The morning in Rio de Janeiro began bright and warm, with that humid air that seemed to cling to the skin even before the sun reached its peak. The movement around the train station was already intense, with carriages, passengers, and vendors competing for space in a constant flow.
Luis watched everything attentively, but without truly seeing.
He was there for a reason.
Beside him, Augusto stood with his hands clasped behind his back, posture straight, eyes fixed on the railway line. Unlike Luis, he didn't seem distracted.
He was waiting.
— The train should arrive in fifteen or twenty minutes — Augusto said, without looking away.
— I know, father — Luis replied calmly.
Augusto nodded slightly.
— I know your capabilities. That's why I won't tell you what to say or how to behave.
— But even so… don't underestimate Henrique.
Luis turned his face toward his father.
— I understand.
His tone was firm, without a trace of impatience.
— Someone who remains among the coffee elite of the Paraíba Valley doesn't get there by chance.
Augusto let out a soft sigh.
— That's not the only thing that worries me.
Luis frowned slightly.
— Then what is it?
Augusto took a few seconds before answering.
— He accepted the meeting too quickly.
Luis fell silent.
— When I sent the proposal — Augusto continued — I'd say there was, at most, a fifty percent chance he would accept.
— And yet he did — said Luis.
— Without regard for conditions — Augusto added.
Now Luis was fully attentive.
— No attempt to negotiate?
— None.
The silence between them grew heavier.
Augusto went on:
— The Paraíba Valley is close enough. If we know about Álvaro's movements… he knows too.
Luis crossed his arms, thoughtful.
— So he already has information.
— Probably more than we would like — Augusto replied.
Luis nodded slowly.
— Should we change our approach?
Augusto glanced at him.
— How?
Luis didn't hesitate.
— Be direct. Let's avoid going in circles.
Pause.
— If he already knows enough, any attempt to guide the conversation with excessive caution may seem weak, don't you think?
Augusto studied his son more carefully.
— You're talking about direct confrontation?
— Not confrontation — Luis corrected.
— Clarification. We don't know what he wants, and he doesn't know about our secret negotiations. We can propose that both sides be honest.
Luis's words were interrupted by the faint tremor along the tracks—the announcement of the locomotive's arrival, even before it was visible.
Augusto nodded.
— Then we'll follow that plan…
A few minutes later, a locomotive emerged, advancing with force and weight. The metallic sound of friction against the rails dominated the surroundings, followed by a wave of heat and steam that spread across the platform, making the air hot and suffocating.
The train stopped, the doors opened, and the flow of people began.
Luis kept his gaze sharp, analyzing every group, every movement. It didn't take long for him to find who he was looking for.
Or rather…
who stood out.
A young woman stepped down first.
Light dress, restrained posture, eyes scanning her surroundings. There was an effort to remain discreet in every movement—a clear desire not to draw attention.
Which failed completely.
Her long, slightly straight hair moved naturally with her steps. Her tanned skin contrasted with the lightness of the fabric, and her eyes—brown, steady—made it clear she observed more than she revealed.
— That's them. Let's approach.
Luis nodded and followed Augusto.
Right behind the young woman, a man appeared.
And, for a moment, Luis hesitated.
Henrique de Valença was not what he expected.
Average height, ordinary features—nothing about his appearance screamed power.
If he were alone, he might go unnoticed.
The only thing that stood out were his eyes.
The eyes of an experienced man—capable, confident.
Eyes that carried a unique presence.
Augusto spoke quietly beside Luis:
— That's him.
Luis nodded.
But he didn't take his eyes off the young woman.
Augusto noticed.
And, for the first time that morning, he showed a faint smile.
— Still regret me arranging this marriage?
Luis didn't respond to his father's teasing.
But his father was right—the girl was truly stunning.
If it were only a matter of appearance… Sofia was no less than Teresa.
Perhaps Sofia might even be—
Luis cut off his own thought.
That wasn't relevant.
They continued approaching.
Henrique was the first to speak.
— Augusto! — he said, opening a wide smile. — It's been a while.
He extended his hand firmly.
Augusto returned the gesture with a smile.
— Longer than it should have been. A year and a half, perhaps.
Henrique nodded.
— That really is a long time.
Augusto then gestured toward Luis.
— This is my son. Luis.
Luis stepped forward.
— It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Henrique. I assume this is Miss Sofia — Luis continued, turning to the young woman with a slight smile.
Henrique's gaze moved over Luis carefully. Before she could respond, he let out a laugh.
— Mr. Henrique? What kind of formality is that?
He gave Luis a light slap on the arm.
— If everything goes as it should, you'll be calling me father-in-law soon enough.
The comment was followed by a somewhat exaggerated laugh.
Luis and Augusto exchanged a quick glance.
Sofia, beside them, lowered her gaze slightly in embarrassment.
— Sofia — Henrique said, still smiling — greet your fiancé.
The silence that followed was brief, but enough to make the situation uncomfortable.
Sofia took a breath before speaking.
— Good morning… — she said, with a slight nod. — It's a pleasure to meet you.
Her voice was soft and pleasant.
Luis replied in the same tone.
— The pleasure is mine.
Augusto remained silent. He had just remembered Henrique's eccentric behavior. With everything that had been happening, he had forgotten to prepare his son for Henrique's personality.
And, for a moment, he didn't know how to face him.
Henrique noticed the discomfort in the air and placed a hand on Luis's shoulder.
— Don't worry — he said with a smile — you'll get used to it.
Before Luis could respond, Henrique had already draped an arm over Augusto's shoulders.
— Come on, Augusto. I've been traveling all morning. I'm hungry—help my daughter, boy!
The gesture was exaggerated, almost theatrical.
Luis was genuinely lost at that moment. Everything had happened so quickly that he barely reacted.
Sofia, beside them, seemed to wish she could disappear.
Her gaze briefly met Luis's, and there was a silent apology in it.
Luis held her gaze for a moment.
And then… he started to laugh—which only made Sofia even more uncomfortable.
But it was because he had finally understood.
Henrique was not what he had originally thought. At least, his personality was far more relaxed.
That made everything more interesting.
— I think this meeting is going to be… productive — said Luis.
Augusto gave him a quick look.
Henrique burst into laughter.
— I like you, boy. Let's continue this conversation after lunch.
Luis didn't respond.
But as they walked out of the station, his gaze briefly returned to Sofia.
He was certain that all she wanted at that moment was to find a hole to hide in.