Chapter 4 A cold and strict CEO

Gabriel Welsch was known as the cold, strict CEO, showing no mercy when an employee made a serious mistake. After yelling for hours at the manager in charge of the Information Technology department, he demanded that he be more careful when hiring interns, since one of them had used the company computer to watch movies and ended up accessing a malicious site that installed malware on the company's computers.

"I already gave him a warning..." the manager said.

"Fire him," Gabriel ordered, staring at the downcast man. "I don't want this to happen again, or you'll be the next one I let go."

"Yes, Mr. Welsch!" The shorter man stood up. "Anything else you need?"

"Get out!" came the cold voice.

With his hands shoved into his pants pockets, he gazed at the busy street through the glass. The sun shone above the skyscrapers scattered across the city. In one of those hotels, Gabriel had woken up in the middle of the legs of a beautiful girl he had spent the night with.

Since his wife's death, he often sought solace in bars where he was unknown. Despite his arrogance, Gabriel wore clothes that didn't attract much attention. Most women assumed he was just another executive working for Welsch Corporation.

Although widowed, he felt the need to relax at least twice a week. His good looks made it easy to find a woman who desired him.

One night, in São Paulo's capital, he found a lonely girl who, in a short time, was tangled in his body on the rumpled sheets of a cheap motel.

Gabriel was a vigorous and demanding lover. He took pleasure in all possible ways and gave satisfaction to the woman who welcomed him. Sometimes, this created an attraction he dismissed.

He always left before the lover woke up but asked the hotel staff to deliver flowers during breakfast. Rarely did he see the same woman more than once. He didn't want to make the same mistake of falling in love. He had grown accustomed to this lifestyle and enjoyed this version of Gabriel Welsch.

That morning, he took a taxi and called the secretary who took care of his daughter. It seemed Elizabeth didn't want to eat and was crying to see her father. Since her mother passed away, the girl didn't like staying with her grandmother.

"I'm busy!" he barked. "Put her in front of a cartoon and have the HR manager hire a nanny today," he yelled, ending the call.

He shoved his phone into his pocket and bumped into a medium-height woman who confronted him. He locked eyes with her green pupils staring at him. Even after she apologized-which was not something he often encountered-Gabe was shocked by the visitor's rudeness. If the executives watching the scene had told her this was the company CEO, she would have feared the tall man standing before her.

"Dad!" The little girl with golden curls ran into his arms. "I don't want to stay with her," she whispered, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fingers.

"Want to go to the park tomorrow?"

"Yes!"

Gabriel hugged her tightly. Elizabeth was the only one who could melt his heart. He would give his life for his daughter.

"Liz ran off," the breathless woman approached. "I'm sorry, but I'm too old for this, Mr. Welsch."

"I promise today is the last day."

He focused on the HR manager with a dark look. His employee was mortified with fear. For a few seconds, Gabe focused on the platinum-haired woman at the reception desk but then shifted his gaze to his daughter.

"Daddy!" The little girl tugged on his ear and giggled. "I want ice cream!"

"Ms. Mills will get it for you!"

"I'm sorry to interfere, sir, but Liz should have a nutritious breakfast."

"Just today!" He handed his daughter to the secretary.

He signaled to the security guard and looked back at the counter; the stunned woman was gone.

"Need anything, sir?"

"Find a short blonde woman and kick her out of the building."

Shortly before heading to the conference room on the rooftop, he stopped by the administration floor. He opened the door and slammed it behind him. The woman, mortified behind her desk, watched him.

"This is for today!" he said loudly. "I hope you do your job, or tomorrow you can start looking for another one."

"Yes, sir!"

Gabriel left and went straight to the boardroom. He spent less than an hour hearing about new investments in oil, real estate, and software. After making a few decisions, he decided to fire the marketing manager.

"Why?"

Mr. Welsch looked at an older gentleman with white hair who asked seriously-the only one who wasn't afraid of him.

"He managed a marketing team that didn't achieve the expected results."

"Your father would have..."

"My father is dead, Mr. Gutierrez," he barked at his father's former partner. "I own this whole damn thing and run it the way I want," he slammed his fist on the table.

As he left the room, he passed by some female employees who couldn't stop flashing smiles. Even angry, he nodded politely. He had to maintain decorum without giving an opening.

He swiped his access card to enter the elevator. The woman looking back got in. Gabe asked where she was going, and yet the short green-eyed woman answered rudely. Her aggression vanished when the door opened.

She assessed the man in simple clothes-ones even her ex-husband refused to wear-and looked around. It was clear she was lost and confused.

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In the afternoon, Gabriel twirled a pen between his fingers, recalling the woman who had limped into the private elevator. She kept her head down until the door closed.

On impulse, he picked up the phone and pressed the buttons quickly. Impatient with the delay, he began tapping his shin.

"Have you found that bastard yet?" His voice was heavy with anger. He took a deep breath while touching the picture frame with his daughter's photo. "Do your job properly. I'm paying you for this!" Gabriel shouted and then slammed the phone down with full force.

He lifted his face just as he heard the elevator door open.

"Excuse me, sir!" The HR manager entered, extending her hand toward the man with a terrifying scowl. "I've chosen two candidates." She handed over two sheets.

Gabriel lowered his head and reviewed the first candidate's information, then the resume and evaluation of the second.

"Do you think they're qualified?" He threw the sheets on the desk.

"If you give me one more day..."

"That's enough." He banged his fist on the desk. "I wanted the nanny hired today."

The woman shrugged and paused to think.

"There was a candidate who was an educator. She taught young children for ten years."

"Where's her resume?"

"Well..." She hesitated and looked away before continuing, "Viviane Bernardi has a small problem with one of her legs. It might be a little inconvenient..." She fell silent, noticing Gabe's stern expression.

At that moment, Gabriel remembered the woman who had entered his office. He slapped the desk with an open hand.

"Call Viviane."

"But, sir..."

"I said call her," Gabe shouted.

After the manager left, he picked up the phone and dialed. He leaned back in his chair, waiting for the call to connect.

"Dig into Viviane Bernardi's life," he ordered.