The pain radiates throughout Malú's body as she is stretched out on the hot pavement. She slowly opens her eyes, meeting those of her mother who reaches out to her. Maria Luísa smiles and when she goes to hold Anna's hand, she hears several people talking at the same time close to her head. She looks around and notices the crowd surrounding her. When she turned her head to see her mother, Anna had already disappeared, her place being taken by a bald old man with a worried look.
—See, she's awake! – shouts the exasperated bald man pointing his fat fingers towards Malú — Let's take her to the hospital, immediately!
— No, not hospital. Did you not recognize her? She is the daughter of Thiago de Almeida, the candidate – reveals one behind Malú's head, who cannot see him.
—Then we have to get her to the hospital. Imagine if her father finds out we didn't take her?! – shouts a woman.
—Where's the driver who hit you? – asks another.
—Let's take her to the candidate's house.
—It's the best thing to do,– agrees the bald man.
Suddenly Malú's body is lifted from the hot ground and taken into one of the cars stopped on the road. It includes the bald man and the woman who holds Malú's head. The young woman tries to get up quickly when she realizes that she hadn't seen the boy who saved her.
— Be careful, you're very hurt – asks the woman, holding Malú who goes back to lie on the woman's lap.
She looks out of the car window, wondering if that boy really existed or was it just something in her head.
***
Thiago arrives at the law firm, he wants to work as soon as possible, so he would fill his head with something other than his candidacy and his daughter. He arrives at reception and notices that Raquel, his secretary, is waiting for him with her big worried brown eyes. She was a little over 20 years old and was one of the reasons for Graziela's constant presence at the place.
— Good morning, Raquel – greets Thiago, approaching — Did something happen?
— Yes, a strange letter arrived for you – answers Raquel as she stretches over the counter, highlighting her cleavage in her black blouse — There is no return address.
Thiago raises an eyebrow, then realizes it was the same type of envelope as the first threat. He takes the mail from Raquel and goes to his office, closing the door quickly.
In his mind are still the words of the first threat: "Give up the campaign, or you will lose everything you love... I promise." Thiago holds the envelope in the air for a few moments, until he rips it. There are the cut letters. of magazines and newspapers and placed, one by one, forming a new, different message:
“DID YOU THINK THE OTHER MESSAGE WAS A JOKE?
NOW I'LL GIVE YOU PROOF THAT I WAS SERIOUS. HOLD."
Thiago throws the threat on the table, while running his left hand over his face. What evidence is this person talking about? I need to back out of the campaign before anyone gets hurt...
— Mr Thiago, your mother on line two – informs Raquel entering the room — She said it's urgent.
— Thank you, Raquel – thanks Thiago, taking the phone — What's wrong, mother? HOW?! How did Malú get run over? I dropped her off at school! ... Is she very hurt? ... God! I am going home.
He hangs up the phone and practically runs around the office without speaking to anyone. Get in your car and lean your head on the steering wheel . Does...? It's not possible? Will it be? . He starts the car and runs towards the family thinking that maybe that accident was the proof of that letter.
***
Adelaide carefully passes the tape over the gauze on Malú's last bandage, on her left shoulder. None of the young woman's injuries required stitches, showing that the accident was not that serious.
—There,– finishes Adelaide, giving the tape a light squeeze. She gets up from the bedroom floor and looks at Malú reproachfully — Now you're ready for another one.
—There won't be another one,– Maria retorts as she enters. The matriarch approaches—Your father is coming. I'm sure he'll be as happy to know how you ended up three blocks from your school. What did you mean? To run away?
Malú lowers her head, avoiding looking at her grandmother who had received that gesture as a yes. Sighs and leaves the room leaving the maid and granddaughter alone. Adelaide goes to the door and then closes it cautiously. She turns to the young woman:
—What's got into you, girl? Why did you do such a thing?
Malú wipes her face where her tears insist on falling. He knows he's wasted his chance to run away from that house and now he's going to have to deal with the consequences.
The door to his room opens with full force, and then Thiago appears with a desperate expression. He comes towards his daughter who has several bandages on her body, touches her face, arms and legs.
— She's fine, Mr. Thiago – assures Adelaide — The people who brought her home said it was an accident. She crossed without looking and the driver didn't have time to stop. In fact, she's only here today because of a good soul who took her out of the car at the time the disaster was going to happen.
'And who is this person?' – asks Thiago looking at Adelaide.
—No one knows who it was. They just said it was a boy...
Thiago stands facing his daughter, now angry. He takes a deep breath and points his finger at Malú as he determines:
—From today, you can go and come back anywhere with me. And you will have two security guards who will accompany you everywhere. You will never walk alone again, understand? Besides, he's grounded. You are prohibited from talking to Aline, or anyone from Minas Gerais.
Thiago slams the bedroom door, scaring Malú, who starts to cry. She felt more alone than ever.
***
Maria was waiting for her son in the office, who enters nervously and takes a whiskey. He takes it in one gulp and then stares at her:
— I will withdraw from the campaign.
Thiago's mother is astonished, unable to believe that her son had actually said that he would give up the campaign, after so much sacrifice. She approaches Thiago, in disbelief, trying to guess what was going on in her son's head.
— May I know the reason why you are taking such a drastic action? – asks Mary.
— I received another threat today – reveals Thiago before taking another sip of whiskey — In it, it said that I would receive proof of how serious the threats are. Soon after, you called me telling me about the Malú accident.
— Yes, but Malú was the one who caused the accident. I can't see any relationship between the two. – Alleges Mary.
