Unexpected Reunion

Ethan

Benedito Queiroz is a very traditional man who cherishes values that are now very outdated and only does business with those who follow the same worldview as him.

Although I have never married and don't intend to do so shortly, since the only woman I ever loved in my life is no longer with us, I tried to at least soften my reputation as a womanizer and always tried to bring a girlfriend to our dinners.

He got to know Bruna, who he made it quite clear he didn't like at all, and I tried not to bring her to our dates anymore, thus avoiding greater annoyances with an important business partner as Benedito Queiroz had always been, and I hoped Mariana would captivate him, improving my image before the somber gentleman.

Mariana, as always, was surprising me once again, for she was already exchanging a few words with Luciana Queiroz, Benedict's wife, and I hoped this was a good sign, for she followed the same worldview as her husband and I fervently hoped that my companion would not cause me any problems, as Bruna had done on several occasions.

Benedict caught my attention while commenting on a new company in the market, which had managed to launch itself innovatively and was conquering a significant portion of the market, and while we talked, the Fagundes talked among themselves.

Mariana was next to me, and I reached for her hand under the table, just to tease her, because I was sure she would not like that intimate gesture at all, and even though she tried to get me to let go, I held on tight and continued talking to Benedito quietly, while she talked to Luciana.

I was completely focused on listening to what the man next to me was saying, but at the same time kept fiddling with my companion's hand, which was already pinching me again.

"Will Rodrigues be much longer?" Luiz Fagundes asked us, looking at his watch to emphasize the delay of our other partner.

I do the same as him and look at the clock on my wrist, noting that it has been over fifteen minutes since I arrived at the restaurant with Mariana.

" He is already quite late. " I say so that everyone can hear "I believe it will be better if we place our orders since everything indicates that he will not be coming anymore."

" Here he comes. "Luciana discreetly points and everyone looks in the same direction as her "That's strange, Gisele isn't with him.

Something very strange happens at that moment, as Mariana's hand becomes completely cold and I even feel sweat break out from her now damp palm.

Arthur arrives at that moment beside our table, but instead of looking at my partner and also friend, I stare at Mariana, who seems to be seeing a ghost and not a man in flesh and blood in front of her.

Mariana

I cannot believe what is happening!

How, in a city as big as São Paulo is, do I go to a business dinner with Ethan Constantino, completely against my will, and one of the men who will participate in the meeting is none other than the man who bought my virginity in a clandestine auction?

My reaction could not have been different and I stared at him in utter horror, my hands freezing and at the same time sweating, and still unable to believe that he had lied to me even about his name.

So, the man who was greeting everyone at the table at that moment was not Jean Silva, as he had introduced himself to me, but Arthur Rodrigues, one of Ethan's partners, and now looking at me with a different gleam in his eye, as if he was pleased to find me there.

" Hello, Mariana. " he says, and my heart is almost in my throat, I'm sure "How long!"

He wasn't doing that to me!

I felt everyone's gaze on me and tried to regain speech, but it was quite difficult.

" Oh... You're right, it has been a while anyway... " Was all I could say, as I couldn't act normal under the circumstances.

The atmosphere became a little tense around us, everyone waiting for something else, which I had no idea what it could be, and I just lowered my gaze, in a vain attempt to escape from that table, and if I disappeared from there at that moment it would be something extraordinary.

"What took you so long, Arthur? The gentle Luciana ended up saving me, by diverting everyone's attention from my person " We intend to place our orders without you."

"A thousand pardons, Luciana. "I had a setback, but I'm already here. We can take our orders now.

Arthur sat on the empty seat next to Mr. Fagundes, who to my complete displeasure was facing me and I tried to keep my gaze away from him.

But I could still feel his gaze on me, as well as Ethan's, who not only seemed to be staring at me with his penetrating gaze, but he also continued to hold my hand tightly, even though I had already tried to separate mine from his several times.

"I need to go to the restroom. "I said softly, to no one in particular, and without waiting for any answer, I quickly left the table.

I had to get out of there, I couldn't face anyone, I felt stunned, having been caught unprepared for this more than unexpected reunion.

I hurriedly walked between tables, and following my intuition more than anything else, I reached the corridor where I was sure I would find a ladies' room.

I sighed with relief when I realized that I was right, seeing an elegant sign indicating the place where I wanted to hide for a few minutes, at least until I could act like the normal and sensible girl I had always been.

The door didn't have a handle, so I just pushed it open easily, and as I was entering what I immediately saw was a luxurious ladies' room, I felt a light push, and someone entering along with me.

"Ohh," I said, as I was pushed abruptly.