05

Waking up with a brutal headache, Lia heard the beeps of the machines, instantly also smelled that unique hospital smell. Nothing had reached her brain because she remembered very well that she had been run over by someone, she just didn't have a chance to see who it was.

“Oh, she's awake. - said the doctor approaching the bed. — Good morning, Mrs. Bartolomeu.

- What?! was the first spontaneously confused question.

— It's okay, he's just going to do the last exams and find out if everything is really all right with you. Lia heard Lazzaro's voice fill her ears and almost felt herself melt when he too approached her.

It's just a voice Lia...

I could hardly believe he was there, on his way again. So beautiful and elegant, even the strands of his hair were arousing to her, she flinched surreptitiously, trying to ignore the fact that her crotches were suddenly sore.

— Lord Bartholomew? What's going on here? she wisely whispered just for him to hear.

“You were run over. For me. he revealed without hesitation.

Sincerity was her forte – in almost everything. I preferred not to omit insignificant details.

- Again? The indignant girl tried to get up, soon earning a disapproving look from the doctor.

"Doctor Garcia, could you leave me alone with my wife?" The man stifling a laugh looked at Lia warning her not to protest.

— Of course, when they're done, just press the button and I'll finish the exams. The friendly doctor withdrew.

- What are you talking about?!

— I had to say that since they only care for families here and it's the best hospital in the region. Leah understands.

"But I still think you need to stop running me over!" - Angry she sat on the bed feeling her head throbbing.

— When you say it like that, it seems like I run over you every day. — he mocked and held back a laugh that was extinguished to him and in those instants he really wanted to smile at the situation.

“Only twice. — he mocked — In the first one I almost died in a ravine, in the second one I don't even know what happened because I can't even imagine what kind of injuries I have now. he exclaimed, gesticulating.

“Don't be dramatic. Both times I helped you. Just think I could have left you there the first and second time. - Lázzaro implied causing a sudden fury in Lia.

"Look here, Mister..." he cut her off by placing a finger on her lips.

She stopped talking immediately, not because she was obedient to him but because she couldn't open her mouth anymore when the simple touch of rough fingers on sensitive and soft lips melted some of Lia's cells that were rebuilt again in seconds. She felt her skin burn like the first time he touched her.

- Look the mouth. he scolded her as his chest tightened in a leap of his heart at the touch of her.

Like the first time, and also when he picked her up to take her to the hospital.

“I wasn't speeding, Miss Hamilton, and people who aren't speeding are unlikely to run over each other. Well, unless that person is bewilderedly pulling in front of cars. — he said close to her face, unable to avoid looking at her eyes, so dark but at the same time so pure.

"I..." She felt ashamed of her inattention, at the same time that she knew in her heart that she didn't want to be saved. “I was sick, I guess. But also, forgive me, it may seem like ingratitude, I didn't want anyone to help me. She confessed and felt tears rise in her throat.

It was impossible not to remember all the humiliation of days ago, every word, every aggression hurt so much, his heart was in pieces and he couldn't spend more than ten minutes without remembering the painful life after the death of Luzia, his mother.

“Why didn't you want to be saved? Was he trying to kill himself? he asked, suddenly enraged.

He had remembered how it had been and was still devastated by the news that he had an incurable disease, thus dying within approximately a year.

- Not exactly. But if it did, it would be a relief. he answered sincerely.

“Do you know how many people are fighting for their lives every day everywhere? The world is full of ungrateful people who, like you, do not value their health and life. Perhaps you would appreciate it if you found out that you have a disease that will kill you very soon! he yelled at her, angrily pulling away.

“You can't say that! You can't imagine why I don't want to live anymore! From your clothes, cars, and this hospital you brought me to, you must live a luxurious life and lack for nothing. You don't have to endure constant humiliation and aggression. Hunger, cold, pain, disappointment, loneliness. Do you know what that is or your money can buy everything? she returned hurt with tears already flowing down.

Lázzaro was astonished, for some reason – unknown to him – he felt shaken by the words. What kind of things happened to that girl? But nothing took away his anger that she didn't value the healthy life he wanted so much to continue having.

The man's cell phone rang and he couldn't answer in time.

"Hello." answered the call curtly.

“Lazzáro, the audience with Joyce will be tomorrow at eight in the morning. Have you managed to decide on the name of who will pass the money on?” Marjorie started bluntly.

“Shit, not yet!” he cursed, clenching his fists.

