Strong competition?
Virgínia
When Murilo's efficient secretary invited Bruna to accompany her to the exit, I imagined that she would not accept it so easily, but she surprised me by looking at us and turning her back, ready to leave.
On the other hand, the look of hatred she gave me as she left the room managed to disconcert me, and I even felt a chill run through my body as I saw the evil in her perfectly made-up face.
But still, I managed to keep a confident expression because I wouldn't let her know that she had any kind of power over us.
" It's not going to stay like this, " she said, before leaving the office entirely.
" It really won't! " Murilo replied in a tone that left no room for doubt.
I had only known Murilo for a short time and all I had had from him until then was cordiality and kindness, but the way he said this to his ex was able to easily convince me that he could also be tough if he so desired.
After the door was closed, I stared at Murilo, waiting for an explanation, even though I had already managed to understand, in a rather superficial way, what had just happened in that room.
" Your ex-girlfriend, from what I could understand " I comment, in a mild tone.
I didn't want to create friction with Murilo because of that crazy ex of his, even more, when I was sure that this was something she would love to see happen, as far as I could tell by her way of acting.
" Bruna was my girlfriend for three years, at which point I asked her to marry me, and she became my bride " he began to explain
"We had everything organized for our wedding a few months ago, and I believed that everything was really great between the two of us.”
Murilo seemed to get a little pensive, probably remembering his past with his ex, and I didn't like the melancholy I saw on his face.
But it wasn't all right," I said, to bring him back to the present moment.
" No, it wasn't, " he agreed, turning his attention back to me. "I found out that she was cheating on me with my biggest business competitor, Ethan Constantino.”
" Was she already working here when you met? " I needed to know everything.
Murilo sighed, and it was quite clear that he was still trying to control his irritation, even after Bruna's departure.
" Let's sit down, " he asked, indicating the set of sofas in one corner of his living room.
When we were already seated, he took my hand. Murilo seemed to need this contact because he was always touching me, and did so even when we were just talking, like now. This was something that I had already noticed from the first time when we met again at the nightclub.
"I will tell you everything from the beginning because I want a relationship where we can always be honest with each other, and I believe that nothing should be kept secret. This goes for both of us.”
I indicated my agreement with his words with a nod of my head and waited for him to say what he intended.
"I believe that you know how competitive the market is and that not everyone is a friend.”
" Not only in the market but in life itself, we are always in some kind of competition, Murilo " I pointed out.
"It turned out that Ethan Constantino was my biggest business rival, and not satisfied with competing with me in the business world, where he had not yet succeeded in reaching me, he went personal. He easily managed to win over my bride and even went out of his way to publicly expose me as a betrayed man.”
Hearing this made me sad for Murilo, as betrayal was a truly horrible thing, but I tried to remain neutral as I realized that Murilo was not a man worthy of pity, least of all because a woman like Bruna had shown herself to be.
"But since I still didn't let myself be put down, he is now trying to destabilize me within my own company. He bought, with the help of iron fists, a large number of shares that my cousin made available on the market.”
" So she is not just an employee? " I asked.
" No " He confirmed what I feared. "Ethan has gifted her with a large number of shares, and now she has a considerable stake in FERZ. And all I have to do is swallow Bruna's presence here.”
I understood only at that moment that the problem was even bigger, even though I didn't understand much about the subject, the central point of the matter was quite clear.
" So, Bruna now has decision-making power in your company, and you can't just kick her out, is that it? " I summarized, as I understood the situation.
"Until I can find a way to buy my shares back, at least most of them, yes.”
If Murilo was angry, I was twice as angry because, in a way, I would also have to put up with that woman hanging around him, and just when I had decided to fight for both of us.
" Do you still like your ex, Murilo? " I asked because it was clear that he had become quite upset about the confrontation with Bruna.
"The only woman who owns my feelings at the moment is you, Virginia.”
I would like to say that he was also conquering space in my heart, but I couldn't say the words yet. I felt that he was being sincere, in his actions. My insecurities were not because of his feelings, but because I was afraid of situations like this one with Bruna, where she tried to humiliate me, something I would never accept from anyone.
" Let's forget the unpleasant things. At least for now " Murilo suggested, trying to smile and changing the subject "I believe you came to the company for some special reason, not just to go home together.”
" I really have something to talk to you about " I confessed "But not right now. Let's forget this idea of going out to dinner because there's no more mood for it, and go back to your apartment. There we can talk better.”
Murilo accepted my suggestion, and together we left, without any more mishaps.
