Chapter 64

Mr. Cesar set his plate on the table and sat down next to me. Everyone fell silent, watching the scene with curiosity. What was he trying to accomplish? Make me feel uncomfortable? It didn’t make any sense, and I couldn’t understand how he suddenly seemed like an angel fallen from the sky. What was the reality?

"Haven’t you eaten? Perhaps you didn’t like today’s menu," Mr. Cesar inquired with an elegant demeanor.

"It’s fine…" I murmured, turning back to my plate.

"And the place? You haven’t said anything."

"What do you want me to say?"

"What do you think of the entire project, for example."

"It’s a good project if done with good intentions."

"Do you think I’m not doing it with good intentions?"

"I don’t know," I replied, already irritated.

"Don’t know or don’t want to answer?" he asked quickly, as people turned their heads, watching us like a tennis match.

"I don’t know, and I don’t want to answer. Happy now?"

"That answer doesn’t make any sense."

"Why do you care so much about my opinion?" I snapped, standing up from the table. People looked at us, surprised. Embarrassed, I muttered, "Mr. Cesar, could you come with me for a moment, please?" With those words, I stepped aside, and when I turned around, I saw him walking toward me with a serious expression.

"Let this be the last time you raise your voice at me like that. I haven’t allowed anyone to do so in over 27 years, and I won’t start now."

"S-sorry for getting upset and shouting at you, but… Can I know what you’re after? Are you really doing this selflessly, or when something doesn’t please you, will you take away this happiness from all these people?"

"If that’s what you think, come work with me again and see it for yourself."

"Why… give me a single reason, without manipulation or deceit, for why you want me back in that house." He looked at me intensely and replied, "If I’m honest with you, you’ll come back to my side." I rolled my eyes, exasperated.

"There always has to be something for your benefit, doesn’t there?" Just as I was about to leave, he grabbed my arm, preventing me from walking away. I looked at his hand and then raised my gaze to meet his eyes.

"Because I can’t stop feeling intrigued by you. That’s all I can say for now, as even I don’t understand it. So, I need an answer tonight; tomorrow, I’m leaving." I swallowed hard.

"I… I don’t understand, sir. I’m sorry… I can’t answer now." I freed myself from his grip and left, clenching my fist against my chest, filled with more doubts than before.

۩

Cesar
The next morning, very early, well before the recyclers came out to collect and the small shops opened, I looked out the car window, waiting to see her, though I was certain she wouldn’t appear. But there it was… that element of surprise, born from the moment I first met her. She was the only woman who had ever unsettled me, who shook my critical thinking, because she disrupted every paradigm I was raised with. If anything remained from all this, it was that I’d planted a seed once again in a desolate place, allowing something good to grow. The same generous teachings my parents instilled in me before their lives were taken.

"Sir, it’s time to go." I nodded, putting on my sunglasses and raising the window as the car started to drive off.

"Mr. Cesar, you have a meeting with the investors, and… is that someone running behind the car?" Joffre noted, slowing down. I quickly took off my sunglasses and saw Belle running behind us.

"Mr. Cesar, I’m here!"

"Stop the car, Joffre!"

"Right away, sir!" The car stopped, and as I stepped out, Belle approached, breathing hard, carrying an old suitcase and wearing a black skirt and blouse. She looked up and, with determination, said, "I’ll come back to your side, if you don’t mind, but this time, I want to learn from you." With a serious expression, I nodded.

"Good. What are you waiting for, then? Get in the car; we have a lot to do." I turned my back, putting on my sunglasses when I heard, "Thank you for the opportunity again." A smile broke out on my lips as I walked back to the car.