“Where is Miss Valêncio? Weren't you getting to know each other better? Is she not an option for you?” she asked desperately. He didn't consider losing cases, that wasn't part of his life.

“Marjorie, you told me at the beginning that I should move on to someone outside the family circle. Is getting married really the best option?” he asked confused.

“If it goes to the name of someone who does not have the surname Bartholomeu, Joyce will not be able to claim rights, however the assets will be frozen and nothing can be used. If you go to Senhora Bartolomeu, yes, you can, since you meet your father's demand. And justice cannot reverse.”

And that's when an idea suddenly popped into his head. The famous light at the end of the tunnel or the desperate man in the desert on the verge of dying who found a lamp with a genie inside. Perhaps that thought was a little absurd, however he began to reflect on that girl lying in that hospital bed.

She had told him that she didn't want to be saved and that if she died it would be a relief, she wasn't happy, she was very poor and lived on the streets. He also remembered when she said she had no father or mother. Lia had nothing to lose, she would just sign a paper putting all the assets in her name and give her a much better life than the one she had lived until that day.

He remembered very well when he looked deeply into the girl's pure eyes and saw that there was no malice or malice. Dealing with toxic and rotten people every day, I knew exactly who was who just by watching.

Who helps abandoned cats even without where to fall dead, would have the courage to outsmart someone? Lázzaro reflected and was sure he had found the right person.

“Actually, I already found it. Get the papers and send them to my house today! Pay as much as necessary to streamline everything. I'll settle with you later." dictated his order and hung up not giving time to listen to his lawyer's insignificant guesses or questions.

“Miss Hamilton, I would like to make you a proposition. — without any preparation he said.

- Which proposal? she asked curiously.

"I want you to marry me." - The naturalness in her voice made Lia choke on her own saliva and then laugh.

—But I thought we were already married since the doctor called me Mrs. Bartholomeu... —he joked, smiling aloud.

"Did I say something funny to make you laugh in my face like this?" Did I tell a joke Miss Hamilton? he asked her with a frown, irritated by her reaction.

— I don't know if it was a joke, but... — she couldn't stop laughing — Sorry Mr. Bartholomeu, I... — she gave one last laugh and sighed, stopping when Lázzaro's gaze almost glared at her — I think who's mocking of my face is the lord.

- Why would be? He crossed his arms in genuine confusion.

He thought she should jump for joy at the request, unexpected as it was.

"You marrying someone like me?" There is no such possibility. he said, remembering their last conversation.

“I at least explained. Can I or will you be laughing at the clown here? The tone came out exasperated.

She swallowed hard when she saw the seriousness in his gaze, but also a mixture of distress.

“Okay, explain.

— I have a legal problem. My father's ex-wife is trying to get half of the money he left me. So that doesn't happen, I need to pass it to someone's name, so she won't be able to intervene. he summed up.

"But what does a wedding have to do with it?" Her question made sense to him.

“It was my father's fucking demand. In one of the clauses of the will he said that his money could only be used by me or by the new lady Bartholomeu.

— But if that's in the will, his ex-wife can't try to get him. He shrugged. He hated explaining something to anyone, patience was rare in him.

- She has two children, one older and another from the time she became involved with my father, with that she is claiming that she is his son and by law she has rights. DNA tests have already come back negative, but she insists I was the one who sabotaged it and to put that allegation to rest once and for all, she has asked the court to choose the laboratory where the new test will be done. I don't trust this woman and I know she's up to something. That's why I want to be one step ahead. He tried not to sound so desperate however his look didn't help the attempt.

"And what will happen if I say yes?" he asked thoughtfully.

“You will sign the papers becoming my wife and then sign a document passing everything into your name. You won't be able to leave my side, ever. You will live with me and always have someone with you when you want to go out. — he explained — Not that I suspect you'll go away with everything, I'd find you anywhere in the universe anyway. It's just prevention.

— And why me, Mr. Bartholomeu?

“Because…look at you, you've got nothing to lose, you live on the streets. Not only will you be helping me, you will also be helping yourself.

Lia wasn't going to make a fuss about him saying that, it wasn't a lie, she really had nothing and yet she also had nothing to lose. A short time before, she was willing even to give up her own life. He had looked into Lázzaro's eyes and he didn't feel the evil that he used to sense in some bad people he met.

That way, looking at him seeing his look of disguised desperation, she nodded.

"Okay, I'll marry you, sir."