Luiza's POV

Why does life have the pleasure of changing constantly? When you think in getting used to a situation, it changes completely when we least expect. Leaving our world hopelessly trashed. On a day Valentina distilled hatred and rancor, and now she was simply lying in my bed in a deep sleep.

She's crazy...

I shook my head and smiled as I stared at her serene expression as she slept. I combed through her dark locks in a soothing caress, feeling the woman sigh comfortably. 

- Where was I with my head when I got involved with you?

I whispered to Valentina that didn't even heard. I slid my thumb over the soft skin of her face, admiring how beautiful she could be even sleeping. Surely Valentina Albuquerque was one of the most beautiful works of art ever made. 

"You are being so stupid, Luiza."

I told myself in thought. But it was in vain, I couldn't diminish the frequency of what I felt for that woman, it was mind-blowing how at every instant she gained another little piece of me. Could this be normal? If it was normal, I couldn't say. I simply felt.

I felt a need to be close, to feel her with me, to hear her voice, to receive her piercing gaze and her tender kiss. Liking Valentina was like an endless maze, you could never know how to stop. A kind of frenzy of feelings. I was lost, destiny decided to unite two people that probably would never work out, or they could work out. I smiled and continued with the caresses when she slowly shifted, snuggling into my arms in search of heat. In the moment her body glued to mine I stopped with the caresses, receiving an almost unconscious complaint. 

- No, don't stop... - She whispered sleepily, making me smile. 

- I thought you were sleeping. 

Valentina smiled weakly, sighing heavily. 

- If I stay awake you stop. 

I bit my lip and smiled. Her drunkenness left her sweet and mushy, showing a fully surrendered Valentina. Very different from what I was used to. 

- I'll stop. 

- Then I'm already going to sleep, Lu. Just continue... 

Valentina whispered bringing her body impossibly closer to mine, putting her face in the crook of my neck. It didn't take long to feel her lips touching my skin in a calm kiss. I closed my eyes feeling her hand roam my stomach in a caress with a hint of mischievousness.

- Valentina... 

- Shhh, be quiet, Lu. It's just fondling. 

She whispered going up with her hand up to my breast, above the fabric of the clothes I was wearing. She stayed with her hand still for a few instants, until she slowly began to massage.

- You are drunk. Stop. 

She smiled and bit her lip. 

- Just a little bit. Let me continue, you love my caresses.

I squinted my eyes in her direction and smiled, which gave her more incentive to continue with her caresses. Valentina snaked her hands inside the sweatshirt I was wearing, sliding her fingers along the full extent of my stomach calmly as her lips slid smoothly on my neck, making my body ask for more.

- Why can't you stay still? 

- I can't stay still when there's a woman like you next to me, Luiza. 

Her voice tone was already different, she whispered huskily in my ear.

- Of course you can...

I bit my lip when I felt her fingers pressing my breasts in a delightful way, God. Valentina was a sweet mixture of aggressiveness and delicacy. With the palm of her hand she started to squeeze more while her tongue moved frantically on my neck. Sending too fast information to my center that was starting to get wet.

- I love them, you know? Squeezing them like this, sucking them then... wow... 

Fuck, having that woman with her body practically over mine, whispering such type of things in my ear was at least maddening. With the shred of sanity I had left, I brought my hand over hers, stopping her ministrations instantly.

- I think I'll have to sleep in Dinah's bed. - I said getting u

- Don't even think about it!

Valentina spoke loudly, pulling me back to bed. 

- Shhh, do you want them to hear us?

- No, I'm sorry, Lu. I'll stay still, I promise! 

- You won't stay still! There's some magnet for sex in you!

Valentina stifled the laugh that insisted on leaving her lips.

- I have a magnet with you, Lu!

- Valentina, I already told you, I want to talk with you first.

- Can we make love and then talk? 

- No, we are going to sleep. And tomorrow we'll talk. You are in a deplorable alcoholic state. 

- Okay, but let me stay like this with you? I won't do anything. 

Dammit, dammit! Why did she have to ask like that? Why did she have to be so convincing? I shook my head, and Valentina realized that she had won the battle because she quickly enveloped me with her arms. 

- No funny business, Albuquerque. 

- Ok, Miss Campos, no funny business.

