The Ceo's Pregnant NurseEN

Chapter 1

The silence in the room was almost oppressive, broken only by the rhythmic sound of the machines and the deep breathing of the man lying in the bed. Rafael entered the room slowly, as if afraid to disturb the peace that surrounded the place. The dim morning light filtered through the half-open curtains, casting soft shadows over his father’s face.

With slow steps, he approached the bed and sat beside him. His eyes, always firm when facing the world, now shimmered with the threat of tears. He reached out, lacing his fingers with his father’s, feeling the warmth still there—the only proof that he was alive.

“Wake up, Dad…” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “I miss you so much…”

For a moment, he stayed there, observing every detail of his father’s face: the deep dark circles under his eyes, the hair longer than usual, the grown beard that had nothing to do with the impeccable image of the powerful CEO everyone knew. Rafael made a point of calling a barber every fifteen days to keep his father’s appearance in order, but nothing could erase the absence that man left while remaining inert.

The sound of the door opening made him blink quickly, pushing away the emotion that threatened to overtake him. The butler entered with his usual impeccable posture, but his voice was low and respectful.

“Mr. Rafael, the nurse has arrived. She is waiting in the office.”

Rafael simply nodded, not taking his eyes off his father. He gently squeezed his hand one last time before letting go, running his fingers over the rough skin on the back of it. He took a deep breath, straightening his shoulders.

Now that the nurse was there, his father would have company for longer. Maybe that would help somehow.

With one last look at the man he admired so much, Rafael stood up and headed to the office, ready to meet the woman who, in some way, could change the course of that story.

Rafael went to the office to interview the nurse, trying to maintain a firm posture, even though his mind was still stuck on the image of his father lying in the bed.

He entered the office adjusting his suit with an automatic gesture, his expression serious and controlled. He walked to the desk, circled it with confidence, and extended his hand to the woman in front of him.

“Rafael Avelar.” His voice was firm. He studied her with an attentive look as he waited for her response.

She shook Rafael’s hand firmly, maintaining a professional posture. Her eyes met his with confidence as she said, “Patrícia Mendes. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Avelar.”

Rafael gestured discreetly toward the chair in front of him.

“Please, have a seat.”

As she sat down, he picked up the résumé and began to leaf through it, his expression serious. Patrícia noticed when his gaze became more critical. He said nothing at first, but the slight furrow of his brow revealed his concern. She was younger than he had imagined, and now he was sure her experience was minimal or nonexistent.

The silence that settled in made her nervous. She swallowed hard, clasping her hands in her lap before deciding to explain herself.

“Sir, I know I don’t have experience… I’ve just graduated, but…” She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “I am dedicated, studious, and I promise I will do my best to take care of your father.”

Her eyes conveyed sincerity, but Rafael didn’t seem convinced. He set the résumé down on the desk, interlaced his fingers, and looked at her, weighing her words.

Rafael rested his elbows on the desk, clasping his hands as he observed her closely. His voice came out firm, full of emotion.

“My father is everything to me. He is my foundation.”

Patrícia felt the weight of those words fall on her shoulders. This wasn’t just a job interview—it was a test of trust. She needed to show she was capable, that she could take care of the man who meant so much to Rafael. So she took a deep breath and decided to fight for that opportunity.

Patrícia lifted her gaze to Rafael, setting aside any insecurity.

“Mr. Avelar, I know I’m young and don’t have years of experience, but I have dedication and a willingness to learn. Your father needs constant care, and I am willing to give my best to make sure he receives all the attention and affection he deserves. I know it can be difficult to trust someone new, but give me a chance to prove that I’m capable. I won’t disappoint you.”

Her voice carried determination, and Rafael realized that despite her delicacy, there was an unshakable strength in that woman.

Once convinced, Rafael carefully led her to his father’s bedroom on the ground floor.

She approached the bed where the patient lay and paused for a moment, observing him closely. Her gaze shifted between Rafael and the man in the bed, as if trying to absorb the obvious resemblance between them. She blinked several times, still processing the image, until she finally looked at Rafael.

“We look very much alike,” he said with a discreet smile, noticing that she had seen the strong resemblance between father and son. His voice held a soft tone, tinged with a certain pride.

She nodded, surprised. Never in her life had she seen such a resemblance between a father and son—the only difference was age.

“Yes, it’s impressive,” she replied with a small smile, though her mind was still taking in what was before her.

As handsome and attractive as she found Rafael, he didn’t compare to his father. The man lying in the bed seemed to emanate a silent strength, an imposing presence that, even in stillness, dominated the room. His features, more striking with age, commanded respect, and the simple fact that he was Rafael’s father made him even more impressive in her eyes.

She quickly pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on what she needed to do, but she couldn’t help one last contemplative glance, admiring the dignity of the man now before her.

Rafael noticed her expression, the fascination she seemed to feel toward his father, but he didn’t give it much importance at that moment. With a serious look, he stepped closer, breaking the silence in the room.

“The job is yours,” he said firmly, his voice calm and authoritative. “If you’re ready to start, you can begin immediately.”

She looked at him, surprised. Rafael’s offer was direct, without any beating around the bush. It was a chance she knew she couldn’t pass up, but the speed at which things were happening made her hesitate for a moment. Rafael noticed her pause and, with a slight smile, continued.

“I know it can be a lot to take in. What do you think? Are you ready to take on the responsibility?”

She swallowed hard, feeling the intensity of that moment, but also a certain excitement at the opportunity before her. She looked once more at the man in the bed, now with a sense of duty settling inside her.

“I… I accept,” she finally replied. And with a determined look, she added, “I’ll start right away, sir.”