☬ - 06 - the funeral

"Silence...is not always a sign of a lack of words but rather the excess of them." - Lara Kastro

10:00 - London...

- My God! What is this man doing hugging me? - she babbles.

Lying cuddled up with her undead father-in-law, Berriere recalls how long it has been since she woke up cuddling with Kamael.

- I don't remember a specific day. - In her head, the questions go on and on. My marriage is over, I am alone.

- Should I risk going to Seattle with my father-in-law and start a new cycle in another country? - All this was consuming her as if she wanted to change the course of the conflict, and in her mind, she thought: I'll go to the company tomorrow. I'll try to organize some things.

Bronck wakes up with Berriere talking loudly and realizes that he is clinging to her. Still sleepy, he believes he has woken up in fright and not with her almost screaming.

Feeling that he has let go of her, he hears her mutter something softly.

- What the fuck am I doing holding on to my daughter-in-law? Forgive me God! - he whispers.

Berriere doesn't want to make him uncomfortable, so I decide to keep quiet and pretend to be asleep.

Getting up, Bronck goes to the bathroom.

- I have to get on with my life. I am alone now. I have no one else, except my father-in-law. - Crying, she sits up in bed staring at her hands.

- Good morning! - His rough voice makes her turn to face him.

- Good morning! - Looking away, she answers in a whisper.

- Are you feeling better? - he asks, coming closer, worried.

- No. The tears consume her.

- What time does your maid arrive? - He asks, getting up and going to his suitcase.

- I don't have one, I already told you that twice. - She rolls her eyes at his astonished face.

- What do you mean Kamael didn't send someone to help you? This house is huge! - Walking towards it, Bronck sits down beside her.

- Let's just say that my late husband was very protective, he didn't want me to work outside, and so as not to get bored, she cleaned the house. - Taking a deep breath, the tears fall insistently.

- Wow! - Getting up, he turns his attention back to his suitcase.

- Let's forget about this subject. - Lying on her back to him, crying made her sob.

- Come on, you need to take a shower.

- Leave me alone. - She asks, completely covering herself.

- No, we have to say goodbye to Kamael.

- What time is it? - With a shocked tone, she finds herself looking nervously at Bronck.

- 10:30 a.m, we have to go, lady.

- Already? Wow, I slept a lot. - Getting up, she forgets about the sweater she's wearing. Bronck stares at her wide-eyed. - I'll be ready in 40 minutes. -

He answers and heads towards the bathroom.

- Okay, I'll take a shower in the next room.

Leaving her alone in her room Berriere chose a dress and took a shower, getting ready for her last meeting with her husband. The crying

accompanied her wherever she went. She wished at all costs that her husband would walk through the door and kiss her on the cheek as usual.

- I'm ready to say goodbye to my husband.

Leaving her room, she went downstairs to look for her father-in-law. As she got ready first, she sits down to wait for him.

The minutes go by when he finally comes downstairs in a black suit. She thinks: As you remind me of Kamael, you both have good taste.

- Shall we go? - Shaking her head positively she extends her hand. Berriere takes her hand and they both go towards the car.

He's very gentlemanly. thought Berriere. Even with the chauffeur, he makes a point of opening the door for her.

On the way to the funeral, he observed her red eyes. He was sure, he had been crying and with the short time they spent together, he realized that he is not one to do this in the company.

The driver takes them to the funeral.

In his mind, she was analyzing her father-in-law. He is serious and that makes me nervous!

Taking a break from the self-analysis he was doing in his mind, she looks at the streets, losing herself in the image in front of her. People went to their jobs or appointments and realized that this was something she hadn't experienced in years!

On her way through the busy streets she knew she was living in a prison, even if it wasn't what she wanted, it was what her husband made her believe was best for her. The tears start to fall again. Without realizing it, she feels her father-in-law's hand on hers and pulls it tightly to her chest.

- I'm sorry. - These words make her look at him guiltily.

- I'm sorry, I'm not used to this kind of thing. - She blurts out, looking away and turning her attention back to the street.

- What could this be? - Intrigued, he asks with wide eyes.

- Never mind. - They realized they had arrived when the car stops.

Getting out of the car, Bronck turns around to open the door for Berriere.

In his mind he thinks: Even Kamael was not that polite.

Accepting her hand, he helps her out of the car. She looks into his eyes, leaving him speechless. Looking away, he notices three men standing at the entrance to the chapel. Berriere does not understand why they are there and looks at Bronck, who keeps his eyes forward.

- Who are they? - Without understanding what to say, he grabs his arm and looks at his face. He knew what was going on in his mind, but he had an impression that it was not good. He noticed that his face went from sad to serious.

Turning his eyes away, he realizes that one of the men is walking towards him. Squeezing even tighter on Bronck's arm, he doesn't look at her but remains with his eyes fixed on the boy.

- Good morning! Mrs. Mondova. - Bronck looks at him seriously, while Berriere pulls from memory the physiognomy of the young man in front of him, unfortunately, he did not remember him.

- Who are you? - He asked.

- Alec Baldwin, I am your husband's, right-hand man. - He answers, smiling.

Bronck looks at the whole situation and realizes that there is something behind all this friendliness. His gaze goes from the boy's face to his back, the other two coming towards them.

- Good afternoon! My name is Bruno and this is my brother Marco. I am the president of your company.

- And I am the president of accounting. - The other boy comments, looking at Berriere with a malicious look. Bronck holds his arm firmly and stares at them. He was not enjoying all this flattery and only one thought was going through his mind.

They are going to propose buying the company. Completely without patience, he shows that he is present.

- Hum-hum! - And as if expecting, he was noticed.

- Wasn't your father deceased Berriere? - asks Marco watching Bronck with a cynical smile on his face.

