Desserts & Dramas

Chapter 19

 "How cocky you are."

They got their drinks and went to sit at the last empty table, under a big chestnut tree that provided shade for them. The laughter of the adults mingled with the cries of the children, forming a great cacophony around the couple. The cold metal of the chair on which Sofia was sitting touched her legs and provided relief from the heat that increased by the minute. It was a busy sunny Sunday for the newsstand.

"I need to be like this to get ahead in business." Gabriel added as they sat down.

"Do you work with Eric?"

"Yes, we studied together and created the company while still in college. Infindo."

It was at school that he met his best friends Tomas and Eric. They were not in the same class, not even the same year, yet their interest in the same hero made the friendship blossom. What was missing in his father's presence in his life was turned in the will to become financially independent. Therefore, since the age of 16, Gabriel began to research and study deeply the mysteries of the financial market and how it made people so rich and so poor in equal proportion. At the age of 20, he began to develop with Eric what would be a large and successful diversified investment and financial education company. Many have called them dreamers for trying to oppose traditional banking institutions, however, they had a lot of willpower to achieve success and a determination to make it easier for ordinary people to access and understand the world of finance.

"Wow, I am one of those people who understands almost nothing about the financial universe. Of course there are many others like me."

"Our customer base has already passed one hundred thousand subscribers." Gabriel replied with an almost false modesty.

Yes, he was proud of everything they had achieved, but he knew they would go further, so this number was relatively small for the millions of viewers they were pursuing.

"And how did the name come about?"

"Infindo is the adjective for infinite, something that has no end. When we idealized the company, we thought about providing infinite knowledge to our clients."

While telling his story, Gabriel realized how easy it was to talk to her when he was not teasing her.

"What about you? What is your international story?"

Sofia told about her classes and experiences in several countries. Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey. It was many hours of working on unconventional schedules and stuffy kitchens under unconstructive criticism from several temperamental chefs. She had achieved a lot for such a young girl, and her ambition would take her far. Gabriel was impressed.

"You have really been to many places, haven't you?"

Sofia nodded.

"A chef needs to know many cultures, ingredients and techniques if he wants to create his signature. I went to all the places that Chef Eva, my mentor here in Azevedo, recommended and some more that other people recommended along the way."

"It must be very different traveling for tourism and traveling for work, you must know many details that we common tourists don't know."

"In fact, I visited many cities as a tourist. The difference is that when I found an amazing restaurant, I tried to meet the person in charge and learn a little about his or her experience. I tried to make the most of it, because I always knew I would come back.

"Really? You didn't want to stay working in a trendy restaurant in Paris?"

"Certainly not." Sofia laughed. "Azevedo is my home. It's a city neither too big nor too small. It has everything you need, easy to get around, and just a few hours away from fields, farms, vineyards, beaches and other cities. No other country in the world is as close as Portugal. And the cuisine here is as good as the famous French cuisine."

"Our wines are better too." Gabriel pointed.

"Spoken like a true native."

"My family owns a winery, I have to advertise it." He smiled.

" It can't be easy with so many wineries around town."

"That's why the wines here are so famous. The competition raises the standard of quality." Gabriel explained.

Until this moment she had not realized how comfortable she was talking to him. It was good to have someone different to tell her story and exchange ideas with. The time she had spent away had taken her away from her childhood friends. And the chefs friends she had made in other countries were as busy with their careers as she was with hers. She wished she could extend that moment, but her time was up.

"Well, the hour is already early. I have to get the flowers to the bakery before it opens."

"Do you always have to open the store on weekends?"

"No, Mrs. Maria is usually the one who opens and closes. She and her daughter Yasmin work for me. They come in early to clean and start the business hours."

"At least it gives you flexibility. Life is not just work."

Gabriel was giving advice that he liked to follow. With extravagant vacations, sports cars, and a parade of women suitable for magazine covers. Carpe diem, isn't that what they say? He was enjoying his 29 years and all the benefits that his fortunate life afforded him.

Sofia noticed that he seemed to be someone who enjoyed life. His skin had a tan that was not genetic, but came from hours spent under the sun. On the beach, in the pool, or anywhere someone like him would go to have fun.

"Can I accompany you there?"

The question surprised Sofia.