— That was not the agenda of the interview, my dear colleague – claims Thiago, trying not to show his discomfort with the journalist's question — We are here to talk about politics, what I did, what I do and what I will do for Paraná and Curitiba. Next
— You said your life was an open book, when you announced your engagement to the mother of what would be your firstborn. And that he had no problem answering about his personal life. What has changed in those three months? Are you ashamed of your bastard daughter? – asks the red–haired journalist acidly.
—Well, I already said this interview is about politics. Of course, I have no problem answering about my personal life, but right now that's not the focus. – Answers Thiago. He points to the bald man in front of him who has his hand up. —You can ask.
'Don't you think voters should know about the girl?' Or is it that what came out in the newspapers is true. Is she your juvenile affaire?
— This is absurd – Thiago exclaims — I would never get involved with a teenager. I thought this press conference was to talk about my campaign...
—It would be, if you hadn't just disappeared and then come up with this young woman you run up and down with. How can we trust that you won't disappear after being elected, if you don't even want to say who the young woman is? – asks the first reporter.
—That's right.– agrees a reporter in the background.
— Where's the open book? – asks another on the left.
—Is it just a fallacy? – he asks in the middle.
Thiago sees the press conference become a buzz of defamation against him. For a few moments the candidate lowers his head and then stands up saying:
— Maria Luísa Braga de Almeida, that's the name of the young woman you show so much interest in, even more than knowing how education, health, security and other sectors would do, if I were elected senator. Since you prefer an improvement in quality of life to gossip: She is my daughter. My first and only daughter. She is no bastard, as some of you shamefully insist on saying. She is a fruit of a pure love, the purest and truest I could have in my life and which unfortunately ended up succumbing to death recently. I went there to say goodbye to my daughter's mother who today only has me in the world and I want to be able to supply what is missing in her life. So I ask you to respect my daughter, because if anyone here has ever lost someone close to them that they loved more than anything, they know how important a quiet time without disturbances is... So if we can get back to the focus that is the campaign, I I will be extremely grateful for that.
He sits down again and gradually the reporters return to their seats and direct questions to the candidate's campaign.
— Your father asked you to come up – warns Vera, startling Malú, who heard everything from the top of the stairs.
The young woman looks at the blonde and without saying anything goes to her room, pensive. It's strange for Malú to hear that Thiago really felt something for his mother and that, in a way, he defended her, even though he was stupid with her, a little before.
Malú gets up from the bed and goes to the secret door, where he enters. He didn't want to think about it anymore, so he decided he'd better get to know the books in the library. As soon as you open the door, you are faced with a figure quickly closing the other door.
She runs towards the other door which is locked from the outside. Damn it! Malú thinks, forcing the doorknob, without success. He turns to the bookcase and notices that the Diva book is standing out, getting ahead of the others. He approaches the bookcase and takes out the book, thus causing the paper inside to fall out. It was the same one she had put on. Read carefully what she herself had written and the new message.
“Good Taste for Reading. Hugs, Malu.”
“The book is really very good, but it's not the best in this library. Graciously."
She smiles and goes to her desk, where she finds the pencil to answer the unknown person. Think for a moment and then write:
“So tell me what's the best book here? Malú”.
She calmly folds the paper and places it back inside the book. Leave it stored with the other books. That would show that he had read the message. Next to the book is the copy that Ícaro had given her, making her sad. He takes the book that is on the opposite side, The Widow, sitting at the desk to read.
She concentrates so much on the book, immersed in the world that José de Alencar had created that she doesn't even notice the hours pass. She is almost finishing the book, when she hears the mansion's central clock chime seven times. Seven o'clock, damn it, I missed dinner , she thinks, running out of the library.
Malú was closing her secret door when Thiago abruptly enters her room. He looks at her in surprise and then closes the bedroom door, showing a slight irritation with the gesture.
— Where were you? I looked for you all over the place! – Thiago comments, putting his hands on his hips. That gesture made Malú cringe in fear that he would do something bad to her. His father runs his hands through his black hair with some gray strands that have emerged these days — Well, I came to say that tomorrow you will go to school again. Be up at 7:00 am on the dot waiting for the driver in the lobby.
In the same sudden way that Thiago entered, he left, leaving Malú stunned. She sits on the bed nervous, she never wants to go back to that school again. You're sure what they did today will be much worse tomorrow. She knows how to find a way to escape that house and then find a way to return to Minas.
***
Thiago closes the door to Malú's room, pensive. He shakes his head negatively, reproaching himself for once again not fulfilling what he had promised himself: getting closer to Malú. For some reason, every time he approaches the young woman, his authoritarian stance predominates in the situation and this time he had seen a certain fear in his daughter's eyes.
— I'm glad I found you – says Vera Lúcia behind the candidate. She has papers from the campaign polls in her hands — The partial result of the campaign came out: You dropped ten points.
— What does it mean? – asks Thiago, taking the papers from his sister–in–law's hand, trying to understand all those numbers.
