Michael

Michael
Chapter 106 Michael

It’s been hard to stay away from my family, but I have to return to the office and figure out the situation with Daniela. I talked to Sofi, and Daniela's call before the baby was born upset Valeria a lot. Sofi even told me she grabbed the phone and told Daniela off. Good for my little sister, Sofía.

That bold woman doesn't deserve any help. I assume Valeria was already in labor, but what she said to Daniela could have upset her even more.

I'm fed up with Daniela. I can't keep paying for my past mistakes. Having to deal with her is absurd.

Valeria explained, though not in much detail, that she thinks Daniela might try something desperate since her marriage to the old man her father found is approaching.

On the way, I think of several alternative options if she doesn't agree to leave the country, and none come to mind. The only thing I can consider is that if the harassment continues, the law will have to intervene. She's a stalker.

…

When I arrive at the office, I can’t help but notice that Mery is still nervous. This behavior hasn't changed; she doesn't look me in the eye, though after a moment, she calms down a bit.

She follows me to my office, where she now has access, and I must acknowledge that she has fulfilled her duties very well, and everything is going perfectly despite her constant fear of me or any other authority figure.

In my office, I try to put on a friendly face, invite her to sit, and ask about the office's operations. First, she congratulates me on the baby, then she informs me about what happened in my absence, and finally, she tells me the lawyers have called.

"Call them and tell them I'm here. I'll wait for them."

"Miss Maricarmen Rigueiro has also been calling. She urgently needs to speak with you, boss."

"Leave that matter to the directors. I've already spoken with her, and it's not my habit to talk with clients all the time. It was a courtesy since they're my new clients."

"It seems she only wants to talk to you."

"Call her and transfer the call to my office."

"Alright, boss."

When I'm alone, I take a photo of my baby and Valeria from my briefcase and put it in a frame. I look at it, smile, and place it on my desk. I need a wedding ring so this woman and any other know that I’m off the market. However, my wife doesn't want to turn me into a decent man.

I smile, imagining what they are doing right now. The grandmothers won't let Valeria do anything, so she'll have to stand firm. They want to bathe him, change him, check his diaper. At his cry, one of them runs, and I imagine Margaret is already there and has joined the fray, though she's more dominant than the other two.

That's good; everyone loves my baby, and my doll needs help. Last night we barely slept; I mainly take care of his nighttime feedings and pass him to Valeria. I also burp him and watch over both of them. They are my most precious treasure.

I stop distracting myself and notice Mery is transferring a call to me. "Boss Dubois, Miss Rigueiro is on the line."

"Thanks, I'll take it."

"Your lawyers are on their way."

"Thank you, Mery." Good morning, Maricarmen, this is Michael Dubois.

"Good morning, Michael. I've been wanting to speak with you for several days to finalize the business guidelines."

"I've been busy with personal matters, but your company's case was left to my directors. That's generally how we operate."

"In this case, I want to speak directly with you. These are my company's requirements to close the deal."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to change my established procedures. We've already agreed on how the investment and collaboration projects will be executed."

"But in this case, I'm interested in speaking exclusively with you. Shall we go out for lunch?"

"I can't, Maricarmen. I have to return home. My wife and newborn son are waiting for me."

"You have a son?"

"Yes."

"I didn't know that. I haven't seen that in the press."

"They don't have to be in the press since it's part of my private life, which I handle discreetly. If you're interested in doing business, you'll have to reach agreements with my directors. I'll gladly tell them to contact you and plan a meeting. Do you agree?"

"Alright, though I ask again, is there no possibility of us meeting?"

"What is the purpose of this meeting? I thought everything was clear."

"You could get much more than you expect from this meeting." Her voice is flirtatious, and it annoys me when women are so forward, without any modesty, especially since I already indicated that I have a wife and a newborn son.

"I don't think so. I believe everything has been clarified. Maricarmen, I'm being called to a meeting. It’s been nice talking to you again. Goodbye, have a good day."

I end the call. This woman doesn't understand the direct hints I threw at her. I'm definitely off the market because she doesn't attract me at all, and I must admit, she's really beautiful. I recognize it. I'm domesticated!

There's a knock on the office door. "Come in."

"Boss Dubois, your lawyers have arrived."

"Show them in."

…

The meeting with my lawyers has been interesting. Contact was made with Daniela, and she accepted the offer. She's desperate; the marriage to the old man already has a date.

She was offered a comfortable place to live initially, and after six months, she would have to find her own housing.

She was required to have a medical consultation with a psychologist we already found. She was given the address and phone number to contact upon arrival. This will be her support system. It was explained that her attendance at the consultation would be verified and that she would be required to find a job within two months. All this for a monthly allowance for only two years, transferred to a bank account in France in her name.
I asked what she had to offer in return, the reason for this help. She was told that a kind-hearted person had seen her problem and wanted to help her without any compensation.

