Thiago enters his room, thinking. After a long conversation with her mother and Aline, they decided it would be best to meet with the group today so that the candidate can draw his own conclusions. While Malú's father went upstairs to get ready, Aline was responsible for talking to Ariadne to gather the staff.
He walks towards the bathroom taking off his suit, dropping his gray tie, shirt, throwing on his shoes, socks, pants, and lastly his black boxer shorts. He takes a quick shower and in a few minutes, he is carefully choosing which suit he will wear for this meeting with the Libra group and also to finally meet this Benjamin.
— I just talked to Ariadne and she really agreed to gather everyone there in the park – comments Aline, walking abruptly into the room looking at her cell phone when she turns towards the closet, facing Thiago naked on his back. Immediately she closes her eyes — OH MY GOD! YOU ARE NAKED
— Yes, Aline. That's what people do when they're in the privacy of their room – says Thiago wearing the suit he decided to choose.
— Sorry, sorry... I should have knocked – asks Aline avoiding looking at Thiago — It was my mistake.
Thiago closes the closet door while Aline is spinning around the room, until he decides to pick up the clothes mirrored around the room to distract his mind from the image he just saw. As soon as he picks up the suit, he notices that something has fallen out of his pocket. She reaches down, picking up the engagement ring from the floor and wiggling it between her fingers.
— You can look now – warns Thiago, finishing his cufflinks.
— Wait… You don't go like that, do you? – Aline asks, pointing to the suit with a mocking face.
— What have? – asks Thiago raising his eyebrows without understanding.
— Thiago, you are going to meet a group of young people in a park in the middle of a Sunday and not to a rally – answers Aline, going into the closet, disgusted — Seriously, it's not possible that you don't have casual clothes.
— I have casual clothes, for casual moments – retorts Thiago, seriously.
— This is one of them – Aline counters, rummaging through the hangers — Sit down, I'll help you with the look "I'm a normal guy and not a candidate for senator".
— Alright – agrees Thiago heading towards the bed.
—But just know that this is overtime, okay? – Aline begins to evaluate Thiago's clothes. Most, according to her, are spoiled rich things. Until a black shirt catches his eye. She takes the hanger and walks towards Thiago smiling — I can't believe you have one of these.
— What have? I was young too, you know? – Thiago replies, laughing when he remembers the shirt.
— But Black Sabbath? – Aline asks, looking once again at the band's shirt — You don't look like a fan.
—I'm a fan…or was. – Answers Thiago, indifferently —But don't make it up, I won't wear that shirt.
— Alright – agrees Aline returning to the closet. She then chooses a pair of khaki shorts, a white men's coat and throws them towards Malú's father — Okay, something more casual.
— Thank you – thanks Thiago, straightening his clothes.
— I found this – informs Aline, calling Thiago's attention, who raises his head. In Aline's hand, the engagement ring. He approaches, takes the ring and takes it to the nightstand — Do you want to talk?
— There's nothing to say – Thiago replies, seriously. —Thanks for the clothes, now if you can wait for me outside… I need to change, freely.
— All right. I'll wait for you in the hall – replies Aline heading for the door.
— Tell my mother too – asks Thiago.
—She won't. He said he'll stay with Malú – explains Aline — In fact, the two are very close, she even had Milk Shake.
— My mom? Not really – Thiago refuses, incredulous.
—At a fast food place. – adds Aline, smiling.
— Wow, a lot has been happening around here – comments Thiago, surprised.
— And much more can happen, it only depends on you.– Aline replies, leaving shortly afterwards.
***
Passaúna Municipal Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Curitiba. It has an immense lake formed by the dam that supplies part of the city of Curitiba. The construction of the dam flooded the premises of old potteries, whose chimneys can still be seen in the Park.
The fauna of the region is rich and varied, with many species of animals. Herons, grebes, canaries, cormorants, capybaras, armadillos, jacanas and even ocelots can occasionally be observed in the local forest.
The Park has an ecological trail of 3. 5 km, bordering the lake. It also has a Biological Station, boat docks, children's playground, wooden bridges, barbecues and a 60 m high viewpoint, in relation to the lake level, where the young people are accompanied by Ariadne who waves excitedly to Aline and Thiago who approach.
— Hello – Ariadne greets both Aline and Thiago — I am very happy to know that you have finally decided to meet our project, Thiago.
— I am grateful to be able to get to know your project better.
