The Almeida house was never as busy as it was on that Saturday. Maria Luísa asked Armand, her Hair Stylist, to bring her entire team to the mansion in order to fix both her granddaughter and Aline.
Both Aline and Malú were impressed with the small lounge created in one of the guest rooms:
—That's one of the perks of being an Almeida, remember that. – Maria says to Malú as they watch Pierre's team finish organizing.
Armand approaches, kisses the matriarch's hand and then leads her to one of the washing chairs he's brought into the mansion. She adjusts her burgundy silk robe before letting herself be carried away by the professional's hands.
—Madame first. – the Hair Stylist informs in his fake French accent. — Then the metalhead – she points to the AC/DC t–shirt that Aline — and finally the prom queen – finishes by fixing the little hair that still exists on the side of her head.
While waiting for Maria to get ready, the helpers appear to give them both a massage, in addition to putting the relaxation mask on their faces and cucumber over their eyes. A true princess day for the three of them.
—Don't you dare cut it. – warns Aline, seriously, as she sees Armand hold the dry ends of her hair. In fact, your hand is halfway through your hair well dried out.
— A tip, metalhead: Either I'll cut your hair, or I'll make gorgeous blonde locks...
—You can cut it. – Aline replies quickly.
— Wise choice – comments Armand running the scissors through Aline's hair.
—Adelaide, did you fix the dresses? – asks Maria while her makeup is finished.
—Yes, the lady's is in your room. Mrs. Aline's is in the guest room opposite and Miss Malú's is in her room.
— Perfect, you can leave – orders the matriarch, analyzing the makeup.
Malú waves to Adelaide, who approaches her chair and whispers:
—They are ready, as you requested.
The housekeeper walks away, leaving the room, leaving Malú with a smile from end to end.
***
It was almost time for them to leave when Aline with her long bob hair and dark makeup matching the strapless black dress she chose for the evening and Maria in her long wine wait at the top of the stairs.
— You know something I still don't understand – says Aline looking at the majestic clock on the stairs.
—What don't you understand? – asks Maria impatiently. A few more minutes and Malú will definitely be late.
— Why didn't you tell Thiago about today's ball? It would be right for him to be there, wouldn't it? – Aline asks, curious.
— Yes, but if he knew, he would certainly leave the caravan in the middle and still forbid Malú's presentation. If he accepted the ball, he would draw all the media's attention to ASM and they would end up making Malú's day hell and exposing it in all the state's newspapers. And for now we don't want that kind of exposure...
—Does this mean that all this is for Malú's benefit? – asks Aline.
'And why wouldn't it be?' Every girl deserves her princess day – comments Maria. — That is, if Malú manages to get ready in time.
—Madam Maria, Doctor Ricardo has already arrived – informs Adelaide, approaching.
—Ask him to come in. – orders Maria.
Ricardo enters the hall and to everyone's surprise without long hair and beard, his trademark. Aline tries to keep her mouth from opening in the face of the transformation that left the fono much younger than she really looked and very elegant with the navy blue tuxedo she chose for the occasion.
— Good night – greets Ricardo, delighted with Aline's beauty — Wow, you look beautiful.
— Thank you… You look good too… Gat… Handsome… I mean, elegant – stammers Aline, receiving a sly smile from Ricardo that makes her more nervous. She turns toward the stairs trying to keep him from seeing her face on fire.
— I hope they don't think the ball will count as a date – whispers Ricardo in Aline's ear.
— Don't worry, this meeting will never happen – pins Aline.
—It's never too long... Wait until the end of the night. – Ricardo retorts mysteriously.
— Because? – Aline asks arching her eyebrow.
— Because Malú won't be the only one to have the best night of her life.
—Miss Maria is coming down. – warns Adelaide.
—Finally. – Maria mutters seriously.
Malú slowly descends the stairs, slightly lifting her round skirt in sequined net, overlaid by smooth tulle, leaving her silver sandals visible. She stops in the middle of the stairs leaving the three to admire her.
— You look beautiful – praises Aline, thrilled admiring the pearl gown with princess neckline chosen by Malú.
— You decided to go with my dress – Maria comments, shocked by the beautiful surprise.
