Aline's body shudders with Maria's last words, bringing all the memories of her past to the surface, including the worst part of it. She takes a deep breath and narrows her eyes watching the matriarch. You can't show how much that woman moved you, because it could also be a ploy to find out something about Aline.
—Maria, if you really know anything about me, you must have understood that my choices were for something greater. I sacrificed myself and I don't regret it.
— Sacrifice? – asks Maria with an incredulous smile — Aline, you have no idea of the complexity of this word when used in practice.
— What do you mean by that? – asks Aline, curious.
—What you did… It wasn't a sacrifice, not even close. – Maria replies, making Aline frown. —You don't know what it's like to sacrifice yourself for someone.
— And you know? – Aline asks petulantly, crossing her arms.
—I've been doing this my whole life, Aline. You, on the other hand, are a mere accomplice in a crime, or rather, reviewing your "sacrifice" story, you are just as criminal.
— If you're trying to make me feel guilty, this won't work – retorts Aline heading towards the door — You don't know what you're saying, it's already expired...
— Are you sure? – asks Maria — You know, I'm almost certain that if Felipe were here, he would agree with me.
Aline stops midway, causing Maria to smile in satisfaction. That name gives the certainty that Maria knows about her past and more: Senhora Almeida has her in her hands.
— What you want? – Aline asks turning around — What do you want from me?
—Nothing... – Maria replies calmly.
— Don't be cynical – reacts Aline, nervous — What do you want?
— Excuse me – asks Adelaide entering the music room. She feels intimidated by the fulminating gaze of the two —Dinner is ready, can I serve it, Mrs. Maria?
— Thank you, Adelaide, you can call everyone. And don't forget to put another plate on the table – Maria replies walking until she stops next to Aline who is panting — You will have dinner with us.
—Is that an invitation or an order? – Aline asks, staring at Maria.
—Depends on how heavy your conscience is. – Maria replies calmly. —Cooperation.
— What? – asks Aline without understanding.
— The answer to your previous question – explains Maria — Cooperation. I want you to cooperate with me about Malú.
—As you wish, my lady. – Aline replies, brusquely.
—Starting now: wear proper attire for dinner. Malú has her as an example, so be one – orders Maria.
—What shall I wear, my lady? – asks Aline.
—I'm sure your education was of a high quality to the point of knowing what to wear to a family dinner. – Maria replies, taking a step forward, then she goes back and continues — One more thing, saying, “my lady”, doesn't bother me, in fact, I even prefer that you do it. That way you'll always remember who's boss here.
Maria walks out of the room accompanied by Adelaide who doesn't understand what happened between the two. Aline stares at the piano while her thoughts wander: her times of peace are over, her past will come to light and it's just a matter of time... And that will take her away from Malú forever. Unless you find a solution, even if it's criminal.
***
Thiago sits at the table talking about the campaign with Vera, while Graziela analyzes the wedding dress designs that several brands sent her after the first episodes of her reality show. Despite being a favorable result, he still feels he needs to convince Thiago to participate. Malú is sitting next to Grazi who gives her a slight smile, she watches everyone while trying to understand when she will really feel that they are her family, if that ever happens. Then your grandmother approaches the table sitting at the other end, but unlike other nights, she doesn't give the signal to serve.
—Wait a few more moments. – Maria asks without further explanation.
She remains silent while the others resume their conversation. After forty minutes, curiosity begins to take over the table.
—Will we have any special guests at the table? – asks Graziela, curious, adjusting her floral suit.
— Excellent. Fresh blood – comments Vera, excited. — A major investor for the campaign?
'Who are we waiting for?' – asks Thiago, curious.
— Sorry for being late – asks Aline, appearing in the dining room.
Everyone stares at her in surprise and it's no wonder: Aline is in makeup, with her hair down and brushed, lightly touching the wide strap of her beautiful and unique purple dress with black details slightly above her knees and black pumps. Malú had seen her aunt dress like this only on very special occasions, which makes her even more surprised with all that production. Graziela twists her mouth, showing her slight irritation at seeing Thiago's admiring gaze towards Aline. He doesn't try to hide his surprise at seeing Aline so pretty. Vera stares at Maria, who doesn't seem surprised by Aline, leaving PR curious.
— No problem at all – Thiago replies, standing up quickly and pulling the chair for Aline to sit down, further irritating his fiancée who serves her glass of wine without waiting for Maria to authorize it. He lightly touches Aline's shoulder — Welcome again.
