CHOOSE A SIDE II

Then I got up and took a deep breath.

- It was a full night... And unlike anything we planned. I guess I'm not very good at organizing parties... - I smiled, trying to break the tension.

Everyone smiled, trying to cheer me up.

- Let's go home, Barbara. I want to make sure Malu is okay. Hector wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

We said goodbye and boarded our cars. As soon as I sat in the backseat of the Mercedes, I took off my shoes and laid my head on Heitor's shoulder.

- Remind me not to celebrate our daughter's birthday with a party anymore. He smiled sadly.

- Actually, it wasn't the party... It was “the guest”. And I didn't want to do that, I wanted to leave her out from the beginning...

- I'll listen to you next time, my love. He pulled me even closer to him.

- Do you think everything will work out in terms of the custody process?

- Yes I'm sure. We have the best lawyers. There's no reason not to make us legally responsible for it.

- I hope this father doesn't show up.

"I'm confident you won't show up, Barbara." And if it turns up, I'm capable of faking every possible DNA test.

- You know we can't do that... - I pinched his nose, smiling. “By the way, speaking of DNA, when did you have your vasectomy reversed?”

- On one of his business trips – He explained – It's a procedure as simple as a vasectomy, believe me.

- Did it in another country, so... Not in North Noriah?

- I did it here and then I traveled.

- Did you have surgery and travel far away from me? Why all this? And... Was it a secret?

- Not exactly ... But being close to you accidentally... - he looked in the rearview mirror, watching Anon and then said in my ear - Fucking her... It's impossible.

I felt my body boil, even with all the previous nervousness and stress. When he spoke in my ear I was simply surrendered.

- I want a baby, Barbara... Mine and yours.

- And Mary?

- You will be promoted to big sister.

- I think I'm going to be a sly pregnant woman. – I warned.

- And I'm the most drooling husband in the world.

- More than a doting father?

- Maybe... - He kissed me on the lips.

- I... I don't want a wedding party – I said suddenly – We are in a situation where everything is too risky. It seems the world is against us.

- For me whatever you want, it's perfect. I just want distance from the press.

- I just want Ben, your father, my brother, my grandmother... Anon... - I looked at him in the rearview mirror.

- In short, everyone who was present today, except Celine. Hector laughed.

- That's right. – I confirmed.

On Monday, the lawyers filed the adoption request for Maria Lua. The following week, Heitor and I were married, in a simple ceremony at the local Notary's Office, unlike anything imagined for a powerful CEO and owner of an empire. If I regret it? No, anyway.

I only had two friends, who were worth more than anything in my life. Salma is gone, so that's Ben. I don't know if he was like a brother, because maybe if we had the same blood we wouldn't be so close. And seeing him present at that important moment in my life, by my side, as always, was priceless. He's seen my pain, my suffering, the way I blanked out for eight years. And now I saw my redemption, the comeback, the strong woman that I became and that finally found the love, from which she fled so much for two long years.

I wore a simple white dress from a well-known brand. Stylish, but not flashy. Hector? Oh, I never saw him not looking perfect and elegant, except when he was naked, which was still perfect, just not as elegant.

After the wedding, and a family lunch, without a honeymoon, at least until we were sure of our daughter's future, Heitor took me to see the house he bought for us.

As soon as we arrived at the entrance to the luxury condominium, I was in complete awe. I had never seen such a perfect place to live. Security was really a priority, as to access the interior of the place, we had to go through three different guardhouses.

The Maserati followed the street adorned with flowers and trees on the sides, following the maximum permitted speed of 30 km/h.

There was no way to decide which of the houses was more beautiful. They were mansions, huge, perfect, the kind you only saw in movies. Heitor's apartment was located in one of the most expensive buildings in North Noriah. But that condo surpassed the limits of wealth and power.

As soon as he parked in front of the white single-story house, with a green lawn and a garden full of colorful flowers, with a hardwood pergola, covered with a white voile fabric fluttering in the wind and a small playground, with a slide, swings and a small wooden house, perfectly placed in a small tree, I saw that this was not just a house. It was our home, finally, with our face.

- I confess that the playground ruined the view... – he observed, still inside the car – But even so, I know that soon Maria will enjoy every toy. So I didn't care too much about aesthetics.

- Coming soon? You'll enjoy it as soon as we move. – I opened the car door anxiously, not waiting for him to get out.

We drove along the steep path of white stones, lined with palm trees, while I admired every detail, unable to say a word. The house was a few feet above sidewalk level.

I felt his fingers lacing mine and I looked up at him.

- Would it be bad if I wanted to do our honeymoon here and now?

- I don't think so, Mrs. Casanova.

- Hey, Bongiove. – I joked.

- No way, disqualified.

As soon as he opened the door, he scooped me up into his arms. I burst out laughing as he accessed the beautifully decorated interior:

- Welcome, wife.

I held on to him with my arms wrapped around his neck. We stared at each other and I looked at his mouth, full, inviting, that made me see stars with a simple touch.

- Is it a sin to desire the husband ardently, disqualified?

- It's a sin not to desire, Signora Casanova.

I touched his lips lightly with mine, then being devoured by him, tongues eager for the perfect and synchronized dance that only together could they do.

My phone rang.

- Does not attend. - He asked, holding my lower lip between his teeth, still in his lap.

- What if... Did something happen to Malu? I smiled, feeling him loosen the soft skin of my mouth.

Heitor took me off his lap and I grabbed my cell phone from my purse. It was an unknown number.

- Hello.

- Hi Babi. Here the speaker is Maria Lua's father.

I felt my heart speed up and my breathing get weak, recognizing the voice:

- Daniel?

- You got it right... I'm going to take over my daughter, judicially. You are fucked!