I smiled snuggling into her warm body. I wouldn't waste the opportunity of having her like that tonight, I didn't know how the next day would be. With Valentina the future was always uncertain. 

-----

I woke up feeling a cold all over my body. Very different from the heat that Valentina offered me during the night. When we went to bed we made the deal that there wouldn't be any kind of physical contact between us, which was in vain of course. We spent the night almost uniting us into one. 

I stretched myself slowly, feeling all the muscles of my body relaxed. I slid my arm on the bed, feeling an emptiness next to me, no. I shook my head asking God for what I was imagining to not be happening. When I opened my eyes and looked to my side, Valentina wasn't there anymore.

I shook my head cussing God and the world for having let Valentina stay last night. I stood up from bed in a swift move, walking towards the bathroom where I could only see the sweatshirt that she had worn last night.

Damn her, damn her!

I didn't have how to explain the anger that consumed me when I noticed her absence there. If Valentina was thinking that she could play with me in such way, she was very wrong. A kind of hurt and resentment took over my interior, as much as I deep down knew that there was a high possibility of that happening, I had hopes that she'd do it differently, that she'd surprise me.

I huffed unhappily grabbing the sweatshirt that she had worn that night, her amazing scent remained on the soft fabric making me travel in sensations, that I quickly took care of interrupting. Valentina would learn to value me.

I took a long hot shower, letting the warm water make all the tense muscles of my body relax. I was like a volcano right about to explode in lava of anger. I got dressed quickly opting for a black suit and white blouse accompanied by white high heels with golden details. I left my hair loose, slightly wavy. A median makeup, highlighting my eyes and lips. I would walk into that company flawless, showing the woman the false appearance that everything was perfectly fine with me. 

- Good Morning to you too, Lulu! 

Dinah said sitting next to me at the table for breakfast. 

- Good Morning. - I let out grumpy. 

- What happened? - Ally asked stroking my hair when she got closer. 

- Nothing, Ally, it's just bad mood. - I lied as to not give explanations. 

- Bad mood that has name and surname, right? 

I stared at Dinah while she took a sip of her hot coffee. 

- What? 

- Your bad mood, it's called Valentina Albuquerque. 

- How do you know? 

I squinted my eyes in her direction. 

- I saw you two walking in in the middle of the night, Miss noise!

- Valentina slept here? - Ally asked with wide eyes. 

- Yes, and by Luiza's face I see that she didn't do the job right. 

- Stop saying nonsense, Dinah! - I seethed getting up. 

We finished having breakfast in silence, or rather, with me in silence. Ally and Dinah talked time or another about work issues that were driving them crazy. On the way to Albuquerque's Industry I continued in silence, being provoked by Dinah that criticized my bad mood. But I didn't even pay attention, I really was unbearable that morning. 

We entered the company's elevator when Dinah snapped and started to speak.

- Can you tell me what happened? Your bad mood is contaminating me! What did Valentina do?

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.

- I don't want to talk about it, Dinah! - I let out in a serious way.

- We are your friends, Luiza! You are distributing kicks like a horse since we left the house. And we don't even know the reason! 

Dinah was right, I had no right to discount my anger of Valentina on the only people that made my days better. 

- She simply left, Dinah, after asking me to sleep there with such affection, she left without even giving an explanation. - I spoke hurt, resentful.

- You didn't see her leave?

Her voice tone calmed down.

- No, I woke up and she wasn't there anymore.

- That really was a shitty thing to do.

- Now can you understand my bad mood?

- Yes, Lulu, of course I understand. 

- I told you she had a reason, Dinah. - Ally said hugging me slowly. 

- Ok, but it didn't hurt to tell us! I just can't understand why she did that. 

- Because she's an asshole, coward and arrogant... - I started to list all the negative adjectives in which I would fit Valentina. 

- Luiza... - Dinah said. 

- That only thinks about herself all the time, idiot! Stupid! - I continued talking nonstop. 

- Lulu... 

- I honestly don't know where I was with my head, you know? 

- Karla! - Dinah almost shouted.

I stared at the woman without understanding, her eyes were wide in my direction, but they weren't looking directly at me, but at something behind me. I turned around slowly noticing Valentina standing in front of the elevator doors that were now open. The woman stared at me with narrowed eyes. 

