Chap. 1 - Louis and Her

 1

November 21st, Friday.

I was listening to the buzz from inside the meeting room, but I couldn't quite understand what they were talking about. I was still outside talking some important matters with Byarn:

- Well Louis, I think it's all right! You got along well with this team and I can't complain!

- Thank you sir! Is there anything else I can do?

- Not for me! But I think you better get into this room before they put the walls down!

- Are you knowing something I still don't know, sir?

- Ah yes! But as I'm leaving here straight for the airport, I hope you have a lot of fun this weekend!

- Thank you sir!

- Happy birthday Louis!

I shook hands with our CEO with a forced smile and turned toward the meeting room door. Bunch of bastards, they're planning my birthday, and I'd already told Richard that I didn't want to do anything this year. I'm no longer in the mood to celebrate anything, my last years were very intense and now I just want to stay home with a bottle of wine, a movie and my old CDs, is that too much to ask?

Richard was the person I most respected in the world, I've known him since college and we've been through a few good things together. Today he's married to my sister, which was hard to accept at first, but what do you do when the shit is done? He has been by my side so many times that I can only thank him for being part of the family.

But specifically today, Friday, I'm pissed at him! I told you I didn't want to do anything! I took a deep breath already with my hand on the doorknob and opened it with an ugly face speaking aloud to the three men who were there:

- Good afternoon, gang of squires.

- Oh yes. Finally the daisy appeared – Carlos turned to me.

The three of them were standing by the window inside the biggest meeting room in the office, no need at all!

- Speak potbellied! – I greeted Carlos and went towards José Roberto – Hey Joe, how's the baby?

- Hi Louis, she´s more and more beautiful!

- She must be, especially if she pulled his mother!

- Shut up! – Everyone laughed and Richard kept his butt leaning on the table waiting for me to go to him, telling me as soon as I got close:

- Don't be mad!

- You're so fucked in my hand, that's all I have to tell you!

I turned to the other two and kept talking:

- What’s this meeting about?

- Of our enfranchisement!

- You must be kidding me!

- Wow Louis, it's your birthday and we never go out alone. It's our chance to leave just the four of us!

- The five of us – Richard corrected – There's JP too, Louis's brother!

- Of course! JP! That one knows how to enjoy a night! – Joe said.

- I was good at it too! Before that... - Carlos said pointing to the golden ring on the finger of his left hand.

We call him potbellied, but it's just to piss off! We meet at the gym two or three times a week. I go every day, they less, after all, everyone is married, except me. Richard who doesn't stop going with me every day too.

- Sorry to inform the four, but I'll stay home this weekend!

- Oh you won't! You´re our only chance Louis! You won't do this to us!

- And what were you thinking? – I asked without patience.

- Just a bar, or a bowling alley...

- Lie Joe! We wanted to go to a club! – Carlos completed.

- Ballad? All old and married and want to go clubbing?

- Looking doesn't take a piece, and you can still catch whoever you want!

- You should be ashamed, Joe! With a princess like that at home, thinking about ballads!

- Guilty! – He spoke with his hands up- But it's just to unwind, you know!

- Speaking of picking up whoever you want, have you heard about the bet that is going on in the office?

- What bet, Carlos?

- Damn, you really don’t know? It's even about an employee of yours!

- Mine? I only have one female employee!

- Exactly!

I was intrigued and at the same time irritated with them talking about Ana! She is a sweet, educated, intelligent girl. Whatever it is, she doesn't deserve what comes out of their mouths!

- She´s hot, right!

- Joe, concentrate on what you were telling me...

- So – Richard continued – There's a bet on, who can take her to bed!

- What? How absurd! - I said indignantly, but as soon as they looked at me with a face of astonishment for my reaction I continued: - How the heck was I not aware of this yet?

- There is a site with the names of the guys who say they will try and a betting chain.

- How many people are there in this game? – I asked trying to contain my irritation.

- Only about three guys who said they'll make it, but I don't think any of them will!

Carlos pulled his computer and opened the site, man sucks! I work at a tech consulting company, so the link is all personalized and online, bunch of debauches! I couldn't resist and asked:

- Has this bet been rolling for a long time?

- About two months...

- And nothing yet?

- No! Looks like she's pretty centered! You have quite an employee!

- My impression, or did that phrase have a double meaning, Mr. Duarte? I took my eyes off the computer and squinted at him.

- Mister Nurs, are you going to tell me that you never noticed that little body wandering to and fro, going to a meeting with the computer closed in her arms, squeezing her breasts in front?

- You are amazing!

That's all I managed to answer, but they kept looking at me, waiting for something else so I said:

- Of course I've fucking seen it! But she is my employee! What will I do? This is harassment, you know?

- Oh good! I thought you were already switching sides!

-  You all are jackasses- I cursed Carlos - Did you bet on it here? - I asked turning my eyes to the photo of her on the screen, standing beside the coffee machine, with her hair in a ponytail, in a social shirt and jeans, smiling to the side while holding a cup of coffee, she must have been talking to someone when this photo was taken.

- I bet none of them will get anything! – Richard spoke again.

- I think Lucas might succeed, I bet ten on him! – Carlos said.

- I'm still in doubt between Lucas and Guilherme... And you, Louis, who are you going to bet on?

- Me? Nobody! She is my employee, I can still get into trouble just because of a little game like this...

- Ok, you can't bet, but who do you think can win?

- None of you lot! – I spoke sharply looking again at the screen, where beside her photo, there were three smaller photos of the “participants”. Lucas, Guilherme who are my employees and Matheus who works with Carlos.

At the end of a long meeting about what to do Saturday night, they convinced me. Tomorrow we were going to a ballad and, to my bad luck, who one it will be? None other than JP. My dear womanizer brother.

By the time I made it back to my table, it was ten past five, everyone was seated but talking about what they were going to do for the weekend. I looked at Ana who was sitting almost in my direction, and I had a view of the entire left side of her body, she took the cell phone that was in the drawer, smiled and stood up. I followed with my eyes to see where she was going.... Oh yeah, to the bathroom! After all, she lives far away and still takes a chartered bus to leave, I must have been watching for a long time, because she left the bathroom, and made her way back to her desk, I watched as she packed her things, turning off the computer and while placing it in her bag I felt her gaze turn towards me at the moment a hand touches my arm saying:

- Hi Louis, what´ss the program for this weekend?

- I'm going out with friends.

- Can I go?

- No!

- I can give you a special birthday present!

- Paula, go look for another victim please!

- Rude! Good night to you Louis!

I looked at her walking away wiggling her ass in that absurdly expensive little outfit. Skinny, blonde, beautiful and disgusting! I don't know how I ever had the courage! As soon as I turned my eyes forward, Ana was gone. This Paula, besides taking me out of my mind, doesn't let me have my few seconds of fantasy.

I don't know what's happening to me! Since Ana faced me in a meeting, which I have to thank for that, because I was wrong and she was right, I have to admit! I started to pay more attention to the girl. She's not just a pretty face!

She is very smart and my best employee! She, John and Miguel are the success of this team! Sweet and no-frills, she is always laughing at the nonsense the boys talk in the hallways and is never left out of a conversation, whether it's about games, movies or comics.

She is beautiful! She has a magnificent body, and a stunning personality while achieving it all with very little effort. If she wears makeup it's minimal, but every now and then her cheeks are flushed, making her more beautiful. Her lips are always shining, along with her honey colored eyes, conveying a unique peace and sensuality.

Damn Louis, you have to stop thinking about this girl! A flower, not just any flower, a red rose! Beautiful and full of thorns. Is the only analogy that would come to mind

... to be continued