— Cancel the wedding? – asks Graziela, stunned — Are you breaking up with me, Thiago?
— No not yet. But if you want… – Thiago replies, heading towards the office.
—What do you mean if I want to? – asks Graziela, going after her fiancé. She places her hands on her hips and continues, —Why are you canceling the wedding?
— Because I'm thinking rationally, Grazi, as you asked – explains Thiago, serving a twelve–year–old whiskey under the gaze of Vera, who is sitting at the main table. —Vera, help us here, please.
—Tell me. – Vera replies promptly.
—Your sister told me today that I must reconsider some points in my life. – The candidate tells his sister–in–law.
— I said you should… –Corrects Graziela, fixing her hair.
—Shhhhh, Grazi, I'm talking now – interrupts Thiago with his finger on his mouth in silence without taking his eyes off his fiancee — Graziela said that for my life to return to normal I should get rid of Malú. What do you think about it, Vera?
— Well… I think… – Vera starts very slowly without looking at her sister. —That everything needs to be analyzed before making such a…drastic decision.
— Do you know what I think? I think I can get rid of the elections and not do any apparent damage, I can get rid of the marriage and the office and anything else, but I can never get rid of a daughter. Because that's what Malu is... My daughter. I can't pretend it doesn't exist, because she's real and only has me. I am Malú's family. And your sister asked me to send my daughter back where she came from... Because looking at the situation as a whole, she is the weakest link. Do you think the same thing as her? – asks Thiago staring at Vera.
—No. – Vera answers, looking at her sister seriously. — Of course not.
—Excellent answer, Vera. – praises Thiago applauding his public relationship — But I followed your sister's advice and analyzed the situation rationally. And the conclusion I came to was that the wedding can be postponed... and it will be. That way I'll have more time for my life. So, Vera I want you to take care of canceling the wedding... Unless you have something against it?
—Not at all. – Vera answers, receiving Grazi's surprised look.
— Did you see? Your sister agrees with me – comments Thiago pointing to Vera while looking at Graziela who is in shock — Unless your idea of thinking rationally was only to harm Malú, I think this is the best decision.
— Of course, I don't want to harm Malú – retorts Graziela — I've been in the same situation as hers...
— Then you know that she needs a father to take care of her – completes Thiago.
—Yes. Only I need a husband too. – Graziela retorts — I also need someone to take care of me... You asked me many things during our relationship and I always accepted.
— And according to your logic, I'll abandon my daughter at your request – concludes Thiago — So we're even, is that it?
—I didn't ask you to do this. I just wanted you to think rationally. – explains Graziela crying. She puts her hand on her head. — And then you destroy my dreams, canceling the wedding.
— It's decided, Grazi. – Determines Thiago drinking the whiskey.
— I think it's interesting that you prioritize your agenda, Thiago – comments Vera pointing towards her brother–in–law. — But I'm finding all decisions drastic and they affect other points.
'And what's your proposal?' – asks Thiago, seriously.
— Let each one take care of a point. I'll take care of the electoral campaign, you take care of Malú and Grazi takes care of the wedding. That way, everything will be organized and Thiago won't get so bogged down in everything and can solve the office's problems. What do you think? – proposes Vera.
—Interesting – answers Thiago.
— That's why I like working with you, Thiago – praises Vera. She leans against his shoulder — Now you better go talk to your mother, she seemed unwell. Don't worry about anything, as I'm sure my sister would love to arrange the reception dinner for Aline to show that this was all just a misunderstanding.
— Thank you, Vera – thanks Thiago, leaving. He passes by Graziela — Until dinner.
—See you. – Grazi replies angrily. She walks towards her sister and raises her hand to hit Vera's face, which stops her — Why did you turn against me? You should support me!
—And you should stop using your mouth as an excretory device and think about the things you say. – Vera retorts, squeezing Grazi's wrist, which twitches. She pushes her sister — You have me to thank him for not giving up on marriage anyway. You almost lost everything, little sister. Now go make dinner for that woman... Which, by the way, I would worry if I were you.
— I do not care. Thiago has good taste – claims Grazi getting ready.
—So much so that now we have a 16–year–old girl putting everything to waste. Keep an eye on her and be the best hostess you can, otherwise I'll become your worst enemy, understand?
***
Thiago enters his mother's room slowly finding the beautiful lady lying on her bed with one of her arms over her face. He walks towards the bed, sits on the edge and lightly touches Maria Luísa's hand, who settles down on the bed watching her son:
—I hear you are indisposed – comments Thiago.
— Yes a little. – Admits Maria staring at her son — Do you need me for something?
—I wanted to introduce Aline to you, but I'm pretty sure your indisposition has something to do with her.
— In part, yes. You should advise of your intention to bring a complete stranger to my house.