The girl looks into the hall mirror for the first time: her hair is wavy, and pearl earrings are in her ears. She turns her back admiring the crystal buttons down to her lower back that is hidden by the long, full skirt of the dress that goes down to her feet. Carefully caresses the body of the dress, feeling the embossed flowers. She smiles at her aunt almost crying: It's perfect.
— Excuse me – asks Adelaide, entering. She admires the young woman for a few minutes and then informs her —Benjamin is there.
Malú smiles at Aline, looks at herself for the last time in the mirror, takes her bag and goes out of the hall with her aunt, Ricardo and Malú. As she descends the stairs, her heart almost jumps in her mouth, downstairs, Benjamin is waiting for her dressed in his beautiful black tuxedo. He doesn't hide his admiration when he sees Malú coming down. She stops in front of him with a smile on her face, so the boy offers his arm to Malú, who holds it, red.
— Reginaldo is waiting for you in the car. – Warn Maria, seriously.
Benjamin shakes his head in denial, then points to himself, places his hand flat inward on top of his head and slides it away. Then he signals with his hands as if he were driving. He palms his hands facing up and leads them towards Maria and then points to Malú, closing his right hand and placing it on the left elbow, while the left hand is closed, raised and swings it from side to side.
— He said he knows how to drive and will take Malú in his car – translates Aline.
— I don't see the need… – Maria begins.
Malú spreads his hands, touching the midfielders and pulling towards him with his best beggarly face.
—I don't think I need to say it, but please. – translates Aline.
—It's okay. – Maria concedes, annoyed.
— Heads up. Straight to the party, huh. –Aline warns with her hands on her hips — And Please... Enjoy. This is the best phase of life.
The two young men smile and walk towards Benjamin's car. Aline puts her hands on her chest and sighs, following the young people with her eyes.
—They grow up fast. – Adelaide comments, holding back tears.
— Yes – Aline agrees with teary eyes — I just wish Anna were here to see how Malú has grown.
— You can be sure Malú too. Well, now let's go, if we don't make it to next year's dance – comments Maria walking towards Reginaldo's car.
— Allow me, madam? – asks Ricardo offering his arm.
— Not really – Aline answers, walking alone to the car.
***
The debutantes anxiously observe the beauty of the club's hall upstairs. Then one by one they are invited to come down and introduce themselves to the members. Until Malú's turn:
— Maria Luisa Braga de Almeida. Granddaughter of Alexandre de Almeida and Maria Luísa Assunção de Almeida. Daughter of Thiago de Almeida... Her dream is to be a musician – informs the ceremony worker, reading the biography written by Maria, who now receives Aline's angry gaze.
Benjamin offers Malú his hand, which he accepts, red. They walk towards the position in the circle made by the debutantes.
— Now the debutante dance – announces the ceremonial.
He turns her around and puts her in his arms, she smiles and puts her hand in Benjamin's. That feeling returned and as if by magic, everyone disappeared from the dance floor... Benjamin twirls with her, making her smile... Eye to eye... Breathing pant... Bodies in the same rhythm... Hands sweating ... Malú can already feel Benjamin's sweet kiss touching her lips...
— Congratulations, 2015 debutantes! –announces the ceremonial awakening the couple.
The party is amazing, Malú and Benjamin have fun all night. They take a picture next to the painting of Malú that had her image taken two weeks ago, both together and with Malú's family.
And everything goes by so fast that Malú doesn't even notice when the party comes to an end. Benjamin returns with her to the Almeida family home. He parks the car at the gate of Malú's house. They walk down towards the main gate.
"Delivered" says Benjamin looking at Malú "Thanks for the night... it was wonderful"
“I thank you” replies the young woman. Her eyes fill with tears “This is the first time I've ever felt… normal again”
“So I think a goodbye kiss is normal” says the boy.
Benjamin approaches and kisses Malú, who corresponds. She holds Benjamin's face, runs her hand through the boy's hair, as he pulls her by the waist closer, bringing their bodies closer.
— Aham – Aline clears her throat at the gate, scaring them both — Time to enter Malú.
Malú moves away from Benjamin, accompanying Aline, who just waves at the boy who leaves with the car. They walk side by side without saying anything. But as soon as they enter the room, they spend the night talking about the dance and the kiss... As much as Malú is happy to have Aline there... When she goes to bed, she lets the tears flow: If I could wish for anything, it would be to have her mother there for her. tell about the dance, the kiss and Benjamin. Wherever you are, mother. I miss you... Malú thinks lying down.
