CHAPTER 3

Back in the kitchen, only Thomas remained, finishing his coffee in silence while catching up on the day’s online news on his tablet; Lohan stood frozen, his gaze lost, staring fixedly at the empty space where Rachel had been; and Thiago had just stepped directly in front of Lohan, his expression completely altered compared to the moment when Rachel was still present.

— Hey, Lohan... — Thiago blurted out, his voice charged with an intensity that hadn't been there moments before. — What was that?

Lohan, acting as if he were oblivious to what had happened, looked away and sat down again, in no rush to finish his coffee.

— What was what? — he asked indifferently, trying to mask the weight of the situation.

Thiago didn't hesitate. He stepped closer, and his words cut through the air.

— Don't do that again! — he said firmly, his tone grave, almost desperate, sounding like an ultimatum.

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and headed for the door, completely unaware of his father’s watchful gaze fixed on him now, the tablet left discarded on the table and an air of curiosity written across his face. Already on the threshold of the exit, Thiago muttered without looking back:

— I'm heading to work.

The production company's office is a vibrant, dynamic environment with desks covered in sketches, fabric swatches, and historical references scattered everywhere. The soft light of modern designer lamps illuminates the space, while large windows offer a panoramic view of the city, still quiet before the frantic rush of the day. In the center of this creative scene is Rachel, an experienced professional passionate about what she does. She listens intently to her team's ideas regarding the costumes for the production company's newest project: a historical action epic recounting the origins of a reborn hero.

The film demands precision, as the costumes will be crucial in conveying the authenticity and grandeur of the portrayed era. Rachel knows that for this kind of film, the costumes tell the story all on their own. Every detail, from a simple brooch to an imposing cape, must be meticulously thought out, ensuring the work is flawless and faithful to the historical narrative.

The meeting proceeds lively, with the team presenting enthusiastic suggestions. Rachel, with the sharp eye of someone who understands the challenges of a project like this, takes notes while absorbing every proposal. Her personal assistant, Laura, seated right beside her, watches closely, ready to step in when necessary. Laura, with her calm and organized demeanor, is Rachel’s right hand. She has a unique knack for managing the chaos surrounding these large projects, keeping everything on track.

— Rachel, the material on the hero's costume is ready. We can begin the review as soon as the meeting wraps up — Laura says with a confident smile, handing over a notebook full of detailed notes.

Rachel looks at her, grateful, and nods.

— Great, Laura, thank you. Let's take a look as soon as we finish up. And please have the samples set aside for the cast meeting — Rachel replies, with the same dedicated attention she gives to her team.

Meanwhile, the team discusses the final suggestions. The members are excited, and Rachel feels the positive energy in the air. She leans forward, signaling the end of the meeting.

— Everyone, you did an incredible job gathering all this material! — Rachel says, a satisfied smile on her face. — Now, our next meeting will be to present the costumes to the main cast. Get ready to rock it!

The room fills with murmurs of approval and excitement. Everyone knows they are about to create something grand.

At the end of the meeting, the team members are divided into two groups of three: the first group, led by Laura—who is ready to ensure no detail is overlooked—is tasked with preparing the presentation for the historical film's cast, and the other group, led by Rachel, heads to the film set to wrap up the final chapter of the series they are currently working on.

— Make sure everything is ready by the end of the week, Laura. I want the selected cast to be pleased with the chosen costumes; it's very important that everyone feels comfortable in their attire — Rachel orders, with the confidence of someone who knows she is in good hands.

Laura smiles and nods affirmatively, already organizing everything for a smooth transition.

— Leave it to me, Rachel. I'll take care of it — she replies, with the tranquility of someone who has already anticipated every need.

The meeting ended shortly before lunch, and as soon as Rachel picked up her phone, a message from Thomas popped up on the screen.

"Are you done yet? Let's have lunch together!"

It was typical of him, always with some hidden motive behind it. In their fifteen years of marriage, the times they had lunch together purely for pleasure were rare. Almost always, the encounter had a hidden agenda—business or some obligation related to Thomas's family. Rachel took a deep breath, reflected for a second, and replied:

"State your business ahead of time. I was planning to have lunch with my team."

Actually, what she was planning was to eat alone, after dismissing everyone for the break with the agreement to meet up later on the set. But there was no need to tell Thomas that.

"Cancel your lunch and come meet me at the usual restaurant!"

He was as uncompromising as ever, making no concessions, leaving no room for negotiation. Thomas wanted things his way, and Rachel hated that. But for the sake of peace and to avoid complicating her career, she avoided getting into arguments.

"Ok."

Distractedly tidying up the small mess on her desk, Rachel lost herself in her own thoughts, trying to guess what Thomas wanted this time. "Money? That would be the last thing he'd ask me for. Help with work? No, he's too proud for that. But... wait a minute..." She paused, setting aside a stack of magazine clippings and grabbing the bag hanging from the coat rack in the corner of the room. "The last time we had lunch together, he asked me to convince Lana to star in his series. And there was that other lunch where he brought three actors for me to choose who would look best as a surgeon, because he couldn't decide which of them should be the leading man for his hospital series. So, who knows, maybe he needs my help again?"

Already inside the elevator, Rachel smiled with satisfaction, imagining that despite constantly underestimating her, Thomas might be on the verge of asking for her help once more.

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