8

Arabella

I wake up with the noise of the door. Someone was beating incessantly, but I didn't give a shit. I rolled around on the bed burying my face on the pillow and covering my head with the covers. However, the person on the other side would not leave and disturb my precious sleep. The bed was so hot... By God, I just wanted to sleep! And whoever it was, i couldn't understand that.

Then the noise ceased and I was so glad I dozed off again. But the silence lasted only for a few moments, for then I heard an unknown female voice, very close to me. And owner of the same voice that spoke to me something I didn't understand, pulled the covers discovering my head.

When I turned around to fight with the person, I got scared to see Miguel's younger sister. I didn't remember your name at the time, because I remembered a more important detail: I wasn't in my apartment. To tell you the truth was too far from him, in another city to be more accurate and in a house where he knew no one.

I probably had a very pathetic face, wide-eyed and hands grabbing the covers like some kind of shield protecting my body. I mean, ridiculous. Because as soon as she saw my face, the girl started laughing. I was embarrassed by your reaction and covered my face again. Then lessening the laughter, she started babbling to me.

For a moment I thought you were dead in your sleep, because I called insistently and got no answer. So I thought I'd come check your pulse to make sure. - told the girl I couldn't even remember her name.

But since that's not the case, I came to wake you up in person. Breakfast will be served in a few moments. And I'd really like your company. - she continued her monologue.

-Fernanda and Miguel will be here shortly and will join us for the meal, but in the meantime, I wanted to talk to you. Kaile is also downstairs with Grandma, who has also asked for you. - she said excitedly.

I was getting very angry with this girl. How can anyone wake up so excited and talkative in the morning? She was very agitated, it seemed that she had already ingested about three cups of coffee to be in this arrangement.

While I was dying to go back to sleep, she wanted to do a thousand things. I kept looking at her who spoke to me, but paid little attention to me to realize that I was not in the mood to get up.

- Let's go, get up from there and start getting dressed. When I get back if I'm not ready, I'll drag you down the way it is. - she said and left leaving me alone again.

I was shocked and a little irritated by that girl's attitude. How could she interrupt my precious sleep and still threaten to take me in my pajamas from here? But, as the saying goes, dance according to the song. I was at your family's house and the least I should do was behave at the pace of it.

Against my will, I got up and picked up a floral print dress that I had put in the suitcase and put it on the bed. I took off my pajamas and threw it over the bed, took the dress and put it on quickly. I went to the bathroom, where I did my personal needs, combed my hair, gave a perfume and a lip gloss. As I left, I made the bed I slept in, put together the scattered clothes and put on a comfortable sneaker. When she was finished, the bedroom door opened and she was back.

- I know we were introduced yesterday, but did I forget your name, what's your name again? I asked.

My name is Isadora, but you can call me Isa. Now let's go, before you give up. -Isadora or Isa, whatever, said and pulled me by the arm toward the door.

I don't really like this family's thing of pulling me by the arm. It's a little boring and even annoying. But never the way, it's not like I'm going to turn around and say, "Hey, would you please let go of my arm?" This isn't mother Joan's house for you to pull out. But for now I'm going to try to ignore it, because I'm going to be in this place for a little while, at least that's what I think.

We went down the stairs and headed for the living room. There we find Eliza and Kaile sitting on one of the sofas in the center of the room. We approached them, and as soon as they saw us they got up. Eliza wrapped us in a kind of triple hug, and when she let us go, Iza sat next to her grandmother, where her brother had been sitting, while she wrapped me in a hug.

At that moment the door of the house was opened, and Miguel and Fernanda entered by the same in clothes to work out. They were sweaty, for they had walked in the morning. As soon as Kaile let me go, I tried to sit down quickly, and he did the same sitting next to me. Fernanda greeted everyone with a good day, and left promising that she would be back in a moment. Miguel also did the same and disappeared through the house.

Soon Eliza started a friend-friended conversation between us, always getting involved when I was more into mine. He asked me a lot of things about me, normal questions, simple things that people usually say to each other. However, I didn't feel too comfortable talking about it, and I was very evasive in the answers. Brendan also joined the group, he until he was cool, seemed to be a different man from the day before. He was outgoing and made some very funny and at the same time clever comments in the course of the subject we were talking about.

After a while Giovana appeared calling us for the meal. Everyone followed her as soon as she finished talking. I also accompanied them, but standing behind everyone, because I felt out of place in their midst. When we arrived at the place where we were going to eat, I noticed that it was a dining room, which was quite large by the way, and in the center there was a beautifully arranged table for breakfast. I should have gone to great trouble to fix all this, i felt a little bad about not offering to help.

I saw Eliza wave at me and hit the accent of the chair next to her. Timidly I headed to the chair she indicated to me. Kaile sat next to me and Isadora next to it. On the other side of the table was Giovana sitting, facing Eliza, in front of me was Miguel, next to her Fernanda, and next to her there was a lady who appears to be in her fifties that I had not yet seen. At the head of the table between Giovana and Eliza was Brendan.

Arabella, yesterday we didn't get a chance to introduce Judith. Judith has worked with us for many years and is a member of the family. Judith, this is Arabella, our guest and friend of Miguel's. - said Brendan.

