07

When they entered the hall of the big house, they were quickly greeted by the men's employees, all with curious looks about the company of the boss who never took any woman to his house.

“Take these bags to the best guest room, preferably with a bathtub, and get her ready. Do it quickly! —he dictated his orders that were immediately obeyed —This is Lia Hamilton and tomorrow will be Mrs. Bartholomeu, give her everything she asks for and obey her orders as if they were mine, understood? They all nodded and left.

Nadia, the maid who had interests in her boss, soon found herself very angry and jealous of the poor girl. The sneers she received from everyone were so painful... Yet she was used to it every day.

"Where is Magdalena?" the owner of the house asked.

Magdalena has been with them since their existence and even before that. She was the only maid he trusted and also the only one who could make things work in the residence.

— He had to go to the market, but he'll be back soon. — someone replied and he simply started walking making Lia follow him.

- And now? What do I do? the young woman asked, feeling like a fish out of water.

“First, a bath. he said making her blush with embarrassment.

She was really dirty, but not that stinky. The city was not hot, on the contrary, quite cold so it didn't sweat.

- Clear. And then?

— Then you will choose an outfit for the wedding that will be tomorrow.

- Tomorrow? Already?

- You're right. It will be today.

- What?! Do you already have everything prepared? I don't think there will be time.

- He is going yes. We can do anything anytime when we know the right people.

Lia opened her eyes wide, realizing even more how powerful he was. The chip was slowly sinking in that I was about to marry a total stranger and the biggest, a fake marriage.

It wasn't a bit like what he'd always dreamed of, but what did it matter if he was really about to kill himself and had long ago given up on the idea of a perfect romance like in books?

- All good. So... I need to know how to move around in here, I've never been in such a big place. He confessed with a nervous smile.

"I'll take you to your room."

He took her hand and his face immediately flushed. The two ignored it and continued walking. It took two minutes for them to arrive, when the door opened Lia's lips parted in a very large O and her eyes sparkled.

- Our! Is this a room or a house? She felt ecstatic and enchanted.

Lazzaro smiled. She was content with so little that there was no doubt left for him about her character and he was absolutely certain that he had chosen the right person.

- Did you like it? he asked even though he already knew the answer. I wanted to hear her say it.

- Is playing? I loved it, never in my life did I imagine that I would step in a place like this. He jumped up and down, caressing the dark silk curtains.

- Great. Now I need to finish some formalities. Get ready and ready by eight. I'll send someone to do what you ask.

- He is well. He agreed and bit his lip wanting to say something else.

He looked into her eyes and understood some hesitation.

"You want to tell me something." He can talk. he said and she looked down.

"I wanted to know... what would you like me to wear?" It's just that I have good clothes, you know, but not enough to get married.

- You're right. I'll have them bring a clothing store over here and you choose.

She nodded in agreement and watched him leave, breathing normally again but not for long as he re-entered. Staring at her hidden beauty, he left his request.

"I don't want you to tie up your hair." he declared, making the girl's pulse increase.

"Do you... d-like my hair?" he questioned, remembering when his cousins made fun of him saying he was ugly and bad.

- I like. he stated and left the room.

She smiled automatically, no one had ever complimented her hair, other than her mother of course.

She walked to the bathroom where she found a large bathtub full of water and bubbles, the still cold weather – her favorite – almost forced her to go inside soon. Therefore, he took off his clothes in a hurry and put them in an empty basket, hurriedly entered the water and moaned feeling the pleasure that was the water relaxing every cell in his body.

He took the best shower of his life, there wasn't a part he hadn't rubbed hard. He wanted to remove all traces of the street from his body, he also washed his hair, among the various products he also saw a depilatory cream and used it to then get out of the bathtub.

Soon some nice women entered the room after knocking on the door and fixed Lia's hair. While another person took almost a feast for her to eat, she ate everything with gusto.

— Do you want to choose a hairstyle? a redhead asked.

— In fact, I just need to apply cream strand by strand and then dry, nothing more.

They nodded and did as they were asked. Then it was the turn of the dress, as it was something very formal, they gave the idea of dressing her in tight white lace, but the girl's eyes filled up when she saw a pearl satin dress with some stones on the top.

- It's that. I loved!

