Chapter 3 Princess

• It had been approximately seven years since we last saw each other, or at least since I saw him from afar at Annie's graduation... and I knew he had changed. Aged for the better, of course.
• His dark blond hair was carefully slicked back, he was wearing a fantastic and fashionable suit, an expensive watch on his wrist, and his features were masculine and handsome. His brown eyes, which I had adored since childhood, looked at me with an almost joyful expression, with small golden glimmers in his pupils that I loved to admire.
• The smile he gave me was captivating, with perfectly white teeth, and he was so expressive as if he had just given me a great surprise. His back was broad, and I could see his muscular arms under his suit, and his voice was charmingly deep and masculine.
• Yes, he was a man who could have anything he wanted in this life just by reaching out his hand. He was sexy, wealthy, educated - everyone must have gone crazy when he walked in. Brandon was a dream come true. A sought-after executive, a man for whom many women would kill. And now... he was in the office where I work.
• "Adelaide..." my boss brought me back to reality, and I nervously go to pick up the paper. Brandon tries to take it from his seat, but I quickly snatch it away, leaving him confused. Sweating, I sit back down and apologize. God... I must look terrible. I regret so many things today!
• "Do you two know each other?" my boss kindly asks, looking at Brandon and then at me, pointing at us. I guess our strange encounter was more obvious than I thought. This is going from bad to worse. My boss doesn't usually meddle in other people's affairs, but his gaze... it seems very curious to me. Brandon's way of looking at me doesn't help either.
• "Yes, we're friends," he says, while I simultaneously say, "We're acquaintances." Brandon looks at me strangely, and out of the corner of my eye, I see him furrowing his brow as if he doesn't understand why I said that, so I clarify.
• "Our sisters are friends, so we used to hang out when we were kids. Let's just say our families know each other," I explain nervously, trying to avoid looking at him. From a clearing of his throat, I suppose he didn't like what I said. Is it a lie?
• "Hmm... interesting," my boss says, and I notice that the meeting is small, only Brandon, Mike, and one of our top designers, Katie, who obviously looks at Brandon as if he were a chocolate candy, which he is. Who am I kidding? I literally don't even look at him, I watch my boss, fixedly like a robot, afraid to exchange a glance with the man I've been running away from for years. I don't think I even blink, but I sweat profusely and regret not going to the bathroom.
• "Well, I believe everyone already knows Mr. Clark, our new CEO, and from the company that acquired Atalant, he brought a conglomerate of clients who have made several investments in the state and want us to make a service proposal for them. They are particularly interested in our design services. I don't think I need to tell you that it's important for us to do the job well, to surprise them... it's a unique opportunity," he proudly states.
• I am in shock, trying my best not to appear surprised. Damn it! This can't be! Is he...? Is he the CEO? Is this a joke? Is it a stupid and crazy joke? Is it a cruel joke of fate? Why does this have to happen? Why does it have to happen to me?
• Meanwhile, I have this internal crisis where I would like to scream, cry, stomp my feet, and throw things. In the background, I hear my boss starting to explain the strengths and virtues of the team, while I mechanically spread out the files I printed and I can notice Brandon's gaze fixed on me as I get up from my chair. Oh my God, please don't look at me. If he thought I was a mess before... What will he think of me now? Please let this meeting end as soon as possible, I pray to God.
• I thought my day was going to be great, but this is not the opportunity I was expecting. Brandon as the CEO here? Aren't there other companies in the world? In the same city, there are hundreds of much more impressive companies!
• The meeting is incredibly long, or at least it feels that way to me. Brandon explains with great seriousness and expertise the objectives of the clients that the company, which acquired Atalant, represents. And the projects are big, really big. So big that I don't think this small team can deliver everything they expect, except for a minimal design area. My boss must really like me and make a good impression.
• We all conclude that it's best to start with a small project, in the city center, a hotel that is going to host an event and wants us to develop the brand, advertisements, and part of the publicity, to test and then expand to larger projects.
