“All right.”
“How’s your head, Olívia? That fall seemed pretty bad.”
I haven’t seen Kathleen since the day I fell, so I’m startled when I find her alone in the elevator. I look at her and remember what Melissa told me when we first met, that most of the hotel staff ate out of her hand—or at least that was the case while she was the CEO’s secretary.
I’m shocked by her audacity. Despite Guillermo not mentioning it, I know it was her who removed the wet floor sign. The woman must be crazy. Now I understand the nickname “rabid bitch” because at this moment, that’s exactly how she looks.
Despite trying to maintain a mocking expression, I can see the disguised resentment beneath the perfect appearance. I wonder whether she came to confront me today precisely because someone informed her that I spent the night in the presidential suite.
It could be, yes, but even though I’m uncomfortable knowing that other people might judge my relationship with Guillermo, I won’t let the arrogant blonde intimidate me. So even though I initially thought about not returning her rudeness, I change my mind.
“I’m doing just fine. It was just a scare, you know? I don’t break so easily.”
The elevator door opens on the restaurant floor, but before I leave, I turn to her. “And you, how are things in your new position? You must be feeling strange not being the CEO’s secretary anymore, but you know what they say, right? Nothing is guaranteed in this life. Good afternoon, Miss Taylor.”
I walk to meet the chef with a feeling of a weight off my shoulders.
It’s the first time in my life that I’ve confronted someone, and the feeling is too good.
“It’s so simple!”
“Isn’t it? The simplicity is the secret. My mother used to say that in Brazil, they usually make little balls and serve them to children. I’ll look for some photos on Google and show them to you, sir.”
“Just me.”
“Of course, Julien. I’ll only showyou.” I smile, forgetting he asked for a more informal address. “As I was saying, in Brazil, this sweet is common at children’s parties. They roll it up and cover it with chocolate sprinkles and then put it in paper cups. It looks really cute, but if you’re really considering adapting it for the restaurant, you could serve them on spoons.”
“Celebrationbrigadeiro.”
My face immediately flushes when I hear Guillermo’s powerful voice right behind me.
“Celebrationbrigadeiro?” Julien repeats.
“Yes, it’s an Olívia tradition. Actually, I think it’s become mine too.”
I can’t believe he said that, and I lift my face to meet his gaze. His look tells me exactly what he’s thinking, and I feel my pulse quicken.
“I’ll wait to debut this sweet at the event the day after tomorrow. I want to see the guests’ faces when they try it.”
“Brigadeiroare delicious,” Guillermo says with a mischievous grin. “Shall we?” he asks me, and I don’t have the courage to look at Julien now, imagining what he must be thinking.
“But I haven’t shown him how to make the coffee.”
“You can come back another day. Your shift is over, Miss Freitas.”
Chapter 35
She didn’t complain about me picking her up, but she remained silent until we got into the car. When she went up to get her little suitcase, she didn’t allow me to come along, which was an excellent decision. I held myself back all day from going to see her. All the rationality for which I was always known at work disappeared. Hours after leaving her, I still felt Olívia in every part of me.
She looks out the window after closing the door, and it displeases me, so instead of starting the car, I unclip her seatbelt and pull her onto my lap.
“You shouldn’t have joked like that in front of Julien.”
I know she’s right, but I’ve never lived my life based on others’ judgments and won’t start now. But if I say that, we’ll start fighting, so I decide on an alternative route.
“So you hate me now?” I ask, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear.
She looks at me, serious. “I never said I liked you in the first place.”