"It's really beautiful!" You have good taste. - Judith said and smiled.

"Promptly and wonderfully dazzling!" Senhor Bartholomeu will drop his jaw when he sees her. The women clapped their hands, making the girl's heart happy.

“Hello, sorry to bother you. But Senhor Bartholomeu asked you to come down as quickly as possible. Magdalena announced from the doorway.

- I'm on my way. — Lia replied and said goodbye to the makeup artists.

She was staggering with grief. Her heart was almost jumping out and she didn't quite understand why. It was just a pretend marriage, but how could you tell that to your leaping insides?

Lázzaro was there, standing in the doorway of his office where everything was ready inside. When he landed his eyes on the beautiful young woman, he almost lost his breath because she was so beautiful, he knew that he still had a lot of the simple Lia Hamilton, but he was much, much better. I had already highlighted her beauty, but at that moment it looked like a work of art.

It was even funny to him how excited he felt the moment he saw her.

- Apologies for the delay. she said, her face flushed and he blinked as if snapped out of inappropriate thoughts.

- It doesn't matter. He looked back at her. You're... Charming. — he knew he could take the serious risk of saying that she was the most beautiful woman in the world at that time, so he preferred something lighter.

She just opened a pure smile and felt her hand being held by her future "husband". He felt her shudder, he knew she was nervous, after all it was a very unusual situation and deep down he admired her for her wisdom in facing everything with great firmness.

Lia was sure that man was definitely extraordinary. Just like the sudden change in your life. He had a beautiful face and his charm… well, there was no doubt that he was very famous among the ladies and the mere thought made her suddenly enraged. Still, she needed to face the situation like a sensible and mature person.

It's just a sham marriage, Lia. Nothing will change. He reinforced in his mind.

The marriage was quick, Mr. Bartholomeu's contacts were so efficient that they managed to organize all the documents for a wedding in a few hours. The only thing that took longer were the requirements and reading the contract.

Lia accepted everything without blinking an eye, she would never leave, what better place than that house? She would never want to take a penny from Lazzaro either, and lastly, she wouldn't demand ties with him, just as he wouldn't demand her either.

“Very well, you are married now. — the justice of the peace said after both signed the document.

As everyone there knew that it was just a show union, they didn't do anything traditional like the phrase: I now pronounce you husband and wife. Marjorie was there too and soon walked over to Lia and greeted her.

— Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Bartholomeu. He smiled warmly and the girl returned it.

After the ceremony Lázzaro remained silent the entire time. Lia felt uncomfortable and excused herself, starting to walk around the house to get to know her new home a little more. Her husband and the lawyer finished solving any questions or clarifications about the hearing with Joyce that would be the next day, and then Marjorie left.

The young woman found a garden at the back of the house, it was not as well cared for as it deserved to be. They had beautiful flowers of multiple species, however they were almost dying, he began to walk touching some of them taking dry leaves and loose branches.

- Hello. She jumped when she heard Lazzaro's voice behind her.

- Hey. You scared me. - commented putting his hand on his heart and smiling.

It was a beautiful smile.

- What are you doing here? he asked leaning against a glass wall.

“I was walking around the house a bit and I ended up finding this back door. he answered. “This garden should receive more attention.

"Why do you think he doesn't?" His voice was soft.

"They're wilting..." she replied, pulling out a few more dry leaves.

“That doesn't mean you're not being cared for.

“Of course it does. Well cared for flowers do not wither.

— And you think that if they are well cared for they won't die? The man had a strange interest in the girl's type of thinking.

- Of course. If we take good care of something, it hardly ever goes away or gets lost or ends.

He swallowed, impressed with her all over again. I couldn't understand how such a pure heart could exist in such a cursed world.

- I'm having dinner now. Do you want to accompany me?

- Yes I want. - she smiled.

The two walked in silence to the dining room, the table was already set and during the meal he looked askance at Lia who ate everything with pleasure as if it were the first time.

She is very beautiful... The inopportune thought wouldn't leave the man who struggled not to notice too much.

Finally finished eating.

"Good night Lia." — he said goodbye when he realized the desire to stay a little longer in her presence.

I felt afraid.

She couldn't answer as he had already disappeared from her sight.