Viviane
I did what my father asked because given my current state, it was better to stay calm. Whatever the subject, it was time to face it. I consoled myself by thinking that I might not have my son's real father by my side, but at least I had the full support of João Pedro, my usual companion.
"What do you guys need to tell me?" I said apprehensively, fearing it was the son I was expecting or even about the hoax between me and JP. But I immediately realized that they wanted to tell me and not ask me. There was a difference between the two situations and I could only believe that this would still not be the time when I would have to reveal my pregnancy.
"Vivi, I have noticed in recent days that Mrs. Marta is not well," my mother said.
"But she did all the tests and the results were good. "
"I know I do. But there's something else going on with her, and I'm sure she's hiding it from her family. "
"Why would she do that? I'm not getting it. "
"Daughter, your mother overheard a conversation between Mrs. Marta and one of her high society friends. "
I immediately looked at my mother, startled. It wasn't right to be listening to the bosses' conversation that way.
"It wasn't on purpose, Vivi. I was in the pantry, sorting out some produce for dinner, when Marta walked into the kitchen talking on the phone. I think she thought she was alone," my mother explained, before my questioning gaze.
"Got it. But then, what were they talking about? "
"She was talking to Mrs. Silvia and I heard her say she didn't want the family to know about her illness now because she didn't want to disrupt João Felipe's plans. She also said that she was sure that if her son knew what was happening to her, he would no longer travel and that he didn't want to be an obstacle in his life. I was very worried, Vivi. "
I was silent, weighing what my mother had said. I had to agree with Marta that if her mother was sick, even if it wasn't anything serious, Felipe would never move forward with his goals, postponing his plans. He wouldn't want to know that he traveled and was working normally, while his mother was probably, apparently, facing a serious health problem.
"Daughter, you know I've been working for the Mendes of Albuquerque since Mr. Rodolfo was just a kid. I followed the whole story between him and Mrs. Marta, and so I can safely say that if she is facing any more serious health problems, it will shake the whole family and especially Mr. Rodolfo. "
"I understand that I do, Dad. This is a very delicate subject. We can't be sure of anything just by a snippet of conversation my mom overheard. "
"But you, as Mrs. Marta's future daughter-in-law, can have a conversation, so that it makes her understand that you can't be hiding something like this from your own family, regardless of your motives. "
"Father, so are you suggesting that I approach Mrs. Marta? She knows very well that she never liked my closeness to her family, and that she only supports me because she doesn't want trouble with Mr. Rodolfo. "
"Daughter, I'm just accepting a decision from you. You and Mr. Peter intend to get married, and from what you keep talking about, you want to do it as soon as possible. Every decision has its implications and, in this case, it is that Mrs. Marta will be your mother-in-law and you should at least try a closer and more cordial relationship. "
"Your father is right, daughter. If before everything, you still accepted the marriage proposal of Pedrinho, without even having lived a dating properly before, you will be part of this family and as such, you should seek help at this moment that Mrs. Marta is living. "
My father looked at me seriously. He was already a gentleman in his sixties and loved working for that family, where he was always well treated and was where we had our home. The fact that we lived inside the property of the Mendes de Albuquerque was one of the factors that made me agree with the madness of João Pedro, because what would their life be like if I told everyone that I was pregnant with João Felipe?
I didn't want to bring such a twist into the lives of my parents, who were already about to retire. Even more, I could already imagine what would be the "solution" that Mr. Rodolfo would find for this situation. I didn't want Felipe by my side against his will.
I also didn't like to think about what it would be like to have to face all this alone, without JP's help, and to have to move to another city, not sure what awaited me in the future.
"Mrs. Marta only wants the best for her children, which is what every mother wants, Vivi. As she has always lived amid luxury, she believes that the happiness of her children should be based on wealth. But we must try to understand it and help at this time," my mother continued arguing.
I understood what they were trying to do and even liked to know that despite everything that had happened in the last few weeks, they were supporting me in such a sudden decision and trying to get us all to get along. My parents were right and I should try to help, even more, so that Mrs. Marta would be my son's grandmother.
João Felipe
I had already been in New York for a month and everything was going exactly the way I planned from the first moment I decided to expand the family business abroad. The team, which I had carefully chosen to assist me, was formed by competent professionals who were focused on the success of our first branch outside our country.
It was formed by American professionals, but I had also brought one of my father's employees from the headquarters in São Paulo, which was Luiz Miguel. He had a law degree, but with a specialization in finance, and was spectacularly helping me, in my first steps as CEO.
Jack was Brazilian too, but he had lived in New York for several years and I had nothing to complain about his work. I was focused on our success and had already landed several big names as clients.
I was fully satisfied with the business and should be very happy and fulfilled, to be able to put into practice what I always dreamed of, which was to further increase the family's wealth and close big deals on my own.
I should be happy. But I didn't feel happy. Nor accomplished. Not even the feeling of running a large company in a city like New York, on Wall Street, made me feel like I always imagined.