• Brandon looks exactly as I imagined he would as an adult. He is serious, intelligent, calm, with a deep voice, pleasant gestures, very professional, a true boss and CEO. When everyone speaks, they observe him with admiration. Now he is the boss of everyone, and he makes it clear with his presence that he has experience, that he is well-educated, that he is creative, brilliant, and that he is the boss, the one in charge here. Brandon exudes power, control, professionalism. He is the lord of all this, the owner of everything and everyone.
• I am especially focused on everything they mention, analyzing everything just to avoid his gaze and forget that he is here. I don't know how they expect us to do such demanding work with such a small team, and if you will, a recent one, as we are just starting out. The good news is that, yes... my help will be needed. Something good can come out of all this, I think, trying to be positive. But undoubtedly, it will require many other people, as well as research, new suppliers... it's going to be a crazy job.
• "I think it would be excellent if Katie and Adelaida take on this project. If you agree, I will include them in the proposal as the lead designers. They have experience, creativity, and good customer relations. I am sure the clients will be pleased, and the work will exceed everyone's expectations," my boss mentions, and I am in shock. For a second, I hear a deep silence. No, no, no, this can't be real.
• "That's an excellent idea. I am excited to see this work up close, Mike... It's very important for me to be involved in the small details of how the company operates," Brandon affirms, and even though I don't want to look at him again, something tells me he is referring to me, while I pretend that he doesn't exist.
• Ehhh... but wouldn't it be better to include Dave or... or Marilyn... maybe Debbie? - I mumbled nervously, everyone stared at me without understanding why I said that. Swallow me, Earth.
• Katie looks offended, she's one of those coworkers who doesn't even see me or considers me inferior. But she's not the problem. How do I explain it to them? I'm dying to have this opportunity, but not with this client, not in this project. It would mean that Brandon will be involved, breathing down my neck every moment. Countless meetings with him, for several months.
• I thought you would be happy with this selection, Adelaida... you've been asking me for a chance for months. Besides, Dave and Marilyn are committed to another project, Debbie is about to go on maternity leave, and I also think you could learn a lot from Katie - my boss points out with a harsh tone. It sounded more like a scolding than it should, and I just keep my mouth shut and nod. I don't even know what to say. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Brandon looking at me with a furrowed brow. What the hell is bothering him?
• Alright, we'll have the proposal as soon as possible, Mr. Clark. We'll start working on it immediately... and once again, we're very pleased that you're so interested in our team. Welcome back to Atalant - my boss says, standing up and extending his hand to Brandon.
• I'm a little stunned by what just happened, frankly it's somewhere between good and bad, very bad. There's a good opportunity, but it means facing my worst fear, someone who hurt me a lot. Although... maybe Brandon must have a lot of responsibilities, right?
• Brandon is standing in front of me, radiant with a smile that seems quite genuine. As if he's truly happy to see me, almost expecting me to hug him. Unfortunately, it's not mutual.
• Princess... - he says, widening his smile. He looks charming, and my knees tremble. His eyes sparkle, I see his face up close, which is now more beautiful than ever. If possible, he grew several more centimeters and his back widened. It seems like a cruel joke of fate.
• Adelaida - I correct him, looking around, my boss and Katie are talking on the side, I don't know if they heard. This is ridiculous. What's wrong with this man? He hasn't seen me or looked for me in years, without knowing anything about me, and all of a sudden he appears at the door and we're best friends forever. What the hell?
• Great, he's using the nickname he used to call me when I was a little girl, when we were building sandcastles and I would tell him that I was the princess of the castle, the empire, the kingdom, or whatever. He would say he was the knight, protecting me and the castle. I would say that my name sounded like a princess, understand me, I was a silly little girl.
• My name is actually quite uncommon, I don't even know why they gave it to me. I think my parents were already against me from the moment I was born. I mean, they named my sister Fernanda, a perfect and common name, and me Adelaida, which sounds like it's from two centuries ago. Is this a joke? Now, why does he have to bring this up? I really don't understand. What nonsense, we're in a work environment!
• Adelaida... - He corrects himself a little surprised, as if he thought I would be pleased, that he tells me how he used to call me when we were seventeen. He really expected me to welcome him with open arms, to do a dance. Of course! The guy who destroyed my life, my self-esteem, and my heart now comes after seven years and is my boss, the boss of the whole company where I've been struggling for a place for a long time.
