Episode 5

After that failed dinner and desperate attempts of a CEO on the brink of bankruptcy, I went home.

As soon as I entered, everything was in complete silence as always, the lights off. I turned on the living room light, placed my briefcase on the couch, took off my jacket and placed it on top of the briefcase. As I loosened my tie, I thought about life. What for many is loneliness - living alone in a mansion - for me is peace. My house is where I take refuge, where no one comes to bother me.

I poured myself a whiskey and sat on the couch. As I drank my whiskey, I analyzed my company's charts on my phone. The numbers speak for themselves and dazzle my eyes.

I finished my drink, put the glass back in place, grabbed my briefcase and my jacket, and went up to my room.

I went straight to the bathroom, took a hot shower, releasing all the tension from my body, just put on a boxers and lay down. I can sleep peacefully.

I woke up early, went through my morning routine, had breakfast, and went straight to the company, today the new employees will start, I always remind each supervisor to inspect the work of their subordinates.

Today my day started with a crucial meeting, I received the financial sector of my company in my office. At 10 am sharp, all directors and managers, legal and financial meetings, I do exclusively in my office, I do not accept interruptions of any kind. Today they came ready to present the results of the last quarter.

We started the meeting with the presentation of our CFO, who exposed detailed numbers of the revenues, expenses, and profits. He highlighted a significant increase in revenues compared to the previous quarter, but also mentioned that operational costs had grown, affecting our profit margin.

The charts showed that, although our unit sales had increased, we need to improve operational efficiency to maximize profits and keep Wall Street at the top of the food chain, thus generating even more profits. The financial team also presented a detailed analysis of our cash flows, pointing out areas where we can cut costs without compromising the quality of our service.

Next, we moved on to projecting results for the next quarter. The financial sector presented several possible scenarios, taking into account different economic and market variables. We discussed strategies to optimize our budget and increase profitability, including renegotiating contracts with suppliers and implementing new technologies to automate processes.

I showed a table detailing a contingency plan, in case the market experiences an unexpected slowdown. This plan includes measures to preserve our working capital and maintain the necessary liquidity to operate without interruptions.

During the meeting, I made sure to listen to the concerns and suggestions of each team member. Collaboration and commitment from everyone are essential to maintain the high standard.

We finished the meeting, my feeling is one of cautious optimism. I know I have work ahead, but we are prepared to make strategic decisions and act proactively.

The meeting ended and I dismissed everyone for lunch. Today I went to have lunch alone at a restaurant a few kilometers from the company. When I returned, I decided to enter through the reception, as I like to observe the movement. Often, in the middle of the day, I pass through some departments to inspect if everyone is doing their job correctly.

I was waiting for the executive elevator when I saw the same woman running, but this time she was wearing the company uniform. She got into the service elevator. Our eyes met for a few seconds, she lowered her head and the elevator door closed.

I entered the executive elevator and went straight to my office. As soon as I sat in the chair, I turned on the computer and logged into the HR system. In the human resources system, I found the file of all employees with a photo. Those eyes are unmistakable in any photograph.

I started with the new hires and found her. She is a young woman of only twenty-three years old, named Catarina, who works on the tenth floor. I read all the information about her. When Dona Lola knocked on the door, she warned me about the meeting with the new investors.

I have been preparing for this meeting for days. They are Japanese investors bringing a new revolution to the market; we have similar thoughts on profits and mistakes. I went down to the tenth floor and walked to the meeting room looking for Catarina, thinking she might be running through the hallways and bump into me, but I didn't see her; she must have been in the pantry.

All the investors arrived and we were ready to start the meeting when they began serving coffee and water. One of the secretaries from some department served the coffee and the young Catarina was serving the water.

When she placed my bottle on the table, the bottle toppled over. My reflex was instant to catch it, I believe hers was too, and accidentally touched her hand. Once again our eyes met, but this time up close, and I could see how beautiful and scared they were.

"I'm sorry, sir," she spoke softly and fixed the bottle.

I didn't respond, but I was hypnotized by her beauty. Catarina left the room with her head down, and my eyes followed her until the door closed.

We started the meeting, and this time, all my ideas were accepted. We closed the deal. The meeting took up my whole afternoon, but it ended as I expected. I went back to my office just to grab my things. Today I have to stop by my parents' house, my mother has left over 50 messages asking me not to forget dinner.

I decided to go down through the reception and sent a message to my driver to wait for me at the entrance of the company. That's when I saw Catarina running towards the nursery. The frequency with which I see her running through the hallways of my company is starting to bother me.

She entered the nursery and I watched through the transparent glass window. A little girl ran towards her, and Catarina picked her up, starting to kiss her while the child smiled.

"So that's it, she's always running to see her daughter," I said to myself, involuntarily smiling.

I watched for a few more moments, but when Catarina turned to leave the room, I hurried in the opposite direction. The sight of that young woman with her daughter gave me a sense of peace, a feeling I only get when I see millions entering my account.

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