42

We stood at the railing and looked out to sea. It was already dark and the noise was soothing. Thiago put his arm around my waist and pulled me closer before kissing my forehead. "It's nice here, isn't it?" he asked. "Yes it really is".

"Did you know that this is one of Miami's oldest peers and all of the attractions and businesses have been family-run for decades, passed down from generation to generation?" Thiago explained to me.

"No, I didn't know that, but I think that's what makes the place so special". I answered.

"Indeed, let's eat something" Thiago continued and took my hand again. We went into a wooden building which turned out to be a fish restaurant.

It was simple but totally comfortable. The waiter, an older woman, took us to a wooden table with a corner seat. Above it was a large swordfish on the wall. Guests tended to be regulars and locals.

The menu was also simple, but the food looked delicious, which I could see from the neighboring tables.

We chose our dishes and the waiter disappeared.

I smiled and shook my head slightly.

"What?" Thiago wanted to know.

"I didn't think that a Thiago Silva would eat in such a simple and middle-class restaurant,"

I explained honestly.

"I'm not going either. I never eat out, whether in a restaurant like that or in a 5-star kitchen. Unless I have a business appointment," he replied, putting his napkin aside when the food came.

"So you're calling this a business appointment instead of a date?" I said with a smile and took the fork in my hand.

"Exactly," he replied before putting a piece of trout in his mouth.

I shook my head but left it at that. The food was really tasty. Trout with fried potatoes and red wine.

After the meal, Thiago explained to me that the restaurant belonged to the Fetscher couple. The old lady serving is Ms. Fetsch and 75 years old while her husband Mr. Fetsch acted as cook. They took over the fish restaurant together in the late 70's and have run it ever since. It's her life's work.

When you could see the couple working for this but still with so much love and good humor, it touches your heart.

Thiago paid for the food and after a nice farewell with the couple we left the restaurant.

It was already chilly and after 11pm. The day passed quickly and Thiago put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. My head automatically lay down on Thiago's chest and I enjoyed this closeness to him. It was unexpected. But I liked it. Oh Holy Mother Alea, please pull yourself together. He's still Mr. Silva.

"Thank you," I murmured on our way back to the helicopter. Thiago stopped us and put a hand under my chin. We looked deep into each other's eyes and I could see his pupils change.

I had no idea what got into me, but I placed my lips on his. I took the first step. reason more valid. Thiago hesitated a few seconds before kissing me back as well.

His hands traveled down my body, gently stroking my sides. The kiss was full of longing and feeling. He was different than usual.

As we parted ways out of breath, Thiago whispered "I'm sorry." What does he mean with that. I looked at him questioningly with a rounded forehead. "This isn't a date Alea. I wanted to show you what, remember? he asked me.

I nodded slowly but had a bad premonition.

"Turn around Alea. Look at the peer. The people. Think of Ms. and Mr. Fetsch". Thiago commanded me.

I turned to the people who were laughing, eating and enjoying themselves.

"I don't understand what you want from me Thiago?" I really didn't realize it.

"Wouldn't it be a shame if all of this got razed to the ground?" he asked me.

"What? What do you mean?" I still didn't understand what he wanted to tell me.

"All this here. Will be demolished in less than two days. The Fetschers and all other people will lose their existence. The old, traditional peer will simply be destroyed. Instead, luxurious hotels should be built here that should give more profit"

"Is that a bad joke?" I now turned to Thiago and looked him in the eye. But I could see that he wasn't joking.

"Why are you telling me all this? Why are you spending all day here with me? Introduce me to the Fetschers and their lovely restaurant? To then say that everything should be gone soon? I don't understand it? I asked Thiago my questions .

"I wanted you to be emotionally self-conscious," he said coolly. Suddenly he wasn't the smiling, relaxed Thiago who kissed me anymore, he was the devil again. Cold, grim and utterly callous.

"How so?" I hissed now visibly angry.

"Matt, your great, super good boss, he's the one who bought everything here and wants to leave soon. He wants to build the hotels and already has planning permission for it. And I want you to stop it. He likes you. If someone what then you can do it" Thiago explained to me.

I swallowed hard and closed my eyes for a moment.

"Why? What do you get out of it and don't tell me that you care about people?" I spoke barely audibly.

I couldn't look him in the eye.

He hesitated. He looked down and his hands clenched into fists. He was tense too. "Let's say I'm very interested in this property myself, but was too late to bid," he answered my question.

"That means it's not about the people and the peer either, but about the fact that you just want a piece of land because you also see profit in it?" I confirmed his answer again.

"It's a gold mine Alea and I want it". He said.

"And I'm supposed to help you with that, right?" I grumbled again.

"Ja".

I laughed mockingly. "You were right, it was never a date. It was a business meeting. You deliberately used me for your business purposes. I'm so stupid". Then I ran past him in quick steps. Too much she was humiliation. Once again. He put on the whole circus just to spit in my face again afterwards. Instead of telling me what he wanted right away. No, he still makes me feel like I'm on a date. And now I'm running off the peer with this oversized teddy in my hand and I just want to get away. Away from him and this whole situation. I feel so incredibly stupid. Because I should have known better. After all, he is Thiago Silva, the devil himself.

"Aleaaaa... aleaaa now stop" I heard him yell in the distance.

But I kept walking... further into the night as far away from him as possible.