You got up and came to me. I got up from my seat and hugged me, repaid the hug so I wouldn't be rude. But the truth is, I was embarrassed every time someone hugged me. They were strangers to me and they kept this hug to my side.

Honey, it's a pleasure to meet you. You're very pretty, you're probably committed to someone, or I'd fix you up for one of those boys who's still single to this day. What is absurd is to say in passing. - the woman said and everyone at the table laughed.

- But let's leave the conversation for later. Everyone must be hungry, and you keep talking, I'm not going to stop anytime soon. She said it and laughed.

The pleasure is all mine. You're a very nice woman. I answered it.

- No lady, just Judith, but I'd rather you call me Judi, so I feel even younger. Judith spoke with a smile.

All right then, Judi. - I said and smiled at her.

We went back to our seats, and the rest of the meal ran quietly. Everyone talked excitedly as they ate, and I only said what was necessary when they spoke directly to me. After the meal period everyone began to disperse, as I did not know exactly what to do, I went to the room. In the bathroom while brushing my teeth, I heard Miguel call me from the room. I rinsed my mouth and went to him. He was sitting on the bed, and he got up to see me.

-We go to the center in search of the studio that Etienne Cosmetics chose to make the photos of the campaign. Then we'll sort out the creation part, so we'll probably not be back until later. Take everything you need. I'll wait for you downstairs. Miguel said and left the room.

I took my notebook, pen, a notebook, toothbrush and toothpaste and put everything in the bag. I ran a gloss and went down to meet Miguel. We said goodbye to your parents who were in the room and left.

Miguel unlocked the car doors, we went in and he started. We left the condo, Miguel kept concentrating on the road, and didn't say a word. He followed a few more streets and parked in front of a two-story building that displayed a strip in dark blue with the so-called Studio Focus in white color. Miguel checked his cell phone and looked at the building to confirm that this was the right place.

We got out of the vehicle, and we headed towards the building. As we entered the place the receptionist welcomed us with a smile and a blatant look at Miguel. It was really weird. Miguel said that we had an appointment and after giving our names, we waited for a few more minutes and were sent to the room of Dana, the owner of the studio. Dana was a woman who was supposed to be in her forties and fifties, but she was very well maintained. She welcomed us very well, she was a little intimidating, but pleasant as possible. She explained to us the kind of work Etienne had hired. He explained when, how and what we should do.

She said she would accompany us personally during the sessions to assist us through the process. After all that talk, we said good-bye to a good day and even tomorrow, because we'd be back the next day to get started with that. From there we followed on foot to a restaurant that was on the seafront. There were tables that were in an open space, and others that were in a closed part of the restaurant. We chose the open space. We sat down and waited for our orders, which waiter had just taken.

We were sitting facing each other, he turned his back to the beach, while I was facing, stared hypnotized the sea. The waves breaking in the sand, the sound they produced, was simply beautiful, perfect and charming. I could easily sleep listening to that sound. It was like a tranquilizer for the soul. It gave a sense of peace. I got out of the trance when I heard Miguel's voice calling me.

Did you hear what I said? I was asking you a question, but you haven't answered until now. Miguel said.

I'm sorry, i'm sorry Can you repeat? I just didn't pay much attention. I answered.

I was saying some ideas I had for the campaign. He said.

And then he started repeating what he said. The food had already been served, and while we ate it he explained what he had thought. I liked your idea plan, it was very objective. When he finished talking, I said what I had found, and we discussed a few more points. In the end it was a quiet conversation.

After lunch we'll be right there. The customers were already gone, and there were only a few employees left, which meant that the restaurant was practically empty. We put our things on the table and started sketching the project. We spent hours working, because the next day we might not have much time to work on it. It was night time when we gathered our belongings and left the restaurant. We were talking as we went to the place where Miguel had parked his car, when a man approached him, he seemed to be his friend.

Miguel, it's been a long time. I didn't know you were in town, why didn't you tell me you were coming? You could have called me. - the man said as he hugged him.

Before Miguel could answer, the man noticed my presence, smiled, and spoke.

How rude I was. What's your pretty name? Don't tell me you're this guy's girlfriend here. Because I'm definitely a much better party than he is. Oh, and my name is Mauritius, but you can call me yours if you want. -he said with a smile on his side and winked.

My name is Arabella, but some people call me bella. And no, I'm not Miguel's girlfriend, I'm just his co-worker. I told you.

What great news. That means we should go out sometime. What do you think of that? - Mauritius asked.

Maurício was a pleasure to see you again, but if you don't mind, we have to go now. We're tired, and tomorrow we have a full day of work ahead of us. Miguel said.

Sure, man, you're going to get some rest. It was good to see you, too. It's even better to know this lindeza. And Bella, don't forget our conversation. We still have to set a day to leave. Maurício said and hugged me. Good night to you, and dream me Bella. - he spoke with a huge smile.

Good night to you, too. Miguel and I answered.

After that we got in the car, Miguel started and we went home. When we arrived, we saw that the family was sitting at the table having dinner. We left our things in our rooms and came back to join them during the meal.

When everyone finished eating, they withdrew from the table. I even tried to help wash the dirty dishes, but Giovana kicked me out of the kitchen. So I went to my room. I took a shower, put on my pajamas and brushed my hair. I spent some more time looking at some details of the project on my notebook and ended up falling asleep.