• It's nice to see you... I really enjoy seeing you here... maybe we could talk for a while, have a coffee? Catch up after all these years? What do you think? I still don't understand how so much time has passed without us seeing each other, it's truly incredible, isn't it? - he indicates confidently, his smile is polite, but he approaches me as if we were friends, much closer than he should. I can see on his face that he is convinced that we are going to go out for a stupid coffee, as if it were the most normal thing in the world, as if I were obligated to say yes.
• I start to panic and take steps back as if he were a ghost, an attacker, an evil shadow. But I think... one thing is my job, and another very different thing is my personal life, right? If he says I have to go to a meeting, talk to a client, fine, it's my job. Having a coffee outside of my work hours and the office... it's not work-related. No, sir.
• Uhhh... I... ummm... my boss just said that we had to start the proposal... the one you need. You yourself said that you needed it as soon as possible, right? Like, yesterday basically - he keeps looking at me as if surprised, does he realize I'm giving him any excuse?
• You? Why are you calling me that way? Ady... it's me, Brandon... the same old Brandon - he exclaims somewhat lost, tilting his head to one side to get a better look at me, me several centimeters smaller than him. I notice that with each expression he makes, he becomes more confused and more devilishly handsome.
• Brandon... yes... ummm... it's just that I'm busy, there are things to do around here, I don't want to neglect my work, it's important to me - I say now without formalities to see if he understands. Like all men like him, everything has to be the way he wants. Well, so be it.
• Ohh, of course. Maybe when you leave the office? I can wait for you. In fact, there's a really good café nearby... we could stay and talk for as long as you can, and then I could take you home. What do you think? he asks, getting closer to me - What time do you finish? I think we have a lot to talk about, don't you think? I would love to know what has become of your life - he indicates as if making a point, he seems very determined for us to talk... Don't you have anything to do?
• I'm sorry, I think I'll be very late today. I have a thousand things to do... we are a very, very busy team... tonight I will definitely be tired and go straight home. And if you excuse me... I better get to work on it. Um... goodbye - I indicate and rush out of the meeting room without looking back, like a big coward, I won't deny it because I am.
• As soon as I can, I run to the bathroom and realize that I look even more disheveled than I thought. Great, just what I needed, Ady the messy and ugly one again. Although for him, I was a piglet, so what does it matter? Even if I get plastic surgery, I won't change for him, I am who I am.
• The rest of the afternoon I was at my desk working on the proposal alone, Katie gave some tips on how to highlight her personal resume, but nothing more, I don't think she will be of much help. It was almost time to leave when I sent it to my boss for the final corrections.
• As soon as I got home, I showered and quickly put on my pajamas and got into bed with a bowl of popcorn. Sometimes I try to go on diets, mostly with no results, but today, today I deserved everything. Quickly, I turned on my TV and started watching a series, yes, there's nothing a handsome actor can't solve.
• After a while, I received a message from my colleague Liz, who is visiting her parents in another city for a few days, something she often does. Her family is nice, she's very lucky. I told her a bit about what happened today, she knows absolutely everything about my crush and torment with Brandon, and she promised me a good chat with ice cream as soon as she returns. She also got mad that I was watching series without her.
• I also took the opportunity to write to Billy, our friendship is long-distance with video calls, and almost daily meme exchanges, but when he comes to visit the Clarks, we go out, we dance, and have dinner, and it's as if time and distance didn't exist.
• He doesn't know about my past crush on his cousin Brandon, but he knows what Brandon did. They don't get along very well, I guess Brandon is too formal and rigid, as Billy calls him. My Billy, on the other hand, is the opposite, full of craziness and spontaneity. How can he be a successful lawyer? I still don't know, I can't imagine him in a serious office. Indeed, he tells me he will be coming in a few days.
• Hold on, Adelaida, hold on a little longer, I tell myself. That night I didn't sleep, my mind was spinning, thinking about how I was going to avoid Brandon all these days. I don't even know why I worry, maybe I won't see him again.