— That we have 0. 1% approval from the electorate. You are the most unwanted candidate in these elections for senator – answers Vera with the expression of someone who wants to hurt Thiago with his words.
— And what is your idea to reverse this situation?
— We'd better go to the office, after all three heads are better than one.
'Three heads?' – asks Thiago, confused.
— Grazi is waiting for us. So far, I believe my idea is the best.
— And what would be?
— It's time we put Maria Luísa, your daughter, in the focus of your candidacy. This is how we will win these elections.
***
Graziela is sitting on the sofa with one of the countless photos of the Almeida family, when her sister and her fiance enter the room. From Thiago's expression, she realizes that Vera touched his wound again and that it hadn't worked.
— A warning for both of them: Malú is out of the campaign. I don't want to hear about this absurd idea anymore. She didn't even arrive in Curitiba and they already want to abuse my daughter.
— It's not abuse, Thiago. It's an asset, an asset you have, but for some reason you're afraid to use it – reacts Vera.
— Anyway, that idea is out of the question – retorts Thiago, sitting next to Graziela. He holds the bride's hand — Any other ideas?
Graziela settles down on the sofa, turning her body towards the groom. She smiles at him and then at her sister and says:
— Well, my idea, which I believe to be the most coherent, would be to put our marriage on the agenda.
— But we've already accomplished that – recalls Thiago — In our engagement, at the beginning of the campaign... Remember?
— Yes… Only my idea is that we set the date. And more, that the voters followed the whole process of that moment of our lives. I'm sure this would appeal to our voters. What do you think? – finishes Graziela with a smile from ear to ear.
— I totally disagree with that idea – Thiago replies angrily. He puts his hand on his face and stares at the bride — I thought we had agreed to settle this after the election. Also, are you trying to turn our lives into a reality show, or is it just me?
— It wouldn't really be a reality, we would only divulge more our personal moments, all the material would pass through your hands, until you approve which one could be put in the media. I know you're hot–headed, but think for a moment how good this will be for the campaign.
— People today love to know about the intimate lives of others – Vera argues, lighting a cigarette.
— I don't want my life exposed – explains Thiago, looking at Vera.
—But it's the price you pay if you really want to be a senator. –Vera. She takes a deep drag and then calmly expels the smoke. —Unless you don't… Well, I better not say that. Maybe it's just an impression...
— What sister? Say it soon!
— Unless Thiago doesn't want to marry you, sister – answers Vera, with her perverse look. He had just planted the seed of discord between the bride and groom.
— You don't want to marry me, Thiago? – asks Graziela, staring at the groom.
—It's not that, Grazi… I just don't think it's healthy for this pressure to fall on our marriage. Not to mention that we still have someone who is threatening me, if we decide to do that, he might come after you. I don't think we should rush things, after all we had agreed that we would see the date after the elections.
—Actually, you imposed that on our engagement. – recalls Grazi, annoyed. She gets up and puts her hands on her hips looking at Thiago — You know all these years of relationship, it was what you wanted. It's never time for the next step. But now I WANT! I'm also part of this engagement and I want to have the biggest wedding that Curitiba, or rather, Paraná and who knows, Brazil! I want him to be accompanied by everyone and envied for being perfect! I want to walk the streets choosing everything for the wedding! I want a date! And if you don't give me one, I'm leaving and I'll never set foot here again! Then Thiago. What is going to be?
Thiago stares at the bride in disbelief in that flurry of words uttered by her who was now looking at him seriously. He lowers his head and places his clasped hands on his knees. Graziela still waits a few more minutes, without success, and then she takes her bag that is beside him and goes towards the door.
— Graziela – calls Thiago, still with his head down. She turns around to look at him annoyed. Thiago lifts his head and looks at her with teary eyes — Choose the date. Let's do whatever you want.
She smiles and leaves the office, now with the look of someone who has finally managed to win a battle.
***
As agreed, at seven o'clock the driver appeared and led her to the car without saying anything. She even thanked him so she wouldn't have to pretend she was paying attention, managing to focus her mind on the escape plan. This was his opportunity and he wasn't going to waste it.
Jaime pulls over the car in front of the renowned school and helps Malú to get his things out of the car. He straightens his black suit and gets in the car again. Malú accompanies the car as far as his eyes cannot reach. She looks behind her and realizes that no one has noticed her presence, smiles and walks calmly opposite the school.
She looks up at the sky and smiles thinking how easy it was to run away. Maria Luísa hurries her steps, crossing street after street happily. He's so happy he doesn't even pay attention to the traffic around him. She just thinks that she will soon be home, along with Aline. He runs towards the other side of the street and doesn't even realize that the light was green.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The car honks at high speed, coming at full speed towards Malú, which stops in the middle of the street. She closes her eyes and thinks: This is the end.
Malú feels her body being dragged...
Towards the sidewalk by two arms encircling her, which makes her open her eyes and stare at the mulatto face in front of her... It's the last thing Malú sees before darkness .