MR. BOSS POV “Daaaarling I missed you so much.” Elizabeth said that, while she embraced me in a theatrical gesture. Since we were alone in her apartment I was kind of an audience to her. She didn´t really feel the moment, she was more interested to read the reaction on my face. She presented her greatness to me and expected applause or maybe a mink coat. I didn´t mind all this before, but today she was annoying me. “Elizabeth, we need to talk.” “Oh.” She shook her head, waving her hair in front of me. Still holding me like an octopus. I mean, she was even sweating a little and I felt like she was trying to glue to me. “Will you kneel then?” She said in a hoarse voice. “No. let´s just sit down.” It seems that she expected me to propose. I guess it´s because we were not used to talking much, so she assumed that it was ‘the talk’. “Well, that´s not so romantic.” She wanted the movie scene. As we sat on the couch she had a

CAROL POV So, here I am on my first date with Arthur. He looks so handsome in a dark blue blazer and jeans. Oh my, and he smells so good. We arrive at a very fancy restaurant and are met at the entrance by a truly polite host. Arthur had reserved the best table, by the window, and the view was superb. I was charmed by him. He suggested some dishes but insisted that the final decision was mine. I love that in a guy. It has happened to me before, to be craving meat, for example, and the guy ordering me fish. Treating me like an inferior in intellect or decision capacity. But not Arthur. He was so perfect. He treated me with dedication and care. He noticed where I looked, what I spoke, and he explored my ideas. He was traveling in my personality and I was completely absorbed by his. When we were finally savoring some gourmet coffee and chocolate, I complimented the decoration of the place. “Do you really like this place?” “It´s ad

MANDY Before our arrival at the party, the helicopter made a tour of the city. It was so beautiful. From up there, everything became different and wonderful. The city architecture made a random design that was surprising. Nature and cement in cooperation to create beauty for our eyes. Mark, Steph, Charlie, Arthur, and my mom rode with me. The dearest people in the world to me. Of course, I also love my grandparents, but they are country people, and I understood that they wouldn´t travel this far, just for a teen´s party. Too much noise, to say the least. So, in this chopper, my heart couldn´t hold still. I looked out the window, and I stared at my loved ones with the same enthusiasm. I mean, these people had gotten together in an effort to make me happy. I felt lucky and blessed. Mom looked stunning. She was wearing a golden long gown, with a matching purse and high heels. Steph had chosen a sky-blue dress, made of a de

CAROL POV Even when I had the most extraordinary dreams for my daughter´s future, I never pictured her as part of the tycoon´s world. Mandy exceeded my expectations. I am so proud of her, that I feel like I could burst out in joy. And Arthur seems to be enchanted by her capacities too. When we talked about her, he told me that she has a rare gift for math, combined with a business personality. As he explained to me, some people, though great in math, can´t make a dollar out of it. Others work in business, but don´t have a clear view and capacity to invest. And I told him that my main objective was to have a healthy and happy child. Since I was told by psychologists and counselors, that Mandy had a high IQ that gave her exceptional capacities, I made sure to watch closely if she would not force and stress herself because of it. I wanted it to work in her favor and not the other way around. “I thought the same, Carol when she came to wor

MANDY POV It was such a great surprise to hear that Arthur had given my mom a beautiful, sophisticated restaurant. It put Steph and I on the move. It is my best friend´s childhood dream to be a famous singer. Yes, a pop star. She has the greatest voice and she writes her own lyrics. So, we asked mom if Steph could perform in the restaurant on Saturday nights. Mom thought it was a great idea, because everybody likes live music, but asked us to choose soft melodies, so people could enjoy them while having a conversation. We started on rehearsals at once. Mark and Charlie also participated with suggestions and encouragement. Charlie knew a pianist who could join her on some previously arranged dates. It was perfect. Steph took it very seriously, because it was her life dream ready to come true. Besides this audience, we would record everything and post on the internet later, to reach other music fans. We also went to many clothes stores t

MANDY POV I don´t know if the reason is, that everything is so new to me, but I can´t have enough of Mark. His presence, his sweetness, his thoughts. And I´m am so lucky that he is patient with me. Because, I mean, it´s like if he is under investigation or something. I question him, and question, and search his feelings, from the smallest to the dearest. Some people explore the space, others explore pyramids. I dive in the most wonderful exploration of my boyfriend´s personality. He has become my world. And what a beautiful world it is. Inside and outside. MARK I love to be with Mandy for our long talks. When I know we will meet later that day, I start to feel warm and happy. She gives me wonderful expectations, for a life that was empty in comparison to now. The simple things became important to me. To be together in her home, waiting for Carol to prepare delicious dinners. We wash the dishes afterwards, we think it´s fair, si

MANDY POV When I was born my parents lived on a farm. It belonged to my dad´s family. He built a small house for him and mom in his family´s land. It was like a nest of love and fun. To this day I remember dad´s laughter. There is not even one bad day in my memory, but I think it is just normal because he was a happy newlywed man with his firstborn. My feet almost never touched the ground, because when it was not mom or dad carrying me around, it was Papa John or Nana Helen. Papa John is the typical cowboy. Always wearing a hat, and leather clothes. My father was not so much, since he was half businessman, in charge of trading the cattle or buying new land too. But Papa John was always on a horse´s back, riding the fields and he seldom left the farm to go to the city. He is happy this way. Nana Helen´s hobby is sewing. She makes beautiful clothes for all of us. Even for my dolls, at that time. And to have complete bliss, every day my m

ARTHUR BOSS POVI never felt this way. Then, I didn´t know how much I missed it. My life lacked true love.What could I say to my own arm or leg? That, it is a part of me?It seems silly but I don`t get tired of saying to Carol, “You are a part of me. I love you.” She gets a little shy and it only tempts me to declare again and again, “I love you, Carol. You are my life.”The first time she said, ‘I love you, Arthur’, it was like hearing the most perfect symphony. Now I just thirst to hear more. And she says. I´m fortunate because she loves me back.To have Carol in my life, transformed everything to me. It´s exactly like watching a black and white movie and with the entrance of a certain character, it changes to color.Carol made everything feel better, look better, be better.Before her, I saw things more in the categories of steel, plastic, rock. And the material things, more to

CAROL POVI told Arthur that enough silliness is enough. We had been dating for months now and I still hadn´t visited his home.“I want to go now, Arthur. Enough excuses.”“Maybe you won´t like the house, Carol.”“What is there not to like? Bricks and paint? Do me a favor and don´t treat me like a brainless creature. I sense a real problem here. What is bothering you, honey?”“I don´t know, Carol, maybe I´m afraid that you will consider me selfish. When I built the house I wasn´t thinking about a family, or anything. I did everything thinking only about myself.”“Arthur, you have to stop worrying about what I could think about you. If you don´t know it yet, I love you. And love doesn´t think.”He relaxes a little, but he still seems worried.“Carol, maybe you will consider me a showoff.”“Do you s

BUSINESS GROWTHThere is a monthly lunch at the Elite Top Club, where a governor will be invited to be the main guest speaker. The intention is to promote the opportunity of businesses in his state, attracting investors and creating new jobs.He is often followed by a banker, who offers special deals for those who embrace these new projects.While they are talking, people pay the most respectful attention, as they enjoy a three courses meal prepared for these occasions.More or less three hundred businessmen and businesswomen are the guests of these events.Since Billions Investing Group is one of the sponsors of these many events, Arthur sits at the main table, with the honored guests and the town mayor.Right up front he has three tables exclusive for his directors and guests. Mandy soon found a permanent chair at one of these tables.The thing is that since he started dating Carol, Arthur began to think of Mandy as his successor in