Chapter 8
Maria Eduarda
I didn't know where to put my face, such was the shame I had experienced. My sister had completely crossed the line offering me to her boss. OK, her boss was not one to throw himself away.
- Why are you silent? - Vane asks me.
- Honestly thinking that you haven't gone crazy.
- And why do you think that? - I look at her disbelieving what she just said.
- Vane, are you sure you don't know what I'm talking about? - I ask, asking God for the patience I'm not having.
- Honestly, I don't know!
- Vanessa, for God's sake, did you have to act like that? - I explode at her, who doesn't even flinch.
- Act like what?
- By throwing myself into the arms of your boss! - I raise my voice.
- I don't know what you're talking about.
- Oh, yes, so it was my impression that you threw me to your boss?
- Of course it was! - she defends herself again, and we remain silent. I was dying to hit her. - Oh, Duda!
- What is it?
- What did you think of him?
I know very well that she would like to know what I thought of him. What did she want me to say? That he is handsome? Yes, he is! That he's hot? Yes, he is too! That when our hands touched I felt a kind of shock? This I can't answer.
- What do you want to know?
- Duda, he's hot!
- I didn't think so! - I lie.
- Oh, spare me! - she grumbles.
- What do you want from me?
- I want to see you happy!
- But I am happy! - I answer, firmly.
- No, my sister, you are not happy!
- Why do you think so?
- Because you need a man to help you get over what you've been through.
- And you think your boss can help me with that?
- Of course he can! He is what you need. A strong, good man who will know how to respect you, and best of all: he will be able to love you as you deserve.
- Vane, you can't keep throwing me into the arms of every man you meet.
- I'm not throwing you into just anyone! I'm throwing you into Leon's arms! - she defends herself again.
- My God, Vane, he must be laughing at our faces!
- And why do you think that?
- Vane, for God's sake! He must be amused to see you offering your little sister on a platter for him.
- Oh, so you think he's a sexy, fierce wolf? - she teases.
- My goodness, are you sure you didn't hit your head somewhere?
- Oh, come on, Duda, just for me, no one will know! - she insists.
- What do you want me to say?
- The truth!
- OK, he is handsome, yes!
- It wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear, but what the hell? That goes too!
- Thank God, we are coming to the mall, and you can buy me a really big ice cream.
- And why do I have to do that? - she jokes.
- I'm nervous, and you're going to buy me a decent ice cream," I grumble.
- And it's my fault?
- Yes, it is your fault! - I just answer, and my body shivers when I get the feeling that I'm being watched.
- Duda, is everything all right?
I start looking from one side to the other, wishing it was just me.
- Duda, my God! You look pale - Vane looks at me worried.
My sister hugs me, and I feel a slight weakness in my legs. Just when I think I'm going to fall, I feel Leon's arms catching me.
- What's wrong? - he asks my sister.
- I don't know!
- I'm all right! - I whisper. I didn't want to tell you what I think I saw.
- No, you're not all right! - he says, firmly.
- Leon, I wonder if there's a "doctor-consultant" medical clinic here?
- Vane, I'm fine!
- No, you're not," Leon replies. He takes me in his arms, and we go straight to the entrance of the mall. There, I see my sister asking if there is such a clinic. Soon I am being taken away.
- Leon, let me go!
- No! - he denies it, and I'm not afraid to be in his arms, and I find this very strange.
- I'm fine! - I grumble, wanting to get off his lap and at the same time liking to stay there, feeling protected.
- Damn it, Duda! - he says, angry. And don't I get horny? What is happening to me?
- I don't want to be carried," I say, pulling his face toward mine, making him stop. - I'm fine and I don't need to be carried around! And another thing, I'm heavy, or haven't you noticed?
- I told you I'm not letting you go! My God, woman, stop being stubborn! Let's get one thing straight between us? I am loving holding a woman with curves! - he winks, and I get even more excited. How is that possible?
- Leon, forget it, don't get on my sister's bandwagon! - I beg.
- And who says I'm doing this for your sister?
- I know she wants to throw me into her arms," I grumble, not even knowing what to say.
- I'm not complaining about anything!
- God damn it, man of God! I don't want to date anyone," he walks back down the hall, and I shout: - That "nobody" is good for you too!
- I'm nobody anyway - I feel like slapping him. - I am Leon Vitorino, and whether you like it or not I will take care of you! I will worship and love you!
- Is that it? - I sneer.
- No, my queen, this is only the beginning," he says in a tone of voice.