- Can I know about who you are talking with such fury, Miss Campos? 

I swallowed hard, and Valentina entered the elevator, her raspy and superior voice tone invaded the small metal box in which we were. I clenched my jaw and closed my hands into fists pushing away the huge urge of killing her right in there. Ally and Dinah backed away to the elevator's back wall, diverting their eyes from both of us.

- Do you really want to know, Albuquerque? - I let out the words with evident cynicism.

- Yes. I do.

Valentina answered quickly as the elevator doors closed behind her.

- So, you won't tell?

- I'm talking about you, you idiot! - I seethed furiously standing up to the woman who curved her lips into a small smile. 

Bitch.

- Lulu, calm down. - I heard Ally's voice behind me, and her small hands holding my arm.

Valentina stared at me serious, with that pair of green eyes that were so fucking penetrating and engaging.

- I will not calm down, Allyson! Valentina thinks she owns the world and that she can do whatever she wants.

- Miss Campos, you shouldn't talk without..

- Shut your damn mouth cause I'm talking! - I shouted furiously.

- Luiza... - It was Dinah's turn to approach.

Valentina's POV

Luiza was simply furious, spitting fire through her mouth. I confess that I was holding myself inside as to not laugh of her animalistic fury. I held in the laugh that almost came out when I faced her eyes flaming with anger against me as the woman talked nonstop. The veins in her neck popped out because of the exalted way in which she was talking. I just kept silent, hearing every word she had to say. I learned in some documentary that the best thing to do in these moments is to let the woman let out all of her anger to then explain. Or the possibility of her jumping on my neck was almost a thousand.

- Lu...

- Don't Lu me, you left me there alone and left. And now you come as if nothing had happened!

- Lulu, try to calm down.

Allyson said trying to hold Luiza's arm again. 

I started at the two women that seemed to be somewhat fearful with Luiza's actions.

- You are an idiot, arrogant... But I'm way worse for falling in your conversation, for letting you stay.

Luiza didn't stop talking not even for a minute, I couldn't understand from where came out so much breath. She was such a delicate woman.

- Honestly, you are a son of a...

In a desperate act to make her stop with the insults I quickly brought my hands to her neck, pulling her face towards mine. Taking her lips in a furious kiss.

I closed my eyes feeling the brunette's lips crashing against mine, her hands in desperation pushed my shoulders in a failed attempt to make me stop. But that only impulsed me more to continue. I tangled my fingers in her dark locks preventing her mouth to disconnect from mine. The brunette bit my lip slowly, and surrendered herself, resting her hands on my shoulders. Luiza opened her mouth giving me passage to slide my tongue over hers in an affectionate way to calm her down. We kissed for only God knows how long, when I let the brunette go we noticed that the elevator was closing again, but this time we were completely alone.  

Luiza backed away a few steps with a panting breath, her lips were swollen and so desirable. And I just stared at her with a heavy breathing. The brunette leaned against the wall of the elevator, and stared at me still a little inert

- I don't want to speak with you, Valentina, leave.

I shook my head and approached the woman, affectionately holding her face from which I stayed too close. I looked into those so deep and mysterious brown eyes for a few seconds.

- I'm sorry for having left without telling you, baby. Taylor called me early in the morning asking me to pick her up from the airport. You looked so beautiful sleeping that I simply didn't want to wake you up. 

I spoke calmly as I made a soothing caress on the brunette's face that stared at me confused.

- Are you kidding me? Stop, leave me alone.

I smiled calmly. 

- No, I swear I'm not, come here. - I pulled the brunette again. 

Luiza shook her head, and I pulled her for a kiss again. I didn't know for how long we stayed inside that elevator, but we finally left and now with Luiza much more calm than when she entered. The brunette walked in silence beside me, and I just held her hand for brief seconds. 

- To prove that I'm not lying, come to my office. 

- You don't have to prove anything to me. 

- Let me show you. I know that we still have a lot to talk about. 

- Yes, we have. 

- And we will, but first come with me. 

She nodded and we walked towards my office. When we entered Luiza came across Taylor who couldn't be more excited to see her there. 

- Lulu! Finally! Valentina said she would go get you to see me. 

- Hi, Tay! Wow, I missed you! 

