As folhas caíam das árvores no outono de Lisboa.

The leaves were falling from the trees in the autumn of Lisboa.

O ar fresco entrava pelas janelas da incubadora de startups, onde jovens inovadores trabalhavam com entusiasmo em novos projetos.

The fresh air entered through the windows of the startup incubator, where young innovators worked enthusiastically on new projects.

Rafael era um desses jovens empreendedores.

Rafael was one of those young entrepreneurs.

Ele tinha uma ideia brilhante para uma startup de tecnologia, mas estava preocupado.

He had a brilliant idea for a technology startup, but he was worried.

Um incómodo persistente o perturbava: uma tosse incessante.

A persistent discomfort troubled him: an incessant cough.

Rafael precisava apresentar o seu projeto para investidores.

Rafael needed to present his project to investors.

Essa apresentação era crucial.

This presentation was crucial.

Ele tinha de demonstrar que a sua startup era digna de investimento.

He had to demonstrate that his startup was worthy of investment.

A sala de conferências era ampla, com paredes de vidro que deixavam ver o casario antigo da cidade.

The conference room was spacious, with glass walls that allowed a view of the city's old buildings.

Ana e Miguel, amigos e colaboradores de Rafael, estavam lá para apoiar.

Ana and Miguel, friends and collaborators of Rafael, were there to support him.

Rafael estava nervoso.

Rafael was nervous.

Sentia a garganta arranhar sempre que tentava falar.

He felt his throat scratch whenever he tried to speak.

"Se isto piora, a tosse não me deixa falar," pensava ele.

"If this gets worse, the cough won't let me speak," he thought.

Miguel, percebendo a preocupação de Rafael, sugeriu: "E se adiassemos a reunião?

Miguel, noticing Rafael's concern, suggested, "What if we postpone the meeting?

Esperamos até te sentires melhor."

We wait until you feel better."

Mas Rafael sabia que o tempo era essencial.

But Rafael knew that time was essential.

Cancelar poderia significar meses de atraso.

Cancelling could mean months of delay.

Ana teve uma ideia.

Ana had an idea.

"Por que não ajustar o foco da apresentação?

"Why not adjust the focus of the presentation?

Faz uma introdução curta e deixa o resto do tempo para perguntas dos investidores.

Make a short introduction and leave the rest of the time for investors' questions.

Assim, fala menos e distraí-los da tosse."

That way, you speak less and distract them from the cough."

No dia da apresentação, o coração de Rafael batia forte.

On the day of the presentation, Rafael's heart was pounding.

Sentou-se à frente da mesa redonda onde os investidores estavam.

He sat in front of the round table where the investors were.

O momento crítico chegou.

The critical moment arrived.

Rafael começou a falar quando a tosse o atacou.

Rafael began to speak when the cough attacked him.

Ele parou, sorriu e disse: "Peço desculpa, este outono em Lisboa desafia-me com uma persistente tosse."

He stopped, smiled, and said, "I apologize, this autumn in Lisboa challenges me with a persistent cough."

Os investidores sorriaram, compreendendo o desafio.

The investors smiled, understanding the challenge.

Rafael, usando a dica de Ana, fez uma introdução breve.

Rafael, using Ana's tip, made a brief introduction.

Concentrou o resto do tempo em responder a perguntas.

He focused the rest of the time on answering questions.

Surpreendeu a todos com a clareza das suas respostas e a profundidade do seu entendimento do mercado.

He surprised everyone with the clarity of his answers and the depth of his understanding of the market.

No final, os investidores estavam impressionados.

In the end, the investors were impressed.

O valor da ideia de Rafael brilhou, mesmo através das dificuldades.

The value of Rafael's idea shone through, even amidst the difficulties.

Ele aprendeu a manter a calma e a improvisar diante dos obstáculos.

He learned to stay calm and improvise in the face of obstacles.

A sua startup recebeu o financiamento necessário.

His startup received the necessary funding.

Rafael percebeu que, com resiliência e adaptabilidade, podería superar qualquer desafio.

Rafael realized that with resilience and adaptability, he could overcome any challenge.

As folhas continuavam a cair lá fora, e Rafael, agora mais confiante e adaptável, estava pronto para o passo seguinte na sua jornada empreendedora.

The leaves continued to fall outside, and Rafael, now more confident and adaptable, was ready for the next step in his entrepreneurial journey.