The Enigma Always

With a slight smile and nod of her head, she acknowledged, “Yes, Papá, that is my problem. I cannot focus any longer on my dream business for thinking about my prince who is absent from my life. I know that I don’t want one without the other. What am I to do?”

Thiago chuckled softly and comforted, “My daughter who wants everything! Then again, what female doesn’t? Let me guess, the fashion design business wants you to death, and your male is intimidated by your lust for your dream?”

Lara nodded as she looked to him for a solution as she had when she was a small girl.

He continued, “I suggest that you put someone you can trust in charge for a while. Make them a Chief Operating Officer so they have authority to get actions done. Then go see if you can make it work between you and your Carlos. However, you must confess to him that you are looking to make both love and business fit into your life. Otherwise one of you will be unhappy.”

Lara studied Thiago for a moment then nodded as she responded, “When I was a teenager, Papá, and all those fights we used to have, I distinctly remember thinking you were the dumbest male on the planet. Now, here we are almost a dozen years later and I can’t believe how much you’ve learned over that time! Astonishing, actually!”

Thiago studied Lara over his reading glasses, clucked his tongue and flatly replied, “It occurs to me I should have paddled your bumbum a little more as a child, so I wouldn’t be given these kind of backhanded compliments I’m receiving now.”

Lara grinned. “Oh Papá, I’m just teasing! And you’re right about going to see Carlos and relearn about us. I’ll make the announcement tomorrow about our new COO, since I’ve already got someone in mind. I’ll be gone for a while, but I will check in to let you know how it went or if it went.”

Thiago smiled a paternal smile and said, “Travel safe, my daughter. Give my best to Carlos. He is a very strong male. You must remember that when you talk with him.”

Lara beamed at the plan being formulated and she asked, “I wonder if I should call him, or just show up? He might really enjoy the surprise visit, don’t you think?”

Thiago darkened a little but then related, “I once popped in on a young lady who was my flame early in my youth, but she was not the only one surprised. I got there around 10:30 pm but she wasn’t at her flat. I waited in my car all night only to witness her gentleman friend dropping her off early that morning so she could change before going to work. My advice is to call first, my daughter.”