I smiled to see them together. Luiza had a huge easiness to make people love her quickly. And Taylor had gotten along too well with her, it could even look like the sister was Luiza and not me.

- Omg I missed you too! You disappeared, you have to convince Valentina to go home more often. This way you can go together. But if she doesn't want to, go anyways! 

- Leave it to me, I'll convince her to go.

I smiled and shook my head.

- I arrived too early, the flight was faster than I thought. And I called the Miss over there. I don't know where she was, but she woke up with a drunk voice.

Luiza smiled watching Taylor walk from one side to the other talking nonstop about my state when I woke up. 

- I come from LA and she answers the phone grumpy because I woke her up early! Do you believe this? 

- I imagine, Miss Albuquerque seems like the type of person to wake up in a bad mood.

- It depends on who wakes me up, Miss Campos.

I spoke quickly looking in her direction, the brunette quickly diverted her gaze. 

- If it were one of your little girlfriends you'd wake up happy! 

- One of your little girlfriends? - Luiza asked with an arched eyebrow

- Yes! 

- No!

Taylor and I said at the same time. 

- Well I mean, before Valentina was pretty wild, you know? She hooked up with a lot of girls. But nowadays she's more lonely.

- Who guarantees you?

- No one, but know that I only approve one person for that position in your life, right Miss Campos?

- Tay..

We looked at each other quickly, and Taylor smiled.

- Anyways, I came to buy some things. And Valentina, I wanted you to free Luiza right now. 

- You want my secretary? 

- Yes, I do. 

- Abuse much?!

- You live glued to her all the time, I know it! It doesn't hurt to share, don't worry because I don't have the same intentions with her. 

Luiza who drank a glass of water choked up as soon as she heard Taylor speak.

- Good! Fine with me, just don't be late, Luiza. We have an important meeting at 4PM with the owners of Issartel.

- Don't worry, Miss Albuquerque, I'll be here.

- Let's go then. 

Luiza left ahead, and Taylor looked at me for the last time to then say: 

- You owe me this one, Albuquerque!

I smiled. Taylor knew very well how to disguise the whole situation. I hadn't left Luiza's house so early to pick up Taylor from the airport. I had left without any particular reason, just with fear of what would come from here on out. The damn resentment sometimes spoke louder. But as if destiny had the solely intention of not making me commit a mistake, Taylor showed up:

-I'm in front of your building, can you please give me permission to get it? I just arrived from the airport. - I heard Taylor's voice on the intercom. 

- What are you doing here at this hour? 

I asked confused looking at the clock, it wasn't even 6AM. 

- Jesus, Albuquerque, let me in and I'll explain! 

It didn't take long to see Taylor entering my apartment with a small suitcase. I squinted my eyes in her direction, and she smiled excitedly walking towards me. 

- Jesus Christ, what hangover face is that, Valen? You look horrible! 

- Good Morning to you too, little sister! 

I said sarcastically, which made her laugh. 

- Good Morning! But now tell me why you look like a crumpled homeless and with a face of who spent the night getting drunk. - Taylor spoke sitting next to me on the couch. 

I closed my eyes feeling the strong headache take over me. I massaged my temples slowly, frowning at each twinge of pain. 

- I don't want to talk about it... 

- Valentina Michelle Albuquerque Morgado, what did you do? 

I lifted my head that was leaning back and stared at Taylor's light and accusative eyes. 

- I just left Luiza's house. 

The girl smiled as if I had just told the best news of the day. 

- Don't get so excited, I left there. And that isn't good at all, she'll hate me. 

- Hate you? But why? Explain me. 

I looked at Taylor for a few seconds, thinking that she'd be one of the best people to advise me now. Although younger, Tay was very mature and responsible. I inched closer to her and told her everything that had happened from beginning to end, without taking away a single comma of all the confusion in which I found myself. 

- Wow! - Those were her words when I finished telling everything.

 - What do I do, Tay? 

The girl stood up with squinted eyes, walked from one side to the other kind of processing all the information that I had just given her. Like me, Taylor seemed to have stayed somewhat lost. She stayed a few minutes thinking, when in a snap she spoke: 

- What you shouldn't have done was leave there! She will want to kill you and rightly so! Why are you so complicated, Valentina? 