***
General Carneiro, Paraná.
The Sunday morning chill doesn't scare away Thiago's mood, who is already sitting in the hotel's restaurant enjoying his breakfast. He is happy not only to have climbed a few points, but also to be in the final stretch of the caravan and soon to be able to return home and check whether Aline's reports match reality and Malú is making progress.
—Your paper, sir. – says the waiter, handing the day's paper to the candidate.
— Thank you – thanks Thiago, taking his cup of coffee to his lips as he turns the newspaper to see what the front page is. He drinks his coffee calmly while reading the headline: LOVE IS IN THE AIR and spits it out when he sees who is on the front page: Malú kisses with a stranger. But that's not all, below it is written with magazine clippings: ENJOY IT WHILE IT'S TIME AHAHAHAHAHA— BUT WHAT IS IT?
He gets up, annoyed, taking the newspaper with him until he reaches the room, where Vera Lúcia sleeps. Thiago bangs on the door, calling for Vera, making everyone come out to see what is happening, including Graziela, who stares at him without understanding anything.
—Good morning to you too, Thiago–says Vera opening the bedroom door. She adjusts her robe facing her brother–in–law.
— Look – asks Thiago, angrily handing the newspaper to the blonde who is trying to understand what is happening — Malú kisses a guy!
— Well, what's up? – Vera asks arching her eyebrow — We were all young...
— What have? – repeats Thiago, irritated — Read below… Another threat, now directed at Malú.
— What do you intend to do? – Vera asks, handing the newspaper back to Thiago.
— I'm going back to Curitiba today – reveals Thiago, seriously. — Cancel the rest of the caravan, I'm heading home.
— You're putting your candidacy at risk – warns Vera, annoyed.
— I'd rather put my candidacy at risk than put my daughter's life – Thiago replies, walking away.
He goes to his bedroom door, where Graziela is standing. Your bride's anger is noticeable. Thiago straightens his clothes from the suitcase, while Grazi takes them out, throwing them on the floor.
—Say it, Grazi. – orders Thiago, seriously with his hands on his hips.
—Say, what do you want me to say? Where do I start? Because you always leave me out of all your decisions? Or the fact that you don't want to take any with me? – Asks Grazi crossing her arms.
— Wherever you want...
— Thiago... I'm trying my hardest to make everything work out. You always say you don't have time for reality, for organizing the wedding, but for everything when it comes to Malú. – Alleges Grazi.
—Because she is my only child and I am her father.
—Whatever, you're my fiancé! When will it be our turn? My turn? – asks Graziela pointing to herself.
—I don't know, Thanks. I didn't plan to go back to Curitiba – answers Thiago, taking a deep breath
— Not traveling to see your Anna... Not bringing this girl into our lives... And to top it off, bringing Aline. You never planned any of this, but everything bad just happened after that! – shouts Graziela throwing the suitcase on the floor.
—No... Things were already bad before, we just couldn't see it – says Thiago, picking up the suitcase from the floor. He starts packing his clothes back into the suitcase. Then faces Grazi — I'm not planning to be with you anymore either. I'm tired of it all.
— What? – asks Grazi, astonished.
— I've been thinking... We... Now is not the time... The best time to... That's right – Thiago replies nervously.
— Like this? – asks Graziela looking at the groom.
— I'm not in my best moment... And neither are you – answers Thiago — I can't deal with this marriage, nor with you.
— What does that mean, Thiago? – asks Graziela, shocked.
— You mean I'm breaking up with you – admits Thiago, confidently closing the suitcase — Definitely. This isn't working out and I need some time to myself...
—Does that mean it's the end? – asks Graziela, upset.
—It's the end – reinforces Thiago, holding the suitcase. —And as proof, I ask you to return my mother's engagement ring to me.
Grazi approaches Thiago, very close to his face:
—Don't think it's going to turn out like this…don't think at all. – She throws the ring on the floor watching Thiago take it and put it in his pocket.
— Do what you want, Graziela. But nothing you do will change my decision – answers Thiago, walking out the door.
— That's what we'll see – mutters Graziela, dialing her cell — Hello? It's time .