Chapter 7 LaíS Carter

• Laís Carter
• I love my little brother, but he really needs to learn to appreciate that girl. I agree with him about them only communicating, about the promise of marriage when she turned fifteen, that was a terrible mistake.
• It made Mahjub see the world in a way that Hope would never know. So I agree that they should let her go and enjoy her time. Because I know that when my brother realizes the mess he made, he'll be just like Dad.
• The thought makes me chuckle; I learned a lot from my mother about how to treat my husband, just by seeing how she treated my parents. Carolina Alcântara Al-Makki was a visionary, she set the precedent among the 'First' women, that if there was betrayal and the wife didn't opt for the death of the cheating spouse, she could remarry.
• When my parents were finally able to come out to each other, with a little help from my husband, I always looked at him and said that I wanted to choose my security guards. He always said he'd rather die than see me in bed with someone else.
• I pass by the TV room and give a kiss to my children and their friends, who were still caught up in the movie they were watching, smiling at how well all four of them were getting along. I turn away and see Henrique coming down the stairs and blow a kiss in his direction.
• I'm not worried about Leon changing his behavior, but they all know they can be more than friends in the future. But if my son does what my little brother did, I'll cut off his dick and give it to the dogs. I'll accept my grandchildren being born by insemination.
• I head for the airport with my thoughts on little Ella, who is turning into such a beautiful little princess. Of course, with Amélie and Emily by her side teaching her everything she needs to know, they're working hard to give my future daughter-in-law a good upbringing.
• “May Allah say amen!” I say and raise my hands.
• "I hope Ella accepts my son's proposal when Leon makes it. I have no intention of them marrying under the weight of a promise of an arranged marriage. I'll do my best to have my son win his bride before she finds out she's already a Carter.
• We arrive in the Capital with Bryan complaining as usual, and as always, I don't pay attention to half of what he's complaining about. I know it's just influence and teasing from Henrique.
• They still believe some brave soul might try something with me. Henrique doesn't make much of it anymore because in our last fight over this, he needed surgery on his arm for getting it broken.
• "If you keep complaining, I'll tell Ster how to take you down," I say, already spotting the congress building.
• I observe my security guard, seeing him bite his tongue to control his restlessness.
• "Ma'am..." He tries again.
• "No, I'll go in unarmed. You know perfectly well how bureaucratic it is to go in armed there, and I want to be back in time for dinner," I say, feeling the age starting to wear on the men around me, making them lose patience."
• I hand over my pistol and dagger to my security guard, who stashes them in the glove compartment. We don't take long to enter the grand building of the National Congress, as my entry was cleared. I enter Mattia's room with my security by my side, who stands close to the door for my protection.
• "Hello, Laís!" Mattia approaches and respectfully kisses my hand.
• "How are you, Mattia?" I try to be cordial.
• I miss Alessa, who hasn't arrived yet. I look at him in question.
• "My girlfriend will be here shortly, she's just keeping Hope distracted," he says and invites me to sit.
• "Alessa told me what you have in mind," he says, sitting beside me.
• Knowing what Mattia thinks is important for my plans to succeed.
• "I appreciate the idea of a marriage between Hope and Mahjub, but what happened has taken the situation out of my hands," Mattia says, crossing his legs in front of me.
• "I believe maintaining their relationship in a way that neither of them is aware of could be something we can work on," I say, beginning to share my thoughts.
• "I'm sure my brother is starting to realize the mess he's made..."
• "Most certainly..." Mattia says, and I hear the sarcasm in his voice.
• "I want to make him jealous, to make him chase after her... We can orchestrate various situations to make my brother feel jealous. With all the turmoil that happened at home, I'm sure he's starting to see how special Hope is. And as my grandfather says:
• 'Precious.'"
• "I agree with everything you have in mind, but this time I'll let my daughter's choice be heard..." Mattia says, surprising me. I look at him without understanding, and we are interrupted by Alessa, who arrives hurriedly with a smile on her face.
• "Sorry for the delay, I had another patient, and Hope showed up at the hospital complaining of a headache. I had to take her home," Alessa says, approaching her husband, who stands up.
• "Hey, sweetheart, sorry to rush over..." I say, shrugging, and we embrace warmly.
• "When does Laís Carter ever do something with a scheduled date and time?" I notice my security guard practically agreeing.
• We sit down, and I turn to face Mattia, who seems a bit more tense now with his wife's arrival.
• "As I was saying, I'll let my daughter's feelings be free. If she falls in love with someone else, I'll support her decision," I nod.
• "I just ask that you intervene in any approach Mahjub makes because I know he will!" I say firmly, seeing them both agree.
• "So here we go again?" Alessa asks, looking at both of us.
• "I hope it works out. The Arabian prince will have to fight for the congress princess," I say with a smile.
• We are the biggest supporters of Mattia's elections, so we can't let this marriage not happen. My parents also support Gustavo Lira, who in a few years will try his first presidential term.
• I agree with them and head home. It's time to involve Gaia to help me, and even Zara. I know if Matheus could, he would also help, but with the recent developments in his life, I doubt he'll distance himself from Alice.
• I glance at my security guard, who returns my pistol and dagger, and we head home, both of us feeling more at ease.