- After everything you still call me complicated? And what about the part where I was deceived? It doesn't count? Taylor rolled her eyes impatiently. 

- No, she only is a... - Taylor took a long pause to then speak in the most natural way in the world - A stripper! 

- "Only", right? - I let out ironically. 

- Stop being an idiot. For what I understood you fell in love with both versions of Luiza, right? 

I shrugged and nodded. 

- Then what is the problem? Valentina you are a lucky woman! You fell in love with the same woman. That surely avoided a very big problem of infidelity. 

The girl said laughing as she walked towards the kitchen. 

- Taylor, what is the part that she lied to me that you didn't understand? 

Taylor opened the fridge serving herself a glass of juice, drinking it calmly as I stared at her. 

- What is the part that she didn't tell you because she didn't want to lose you that you didn't understand? 

I didn't say anything, just leaned against the counter shaking my head. 

- Valentina, it's pretty clear that you love her! I never in all my life saw you like this for a woman. 

- Like this how? - I asked confused. 

- Like this, idiot! 

I huffed and walked out of there. And Taylor quickly ran after me. 

- In my little experience with relationships, I think that you should leave this idiot pride of yours aside. Luiza is a women who's worth it, and with what you told me she didn't get involved with anyone else inside that club. I believe that you would be a tremendous dumbass if you let her go. 

- You liked her that much? - I smiled as I asked. 

- Of course, she's beautiful, very intelligent and affectionate. And she loved our family. Unlike all your ex girlfriends of course. 

- Hey! I've had other very beautiful girlfriends! 

- Yes, but they were dumb or gold diggers! 

I smiled as I remembered all the times that Taylor clashed with my ex girlfriends. 

- Listen to the voice of reason, Valentina, I am right. 

- Taylor... 

- Shush, go take a shower, put on clean clothes. And go get that woman now. She will want to jump on your neck! 

I let out a laugh, feeling the pain throb again in my head. 

- She'll kill me. - I grumbled. 

- I would kill you too! You ask to sleep with her and in the morning you leave without giving any explanation?! No, no. Luiza is being too patient with you. 

- I find amazing your ability to always stay on her side. - I grumbled walking to my bedroom. 

- My sister-in-law needs to be supported! - Taylor shouted throwing herself on my bed, while I went to the bathroom. 

- And what about me? I'm your sister. 

- You are wrong, Valentina, deal with it cause it hurts less! Now be quick, I still want to be the maid of honor in your wedding!

I opened my eyes as soon as I heard some knocks on the door. 

- Come in.

It didn't take long for the door to open up making room for someone to enter. Dinah.

- Excuse me, Miss Albuquerque, I wanted to speak with you.

- Of course, Dinah, have a seat.

The woman walked calmly, sitting in front of me with a serious gaze. 

- Can I know what the conversation is about?

Dinah took a deep breath and nodded.

- First I would like to say that here who's speaking is Dinah Luiza's friend, and not Dinah your employee. 

- Alright, I'm all ears.

- Well, Valentina, I know that I shouldn't be meddling in your relationship with Luiza, but she is like my younger sister and I feel that's my duty to protect her. And I wanted to ask you to be careful, Lulu is a very strong woman but I know how much she has already suffered. And suffering again is not in her plans.

- Dinah... - I tried to speak. 

- Let me finish, please. 

I nodded. 

- I know how hard it must be for you all this situation, I really do understand you. But Luiza is a wonderful woman, she never acted in bad faith when she got involved with you. I know because I witnessed every moment. You may not believe since I'm her best friend, but I guarantee you with my word that her intention was never negative, she's not the type of gold digger woman that would run after your money if that's what you are thinking. 

- I never thought she was, not even on the moments of pure anger. Dinah, I think it's very beautiful of your part to come here to protect Luiza. But I want to tell you that you can relax, I don't have the slightest intention of getting revenge or something like that. Despite all that's happened, I never doubted Miss Campos's character. If I had thought something different surely she wouldn't continue here.

- I just don't want to see her suffer, Valentina.

- Me neither. I love her, Miss Jane. I love that woman like I never imagined possible. I'm just a bit too confused, I really hope you understand me. Because the situation I find myself in isn't easy. 

- I know, I imagine. - Her voice tone was calm. 

