picked it up, took a sip… and paused.

“It’s… acceptable.”

“Acceptable?” She laughed softly. “That almost sounds like a compliment coming from you.”

He set the cup down and leaned forward, his eyes fixed on hers.

“Miss Nogueira… you still don’t understand. Boldness won’t get you ahead here. Perfection will.”

“Isn’t boldness a form of perfection?”

He rose from his chair and walked around the desk until he was standing close to her.

“You think you’re clever.”

“I am clever.”

The air between them grew heavy.

An invisible tension seemed to form every time their eyes met.

Eloise felt it.

And so did he.

But before either of them could say anything else, Marisa appeared in the doorway.

“Mr. Monteiro, the board documents have arrived.”

Augusto stepped back, immediately resuming his distant demeanor.

“Leave them on my desk.”

Eloise returned to her seat, struggling to steady her breathing.

The game had begun.

But she wasn’t merely a piece on the board.

She knew exactly what she was doing.

Later that morning, when she went to the restroom, she stared at her reflection in the mirror and whispered to herself,

“It’s going to hurt. But I can take it.”

Little did she know that this man—with all his scars, shadows, and rules—would become far more than a difficult boss.

He would become the greatest risk of her life.

And perhaps…

the most dangerous one.