— Well, the main objective of the group is to include young people who have the condition of hearing loss or even aphonia.
—You meant Disability, right? – corrects Thiago.
— No, I meant condition. In psychology, disability means insufficiency of a psychic or intellectual function. In medicine, failure or absence of functioning of an organ. Overall, loss of quantity or quality; lack, lack. loss of value; failure, weakness. – Ariadne speaks pointing to the young people — Look at them, can you fit any of these definitions?
Thiago observes the young people admiring the lake as they talk to each other. They laugh and make fun of each other like any teenager of the same age.
— I agree – comments Thiago to the psychologist — If it weren't for the hands moving all the time, they even seem normal.
—That's the thing, they're normal. They are just like us... They adapt to the environment in the same way. But they are excluded from society because of communication. However, we are not born knowing how to speak, we learn... Just like them. Why is Libras so discriminated against if it's just a form of communication?
— Yeah… It would be like learning a new language – completes Aline — In fact, even easier than learning a new language.
— Yes – agrees Ariadne pointing to Aline — They just have some conditions, just like us. We are not super human, we have limits. Not all of us were born to be football players, or the president of the country. Not everyone has the ability to be an actor, or a doctor. Even singer. They too, the difference imposed by us is on account of communication. We isolate them, we put them as disabled and the opportunities put as mere dreams.
—So you decided to gather them into this group. – concludes Thiago.
— Yes. They have tutoring classes, since many attend conventional schools and many do not have professionals who know Libras and their colleagues do not have this availability either. We got some people to give pre–university courses, training and partnerships to include these young people in the job market. As is the case with Benjamin, our coordinator. – Answers Ariadne calling Benjamin who approaches with fear — Benjamin, this is Thiago de Almeida, candidate for senator and father of one of the participants of our group, Maria Luísa.
— Pleasure – comments Thiago, extending his hand towards the boy. Although the speech seemed affable, the candidate's expression was totally different. Benjamin squeezes Thiago's hand, who controls himself not to squeeze it too hard — You know, it's really nice to finally be able to associate a face with the name that's been talked about in my house.
— He even belongs to one of his family's flower shops – explains Ariadne — Thanks to the partnership.
— How long? – asks Thiago, staring at Benjamin.
—He's already in his third year. – Ariadne replies proudly.
— That is great. Congratulations – congratulates Thiago, relieved. His suspicions against Benjamin fell to the ground. He faces Ariadne —But there are already Institutes with continuing education, just like this project, right?
— There are, however, they are all paid. And our project is completely free precisely because many are low–income. Their families cannot afford to keep them in high–end institutes. So, the project idea seemed to me the best way to help them. Our biggest problem is that we don't have space for all our actions and we have turned down some potential students. In addition, we also want to insert Sign Writing.
—So you need a suitable place for this?
—Also, but we don't have a budget. We live off the Donation of most students who enter the job market, but I don't want them to take away from their livelihood. We need an Institute and keep the proposal of access for all. And that's why we need someone from the middle of politics to help our cause and turn our project into something real here in Curitiba.
—I understand perfectly, Ariadne. – Answers Thiago —I need some time to think about everything you've told me and check if I can really help them.
—Fine. – Ariadne agrees. —Anyway, I appreciate your time.
— I am grateful for the opportunity to get to know the project – thanks Thiago, walking away being accompanied by Aline.
— Then? You will accept right? – asks Aline, curious.
— We'd better talk at home – answers Thiago, pensively holding Aline's arm.
***
Aline and Thiago enter the mansion in silence, despite the woman's numerous attempts to find out what's going on in the candidate's head:
— Thiago, your silence is killing me – lets out Aline, nervous — You can at least give a clue as to what you've concluded. At least about Benjamin.
— I think we'd better talk in the office – comments Thiago, opening the door.
Vera leaning against Thiago's desk, furious, draws the attention of the candidate and Aline, who were curious about her presence:
—What the hell are you doing? – Asks the blonde with her hands on her hips.
— Grazi told you that we broke up – concludes Thiago, walking past her and sitting in his chair.
—But that's not why I'm here. And yes to try to understand why the hell did you drop the whole committee during the campaign and go back to the capital? If it was just the threat, we'd agreed that I would take care of it. But I get here and you just left with that one. What's the matter with you?
— I had other things to resolve related to Malú...
— Like for example? – Vera asks seriously.
—Like, for example... Vera, this is a family problem and doesn't concern you anymore. – answers Thiago, annoyed.