- Don't worry, ok? I made the decision that I don't want to be without her, and I'll prove it to her.

- That makes me more relaxed, Valentina. Because honestly, if you make my Lulu suffer I'll end your life, with all due respect, ma'am. - She finished the sentence politely. 

I let out a chuckle.

- I can fire you for threatening me, you know that right? - I asked playfully.

- I wouldn't care, ma'am. I defend that girl with teeth and nails.

- Continue like that, Miss Jane.

She nodded with a smile. 

- Well, that was it. Thank you for hearing me. 

- You don't have to thank me. Thank you for understanding me.

She smiled leaving the office quickly. It was nice to see how Luiza could be protected by so many. With that sweet and tender way she had conquered a lot of people, and that surely made me more relaxed. 

 Luiza's POV 

I gave three light knocks on the wooden door and waited for someone to answer. I was in front of my old house, or rather, Sinu's house. After long hours of shopping for the huge party that Taylor would throw this weekend for her birthday, the girl made the decision that she wanted to meet my younger sister, and just like Valentina, Taylor didn't take "no" for an answer. All the while the girl asked me questions about my family, friends and past. In an attempt to get to know me more, what particularly I'd rather leave behind, but I didn't back away. The girl was always very friendly and transmitted me a lot of trust.

I knocked again and came across the little one in front of me.

- Kaki! - She said hugging me. 

I enveloped the little one in a tight hug laden with longing. It was always good to visit Sofi, she always received me with open arms, unlike others of course

- I missed you so much, shorty! - I whispered to the girl who smiled

- Me too, Kaki!

- I brought a friend to meet you. - I said pointing to the car where Taylor was.

- Is Valentina in there? - The girl asked excitedly.

- No, Sofi, Valentina is working now.

Sofi changed her expression to a sad one, it was incredible to see how the two in a few days created a strong bond of friendship. Valentina had surprised me when she got along so well with the little one. 

- Don't make that face, who's in there is Valentina's sister. And she really wants to meet you.

- I miss Valen, Kaki!

- Sofi? Who's there

I heard Sinu's voice, and quickly stood up. The woman appeared at the door as she wiped her hands on a thin cloth.

- Get in now, Sofia! - She ordered. 

- But mommy... - Sofi grumbled.

- Get in! I'm ordering! - Sinu pulled the little one by her arm dragging her inside the house. 

- What do you think you are doing? - I spoke furiously trying to stop Sinu. 

Sinu looked at me serious, closing the door behind her, locking Sofi inside the house. 

- Well, well, look who's here. Your pimp gave you time to visit the family?

I rolled my eyes in pure fury. 

- I just came to visit my sister, who by the way is the only family I have.

- Of course, I imagine. That's why you are trying to take her away from me, right?

I stared at the woman with a confused gaze. Sinu remained serious, staring at me in a way that conveyed disgust.

- What are you talking about?

- Don't be cynical, Karla. The notification came this week, how dare you want to take your sister away from me?

- I just want the best for her! And surely it's not you. 

- You have some nerve! I am her mother, you understand?!

I took a deep breath, asking God inwardly to give me the patience that I no longer had.

- You are everything but a mother! 

- What do you mean by that, Luiza? - The woman asked angrily.

- That a rude, mean and low woman like yourself can't be called a mother. 

I could feel the heavy atmosphere between us, the woman stared at me with such anger that I could even feel bad if I wasn't prepared every time that I met her. 

- Who are you to speak about me? Huh? A whore! Are you deceiving the businesswoman now? - Her voice tone was pure sarcasm, staring at Valentina's imported car that was parked in front of the house. 

God, I felt sick.

- Don't speak nonsense!

- Very clever, right Luiza? You just grabbed the opportunity. Now you live amid money and power. How much does she pay you for night? Do you have another one? 

I closed my eyes tightly, pushing those words away from my thoughts. But they kept entering my head with a too fast and strong frequency, I was going mad. I took a few steps back, but the woman approached and kept speaking. 

- I didn't expect anything different from you. A low class whore, and you still want to have the moral to ask for your sister's custody. Let's see what the judge will say when I tell him that a nightclub whore wants to take my daughter away. 

- I'm much better than you! You are a despicable being! - I shouted at her.

