Page 77 of Please, Forgive Me
I didn’t even bother arguing. Nothing I said would change his mind.
At this point, arguing with him felt like a lost battle. The words died in my throat before they even had a chance to come out. I just sighed and nodded, accepting my fate—another late night at the office.
“How surprising,” I thought wryly, feeling the exhaustion already weighing on my body.
Diego was still the same—cold, bossy, and infuriatingly charming in a way that drove me insane. He could get under my skin even when he was being absolutely unbearable.
The worst part was knowing, deep down, that he felt something too—but he was far too proud to admit it.
As I organized the papers on my desk, I heard footsteps approaching. It was Alexandre, Diego’s older twin brother.
He always carried a lighter energy compared to Diego, despite their striking resemblance.
“How are you holding up?” Alexandre asked, flashing that gentle smile that always made me feel a little more at ease.
I gave him a tired smile in return.
“Surviving, as usual.”
“I know it hasn’t been easy,” he said, his voice sincere enough to make my chest tighten. “Diego isn’t the easiest man to deal with… especially these days. But I want you to know that once you leave, you won’t have to worry about any backlash. I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ll make sure you get glowing recommendations. Any company that reaches out to Amacel will hear nothing but praise about your work. I promise.”
If anyone else had said that, I probably wouldn’t have believed it. But Alexandre was different.
He was… human.
Even so, that promise brought unexpected relief. Knowing that, despite the hell Diego was putting me through, I’d at least have a fair shot in the job market was comforting.
“Thank you, Alexandre. That means a lot. Really.” I looked at him, genuinely grateful for his kindness.
He was so different from his brother in so many ways—and yet, somehow, still similar. The kind of difference that wasn’t visible at first glance, but in the way they acted.
Alexandre was open, approachable.
Even though both had that serious posture and strong presence, he didn’t let work harden his heart the way Diego did. While Diego seemed locked inside his own coldness, Alexandre always had an easy smile and a genuine warmth about him.
“No need to thank me,” he said, shaking his head. “You’ve done an excellent job here. I know you’ve got bigger dreams, and you’ll get there, Maria Gabriela.”
Hearing that from someone—especially from someone so close to Diego—warmed my chest. He didn’t have to say it, but the fact that he did gave me strength.
“You really aren’t like your brother,” I said without thinking, my tone teasing. “In the best possible way.”
He laughed, shaking his head.
“I try not to be as grumpy as he is. Someone in the family has to keep things balanced.”
As Alexandre walked away, Diego’s shadow lingered in my mind. He wasn’t just intimidating and difficult—he was a storm waiting to crash down on my life.
And, as always, he kept me trapped in some kind of emotional whirlwind. My days here were numbered, but until then, I knew every interaction with him would be a battle.
I went back to work, already aware that the hours ahead would be long. Diego would be himself again—demanding, merciless, and… dangerously irresistible.
DIEGO BITTENCOURT
“What were you talking about with Maria Gabriela?” I asked Alexandre, trying to sound casual, though I knew whatever he said to her could easily get under my skin.
He let out a low chuckle, light and unbothered, and gave me that teasing look of his.
“None of your business, Narcissus.”
