- Mel, call Jonas. Ask him to meet me at that Italian restaurant we like.
- Noon? - She asked. He nodded and left the room, feeling his headache getting worse as he made his way to his boss's office.
Mauro's secretary smiled broadly when she saw him, as she always did. He approached Lurdinha, a lady in her sixties, who took care of the president's agenda with an iron fist. Leaning over, he kissed the chubby cheek of the lady, who giggled and rubbed his cheek affectionately.
- Take it easy, my son. He is very nervous.
- Tell me about it... - he murmured, heading for the door that was half-open.
- You have to tell that boy to calm down. Find himself a nice girl... - she said, and he laughed.
- Let's see what I can do. - He winked his blue eyes at her, who smiled even more.
Bruno walked across the room to the chair across from Mauro's desk. As he walked, his eyes glided over the panel covering the sidewall, with photos of artists, musicians, personalities, and sportspeople. The man was a living legend in the artistic world, representing the main names in the market. Bruno barely had time to sit down when Mauro spoke up:
- I have been in this market for many years, Bruno, and I have represented every type of artist. Temperamental, demanding, annoying... but one who does everything possible to throw his career in the trashcan is the first. Jonas is gone.
- He's just a kid, Mauro. - Bruno tried to appease him.
- A kid? Twenty-four years old?
- The man stood up and began to walk from one side to the other, impatiently.
- He's a rascal. A womanizer! I have been warning you for a long time that he needs to do something about his posture, that he is not the only star in the country. Every day, a new name comes up, a better-looking face appears, and a new talent explodes on TV.
He rested his hands on the table, leaning his body forward.
- We have taken care of Jonas' career since he was nineteen. I hired you because you came in the package and allowed you to devote yourself exclusively to him. However, even though you have become an excellent manager, one of the best on the team, you know that with Jonas leaving, I have no alternative but to shut you down.
Bruno stood up. His heart was racing, and so was his head. This moment was decisive and he needed to use all his power of persuasion with Mauro, not only to save his best friend's skin, but also to guarantee his job. Even though he knew that Jonas would follow him wherever he went, it would not be of much use if his career were ended by the scandal he had gotten himself into. In addition, since he had no other clients, he could hardly pull off Jerry Maguire, Tom Cruise's role in the movie of the same name, and convince other actors to follow him. He could only kiss his boss's ass a little and try to reverse the situation.
- Jonas is a great guy, Mauro. He is a great actor, with a talent that is rare nowadays. But he is weak-minded when it comes to women. Don't terminate the contract yet. I'm sure I can turn this whole thing around. - He raised his eyebrow. - You know I've never let you down, or promised you something I couldn't keep.
The man sighed, closing the button of his jacket.
- You have three months to work this out. Three. Months. Not a day more, understand, Bruno?
He nodded his heart racing.
- No problem - the young man answered and quickly left the room before Mauro changed his mind.
He didn't know what kind of miracle would be necessary to contain Jonas, but he would have to manage. Otherwise, both of them would join the statistics of the thousands of unemployed in the country.
Two
Bruno arrived at the Italian restaurant at noon sharp. He took off his sunglasses as he was greeted by the hostess and was led to the table he used to sit at in the back of the establishment when he used to go there with Jonas. Greeting the waiters as he crossed the room, he waved to a well-known TV host and proceeded to follow the beautiful woman's swaying hips as she led him. When he arrived at the table where Jonas was sitting, he saw that he as always, was surrounded by people, mostly women wanting an autograph, a selfie, or even the chance to receive an invitation for a date... or a night out with the big TV star.
The businessman observed his client and friend as he approached. His light brown hair was messy and a little too long, his beard was about three days old, his black T-shirt stuck to his muscular body showing the tattoo that covered a good portion of his biceps, and the smile that was his trademark, screamed player in huge neon letters.
Bad. Very bad.
With a half-smile, Bruno approached the table, dismissing the crowd.
- All right, guys. Thank you all for your kind appreciation. I'm sure you don’t want your lunch to get cold - he said as people started to walk away, and winked at one of the young girls who was standing next to Jonas, with the very deep cleavage of her dress that was almost shoved up the actor's nose.
- Talk to you later, angel. - He heard Jonas whisper to the blonde, who gave a few little jumps before softly locking her lips on Jonas's before walking away.
Bruno was about to sit down, when he heard a low quiet voice.
- Uncle, will you let me take a picture with him? - The little redheaded girl, with freckles on her nose, asked, while holding a cell phone.
He smiled at the little girl, who couldn't have been more than eight years old.
- Sure - he replied, unable to say no to anyone that cute.
She approached Jonas, who pulled her into a hug and gave her a crisp peck on the cheek.
- My mother insisted that I shouldn't come here, but I'm such a fan of yours - she said, blinking her big green eyes.
— Really? Tell your mother that I don't mind. That whenever you see me, you can always come and talk to me.
The redhead's smile grew wider.
- She said that you are a bimbo and that I should choose another actor to be my pretend boyfriend, but no other is as handsome as you are. - Both guys dropped their jaws open in disbelief. Meanwhile, the girl continued talking. - When I grow up and am about thirty, will you date me? My father said I could only date after I'm thirty.
Jonas laughed and Bruno raised his cell phone to take the picture while he answered her.
- When you are thirty, he will be a wrinkly old man. I'm sure that by then you will find a guy better looking than Jonas and about your age.
He took the picture while the girl laughed at his comments.
- You're a cutie - Jonas said, running the tip of his index finger over the girl's nose. She smiled and thanked him, took the cell phone from Bruno's hand and went back to the table where her mother was watching her very carefully.