— But when it interferes with my work, that becomes my problem too – retorts Vera imposing — But luckily for you, you're very well advised by me, I managed to reverse the situation and even insert Malu in the context of your campaign.
— We already talked about this, I don't want Malu involved – Thiago refuses, standing up.
— That's out of the question, Thiago. After you dropped out of the campaign and now when they find out the engagement is over... You won't win the election. – Decrees Vera lighting her cigarette.
'Well, voters must decide whether or not I'm fit for the job, don't you think?' I will not manipulate them using Malu.
—So you're a loser? Why are you running if you don't want to win? – Vera asks, upset.
—I want to win, but I don't want to win by using my daughter for it. I want to be recognized as a leader... as an ideal candidate.
—But even the ideal candidate uses tricks... And if he wants to win, he'll have to put Malú in the game – claims Vera.
—She's right. – Aline agrees, as difficult as it is, walking into the office. She approaches the two who stare at her, surprised — Not the part where she needs to use tricks, but Malú's participation in her candidacy.
— How can you agree to expose Malú like that? – asks Thiago, surprised.
— We are not going to expose Malú, but rather her condition and that of many children who are somehow neglected and isolated from society.
— What are you proposing, Aline? – Vera asks, curious.
— I am proposing that Thiago embrace the cause of the project. By Malú.
— But Malú's case is temporary – argues Thiago.
—That's what we believe, but what if it isn't? What if she stays like this permanently? Apart from that, regardless of her speaking again, these people need representation. They need support, and there are not a few cases of children who do not have access to LIBRAS, in addition to the subject still being treated as TABU in many places. Thiago, you have an incredible opportunity to show your worth. In addition to being sure that Malú will unconditionally support you in this cause and will go of its own free will wherever it needs to go representing you. This will unite you – concludes Aline.
—Is it? – asks Thiago, undecided.
—Of course not, Thiago –intrudes Vera staring at Aline — All I heard was nonsense, after nonsense... I've never heard so much nonsense in my entire life. Do you really think these handicapped people will help Thiago? They don't even help each other! You won't fall for that, right Thiago?
— Do you think I would be the best to represent them, Aline?– asks Thiago to Aline.
—You can't be considering… –comments Vera, shocked staring at Thiago.
— Ariadne already has the project for the Institute for the inclusion of young people, putting this together and doing research in the area, we can get an excellent project –Aline replies, excited — A solid project in your campaign will surely bring you the strength you need to win.
— You can't take this seriously – Vera claims to Thiago — She doesn't understand anything about politics. If Aline understood, she would know that this kind of thing... Helping in need, will not make Thiago win the elections. The people want gossip, intrigue... They want easy money... These social aids... Only stupid people do it. The only thing I agree with Aline is that we should put Malú on the table. This project to help the disabled can be discarded.
—Vera –Calls Thiago, adjusting his suit —They are not disabled. I will go upstairs to speak with my daughter. In the meantime, you are in charge of arranging an interview with Dr. Ariadne, so that we can start working on this in the campaign.
— But, Thiago… – Vera replies, terrified — That's a shot in the foot.
—Just do what I'm told. – Orders Thiago, passing through Aline — I hope you have an empty agenda... I'll need you in my campaign... You and Malú. I'm going to reverse the situation with my daughter. Wish me luck.
— Good luck – wishes Aline avoiding smiling. As soon as Thiago leaves, she smiles at Vera, victorious before leaving.
—Do you really think you won? Aline, you are entering very dangerous territory – warns Vera, causing Aline to stop. The blonde smiles and continues — I ask you to go back to your insignificance and leave these matters to me.
— And even? And what will you do if I don't back off? – Asks Aline turning around.
— Aline, I'm not my sister's fool who runs at the first obstacle – warns Vera, seriously approaching — I don't threaten, I do. And what's yours... It's well kept.
—Then keep it very well, because you'll need it. – says Aline, opening the door.
— You can be sure of it… And even more so when it comes to secrets… And your Aline is the nastiest I've ever seen. – Vera commented out loud.
Aline stands at the door watching Vera get her things and approach. The blonde passes by Malú's aunt smiling.
— Thank you for holding the door for me, Aline Buarque de Melo – thanks Vera, sarcastically, revealing Aline's last name, who stares at her in shock.
Did she find out...? Does she know what I did...? Aline thinks watching Vera leave the mansion .