When she accepted without any further questions, she was given a one-way ticket to Paris, France, an appropriate amount of cash in dollars, and another in French currency. Of course, she signed a confidentiality agreement without keeping a copy. We erased any trace of her involvement in this. The ticket to Paris is dated for tomorrow; at this time, she should be on the flight.

I must add that the young lady suspects it is you. At the end of the meeting, she told our emissary, "Tell Michael thank you very much, he saved my life. I won't bother him again."

"We will keep watching her to see if she really leaves," I tell them.

"We hope so. She seemed very happy, like a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders."

"I hope it's true and she leaves."

"One thing was made clear: this help is unique. There will be no other opportunity or collaboration. If she doesn't take advantage of this option, she won't be helped again."

I have been your lawyer for a long time and instructed my emissary to make that clear. I don't want to see you involved in problems again because of this young lady. I believe she is not mentally stable.

For that reason, we sought out the psychologist she should see. This psychologist will keep us informed of her attendance. It was also indicated that at the slightest failure in consultation, she would no longer receive help.

"You did well."

"Our duty is to protect your interests, Mr. Dubois. We assume everything is going smoothly. We just need to verify that she boards that plane and see what happens."

"Thank you, thank you very much. I knew I could trust you."

"It's our job. I inform you that we followed your instructions. Without a doubt, the recently acquired shares are now in the name of Mrs. Valeria Rivas. The benefits will go directly to a personal account in her name."

On the other hand, we are managing the legal and financial support of the child Michael Alejandro Dubois Rivas, the newborn as you indicated. We will take precautions to ensure he is protected in case of any difficulty, and we are clear that his guardians will be your friends Ricardo and Sebastian. I take this opportunity to congratulate you.

"Thank you very much. I know I can trust you."

"We are here to serve you. Well, Dubois, we are leaving. Have a good day."

"Likewise."

"Michael Alejandro Dubois Rivas," I look at his photo and say my son's name, filling up with love. That tiny person, my son, is a reality, no longer a dream. "I promise you, son, that I will be a good father."

I will be your support. You will never lack love or feel alone. You will always be protected by me, your mom, and your grandmothers.

I know my friends, your uncles, will also take care of you as they have taken care of me. I will teach you to love them. We will go play basketball together or whatever you want. I will teach you to swim. I will be there for you.

You will never feel like I did, neither in your childhood nor adolescence. You have an excellent family structure and support, and best of all, a unique mother.

"You will appreciate the chocolate cookies and cupcakes, and your mom will bake them because she is the best pastry chef in the world. You have a teenage aunt who is crazy about you."

You will never lack homemade food because your grandmothers and your mom will make sure you eat, just as they have done with me so far.

Your grandmothers, Cristina and Rosalia, always make sure everyone eats, and you will have a grandmother named Margaret who is very special. She is a bit crazy but a very good person. She loves celebrations, especially organizing them.

I sit on the couch in front of my desk. After so much running around, I finally breathe and realize the magnitude of what I have achieved. "Michael Alejandro Dubois Rivas, my son, I love you so much, my boy. I always dreamed of you, and now you are a reality, not a dream. I have managed to leave behind the loneliness of my childhood, adolescence, and adult life, thanks to you and your mom."

I reflect on something I never thought possible. In my house now, there is no moment of solitude. There are people coming and going. My friends visit often. There are noises and footsteps. Everyone who comes is attended to and eats delicious homemade desserts and food. I suspect that's why my friends come more often.

It's all chaos, and I don't mind. I used to live to organize and plan everything, but in solitude. Now I live surrounded by noise. I have a family structure. There are three grandmothers, many uncles, an aunt on your mom's side, and two adopted aunts named Ebony and Hana. I myself am a dad, and you have your mom.

In short, son, it's a good world with a lot of love for you. It will be happy, I promise.

...

My happy thoughts are interrupted by a call. I don't recognize the number, but I answer out of curiosity.

"Hello, Michael," I recognize that voice.

"What do you want, Daniela?"

"Michael, I just want to thank you. I know it's you behind the help, and I want you to know that I am very grateful. I will take advantage of the opportunity."

"I hope so, Daniela. Above all, I want to make it clear that I owe you nothing, not even consideration. I will change all my phone numbers and those of my family. I don't want to hear from you again. Do you understand that?"

"I won't bother you anymore. I will leave tomorrow and strictly comply with all the conditions. I won't bother you again."

"I hope never to see you again or hear from you. Don't bother my wife. Keep your word, because if you continue, I will take legal action, and it won't go well for you." I don't make empty threats. I am fed up with this woman.

"Yes, Michael, I regret all this, but I had no one else to turn to. Thank you, Michael."

I end the call and hope this is the last time I hear from her because I am truly tired.

Next, I call the security personnel following Daniela. They must watch her tomorrow and notify me immediately when she boards the plane.