CHAPTER 3

MICHELE ANTUNES

No more stalling, Michele! You can tell me the truth now. It's going to be tough, but I'm going to take it. Just don't go through with it. -my mother says surrounding me in the middle of the narrow corridor that barely fits two people while hitting her foot on the ground with her face reddered with anger.

What are you talking about, Mom? - I make myself misunderstood as much as I have the slight impression of what the subject is about, and I walk into the room picking up my work bag on the sideboard.

You lied to me! You lied to your own mother, Michele! She accuses me of following me closely.

What's going on? What do you mean, Mom? How can you accuse me of something so serious? - I question with the twisted countenance in false offense.

Don't take a fool of me, miss. -she hits with a narrow look on me. -You invented that lie of the supposed engagement just to hook me up (cheat).

Mom, i'm sorry. I'm engaged, yes! - protest trying to dissuade her.

What a cunning and smart woman!

That sounds like it. She snoses. - It was too good to be true from you.

Mom, i'm sorry. -scream this time really shocked and offended.

- I just don't understand why playing with my feelings by giving me false hopes, daughter. -she says putting a hand on her chest when emitting a hoarse cough. - That's not something you do with someone on the edge board. -momss sit on the couch with a somewhat pale face and panting breath.

Mom, I.. I didn't lie to you. I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her. I kneel in front of you between your legs and hold your hands with mine.

So what's the point since you mentioned the engagement, coincidentally the same day I told you about my illness diagnosis, that you don't say anything about it? It's been almost a week and you won't tell me anything. What do you think I'm thinking? That it's all just an invention of your little wind head.

It's just that... It's kind of complicated, Mom. -i look away from yours, quickly formulating in my head a rather convincing lie that satisfies you.

Explain it to me then. I'm a very smart woman, honey. - she insists by giving me two friendly pats on the face.

It's just that my fiancé is a very busy man and we hardly have time to get a good look at each other. -I shrug with the first tattered excuse I'll get. I'm a little lonely in this relationship, you know? - I mean with the biggest dick face when pretending to be a dramatic sniff.

- Oh, now we're finally getting somewhere. -she celebrates by listening to only the part that suits her. What's the name of this mysterious fiancé of yours, sweetie? -she questions curiously and in a jump, jump on my legs putting me upright.

- I need to go or I'm going to end up missing the bus and getting late on the job, you know, right? -I giggle a dull giggle as I run towards the door as if the building were on fire.

If you don't answer that simple question, I'm going to know you're still lying to me, Michele! -the severity in his tone of voice on my back, makes me stake in place already with his fingers on the doorknob. What's your fiancé's name?

Think, think, think fast Michele! I close my eyes with my back to her and beg the heavens for a helping hand or a strategic exit. It is then that comes to my mind the image, indeed the memory, of a beautiful pair of intense blue eyes like the sky.

Oliver. His name is Oliver Resende, Mom. - I mean with a strange feeling in the tongue when uttering the lie.

*

My God in heaven, what am I doing with my life? How deep will the grave I'm digging for myself? I seriously wonder if I didn't go crazy for good while I look at the elegant façade indicated in the address that Ms. Josefina had sent me by text message a few minutes before leaving for my lunch time.

Resende & Mileto, if the law firm looks too modern just outside with its architecture all crafted in shimmy metals and expensive and chic glassworks everywhere, the interior of the building was jaw-dropping. All in the most perfect order, decorated with good taste and refinement, yet without losing the class and discretion necessary for a professional work environment required in the business.

Please, could you let me know where Oliver Resende's office is? -I question the receptionist who stares at me politely with a polished smile nailed to her face.

Do you have an appointment? -your fingers sometimes key something on the computer in front of you while waiting for a response.

I mumble feeling really stupid for not thinking about the obvious, and coming in the hard face like that.

Then unfortunately he won't be able to serve you. She's sorry. But if you're interested in a consulting firm, you can schedule a meeting with his secretary. -she goes on and her attention turns to something behind me. Hey, Bianca!

The woman makes a sign calling someone, I turn around and I see a young woman holding a tablet and file folders, probably the one bianca, who approaches where we are next to a beautiful man elegantly wearing a perfect cut suit.

She's kind of cute too.

Good afternoon, Mr. Tales. -the receptionist blushes as she greets the visibly affected man with his presence.

Good afternoon, Amanda. You're even more radiant today. -he blinks in response and the woman just needs to faint so much emotion.

What do you need, Amanda? Bianca seriously inquires by drawing each other's attention back to you.

- This lady wants to talk to Oliver, but she doesn't have an appointment. She points at me.

And what do you want with him? -her eyes analyze me with suspicion as she immediately takes a goofy and professional stance.

Let me explain something to you, pretty girl. -the tales that until then was silent watching everything, meddles. - You can't just walk in here and want to be taken care of without...

- Tales, I'm sure you didn't leave. You forgot your phone in my me... Michele? Oliver suddenly appears in front of me and I turn to him. What the man doing here? -he questions clearly surprised by my unexpected appearance.

I'm sorry to bother you on your desktop, but...

No, no, no, no What's going on? There's no problem at all.

He shakes his head negatively with a nice smile on his face.

- What a lack of manners mine. Come to my office so we can talk, please.

Oliver hardly expects me to formulate a coherent phrase before leaving his cell phone in Tales' shirt pocket, and one of his hands soon lodges on my back guiding me on the short path to his room in the sights and the watchful but disguised gaze of several people along the way.

Do you have water, coffee or soda? Oliver acts promptly when I sit in a comfortable armchair facing his desk.

No, I'm fine, thank you. -I appreciate putting a stir of hair behind the ear to disguise the nevorsimo.

- It's a very nice surprise to see you again, Michele. -he comments naturally after returning from the minibar with a bottle of water and I feel my face on fire when his intense gaze falls on me again, specifically in my eyes. - I loved meeting you that day at Josefina's.

Me too, it was... It was pretty cool. - I smile embarrassed and nervously dress the bar of my dress. - I needed to talk to you after that, i really still do. - river looks like a complete idiot.

I'm here, Michele. You can speak freely. What can I do for you? -his blue eyes are fixed on me while he sips a small sip of water.

I need you to be my fiancé. - dump it in the can before losing its nerve.

What are you talking about? Oliver chokes by spitting out much of the liquid away.