—She raised Malú together with Anna. – Thiago explains — And this house is not just yours, so I brought her to stay here indefinitely.
'What are you trying to do?' – asks Maria, upset — Are you trying to punish me for my choices?
— No. It was his guilty conscience that concluded that – answers Thiago.
—I didn't kill your Anna. – Maria reacts — You can't blame me for that.
—You didn't kill Anna, but you killed the opportunity we had to be a happy family. You killed all of our dreams, that's what you did. – Rebuts Thiago holding his hand.
— Know that I don't regret the choices I made – Maria confesses, making Thiago take her hand away from hers. She stops him and continues — Well, at least she had a life with her daughter.
— Do you hear what he says? – asks Thiago, irritated — What life did she have?
—She can enjoy the time she had with her daughter more than she could if she stayed by your side. And Malú is alive, so there's no reason to regret the choice I made in the past.
—I swear I try to understand you, Mom.
— If you had taken over Anna and Malú, they would be dead – reveals Maria seriously.
—And who would kill them, Mama? – asks Thiago.
— Sorry to interrupt you two – asks Vera at the bedroom door — Thiago, we need to review your schedule today, as we had to cancel many appointments with important sponsors.
— Vera, now I'm busy – answers Thiago.
— You'd better go, my son – asks Maria — Forget the things I said, because everything is just past and your mother's delusions.
— Come on, Thiago – asks Vera.
—We'll talk about it later, Mom – warns Thiago, giving his mother a kiss on the forehead.
***
Malú goes ahead of Aline, after three quarters she stops at a white door. The young woman smiles at Aline and then opens the door showing the beauty of her room stamped on her aunt's expression of admiration. The two enter and the young woman goes towards the secret wall opening and showing her secret library.
— This place is amazing – praises Aline, amazed — We will definitely share this room.
“Glad you liked it”
—Yes, I did and your mother would definitely like it too. So for starters, we'll have dinner downstairs with all those nice people – comments Aline, with narrowed eyes, indicating that she's being ironic. —Let's show them we're strong. How is everything?
“Yes” writes Malú
—Fine – Aline exclaims, getting up. I don't want their room...
"All right"
—Is your grandmother around here? –Aline asks, irritated.
"Yea"
—Another one on my way – Aline mutters. She looks at the rest of the room and asks looking at Malú — Where is the bathroom? I need to take a shower.
"I'll show you" Malú writes, heading towards her aunt, happy. At least a little normality in her life.
***
Graziela inspects the table set up by Adelaide, wants everything to go as expected, so maybe she can calm Thiago down. He smiles at the maid, while thanking her:
—Thank you, Adelaide, you can call everyone to eat now.
—Okay – Adelaide replies, leaving the dining room.
Graziela takes a deep breath, she knows that she is losing control of the situation and that she would almost miss marrying Thiago. It needs to reorganize itself, but with Aline's presence in the house, things would become a little more complicated. She has an idea, which even though it is risky, is the only one that fits her at that moment. Pick up your phone and dial a number, pay attention to the ringtones that soon cease, giving way to a voice that says:
—I knew you would call me...
— Need help. –Warns Graziela that she hears footsteps coming towards her — Later I will pass on the details. – She finishes hanging up the phone and looking at the door nervously.
— Very good, little sister – praises Vera entering the dining room — Great service.
— As the next lady Almeida, I need to be exemplary in this type of reception – retorts Graziela, acid.
'Even to your enemies?' – Vera asks, curious.
—Especially for them–answers Graziela pulling out the chair for her sister.
— Very well, you're going the right way, says Vera, sitting down.
— Very good – praises Thiago entering the room. He passes by Graziela, refusing the kiss she tries to give him. He sits at the end of the table and asks — Where are Malú and Aline?
— I already asked Adelaide to call them, dear – answers Graziela, sitting next to Thiago.
It doesn't take long and Aline enters next to Malú and they don't hide their displeasure when they see the two sisters sitting next to Thiago. He looks at Vera and then at Graziela and asks:
— Could you kindly give up your seats to my daughter and Aline?
— How? – Asks Graziela, surprised — I always sit next to you... Why is that now?
— I need to talk about some issues with them.–Thiago answers, seriously.
—Fine with me. – Vera replies, standing up and going to the chair next to her.
— According to social conventions… – Graziela begins to explain with a nervous smile on her lips.
— Then stay there – interrupts Thiago, going to the other end. He pulls the chair out for Malú who sits and then for Aline, against August, then sits on the other side of the table — Now we can have dinner.
Graziela looks at Thiago, shocked. After a while he understands that it was just a form of punishment for the previous discussion. He smiles and pours some red wine, downing his glass in one gulp.