Totally out of patience Bronck turns to Berriere who is watching him the whole time.

- Do you know each other? - he asks, already knowing the answer. Berriere analyzes his intimidating manner fascinated.

Shaking her head negatively she answers Bronck's question. Turning his eyes to the boys, he changes from serious to angry.

- I have never seen them. - Berriere affirms.

- I thought I knew them since they are calling you by your first name.

- Sorry, it's just that Kamael talked so much about his daughter that I felt like family. - Marco says with a sarcastic tone.

An attitude Bronck hates the most.

Examining Marco, Bronck already knows he is the leader and decides to answer directly by staring at him.

- First, I am Kamael's father. Second, if you profess to be so "close" to my son I don't understand the smile on your face. - Berriere grabs his arm in an attempt to get his attention, and tugs gently, making him look into his eyes.

Bronck, realizing that he has tears streaming down his face, smoothes out his hand.

- Are you Bronck Mondova? From ExporMondova? - Deciding not to prolong the conversation Bronck lets go of her arm and places his hand directly behind Berriere's back, forcing her to take the first step towards the chapel.

- Come, young lady, we have to say goodbye to my son.

- Forgive my brother Mr. Mondova's rudeness. - Bruno asks gracelessly.

It was already late, Bronck had already passed by them, dragging Berriere along with him.

Inside the chapel to turn her facing him.

- These guys are going to propose to you to buy the company. - Berriere looks at him incredulously at his statement.

In his mind he couldn't believe he was right.

- How do you know? - he asks, staring at him.

- I am from this world and I know when someone wants something that is mine. - Staring at him in confusion she says. - I don't understand.

- Haven't you noticed how they look at you? - staring at the three boys who couldn't take their eyes off her.

-How do you know when someone wants his stuff? - she stammered. - Okay, if you say so.

Staring at her, he realized what he had said and shook his head negatively.

- Come. - They walk to the coffin.

She looks at the closed coffin and realizes that their last meeting will be a blind date. Squeezing Bronck's arm, she sticks her hand on the coffin.

- I don't know what my life will be like without you. - Tears fall.

Taking a deep breath he looks at his father-in-law and sees the tears streaming down his face too, and for the first time, she sees him crying. You are suffering as much as I am. he thought, reaching into his arms.

Both of them are in such inner chaos that they don't even notice Alec's coming.

- Madam, we're sorry. - Bronck looks at him angrily.

He takes a few steps back.

- I just want to say goodbye to my husband. Excuse me. - He turns back to the coffin. Holding his father-in-law's arm, still staring at Alec, who returns to the back of the chapel.

Letting go, Berriere walks away thoughtfully. Staring at the coffin, she remembers her father's funeral and how Kamael comforted her. Lifting her face she observes Bronck and is amazed at the resemblance her late husband bears to her father.

- Kamael said he was dead, does he have a wife? - she whispered.

I thought he said: Not today, but I will find out more about this subject.

Smoothing the coffin and crying she said: - I love you. - Even with this lie about your father, I love you. She confessed only to herself in thought.

She comes out of her thoughts when she sees Bronck walking to the sofa and follows him sitting next to her.

- I don't want to be alone. - She sighs softly knowing she has heard.

- Go say goodbye to your husband, young lady.

- I want to be close to you, don't leave me please. - Taking her hand, he looks at her with watery eyes.

- I wouldn't have that courage.

Observing Bronck, who is looking away, she turns to the entrance and notices that the three of them are looking at them.

The minutes pass and the time has come to say goodbye. They get up and follow the parade.

- Let's say our last goodbye. - She takes his arm and walks along with him.

Following the procession to Kamael's tomb, she looks at her father-in-law who is holding her hand. In silence he thinks: He just keeps quiet and doesn't cry. I, on the other hand, can't hold back my tears.

- How can you leave me? - Berriere whimpers.

Despair consumes her. It was really her last goodbye, the coffin was being covered when she approaches the tomb and Bronck holds her.

- Come here. - He calls out and pulls her into his arms. - I will help you through this.

Feeling a tear running down her hair, she hugs him tightly.

- I never thought I would go through this.

- Neither did I. Goodbye, my son!

- Goodbye my love! - They hug until the end.

As they are leaving the cemetery the three boys meet them.

- My condolences to you both. - Marco approaches and offers his hand to Bronck, who doesn't even look at him.

- We are very sorry for your loss Mrs. Berriere. Alec tries to hug Berriere, when Bronck carefully pulls her behind him holding her hand.

Looking angrily at the three of them Bronck focuses on Bruno's face.

- I know this is not the time, but we wanted to talk about the company.

Trying not to punch him in the face, Bronck walks with Berriere leaving the three behind.

Berriere doesn't say anything but just observes the face of her father-in-law who knew her very well. - She thought: they are identical, even in the angry face. Deep inside she felt grateful for not being alone.

- Thank you. - He nods and opens the car door for her, closing it. Expecting her to join with him, which they don't. She turns her back on the car and walks towards the three boys.

- Boys. - The tone in his voice was totally different from the one he kept in front of Berriere.

- Hi," says Marcos, turning towards him. - He knew that a businessman would not pass up an opportunity to make money. - Bruno mocks Bronck's face and looks at him seriously.

- I will investigate every last page of this company and if I find out that it was the thieves, I will finish every single one of you. Do you hear me?!

- But... - Alec tries to argue, but it was too late, Bronck was already walking back to his car.

- Let's go! - He tells the driver while Berriere approaches him and rests his head on his shoulder.

Bronck was thoughtful, he was sure that someone had sunk his son's company and would move heaven and earth to find the guilty party.

The trip back was long.

- Are you all right? - asks Berriere.

- At home, we'll talk, okay? - he answers, closing the subject.