Jealous
Murilo
It was quite clear that she tried to disguise what she was feeling, but I also noticed that she didn't look well and was pale. I was even more worried, wondering if maybe I was responsible for that when Mariana approached us.
" Hi, Murilo " Despite her soft words, she seemed to want to shoot me and I had to give her every reason. "I believe there are several other stores in this mall, and you didn't need to come strolling with your little girlfriend here in our store.”
If the first words seemed full of meaning, what she said later was very direct and unfair, but I had to admire Mariana for coming to her friend's defense.
"You would have been right if that had been the case.”
I looked for Lavinia, but she had disappeared, as I wished she would.
" Looking for the witch? " Mariana asked ironically "Make yourself at home. I'm just dropping my friend off at home.”
" I can do that, then " I immediately offered.
"I don't want your company, Murilo.”
Hearing those words from the woman I love was hard, but I understood that she believed I deserved it, and decided that first I needed to clarify what had happened and only then could we talk about ourselves.
" Lavinia is my cousin's girlfriend and I did not come to the mall with her " I started to clarify the facts.
" Then how did you get here together? " Mariana interrupted me, taking Virginia's pains once again "How do you explain this?”
"I can explain it, yes.”
Before I could go on with what I had to say, Virginia grabbed hold of my jacket, looking dizzy or something, and my heart raced out of control.
" I don't feel well, " she said, looking like she was about to faint.
Virginia was breathing hard, and I held her, thinking about putting her in my lap, but she, realizing what I intended to do, refused with a negative nod of her head.
" I just need to sit down," said, between strong breaths "Do not call other people’s attention on us, please.”
I answered her request and helped her walk to the counter, which was almost next to us.
"There’s a chair here, behind that counter.”
Mariana pointed to the place closest to us and took her to the place.
Virgínia
Seeing that Murilo was with Lavinia in my store only made me feel even worse than I already did, and when I realized that I was about to fall right there, in the middle of so many people, I decided that it was better to ask for help from the person who was closest to me, even if it was someone I simply hated at that moment.
After a few minutes, when I was already sitting up and feeling a little better, but still trying to breathe as many times as possible because I felt I might lose consciousness at any moment, I thought only of myself and my baby.
" I think I'd better take you to the hospital, Virginia " Murilo spoke, with evident concern "This is not normal. I don't think it's a good idea for you to continue here.”
I didn't answer, nor did I intend to because I couldn't even think clearly, let alone come up with a satisfactory answer.
"She doesn't look well, Mariana!”
"I can see that with my own eyes, Murilo. You didn't have to tell me.”
"Let's call the store manager. She needs to be taken off work for a few days. She can't keep working like this.”
" We have already come to the same conclusion by ourselves " Mariana countered "You show up here with that little woman and then want to play the good man.”
Now Mariana and Murilo are fighting. That's all I needed!
"Get Virginia's purse. I'm taking her to the hospital now.”
Murilo's commanding tone was something I had not yet witnessed, and I would have found it funny if I hadn't been feeling so dizzy.
Murilo looked at me with a serious expression, looking even annoyed, and I could already imagine what he intended to say.
" All right, I'm going to the hospital " I agreed before he even said, "Just give me a few seconds.”
He nodded in approval and, after a few seconds indeed, I stood up slowly and started walking to the store's exit, with Mariana by my side and Murilo looking with his newest angry face. I didn't let him carry me, however, and to my satisfaction, the store was right next to one of the exits that led to the shopping center's parking lot.
I believe that because there was hardly anyone walking through the parking lot, Murilo decided that it was time to go against my wishes and put me in his arms. I didn't admit the fact out loud, but I thanked him internally for his attitude.
I was feeling tired as if I was carrying pounds and pounds on my shoulders and even my limbs were heavy.
" No one is watching, " he said, as he walked with me in his arms, confirming what I had already deduced on my own.
We quickly arrived at his car, or I lost track of time, and soon we were on our way to the hospital.
Murilo asked Mariana to ride in the back seat with me and when we arrived at a hospital that I recognized as one of the best in São Paulo and that was conveniently close to the mall, he again put me in his arms, not waiting for the nurses to attend to me.
" I'm going to put you in a wheelchair, okay? " Murilo asked, using his gentle tone, the one I was used to.
"Yes.”
In a short time, I was not only attended by the medical team but also had several clinical tests.
Mariana left, returning to the store at my request because even though I insisted that I didn't want to be with Murilo, the truth was that he was the father of the child I was expecting, and it was only fair that he was with me in that situation.
Our store was just beginning, and it needed one of us to be there, taking care of everything personally.
" How are you feeling now? " Murilo asked, trying to hold my hand.
I was in one of the hospital apartments, even though I thought that was not necessary, all very different from what I was used to.
After I won the money from the auction, I not only started my own business but also started to pay for a good health plan for me and my parents.
But since I had not yet had to use it, and was still in the waiting period for some services, I did not yet know in practice how different it was from the public services I was used to.
"I feel a little better now.”
I was taking an intravenous medication and really, I felt better because I was lying down and quiet, while Murilo kept moving from side to side.
"I hope everything is okay with our baby.”
He had pulled an armchair, which seemed quite heavy, over to the side of my bed and was still holding my hand while looking at me with a feeling that was quite clear and left me confused: adoration. But, thinking more clearly, it should be directed at his son and not at me, and I shouldn't think anything foolish.
At that moment, there was a brief knock at the open door, I believe just to announce someone's entrance, and we both looked in the direction of the newcomer.
"Virginia Barbosa?”
The young doctor who attended to me when I arrived at the hospital entered the room.
"It's me, doctor.”