- You realize that a man's reputation is really bad when even a little girl, who can't be more than eight years old, talks about it - Bruno pointed out, while picking up the menu on the table.
Jonas' laughter echoed through the room.
After the waiter took the orders and brought a red wine for Jonas and a sparkling water for Bruno, the businessman began to talk:
- Man, you're a piece of work. What the hell do you have in mind?
- I didn't do anything... - Jonas started, but was cut off by his friend.
- Don't bullshit me. I've known you since we were seven years old and you kissed almost every girl in our elementary school class. You know I've always busted your balls for being a womanizer, but this time you've gone too far - he complained and lowered his voice. - You had to mess with Daniel Avelar's wife? The guy has one of the biggest names in the network!
While Bruno ran his hand through the dark waves, Jonas held the crystal glass, swirled the red liquid and inhaled the wine's aroma. With that smile that enchants ten out of ten women, he took a sip and turned to his friend.
- What can I do if she wants me, man? - He spoke in a low tone, with that self-confident smile. - And she's a total babe... besides a hurricane and...
Bruno stares with an upset expression and waves his hand to stop what he was saying.
- I do not care what kind of a phenomenon of nature she is. Your reputation is in the gutter. You lost several advertising contracts, I had to almost beg Raquel to continue designing your clothes, and... - Jonas looked indifferently at Bruno, taking another sip of wine. - You lost the role in the nine o'clock soap opera.
- Get in touch with AloГsio Neto. He has just approved a script for the next six o'clock soap opera. It is a period soap opera. I look good in a knight outfit.
- If we don't recover your reputation within three months, I'm out.
Jonas almost spit out the wine he was drinking.
- I can't believe you're leaving me just for that!
- I didn't say that. However, Mauro was very clear. I have three months to convert you into a real prince, otherwise I can kiss my career and credibility as a businessman goodbye. And you, jerk, will have to find a new manager. One who won't let you get away with this behavior.
Jonas leaned forward and placed his hand on his friend's arm.
- I can't believe it, Bruno... - he started to speak, but was interrupted by the glare of a camera flash. - Holy shit! - He grumbled, making a face.
- Do you know that tomorrow you will appear in the Mexerico magazine with the headline: Supposedly catchy actor has affair with handsome boy. More details on page two.
They both laughed and Jonas took another sip of his drink.
- I'm screwed.
- Yes, you are. I'm serious, Jonas. - Bruno's expression tightened again.
- You need to stay away from gossip magazines, celebrity portals and, especially, Bel Dias. He is dangerous.
- He's just a tattletale and... - Bruno interrupts him again, raising his hand.
- He is dangerous and is dying to publish all your secrets. Even the ones you don't even know you have.
They became silent when the waiter approached, serving the dishes. Jonas took the first bite of pasta and sighed. As he chewed his food, he leaned across the table toward the bottle of wine, but Bruno pushed it away from him.
- Negative.
- But...
- One glass. I don't want to even think that you are not behaving. No drinks. No suspicious smokes.
The actor interrupted him, annoyed.
- I only smoked a joint once. I was eighteen.
- It was enough for one lifetime. No more parties. No more food-women.
- Fruit - Jonas corrected him.
- What?
- They are called fruit women.
- I don't care. From this day on, you will take a vow of celibacy. Even if I have to cut your little friend out.
- Ah, Bruno... come on.
- Come on, is what I have to say. I have been living at your service for years. I gave up my future to take care of yours. Your career. - His blue eyes were dark, like the sea on a stormy night. - Because of you, out of respect for our friendship, I agreed to help you and ended up becoming your manager. But, if you don't change, I will be the one who has to pay the price.
Jonas' eyes widened at Bruno's outburst, and then he looked away. He was not used to seeing his friend lose his temper like this.
- No problem. I'll go easy on him.
He took another bite, chewing the food that now felt like sand in his mouth. He didn't want to hurt his friend, or his career... he just wanted to enjoy his youth and the single life he was leading. He didn't even understand why people were so interested in who he was seeing. It was okay that he was a womanizer and that he knew at the very moment that the wife of one of the main directors of the network smiled at him that she was trouble. But he loved women and could not resist their charm.
Jonas looked up and saw that Bruno was eating, while reading something very amused on his cell phone. Although he was well-dressed as always, he looked tired. The businessman frowned and twisted his mouth as he stared at the screen.
- Did something happen? - Jonas asked, drawing Bruno's attention.
- Mel was giving me some information about some of her contracts. She managed to reverse the jeans campaign. - He sighed. - That's good. One less problem.
They continued eating, talking about mutual friends, soccer, and the jobs that were left after the scandal. On the way out, Bruno again made recommendations to his friend.
- Dude, please. Stay out of trouble. I'm trusting you.
Jonas nodded his head in agreement.
- What can we do to change this? Do you have any ideas?
Bruno ran his hand through his hair and sighed in frustration.
- For the time being, you will keep a low profile. You will disappear for a while. After a few days with your name out of the gossip circles, people will start to forget. This week we will have a meeting with an executive team from cable TV. Let's hope they have some interesting proposals... maybe a sitcom?
- I would love to present a show - Jonas said with the huge smile he usually has on when he wants to conquer something... or someone.
- After this scandal, not even the jewelry auction channel would hire you to spend six hours presenting jewelry from the Middle East without a bathroom break. - They both laughed and shook hands. - Take care. And for God's sake, stay out of trouble.
Jonas nodded and headed to the parking lot, while Bruno watched him closely, hoping that no hottie would get in the actor's path on the way to his house. All he needed was to stay away from temptations.
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