When Paulo stepped back, Riana held the heart-shaped pendant he had just given her. A genuine smile illuminated her face as she thanked him:
— Thank you, it's beautiful!
However, her moment of tranquility was interrupted when Paulo suddenly took her hand. She felt embarrassed but knew she had to keep her composure and be smart if she wanted to uncover his true intentions. Paulo kissed her hand and suggested:
— Let’s take a walk in the garden; it’s a beautiful night outside.
Though feeling uneasy, Riana agreed and followed him. As they walked in silence, Paulo broke the quiet by asking:
— Where did you go today?
Riana continued walking without pausing, replying:
— Jully was in town; we spent the afternoon together.
Even as they walked, Paulo seemed to be subtly probing her, and he mentioned:
— I went to your office; your assistant told me you wouldn't be there and asked me to come here. I have to confess, I was annoyed; you left me alone at the restaurant for almost an hour.
Riana offered a slight smile but quickly grew serious as she recalled Estevan's words:
— There was an unforeseen issue; I'm sorry.
Paulo stopped walking, faced her, and with a tender gesture, brushed a strand of hair from her face, caressing her cheek as he spoke:
— You don’t need to apologize; just don’t let it happen again.
Riana nodded in agreement:
— I won’t; I’ll let you know in advance.
The two smiled and resumed walking. However, Paulo's phone rang, interrupting the moment. He stepped away to take the call from his brother Julião, while Riana, feeling exhausted, sought out the nearest bench and sat down.
When Paulo returned, he smiled and extended his hand to her. Riana accepted it, smiling, but soon expressed her fatigue:
— I’m very tired; I’ll see you tomorrow.
They began walking back to the house, but Paulo paused at the door, expressing his gratitude:
— Thank you for today; I really enjoyed spending this time with you.
He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, leaving Riana momentarily surprised. As he stepped back, he got into his car and drove away. Riana stood there, processing the events of the night and trying to understand the true intentions behind Paulo’s actions.
The next morning, Riana woke up early, determined to start plotting her next steps regarding Paulo and the changes she felt she needed to make in her life. Arriving at the office, she was already mentally planning her strategies when her assistant knocked and entered.
— Excuse me, Miss Raddoc. Mr. Helmer has arrived. Should I send him in? asked Marie.
Riana lifted her eyes from her thoughts and nodded:
— Yes, send him in, and I don’t want to be disturbed.
As soon as Marie left, it wasn’t long before Mr. Helmer, the company’s lawyer and a long-time friend of her father, appeared in the office. He walked toward her kindly, greeting her with a firm handshake before sitting down. Riana smiled and explained:
— Thank you for coming. I need your services for something urgent.
She handed him a gray envelope that was on her desk, containing some papers.
— I want to adopt this child, but there are many complications. Can you resolve this by the end of the week? she asked.
Helmer smiled confidently:
— Of course. Don’t worry, Miss. By Friday, that baby will be with you.
Riana felt a wave of relief wash over her at hearing that positive response. Helmer was known for his integrity and efficiency, and he was also a close family friend.
Once Helmer left the office, Marie returned with some information:
— The products from the operations team just arrived.
Riana stood up and thanked her:
— Thank you, Marie. Call Moscovk. I want him to accompany me.
The assistant left the room, and Riana headed to the bathroom to wash her hands before meeting Supervisor Moscovk, who was waiting for her in the hallway.
That day, Riana’s schedule was filled with tasks to resolve. Between one meeting and another, she could hardly contain her anxiety at the thought of adopting the baby from the orphanage. She felt an inexplicable connection to the child, as if destiny were writing a new chapter in her life.
Despite the hectic day, Riana decided to leave work a little earlier to choose some things for the baby’s room. She wanted everything to be perfect for the arrival of the child. At the baby store, her excitement was evident. Each choice was made with care and love, and Aila, the housekeeper, shared in the joy of seeing her so happy.
When they arrived home, it was already late, but Riana’s positive energy seemed unshakeable. She found herself immersed in thoughts while relaxing in a warm bath. Willian and his words flashed through her mind, but the happiness radiating from her decision to adopt the baby outweighed any doubts or regrets.
After the refreshing bath, Riana lay down in bed, eager for the arrival of the baby. At that moment, she decided to set her worries aside and embrace the anticipation and love she already felt for the child who would soon be part of her life.
The next morning, as Riana woke up, she could already hear the sounds of workers moving in the next room. They were dedicated to making every detail flawless, from applying wallpaper to arranging the furniture. It was evident that great care was being taken to ensure everything was ready in time for the baby's arrival, which was expected in two days.
As the workers focused on remodeling the room, Riana moved through the space with a watchful eye, ensuring that every detail met her expectations. She wanted everything to be perfect to welcome the child who would soon become a part of her life.
While Riana was busy in the room, Morgan, her maid, seized the moment to head to the laundry area. She looked around to ensure she was alone and then took out her cellphone, quickly dialing a number. As soon as the call was answered, Morgan wasted no time in reporting the news:
— She adopted the baby. He arrives on Friday, and the room renovation should be finished today.
After relaying the information, Morgan ended the call and returned to the kitchen, keeping her own secrets and objectives hidden behind a serene expression.
Minutes later, as Riana prepared to leave, the housekeeper approached her with a smile on her face.
— Riana, I found the nanny, announced Aila, the satisfaction shining in her eyes.
Riana turned to the housekeeper with interest, eager to hear the details.
— Suzane is a great candidate, Aila continued, displaying a confident expression. — She has a degree in nutrition and has taken several specialized courses, along with extensive experience in childcare.
Aila’s words echoed in Riana’s mind as she processed the information.
— Who is Suzane? Riana asked, curious.
Aila smiled, as if anticipating the question.
— The gardener's daughter, she replied promptly.
A glimmer of recognition crossed Riana's eyes at hearing the name.
— Oh, Ane, murmured Riana, recalling the young woman.
Riana finished drinking her juice, wiped her lips with a napkin, and turned her attention back to Aila.
— I want to talk to her now. Take her to my office, Riana ordered, determined.