Sinu smiled sarcastically. 

- He won't believe anything. I'll tell him that you left home to become a whore, and that you are sleeping with a rich woman for money and that you want to take your sister down the same path! - She practically shouted.

And I couldn't take it anymore, in an impulse I slapped one of my hands hard on the woman's face. God. 

- How dare you hit me? 

The woman said turning her face in my direction with her hand over her cheek. I shook my head holding in the huge urge I had of crying. I had never done that before.

- Get out of my house now! And don't show up here anymore, Karla! I don't want to look at your disgusting face! 

I backed away taking a deep breath.

- I'll take Sofi from you, Sinu. I will give her the best future! 

The woman let out some heavy words to my back, and I simply walked back to the car waiting for me. Once I got in Taylor looked at me startled for seeing me cry. But I didn't speak, I just let her console me. When we arrived in front of Albuquerque's Industry I was already normal. Alfred quickly got out of his seat to open the car door for Taylor and I. 

-Tay? 

I held the arm of the girl that looked at me. 

- Yes? 

- Don't tell Valentina anything. 

- Why? 

- I don't want her to worry, we already have too much stuff going on in our life. 

Taylor stared at me for brief seconds and nodded.

Valentina's POV

I reviewed some reports during all that time. Taylor and Luiza arrived almost on top of the meeting that was about to happen. The owners of a big multinational, which by the way was the competition, were waiting for me for some proposal. I took a sip of Whiskey to relax, business meetings were always too tiring. And then I walked to the conference room, being greeted by the self-interested shareholders with fake smiles as soon as I got in. 

- Good Afternoon, gentlemen.

- Good Afternoon, Miss Albuquerque. It's a pleasure to see you. - Pietro spoke gallantly. 

I smiled cordially, and looked at Luiza in the back that distributed the paperwork on the table. The woman smiled making me know that she was no longer angry. When the conference room door opened.

- Good Afternoon, everyone! 

I honestly couldn't believe it. Keana entered the room with a broad and arrogant smile, walking towards us as if she owned the world.

- I'm sorry I'm late, the traffic in Miami is not an easy one. 

Keana Marie was none other than one of the best businesswomen in Miami, in second place of course. Our companies were marked by the huge competition in the United States trade and economic field. I didn't even need to say how that woman annoyed me, right? Her arrogant and prepotent air made me have the urge to jump on her neck. We always bumped into each other on the most important award shows and conferences, making it very clear to everyone that we didn't stand each other. But she simply smiled, cynical. Does she feel the same revulsion for me? By her gaze, most certainly yes.

- I imagine. Good Afternoon, Miss Marie. - I spoke extending my hand to the woman.

- Good Afternoon, Albuquerque! -She smiled greeting me. 

- Miss Albuquerque, the reports are already ready. - I heard Luiza's serious voice as she approached.

- Karla Luiza? - Keana asked curiously.

Luiza turned in the direction of the woman and smiled widely.

- Oh my God, Keana! - Luiza spoke excitedly, what had I missed?

- Wow, I thought I would never see you. Give me a hug!

Luiza was quickly pulled into a tight hug.

- You look wonderful, as always. - Keana said with second intentions

The woman stared at Luiza in an admired way, causing a feeling that by the way bothered me a lot.

- So do you. - Luiza backed away shyly, exchanging a quick glance with me.

- I didn't know that you were working here. But now that I know, I'm already thinking in a way of stealing you to be my personal assistant.

I smiled cynically.

- Miss Campos already has a great job, I don't believe that she'll need another. - I spoke seriously.

- Maybe my proposal to her will be better, Valentina. Everything can happen in the business world, and I do already know her for a long time.

- Time that has already passed. Now she works exclusively for me.

I squinted my eyes towards Luiza who swallowed hard. For some reason that hadn't pleased me at all.

- Shall we start the meeting?! - Luiza spoke quickly changing the subject

Keana smiled and nodded. Walking to her chair that was on the other side of the table, in front of me. I sat in my seat with Luiza beside me, exchanging an almost deadly gaze with the woman in front of me. She stared at me in a prepotent way and I did the same.

- So Miss Marie, what's your proposal? - I was direct.

The woman took a deep breath and smiled cynically.

- I want to buy Albuquerque's Industry.