Another blackmail

Ethan

I left Mariana's store feeling terrible. She had rejected me without even hearing what I had to say about anything, but I could never blame her for anything. I had truly been a jerk to Mariana, and now I was just reaping what I had sown, as cliché as it may sound.

But I hadn't lost all hope yet, and I would fight tooth and nail to win over that incredibly audacious woman who effortlessly captured my heart. The truth is, ever since I saw her coming down the stairs of Murilo's mansion at the beach house, Mariana had managed to shake me and knock down all my resolutions and plans for my life.

I remembered my decision to visit my parents in Campo Limpo, but I couldn't leave São Paulo without first resolving some pending issues, the most important of which was having a very serious conversation with Murilo Fernandes.

The fact that Mariana was so angry with me wasn't solely due to the harsh words I said to her when she was in my office, words that I regretted from the moment they left my mouth.

I know that what Mariana truly desired was for me to finally settle my dispute with Murilo and give up this damn revenge, which had brought me no satisfaction or peace. All I had achieved so far was an annoyance and causing many problems for myself, including getting involved with an extremely selfish and shallow girl like Bruna, and worst of all, losing Mariana just when we were getting along so well and I was very close to winning her over for good.

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.

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. Her confident smile didn't escape my notice as she approached, an expression that alerted me to possible complications. I was well aware of the subtle game Bruna liked to play, her intentions often obscured by a facade of friendliness.