1 - Problems in Sight

Gustavo Giordano had a life that most people would wish for: Billionaire, CEO and owner of a company, genius, and so on. But he had a problem that no one sees but that he was pressured by every day. An heir.

Yes. Even at the age of 30, the company's shareholders were already pressuring him to have a family, a wife and heirs. But the problem was: Gustavo was sterile, that is, in short, the only heir he could give would be through adoption, which would be extremely complicated, since he had practically no ties to anyone and to find a child who would show affection and, on top of that, place the weight of an entire legacy on their shoulders, would be stressful, to say the least, for him and for the child. In short, this issue was the only thing in life that Gustavo procrastinated on. He procrastinated in all meetings, stalled the shareholders and put off or avoided that most important issue. But one thing was certain, he needed to resolve that issue, and he didn't even know how.

This was the problem that Gustavo thought about every time he stepped into G-Corp in the morning or left at night, and he never found a solution for it.

Cecília: Good morning, Mr. Giordano - Cecília, his personal assistant and secretary greeted him, as she always did, with her usual welcoming smile. And as always, Gustavo didn't respond, he just nodded. And so began the morning ritual, Gustavo entered the room and Cecília followed him, in the room she went over her daily commitments to her boss and then left the room to leave Giordano alone and only came back when she was called.

Cecília Soares... what can I say about Cecília Soares? Cecília had become a mother at the age of 16, mother of a girl named Eloise, or Loise as the girl likes to be called. Cecília's boyfriend at the time, and Loise's father, had rejected them both and so... the blonde took on motherhood on her own. But even so, Soares managed to do everything she planned to do. She managed to go to college and study journalism and economics, while Loise shared the small apartment near the college with her mother and went to school normally. Because she was around college students most of the time, it can be said that Loise developed her skills and mentality earlier. Sometimes even Cecilia is surprised by her daughter. For example, she was surprised when they both had to move to National City because Cecilia had to find a job to finish college (the famous internships) and the G-Corp headquarters had offered her a job. We can say that Loise was the one who encouraged her mother to go, instead of Cecilia. At work, Cecilia was quite reserved about her personal life, omitting details whenever she could and only saying the minimum when necessary. She didn't want to expose herself, much less her daughter. But that was about to change. (...)

- Gustavo, you need an heir - One of the shareholders speaks to Gustavo at the meeting, returning once again to the subject that was making the dark-haired man lose his patience

Gustavo: Tell me again why this is necessary now. I'm 30 years old, I'm still young! - The other exclaims, already losing his patience.

- Gustavo, understand... - Another shareholder speaks - People like you are a target every day. You need to have an heir who is prepared from an early age to take care of your assets, your family's legacy, so that when something bad happens to you... the company is in good hands.

Gustavo: But... - He tries to argue but another shareholder interrupts him.

- Enough! - He says, standing up - Gustavo Giordano, you need to have an heir immediately, otherwise we'll look for someone else to take over as CEO of G-Corp.

Gustavo: YOU CAN'T DO THIS! - Gustavo stands up, slamming his hands on the table hard.

- Tell me why not then...

Gustavo: BECAUSE I ALREADY RESOLVED IT! - Gustavo says, leaving everyone there surprised, they weren't expecting that. Actually... not even Gustavo himself expected it, but now he had to come up with something - I'm already engaged, damn it! S-she has a daughter, we both have a good relationship. My stepdaughter who will run G-Corp when I'm gone.

- Great. See how it wasn't difficult. - They say and Gustavo sighs - The meeting is over. - They say and Gustavo leaves, going to his office and passing by the assistant without saying a word and locking the door to his office.

Gustavo: Holy shit... - Gustavo says, finally realizing what he did - What did I do?

(...)

Gustavo: Miss Soares, I'm leaving for lunch, I want you to cancel my afternoon meetings, today I need to think a little and that's why I want to stay away from here.

Cecília: Yes, Mr. Luthor. - Cecília speaks from her desk, which was next to Gustavo's office, in the hallway, and goes straight to the computer to cancel her boss's appointments. - They're all canceled.

Gustavo: Thank you. - Gustavo thanks her - When your schedule is up, you can go too. - He concludes to the employee who nods happily because she didn't having to stay after work that day. She, Loise and Lena would have their movie night, a family tradition.

