I'm still a little groggy because of the time difference since we got back to São Paulo. It's only been a few days and I'm still not used to it. I've been sleeping more than usual and I've been feeling tired lately, so I really hope it gets better soon because I have to work.
I was nervous on my first day, but now I've got the hang of it and I'm loving every second of it. Thomas wasted no time diving right into work as soon as we got here. He's really determined to get this place back on track after everything Dad's done, and he's doing it, because the work pile just keeps getting bigger. Everyone who works in accounting is swamped up to their necks with all the contracts and purchases and whatever else Thomas has been sending over the last few days.
— Cecilia?
One of the men who works here knocks on my office door and walks in holding a folder. I smile and he hands me the folder.
“Here are those reports you asked for. Everything is ready, you just need to sign here.
- Thanks.
I look and check everything. I frown because there's a part of the report that doesn't look right.
In fact… I think I need to discuss this here with Mr. Albuquerque,” I say. It's weird to use Thomas's last name like that and every time I do it it reminds me that in a few months it will be my last name too.
I should be more excited about this, shouldn't I? I'm going to marry the man I love and who loves me back, I should be jumping up and down with joy. But it tastes bad knowing that contract still exists.
I take the elevator to the top floor, which is where Thomas's office is. As soon as I step off the elevator, I can hear the screams and stop in my tracks, clutching the briefcase in front of my body. His secretary is wide-eyed and nervously tapping a pen on the table.
- What happened? I ask and walk over to her. The woman opens her mouth, but nothing comes out.
“A problem with a contract,” she replies in a low voice. I've been friends with the woman since I've been here, and she loves to gossip about everything that goes on at the office. “Mister Albuquerque has been furious all morning.
I frown and remember that he was really agitated this morning when we left the house.
— I'm going in — I say and she just nods and doesn't even bother to announce me. I knock on the door and walk in before he can answer.
Thomas is sitting at the table, furious, and there's this poor guy sitting in the chair across from him looking like he wants to die.
“How stupid are you that you can't do a simple thing? he asks through gritted teeth to the man, who stutters and doesn't say anything at all. Thomas looks my way. "And what are you... Cecilia?"
The scream stops halfway through and he just looks confused in my direction.
- Everything is fine? he asks and scans my body from top to bottom.
I show him the folder and Thomas sighs. He presses the bone between his eyes and looks back at the man.
Are you waiting for an invitation to leave here and go do your job? - question. The man practically jumps in place and runs out of the room like a scared little boy.
When he closes the door behind me, I laugh.
- Why are you laughing? he asks and arches an eyebrow. I bite my lip and walk slowly towards him, holding the folder in front of me.
"You look cute all mad like that."
The next thing I know, Thomas has me around the waist and cups the back of my neck.
— Cute, Cecilia? he asks angrily. I nod yes and he squeezes me tighter. "I'll show you the cutie, crystal..."
I moan when he kisses me and bites my lip hard. Thomas squeezes my ass and I cling to his arms. The phone on his desk rings and he lets me go.
“Fucking hell,” he complains and walks to the other side of the table. Sit in your chair and answer the phone. - What is it?
I watch his face fill with irritation again and Thomas runs a hand over his face.
"What do I pay you for?" he asks in that irritated tone. I watch for a few more seconds and walk around the table too. I stand behind him on the chair and place my hands on his shoulders. — I don't care about your excuses, I need that contract for today. No, I don't want to know! - he screams.
I scratch his neck with my nails and he closes his eyes. When he opens them again, the blue eyes are dark. I sit on his lap and he presses the phone to his ear.
“If you have any interest in having a job on Monday , you'd better do it,” he snarls into the phone.
“You don't have to be that mean ,” I whisper in her other ear. I kiss his neck and he squeezes my waist.
Work it out.” He talks into the phone, but his voice is a little softer. I pull my face away from his neck and blink my eyes slowly, in that sweet way that I know melts him all over.
Thomas forms a “Cecilia…” with his lips without making a sound and I bite my lip.
I caress her face and kiss the tip of her nose, then give her a peck on the mouth. He sighs.
“Okay,” he says into the phone. “Just… do what you can, okay?
He says a few more things into the phone, without yelling at anyone, and hangs up. Once he has the phone in place, he pulls me closer.
“You need to let me work, girl,” he says into my mouth. “I won't be able to keep this company going if I'm a puppy dog with these people. I need to be mean, it's my job to be mean.
I stroke her neck and pull her hair.
“I know,” I whisper.
Thomas slaps my ass and grabs my neck.
“So stop trying to manipulate me with those wide eyes, crystal,” he says in that bossy tone that now makes me melt. I laugh softly and he kisses me slowly, the way he knows I like it. "What did you come here for anyway?" I have nothing against fucking my wife in the middle of the workday, but you wouldn't let me do that any day.
"Because I have to work!" - I complain and laugh, because it's very true. Ever since I started working here, Thomas has found any reason to drag me here to his office. “I came to discuss a report with you, Mr. Albuquerque.
Thomas caresses my face.
“I'm so proud of you,” he says and kisses me again. “You're working so hard.
“You trusted me,” I say. “After everything Dad did, you trusted me.
He opens a tiny smile, so rare, and hugs me.
“I love you, crystal,” he says into my ear. “I have a surprise for you today.
“A surprise?” I ask and look at her reticent face. - What is it?
He takes me by the chin and runs his thumb across my lip.
"Come with me somewhere later."