Chapter 26: Personal issues...?

"Aether...what are the symptoms of someone who 'suffers' from a disease called...Love" murmured Mateus in the luxurious bed of his house.

A holographic screen was projected in front of you:

"Someone in love can present intense and varied symptoms. Here are some of the most common:

●Constant Thoughts: The person often thinks about the other person, even when trying to concentrate on other things.

●Involuntary Smile: When remembering or seeing the loved one, it is common to smile without realizing it.

●Anxiety and Nervousness: Being close to or talking to the loved one can cause butterflies in the stomach, sweaty hands and a feeling of nervousness.

●Feeling of Euphoria: Talking, receiving a message or meeting the person causes intense happiness.

●Idealization: The person in love can idealize the loved one, seeing him or her as perfect and ignoring his or her defects.

●Jealousy: A desire for exclusivity arises and fear that the loved one will be interested in someone else.

●Sacrifices: The person in love is willing to do things that he or she would not normally do would do, just to please or help the other.

●Restlessness and Insomnia: Often, love can lead to sleepless nights, imagining scenarios and conversations with the loved one.

These symptoms are usually accompanied by positive energy and euphoria, but in cases of unrequited love, they can generate sadness and even a bit of anguish."

"Why, Mr. Mateus?" Aether asked.

"Constant thoughts...huh?" Mateus mumbled without answering.

"Aaahhh...what the hell...Elise has been on my mind since lunch that day...Aaahh" ruffling his hair in frustration.

Mateus let out a deep sigh, pressing his face against the soft pillow as he tried to ignore the symptoms projected on the screen. "Aether, did you really not have a more...objective explanation?" he murmured, still huddled under the blanket, trying to hide his hot and flushed face.

Aether, in his usual calm, continued with analytical precision. "These symptoms, Mr. Mateus, are widely documented in human psychology. Perhaps what you are feeling is just a combination of natural factors, given your recent encounters with Miss Elise."

Mateus got out from under the blanket and stared at the ceiling, Aether's words spinning in his mind. "Combination of factors... Oh, Aether, if it were that simple..." He sighed and closed his eyes, remembering Elise's expression, the sound of her laughter and the brief moments when their gazes met in an almost intimate way.

He shifted in bed, trying to push those thoughts away, but the image of Elise insisted on reappearing. He remembered every detail: the way she tossed her hair to the side, the sparkle in her eyes when she challenged him with a witty retort. Each scene left him with an involuntary smile, and it irritated him. He, Mateus Oliveira, CEO of NeuroSys, a man always calculating and pragmatic, now found himself surrendered by something he didn't even fully understand.

"You know what, Aether? That's ridiculous," he said, trying to sound firm. "I'm just... curious about her. After all, Elise Montavon is no ordinary person. It must be just a matter of professional admiration, right?"

"As you wish, sir," Aether replied, without changing his tone, although Mateus knew he would understand the context. "However, I should mention that you are showing typical signs of the symptoms described."

Mateus shifted in bed, trying to regain control. "It's just a phase... a little distraction. After all, what is love if not a well-crafted distraction?"

Despite his words, he knew he was wrong. It wasn't a simple distraction. There was something more, an attraction that pulled him in a way he couldn't explain. He laughed softly, imagining Elise's reaction if she knew he was occupying her thoughts so insistently.

"Aether, do you think I should try to ignore this?" he asked, knowing that this might be the last chance to resolve the matter without involving him even more.

"You know better than anyone the answer to that. However, human emotions, as you must know, are not so easy to rationalize."

Matthew sighed, defeated, realizing that there was no logic that would help him get rid of this new persistent thought. That smile of Elise's, her presence, everything seemed engraved in his mind.

"What if it's more than a distraction?" he whispered, almost to himself.