With perfect timing, as soon as Cecília's lunch break arrives, her cell phone rings. She huffs, because she didn't even have time to eat her sandwich and answers the phone.

- Miss Soares? - The voice asks.

Cecília: That's right. - Cecília says and already felt that her day would not be normal after that call.

- We're from your daughter's school. - He says and Cecília closes her eyes sighing. It really wouldn't be normal that day. - Could you come here to school?

Cecília: Sure. - Cecília says getting up and grabbing her bag and sandwich, she would eat at Uber.

(...)

Cecília arrives at school and immediately heads to the principal's office. When she opens the door she finds Loise in the chair and she sees that her daughter is nervous, she is shaking her right leg and touching her glasses every 5 seconds. Seeing her daughter's gesture, Cecília immediately imitated her, touching her glasses and getting the attention of both.

Cecília: Did you call me?

Haley: Hello, Miss Soares. I'm Principal Haley, and I called you here because your daughter, Eloise, got into a fight today and hit a classmate. - The principal says and Cecília has an involuntary fit of laughter in front of her daughter and principal.

Cecília: Are we talking about the same Eloise? - Cecília asks, still trying to control her breathing - Because... Loise on this side takes after me: We're terrible at fights, so we avoid them as much as possible

Loise: It's true, mom... - Eloise tells her mother, getting the other blonde's attention and making her serious.

Cecília: Explain yourself - Cecília says, crossing her arms and looking directly at her daughter, who swallows hard.

Haley: She threw a tray at his head during lunch in the cafeteria.

Cecília: Okay... - Cecília sighs - Principal Haley, I'll be honest with you now. - She begins - I won't deny it and say that my daughter was right, because she wasn't, and we'll have a conversation about that later. But I also assure you that she must have hit him only because he crossed the line. Loise is the most mature, responsible and loving child I've ever seen, and I don't say this as her mother. So knowing my daughter and the upbringing I gave her, I ask you to tell me the whole story, because I'm sure there's more than one culprit here, and only my daughter is being punished. - Cecília speaks firmly and even the principal swallows hard.

Loise: Jordan. - Loise begins to tell, since she knew the principal wouldn't tell. - He always provokes me, and you know that. - Louise says and Cecília nods. Loise has often complained about Jordan in the coordination and direction but he continues to go unpunished. - Today it was again... but he... - Loise says trying to get to the end. - He said I was so horrible and out of place that I was rejected even by my father and that no one wanted you anymore because of me. - Loise says and starts staring at the floor while moving her leg. - Well, you already know the rest...

Cecília: That's absurd! - Cecília exclaims to the principal. - My daughter has been making recurring complaints of verbal aggression and bullying from this student and now when she reaches her limit, you blame her? - Cecília asks

Haley: Miss Soares... - The principal tries to say something but Cecília interrupts her again.

Cecília: No principal. You know you're wrong, I just want to know what Eloise's punishment is and leave right away to take the necessary measures against the institution. - Cecília says seriously

Haley: Suspension for the rest of the week. - She says and Cecília gets up from her chair right after.

Cecília: Great. Let's go, Loise.

Cecília says and Loise gets up to follow her mother, picking up her things right after.

Cecília: Have you had lunch yet? - She asks and her daughter denies it. - Now I understand why you hit him too, no one interrupts a Soares' meal - Cecília jokes but deep down she's being sincere. She wanted to lighten the mood with her daughter, she was going to talk to her about what happened at lunch.

Loise: Mom...

Cecília: We talked at lunch, Eloise Katherine Soares. - Cecília says her daughter's full name and Loise realizes: Cecília was furious.

Cecília: Damn it! - She exclaims as they both walk back to G-Corp - Lena can't stay with you. You'll have to stay with me at work, daughter.

Loise: Mom, I can stay home alone. - Loise tries.

Cecília: Nothing like that. - Cecília says - And remembering well... you're grounded. Give me the phone - She holds out her hand while Loise huffs and puffs and puts the phone in her mother's hand. - And you can only use Spotify when you're studying. I know you only study while listening to music. - Cecília says and her daughter nods. - Now let's get back to the topic... A tray, Eloise?!

Loise: It was either that or my phone... - The girl defends herself and Cecília huffs. - I'm not going to break my phone by throwing it in human waste, mom.

Cecília: Okay... - Cecília says by rubbing the back of her neck when they arrive at the G-Corp reception and Loise greets the employees. They had met her at the end-of-year party