— Wow, Aline, I almost believed you would always eat with the servants – Graziela fires, irritated. —What happened to change your mind?
— Aline and I had a great conversation earlier – Maria replies in place of Aline, making everyone look at her, except the young woman who keeps her head down — And we decided... How do you say...
—Cooperate – interrupts Aline, staring at Maria — That's the word you're looking for, my lady.
—Exactly, she decided to cooperate with us and make all of us partners in this phase of Malú’s life – completes Maria, extending her glass — And it was with this in mind that from today onwards, Aline will sit with us at every meal and will be a person most active in our lives. A toast to cooperation.
Everyone toasts with each other, but Vera watches the two women, trying to find out what could be happening between them.
—Since we're talking about cooperation – Vera comments, drawing everyone's attention — Aline, I need your documents.
— What? For what reason? – asks Aline, astonished.
—The HR people contacted us and said you still haven't given them your paperwork so they can put you on the payroll. Even eating with us, she was still a salaried employee.
—Vera – scolds Thiago.
—Thanks for letting me know, Vera. I'll deliver it myself – informs Aline.
—That's what you always say, but end up not doing. As I have direct contact, I can help you. Delivered after dinner.
— I don't need your help – retorts Aline, irritated — I don't trust you.
—Darling, what do you think I'm going to do with a temporary nanny's papers? Spare me your mistrust, I just want to help you get your paycheck and buy clothes... decent. After all, you will be sitting with us at every meal, and from the condition of this dress, this is the only appropriate attire you should have.
— Vera, enough – Maria intervenes — After dinner, Aline will give you the necessary documentation, do everything as quickly as possible and return it to her. Now let's have dinner in peace.
—As you wish, my lady. –Vera replies, taking a sip of her wine. Maria's protection begins to be suspicious in the blonde's eyes.
***
After the silent dinner, Aline goes up the stairs towards the bedroom, while Vera Lúcia and Graziela say goodbye to the Almeida family.
— Thank you for the wonderful dinner, Maria – thanks Vera with a smile.
—Are you sure you don't want me to stay here tonight? – Grazi asks Thiago.
—No, I have a lot of work to do, even more so now that the caravan is close. You'd better go home, we'll talk later – Thiago replies, giving his fiancée a kiss on the forehead, who is annoyed.
— See you later, Malú – says Vera, offering her hand to the young woman who squeezes it tightly, hurting the blonde.
— See you tomorrow, Malú – Grazi says goodbye, hugging Malú almost forcefully.
—Vera – calls Aline coming down the stairs with an unfriendly face. She hands over a small black folder — Here's everything you need delivered directly to HR.
— Don't worry, I'm quite a professional – says Vera, pulling out the folder. 'You'll have it in your hands soon.'
Aline nods, while feeling a bad feeling when she sees Vera leaving the mansion with her briefcase. If she is curious, soon she will also know the whole truth and Malú's aunt is not sure if she will be able to bear for one more person to know what she has done.
***
Graziela opens her eyes, looking at her watch, which shows that it is still three o'clock in the morning. She walks through her apartment in the dark, spent half the night tossing and turning in bed imagining the possibility that Thiago is moving away from her... And the worst, that he likes Aline. He arrives at the living room and notices that Vera is also awake, working on her computer.
—Are you also having trouble sleeping? – she asks turning on the ambient light.
—I wish you were. – Vera grumbles, putting a satisfied smile on her face.
— What are you doing? – asks Grazi, curious.
— I present to you Aline Buarque de Melo – Vera replies pointing to her computer screen the photo where Aline appears in a family portrait with a beautiful red dress, it seems to be very old, but the face is the same. Grazi stares at her without understanding. —Heir to the Buarque de Melo... Daughter of the great judge Alceu Buarque de Melo.
—Wait a minute, is Aline the daughter of a judge? – asks Graziela, incredulous.
—Not a judge, but the most influential judge in all of São Paulo.
—Wow, so the defender of the poor and oppressed is richer than all of us?
— Much more – reinforces Vera.
— We need to tell Thiago this, for sure he will be disappointed in her. – Grazi comments, excited.
—I don't want him to just be disappointed, little sister. I want her out of our way – claims Vera — I'm sure she didn't leave everything behind just to be a wanderer... She wanted to follow in her father's footsteps, but something happened and I need to know what it is.
—How are you so sure she has a dirty past?
— Maria. She doesn't do without a knot. If she made Aline submit to her will it's because that woman screwed up a lot and I'm going to find out .