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
After years of winning regional math competitions, Mandy´s team got pretty good at it. They worked like a gear operating at full speed. It was nice to watch them. The team was called Mathemaniacs, and they had t-shirts and caps with this logo.Even so, Professor Jackson got surprised when they classified for The National Mathematics Competition.Not because he didn´t admire and tutor these youngsters capacities, but for the National, only the best minds of the country were invited to take part.He also knew that Mandy was the brilliant one in this group, and without her, they didn´t stand a chance.But it would be great for their resumes and College applications, only to take part on it. No pressure about winning, for this purpose.But Mandy would miss this exciting experience. Jackson knew Carol and her points of view for years, now. He had no hope of convincing her to allow Mandy´s participation.So, he thought it w