Another blackmail

Ethan

So, if that's what she wants from me, and I know it is, then I'll do it. I would do anything to have my girlfriend back, now with nothing to hinder our relationship. At least, that's what I thought.

Before setting out to find Murilo, however, I felt compelled to go to the cemetery. I needed to say goodbye once and for all to someone and close this chapter of my life.

I was fully prepared to hear his side of the story about his relationship with Beatriz, following Mariana's advice, of course.

And it was with that intention that I also called Joshua. He could be the necessary balance between Murilo and me, in case my anger and all the negative feelings I had nurtured for so many years overwhelmed my common sense. There needed to be someone between us.

And Joshua was the best person for that, considering his relationship with Beatriz and the fact that he had always been level-headed and fair, not swayed by our old friendship to do something that contradicted what he believed in, the power of dialogue.

"It seems like you're reading minds, my friend," Joshua said enthusiastically when he answered my call. "I was actually needing to talk to you."

"It doesn't seem that way," I wasn't joking. "I've been in São Paulo for days, and so far, I haven't received a visit from you."

"I'm in debt with you, indeed," Joshua agreed with clear regret and even a hint of tension in his voice. "But I can assure you I have a great excuse for being such an absent and negligent friend."

Even before Joshua could reveal what he was talking about, something told me he was referring to a woman, and I couldn't help but laugh, my words filled with irony.

"Before you tell me, I can already say with certainty that I know what you're talking about," I said, still smiling. "It seems that mischievous angel who has a habit of carrying enchanted arrows has caught you too."

Joshua's laughter on the other end of the line was truly extravagant.

"Don't tell me that happened to you too!"

"Well, I won't say."

Once again, a loud laugh escaped me, and I concluded that Joshua truly seemed to be very happy with his new love. But come to think of it, I had never seen him genuinely fall in love before, not even when we were just hormone-driven teenagers.

"But you don't seem happy about it at all," only now did Joshua become aware of that fact. "And I feel like I can help you in some way. Am I right?"

"I would appreciate your help, actually," I confirmed. "Or maybe the right word is 'support'."

I explained to Joshua what I wanted him to do, and we agreed to meet at FERZ in an hour to see Murilo and have the conversation we should have had years ago.

At the appointed time, I arrived at FERZ.

***************//****************

After leaving the cemetery, I went straight to my company. I needed to brief Liz on some important matters before I could go to FERZ to talk to Murilo. But before I could leave my office, Liz intercommed me to inform me about an unwelcome visitor, making me grit my teeth in anger.

"I believe I made it quite clear that Bruna should not be allowed into my company," I said, feeling extremely frustrated.

"I believe she has something important to say," from my secretary's tone of voice, I understood that she must already be aware of the nature of the conversation. "Can I let her in?"

Everyone at the reception was instructed to call Liz if someone arrived on the ground floor and insisted on speaking to me. This prevented some hasty judgments because even without an appointment, there were people who were better received. Today, it seemed that Bruna was one of them.

What was Bruna up to this time?

"Yes," I agreed, already preparing myself to face yet another problem.

When Bruna entered my office, enveloped in an aura of imported perfume, I was seated behind my desk, feigning a calmness that I was not feeling.

Murilo

The normal work shift was coming to an end at the company, and I couldn't wait to go back home to my wife, something I always eagerly looked forward to throughout the day.

Sometimes, I wished to stay at home and simply enjoy Virginia and her pregnancy, but she, being the stubborn person she is, doesn't agree with my wonderful plans and practically forces me to come to FERZ.

But coming is one thing, and staying in the company for as long as necessary is a completely different matter, and I didn't intend to stay indefinitely at FERZ until I could catch up with all the work.

Times had changed, and now I have important things and people waiting for me at home, so I called Arlete to let her know I was leaving and that all important matters would be addressed the next day.

"There's something you might prefer to resolve today," Arlete spoke with a tone of apprehension in her voice.

"There's nothing that can hold me here any longer. I definitely wouldn't stay, and as I made clear, whatever the matter is, it will be addressed tomorrow."

"Bruna called and said she has something very important to discuss, and it would be smarter on your part to return her call."

How absurd! How could Bruna feel entitled to make threats like that to me? Surely she had forgotten what she did to Lavínia and how she got away with it, something I didn't intend to repeat if she continued to step on my toes.

That's exactly what I told Arlete, which brought a nervous laugh to my secretary's voice, leaving me both curious and worried.

"I didn't understand what she was referring to, but I believe it might involve something of great value or a significant amount of money," Arlete said doubtfully, making me even more curious.

"Why do you think that way?" I asked, already feeling tense and even more irritated.

I never thought I could have been so deceived by someone, like what happened with Bruna. She's a woman without any character, and it was almost unbelievable that I had been in a relationship with her for over three years without realizing who she really is. But this wasn't the time for reflections, and I impatiently awaited Arlete's response.

"I came to that conclusion because she asked me to let you know that she knows about the auction, and the whole press will know too."