TORONTO, 2025.
The other day.
Here's your badge, Felipe.
Carlos, you have no idea how much you helped me land this job.
You don't even know how grateful I am.
I do know. You're a good guy. And you were really dedicated, you know, there aren't many people like you to work with me. You must have noticed when you were interning with me. People don't want to face challenges; they don't care about the company as long as they don't have to stress.
How long have you been working here, Carlos?
Since the end of my internship.
Like me?
Yeah, like you. But that was a long, long time ago, back in the '80s. Back then, the big boss wasn't this kid. It was Catarina's father. You know, right?
What?
They say their marriage is just a front.
What, why?
It seems it was an agreement between the Laggerdoff family and the Lemes family. No one knows the exact reason, but it's high-level stuff. We don't get involved in that.
Carlos, thanks for putting me through the "steel test."
You're welcome, it was a favor I did for you, enjoy.
PARIS, 2018.
In the hotel lobby.
Ângelo, good to see you back. Catarina is waiting for you at the restaurant.
Thanks, Daniel.
At table number 14.
Hello, Ângelo.
Feeling better, Catarina?
I'm better, I think I'm better. It's been nice being out here. By the pool. Watching the tourists eat their croissants.
I'm glad. But Catarina, you have all the time in the world to recover.
Ângelo, there's a problem.
What is it?
I'll lose my parents' company if I don't marry you.
_
At the table.
Catarina, that's not an option. We can't get married. Sure, we've known each other since we were kids, but this is crazy. It hasn't been long since I saw your parents dead. This is a decision from someone who's not okay. And I understand. You need rest now, not to be thinking about this kind of thing. You won't lose the company to anyone.
Actually, I will.
What are you talking about? Explain it better.
Your father, Ângelo. Your father convinced all the shareholders.
But you still hold 51% of the company, there's no problem with that.
The issue is that the company's stocks have plummeted so much that the Laggerdoff Hotels have skyrocketed, and your father will only back off if there's a marriage between the last remaining Laggerdoff and the only son of the company's biggest shareholder. That's it. He will think that he gained the world, but we will still be riding the company. Even if he dies, you are his son. And I will always be connected to the hotels.
_
I need to think.
Think fast, we need to act quickly. It's this, or your father will make things worse and worse.
Aren't there other Laggerdoffs who can help us?
They have no connection to the hotel chain; they're cousins of uncles of cousins, scattered around the world, I've never even met them. Please, Ângelo. Think carefully.
It's just that… I'm gay.
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