—So, Aline. Tell me what you and Malú decided to do? – asks Thiago, staring at Malú's aunt
— Tomorrow I'll take her to school and also the psychologist, I want to see what she has to say about Malú and what can be done. That's it for now – Aline replies with a little nervousness. She looks at the huge empty table and asks, —Shouldn't there be more people to dine with us?
— Like this? – asks Thiago, confused.
—I believe the matriarch of the family should be here, as well as the Adelaide who invited us to dinner. I think the two of them should be here, with us.
— No, dear – Vera replies smiling — The matriarch is indisposed and therefore will not be able to attend. Now about the maid, know that the servants have their meals in the pantry and we are here. Even though you're on a fine line...
— Thank you for clarifying this doubt for me… Honey – replies Aline with her best sarcastic smile — But I don't think I asked you, but the owner of the house.
—Adelaide! –Thiago calls out loud. He stares at Aline, with mild irritation. —If it bothers you, she'll have dinner with us tonight.
—Darling, your mother won't like it. – Graziela interjects.
—My mother isn't here. –Thiago retorts. He gets up and says — I'll call Adelaide, excuse me all.
Graziela follows her fiance with her eyes, while Aline smiles at Malú. Thiago's bride smiles at the guest and warns:
— Careful, don't take a step bigger than your leg.
— What do you mean by that? –Aline asks seriously.
—That if you think you can come and do what you want, know that I'll cut your wings off before you start flapping them. –Answers Grazi imitating scissors with his fingers.
— Is this a threat? – Asks Aline smiling.
—No, that's what we call preserving good manners –answers Graziela, returning the smile. — But maybe Maria Luisa can teach you better.
—Funny because I don't care about your good manners and much less worried about the Shrew Major – Aline replies, serving the food.
—Are you really going to affront the matriarch inside her house? What do you intend? Declare war on this family? – asks Graziela, excited.
— War was declared 16 years ago. –Answers Aline serving her wine glass. — I'm only here to honor Malú and my friend, whatever the cost.
— That's what we'll see – warns Graziela, irritated.
— That's what we'll see – repeats Aline, raising her glass towards Graziela, smiling.
The rest of the dinner went in silence, no one made any effort to initiate a dialogue, making the meal's atmosphere heavier than usual. Graziela serves another glass of wine, finishing the bottle that only she drank, under Thiago's embarrassed gaze. Vera kept her pensive gaze the entire time, as if she was up to something. Aline and Malú just smile at each other. Adelaide just fiddles with her silverware, nervous and hurried.
— Thank you so much for dinner, Adelaide – thanks Aline, smiling — Your food is wonderful.
— Thank you, Mrs. Aline – Adelaide replies proudly.
—Just Aline, please. –Corrects Aline. She looks at Thiago, seriously —I'm going to leave, excuse me.
— Adelaide has already arranged the guest room for you – warns Thiago.
— I've decided that I'll stay with Malú – informs Aline.
— I don't see the need for that – retorts Thiago. —We have so many rooms, plus you need privacy.
—We always share the same room, so I don't see any reason to stay in another one. Besides being here to be with Malú. –Aline reacts getting up — Shall we go, Malú? – the young woman gets up from the table and walks towards Aline who touches her shoulder, leaving the table together.
— I have to go – warns Vera, getting up — I have to plan some things for the campaign. Soon we will have to start our victory caravan.
— See you tomorrow – says Thiago, standing up.
—Let's go, sister? – Vera asks looking at Graziela who drinks her wine glass.
— No… – Graziela refuses putting the cup on the table then points to Thiago, drunk — I'm going to sleep here… With my fiancé.
—It's okay – Vera replies, turning to Thiago — She's all yours.
Thiago gets up from his seat and walks towards Graziela who finishes drinking her glass. He takes her by the arm, lifting her from the chair. He puts his bride's arms around his neck, then looks at her:
—I'll help you take your sister home.
— Shhh… – Grazi putting her fingers on Thiago’s lips — I don’t want to go with her… I want to stay here with you… – She puts her hand inside the groom’s suit, going down very slowly – Spend all night with you... No sleep, of course.
— Grazi, you better go to your house. You're drunk – claims Thiago.
— That never stopped you before – remembers Grazi kissing Thiago's neck.
— Grazi, that's not true – denies Thiago, holding Graziela's hands — Go home, please.
—They say sex after a fight is the best. – Argues Graziela pouting.
—I'm not going to fuck you today. There's no mood for that, understand – explains Thiago, holding Graziela's arm and leading her towards Vera. —Go away with your sister. See you tomorrow, Thanks.
Graziela watches Thiago walk away, feels the desperation wanting to take over the situation, takes a deep breath and looks at her sister who is smoking a cigarette.
— We have to reverse the situation – Graziela comments to her sister — And you need to help me.
— Don't worry, I already have a plan – comments Vera taking a breath — This family will return to our hands and these two will return to where they came from, I guarantee that .