I want to forget

Mariana

Although my aunt is a very good-natured person, I thought she was more excited than usual and her smile was contagious.

"Did something different happen while I was sleeping, Auntie?”

"Look what I got today," she says, pointing to a sideboard next to the TV.

Only then I noticed some boxes and a beautiful vase of flowers, and only by touching them I realized they were artificial, such is the quality of the ornament.

"Are they gifts?" I asked, unable to understand where it had come from.

Besides the obvious arrangement, there was also a box of chocolates from a very famous brand of imported chocolates, and I really had no idea who could have sent them to my aunt.

"Of course they are gifts, Mariana" Aunt Celina says, clearly laughing at my silly face "I would never spend so much money on something like that.”

"Didn't you like your presents? " I asked, really confused.

" I liked them very much, but exactly because they were gifts, dear " she explains, indicating the place next to her on the sofa.

"Of course, you're right," I agree, "I'm just surprised. Do you know who sent these gifts?”

The mischievous look on my aunt's face was strange, but I really couldn't think of anyone.

" Guess what! " she suggested, smiling.

"I have no idea, Auntie," I confess, feeling like an unreliable niece now.

" It was Ethan, Mariana," she says " That man is lost in love with you, I'm sure of it!”

I stared at my aunt literally with my mouth open, for I could never think that Ethan would be capable of sending gifts to my aunt. For what purpose would he do that?

How abusive!

But I wouldn't spoil my aunt's joy, so I just smiled, without really agreeing or disagreeing with her words.

I would let my aunt think whatever she wanted, because I didn't want to ruin her day, after all, she was so happy!

"Here's one for you" she offered me one of her chocolates "They are delicious.”

I accept, even if begrudgingly because I don't want my aunt to worry about me or anyone else. After all, all that matters is that she is well. I continue talking to Aunt Celina, but I try to change the subject, I am tired of hearing compliments about Ethan, and to my total relief, we talk about other things.

After lunch, I go with my aunt to the club she usually goes to on Sunday afternoons, where she can meet several of her friends and do various activities to distract her.

The next day, at the store shift change, already talking to Virginia, I tell her about Ethan's audacity in sending gifts to my aunt.

"Even though I know how much I should avoid that man, he is slowly managing to overcome my resistance.”

"He's not managing to win…” Virginia says, making me more relieved.

"You're right, Vi, I'm still unshakable and he won't be able to get into my mind that easily," I say, feeling stronger.

"Wake up, girlfriend! Ethan has already overcome all your little resistance, Mari" Virginia completes the sentence, letting out a laugh.

I glare at Virginia, for she is saying the exact opposite of what I would like to hear.

" Less than two days ago, the man was deep in you, very deep " Virginia teases me " There is nothing left to resist, you have already given everything away.”

I tried to remain serious, but it was impossible and we both burst out laughing, because of course she was right, there was no way I could pretend that I hadn't fallen for Ethan's trick when he took my virginity the night before.

I had told Virginia the whole truth about the night of the auction, and after a great lecture about friendship and trust, now we were talking about the current situation.

"But seriously now, friend" Virginia changed her expression, really keeping her seriousness "What a tiny world! Arthur Rodrigues, of all people... I could never imagine that he is a scoundrel of the worst kind. Using you the way he did, with the only goal of bringing back his wife's traitor.”

"I'd rather forget Arthur, believe me," I say, being very sincere.

"I do believe you, my friend," she says, reassuring me, "Constantino seems to be more difficult, doesn't he?”

Ethan

I looked out the car window, only now noticing that it was raining heavily on that Monday morning, the weather completely closed in, as was my mood after a not-so-pleasant weekend.

But I had been so distracted before, that I hadn't realized this fact yet, and only now did I also realize that the car was practically stopped in a huge traffic jam.

I always tried to use my time in the most useful way possible, and as the traffic in São Paulo was terrible, and no matter what was done to try to improve that fact, things always continued the same as before, I opted to always have a driver at my disposal, so that I could dedicate myself to work, while the driver faced the heavy traffic of São Paulo.

That morning was no different, and while I analyzed some FERZ reports, the driver drove the car with apparent skill and agility.

Today I would not go to my own company, but to Murilo's, to take up my new position at FERZ, with the sole intention of making his life difficult.

Yesterday afternoon, as happens every Sunday, I was at the cemetery visiting Beatriz's grave, and all the feeling of revolt and impotence was present with full force, even more after having seen the article that was on the cover of an important business magazine and that exhibited a picture of Murilo Fernandes.

It was unacceptable that he was becoming more influential every day in the business world and reaching higher and higher levels, not only in his professional life, as the article in the magazine highlighted so well, but also in his personal life, next to his newest conquest.

Murilo was now next to a beautiful woman, with whom he was clearly in love and would be a father in the coming months, as I recently found out.