Chapter 38

jack

I look back at my boss. I know he wants to help me and that he has great affection for me, he doesn't have the courage to hurt me. How much am I going to say this to the cops, Alex says.

— He's an asshole! He thinks he's in love with my girlfriend. I feel Alex's jealousy in his tone.

"And you have a problem with him too?" – asks police officer Faria.

"No. Today we argue because the feeling he has for me is turning into an obsession," I reply with a shrug.

"Would he be able to poison you?" — Officer Alves was curious.

“No. I don't think so. And today I had no contact with him. At the barracks, I saw some employees, but I only contact my boss, who is here next to me,” I reply, looking at Rubens.

"And did you take anything while she was talking to your boss?" – asks police officer Faria.

- No! I practically scream. — My boss would never do anything against me and he was the one who helped me when I started to feel sick.

"Clear something for me, Miss Baptista." Did you eat or drink anything other than at Mr. Mendonça's house? – Police officer Alves asks, curious.

— No. It was only at Alex's house! The cops look at Alex suspiciously. "Alex would never hurt me!" I defend him and he gives me a kiss on the forehead.

"Did you have any disagreements today?" Officer Faria asks, still looking at Alex curiously.

“No, none,” Alex answers sincerely.

"So, if it wasn't you, Senhor Mendonça, it could have been your maid," the policeman says.

- Renata? Alex says, shocked.

"Yes, your maid!" - says police officer Peres.

— And why would Renata do something against Jackeline? Alex asks.

"My friend, for God's sake!" You don't realize that Renata is crazy about you — Humberto comments.

“I know she likes me, but I don't believe she would be capable of something so terrible. bad for Jackeline! - Alex responds, surprised.

"My friend, this woman will do anything to be with you!" — Humberto warns.

— Look, I know Renata is crazy about Alex, but would she have the courage to do this to me, just to have him by her side? I ask.

— Jackeline, I could be wrong, but I think she would have the courage! — Humberto answers very sincerely and it reminds me of the threat she made to me.

"How can you be so sure of this woman's courage, Mr. Castro?" the policewoman Faria asks.

— I'm not sure, but I'm very suspicious of her — Humberto answers, convinced.

— How long has Miss Renata been working at your house, Mr. Mendonça? – Police officer Alves asks.

"She's been working for about ten years," he replies thoughtfully.

"And you never had any problems with her?" – Police officer Alves continues to ask.

- Never. I am very shocked that she could have done this. Even because she takes care of my children. — Alex gets scared and starts pacing back and forth.

“Calm down, Alex. She won't do the twins any harm,” I say in an attempt to reassure him. But I have to admit, I was worried too.

“How can I be calm?! There's a murderer with my kids! Alex starts to get desperate. “I need to go home. I need to see if my kids are okay!

— Mr Mendonça, don't worry. Nothing will happen to your children! – Police officer Faria responds.

- Thanks! - Alex thanks you.

— Tell me Miss Renata's full name. Let's make an investigation - asks police officer Alves.

— Colung. Renata Colunga — Alex answers.

— Okay. With everything we've heard and recorded, we're going to open an investigation — Officer Peres warns.

“I can't wait for this story to end,” I confess.

“And soon it will. Now we're going to let the lady rest and we'll get in touch — the policewoman Faria says, calls her companion, says goodbye and leaves.

“Well, I will too, my dear. See if you rest! — My boss gets up and gives me a kiss.

“Tomorrow, as soon as I get out of the hospital, I'm going straight to the barracks. - Warning.

- No way! I'm pushing you away for a few days,” he scolds. “No. I need to work. And Alex needs a bodyguard

I declare firmly to my boss.

"Why do I need another bodyguard?" Alex asks curiously.

“I can't work with you anymore,” I say without looking at him.

- And why not? Alex asks curiously.

“It's against company policy,” my boss replies.

"Oh, I see, but I don't need any security anymore either..."

"What do you mean, you don't need it anymore?" — I interrupt him.

— Thank God, I managed to get rid of Veronica! – He comments.

- Like? - I'm very curious.

“I'll tell you. He picks up his cell phone and calls to talk to the kids. Nobody answer. "Humberto, can you do me a favor?"

- Sure. What do you want me to do?

“I know I'm abusing you, but you could have my kids today. In my home? - Alex asks.

- Of course yes! — Humberto answers and takes his things. “I'll be there when you get out of here.

- Thanks! - Alex thanks you.

- He can be with me, always. Well, see you later.” He says goodbye.

My boss and Humberto say goodbye. I thank them both, and they leave. Alex sits next to me, starts caressing my face and says.

— I'm going to call home, to let them know that I'll be late and that Humberto will keep the kids company until I arrive — he calls again and leaves it on speakerphone. — Good night, Renata. I would like to speak with my children.

— Hi, Mr. Mendonca. Just a moment,” she says all affectionately.

I look at Alex and roll my eyes. And it doesn't take long for the kids to start talking to Alex. They ask for me and ask to speak with me. Even tired, I pay attention to them.

- Hi children. How are you? I ask longingly for my little ones.

- We are fine. Are you sleeping here today, Jack? Valentina asks and my eyes fill with tears.

"No. I can't today, angel." I have to do duty at the barracks—I lie to her and I don't like it, but it's for a good cause.

“Oh, why do you have to work today? he asks sadly.

"I want to talk to Jack!" I hear Gaius' voice. I miss him smiling.

— Angel, let me talk to Caio a little, okay? I ask and start talking to him.

I talk to the kids some more before handing the phone to Alex. We say goodbye and he tells the twins that Humberto will stay with them until he arrives. I think it's so cute! He ends the call, looks at me fondly, kisses me, caresses my face and says.

“I thought I was going to die when you told me you were in the hospital! He declares and I get emotional.

— I was so scared when the doctor said I had been poisoned — I confess and am hugged by him.

“I'll be here to protect you, my little scoundrel. I love you so much! - I smile fondly.

- I love you too! My favorite ice cream. - We kissed. As the weather starts to get warmer, I hear a cough. We looked embarrassed and parted.

“Sorry to bother you, but I need to check your vitals,” the nurse says and Alex walks away so she can do her job. She stays over me for a few minutes, and before I finish checking my signals, I ask anxiously. - It's all right? I ask the doctor.

“Yes, it's all right. If it continues like this, tomorrow it will be discharged. “I hear it and I'm relieved.

“Thank God, thank you very much,” I thank you.

The nurse leaves and we are alone again. Alex looks at me and asks:

— Why ice cream? I laugh and reply:

“Because when I first met you in the elevator, you were being so rude on the phone.

- Sorry. That day, Veronica upset me so much that I was beside myself. I was such a motherfucker.

“And speaking of Veronica. What did you do to get rid of it? I ask curiously.

- I'll tell you...

Alex starts to tell me and I'm very attentive... listening to everything.

Half an hour later...

"Damn, I'm glad you managed to get rid of her!" I breathe a sigh of relief.

— Yes. Now I'm much calmer and I'm still going to fire the security guard who helped her — she says.

“You're absolutely right to do that,” I agree with him.

— Now you need to rest, little marrent — he says all affection and tucks me in the bed.

“And you need to go,” I say, caressing his cheek.

“I know, but I really wanted to be with you,” he says passionately.

“I really wanted you to stay, too, but we can't abuse Humberto. And I feel better knowing you'll be with the kids.

— Humberto can stay with them a little longer. - Alex jokes, I smile and we kiss again. He runs his hands through my hair, caresses me and when I start to fall asleep when I hear him say:

— My beautiful little marrent, I swear to love you and protect you with my life. — I fall asleep with your affection.