ANMELDENIn the morning, on Christmas Eve, Tábata woke up to the aroma of fresh bread and coffee invading the room."Let's feed you, baby," she whispered, sliding her hands affectionately over her voluminous belly as she headed to the bathroom.Minutes later, following her sense of smell and the call of her stomach, she made her way to the kitchen.As she passed through the living room, she looked at the various presents under the tree, placed there by Guilherme the night before. He hadn't mentioned who they were for, but by the quantity, six, it was obvious he had bought one for each person who would be at the Christmas lunch, including the baby.Looking at the wrapped gifts, she felt ashamed. She had nothing to give him, or anyone else who would be there. Even though she had little money, she needed to go out and buy something special for the people who were taking care of her and her baby. However, there was one problem: Guilherme himself. He would surely insist on coming along."Good morni
"Guilherme," she began, closing the door behind her with a soft click, "let's go for a drink to celebrate the collective vacation!""I don't have time for that," he replied without taking his eyes off the screen.With no intention of giving up, Simone approached, sitting on the desk beside him, the hem of her skirt rising and exposing her thigh."It's just a quick little drink, to align our ideas about our business trip next month."He looked up, observing her with a neutral expression. He knew what she was doing. It wasn't the first time Simone had forced an approach since the breakup."All the details have already been resolved. Anything that needs adjusting, we'll discuss when we're back from vacation," he replied firmly, controlling himself not to be harsh. "If it's urgent, send it to the trip group. That way, everyone is informed, and not just the two of us."Pouting, she retorted:"Oh, but, between one drink and another, we could take advantage of the holiday spirit to..." she l
In Guilherme's living room, surrounded by the tangle of Christmas lights and ornaments, Tábata and he were setting up the one-meter tree that would be the centerpiece of his family's New Year's celebration. Both were busy placing on the branches the little lights, bells, bows, and various colorful decorations that were in the suitcase he had picked up from his father's house."I've always enjoyed looking at Christmas decorations," Tábata commented, holding a golden angel. "Ever since I became responsible for the antique shop, I'd set aside the prettiest pieces with a Christmas feel to decorate the main window," she remarked, fitting the angel onto the side of the green plastic tree. "There was a beautiful music box, with a delicate porcelain ballerina and red arabesques, that I had set aside for this year..."Tábata's voice died out, leaving only her melancholic expression and trembling fingers reaching for the next ornament.Noticing this, Guilherme fumed at her parents' lack of cons
If Tábata thought a good night's sleep would resolve the confusion of her feelings for Guilherme, she would soon realize it wouldn't be enough, as he was the main culprit.A muffled noise woke her on Sunday; turning over in bed, she grabbed her phone from the nightstand and checked the time, seeing it was past eleven. She had never slept so late, but having nothing to do, she hesitated to get up. It was the insistent sound of banging that made her abandon the bed and groggily head to the bathroom.She used the toilet, washed her hands, face, brushed her teeth, combed her hair, and changed the old t-shirt she used for sleeping into one in better condition and sweatpants. Throughout it all, the noise filled the environment.Curious, she went after the sound, realizing it originated from the room next door, his office. The door had a small crack open; pushing the door open a little more, she became completely paralyzed.Guilherme had his back to her, standing, shirtless, focused on somet
Guilherme's car glided smoothly along the road, the silence inside the cabin only interrupted by the noise of the Ranger's engine. Sitting beside him, processing Mirela's excitement, a wealthy woman, over her baby, Tábata looked distractedly at the landscape."Did Dona Mirela's offer bother you?" he asked, upon hearing the hundredth sigh since they left the Salvatore mansion."No, never! I found it unexpected and lovely... I didn't expect her to get so excited about a complete stranger's baby," she confessed."Dona Mirela is intense when it comes to family." His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. He hesitated a little, choosing his words carefully as he warned her. "Be careful! She has good intentions, but she's also on the hunt for a wife for her son, a womanizer with no future."Tábata turned quickly to him, her eyes wide with surprise."What?!""She really loves planning parties, especially weddings, and her focus in recent years has been on her youngest son. Don't be surpris
Tense, Tábata let go of Guilherme's hand and stood up, watching the owner of the property approach.Unlike the faded overalls and straw hat she wore in the vegetable garden, Mirela Salvatore approached in elegant attire: white tailored trousers and a blue satin blouse, her hair loose in waves just below her shoulders. What remained untouched was her warm smile."I'm so glad you stopped by as I asked," Mirela exclaimed as she approached, opening her arms to hug each of them. "I asked for juice and some treats," she informed, indicating the maid who brought a tray with fresh juice and a variety of delicate sweets, which were carefully arranged on the coffee table in front of them."We just had lunch, but we appreciate the kindness," Guilherme commented, sitting back down as soon as Mirela did."Ah, I imagine!" Mirela replied, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "But who said dessert needs a set time, right, Tábata?"Tábata let out a little laugh, somewhat embarrassed, as Mirela gave her a
With Thiago's advice, Paulina bought suitable pieces of clothing and changed into a simple and comfortable black leggings and lilac tank top. She had to take off her sneakers before receiving the first instructions from Padilha, who was attentive in teaching her how to put on hand wraps and gloves
In Gabriel's room, Simon was discussing a possible new client when Cherry rushed in without knocking or announcing herself."Sir, Tamara and her ex-husband are arguing in the creative department," she said.Gabriel immediately stood up and hurried to the elevator, only realizing he wasn't alone whe
After taking a shower, Simon returned to the bedroom and stopped by the bed to observe the sleeping body on it. Desire spread through his body like fire, the same desire that had consumed him when he accompanied Paulina in discovering her pleasure.It was definitely insane. He should never have pro
"Excuse me... I..." Flustered, she put the glass back on the coffee table and, with trembling hands, wiped her mouth, keeping her eyes on the drops on the living room carpet instead of the item in Salvatore's hand."It's just a panty, Perez, not a ghost," Simon teased, giving his mother a bored loo