—What if the person threatening me did everything he could to make it look like an accident, just to let me know what he's capable of? –Thiago asks, thoughtfully — I can't take the risk of something happening to my family, just because of a position.
—That's already your paranoia, my son. Malú can confirm that it was an accident that she caused... Anyway, if you give up now, what guarantees do you have that he will stop threatening you?
—I don't need more evidence to back out of the campaign. I have decided, I will no longer run. – Decides Thiago.
— I think it's better to wait for Vera to arrive, don't rush without talking to her first – Maria argues, touching her son's arm — I know I made a lot of mistakes with you and I'm not worthy of your trust, but don't make any rash decisions. The population needs you, what you should do is hire someone to find out where these threats are coming from... and put an end to it.
—Thanks for the advice, but I've already made my decision. –Thiago refuses, pushing his mother's hand away.
***
— HAVE YOU GONE CRAZY? – Vera shouts getting up from the couch. His look of surprise startles Thiago, who is sitting in the office chair. She paces furiously — So you think it's that simple? Will you give up and that's it? And all the team work to put you in the polls? And it's my job to turn you into a candidate the state needs, huh? Are you going to throw away all those months of hard work, because of a little threat?
— There were two threats – corrects Thiago, calmly — And I will never forget what everyone has done for me. I'm forever grateful for everything, but...
— But what? Will you cower and run away from the fight? Is that the image you want to convey to your constituents? Is that what you want your constituents to think about you? That in the first little pressure, you give up easily? Who is influenced by vain words? – asks Vera.
— Vain words? – Thiago is indignant, getting up from the sofa — The people I love are threats. Threats even directed at your sister. Do you not realize the risk that your sister is also taking with this whole situation?
— Of course, I understand! But I also notice that you are once again boycotting my sister's dream. –Vera retorts, pointing the finger in Thiago's face. — This whole situation is simple to solve: Put security guards in place for everyone and expose the situation in the press. I'm sure they will soon find out who this person is and everything will be resolved. In addition to changing your image a little, showing that you are a vulnerable and protective person.
—I don't understand why you believe everything can be resolved through the media.
— Because the media has the power – answers Vera, pretentious. — Just by letting rumors about your wedding reality show circulate, we went up three percentage points in the campaign. Imagine when you expose this situation... You will have the job in your hands.
—I don't think we need to get to that point. I prefer the investigation to take place in secrecy, after I declare the withdrawal.
—How can you be so stubborn?! – accuses Vera excitedly. She runs her hand through her hair and looks at him seriously — Do you really think giving up will make my sister proud of you? She will finally realize how weak you are. Your voters will realize how weak you are... Malú...
— Be careful with your next words, Vera – warns Thiago, irritated.
— Do you know why Malú doesn't approach you? Because you are not an example to her, you are nothing and you represent nothing. She needs a pillar, someone she can identify with and trust... And with that defeatist attitude, you will never be worthy of your own daughter's affection and respect!
— How dare you? You have exceeded all limits, Vera!
— And what are you going to do? Will you fire me? – Vera asks, approaching Thiago's face. She walks away and goes to the sofa, where she picks up her bag and then turns to Thiago with one eyebrow raised. —Don't worry, I'll quit. That way you don't have to feel guilty about being a weakling who can't stand the truth. I shouldn't have accepted being part of this circus, knowing that the clown would never become the main attraction.
She walks towards the door, leaving Thiago upset with her words. Vera opens the door:
— Only for my sister, I will say these words: If you want to be more than the son of Judge Almeida, call me. Otherwise, forget me and preferably, free my sister from this illusion that is your engagement.
Vera insists on slamming the office door with all her might.
***
Malú looks at the ceiling of her room, thinking about everything her father had told her. Of all the punishment given to her, talking to Aline was the least significant, after all, she hasn't been able to talk to her aunt since she arrived. The young woman has no idea what is happening to her aunt if she wants to respond to her messages. He's afraid that something bad has happened that his father has omitted.
Even knowing that she is forbidden to talk to Aline, Malú gets out of bed and takes her cell phone, dials her aunt's number to send a message, as in so many other times, and waits anxiously for someone to answer. After several minutes, there is only hope that that message will finally be checked by her aunt.
Then the bedroom door opens abruptly, startling Malú, who drops her cell phone on the floor, making a noise. Thiago observes the scene and his eyes go wild, he goes towards his cell phone, picking it up from the floor.
—Didn't I forbid you to stay on your cell phone? –Thiago asks, with the cell phone in his hands.
He looks at the screen, where it was still written message sent, enters the messages sent and looks at the last message that said “Auntie, where are you… I don't want to stay here anymore. He's a monster and he's preventing me from talking to you. If you get this message, know that I need help... and that I HATE it more every day! I want to go home, Malú”.
—So that's what you think of me? – asks Thiago, almost inaudible. He hands the cell phone into Malú's hands and goes to the door, where he continues, without looking at his daughter — Know that I will do everything to convince you otherwise, Malú.
Malú watches him leave his room, crestfallen, she lies on the bed again, putting her arms over her face to hide her tears . Where are you Aunt Aline, where are you?
***
Antônio Barbosa scratches his head in disbelief in the story he had just heard from that woman with long brown hair. He analyzes once again all the documents, texts and supposed evidence that, according to her, she had collected in the last few weeks.
—How long has it been since you spoke to the young woman? – asks the young black–haired lawyer from the family court.
—Since she was taken by force to Curitiba –answers Aline, adjusting herself in the uncomfortable chair at the law firm. If she can even call that room a law firm. The place was fetid, the table where the lawyer sits has the horrible mix of old documents and weekly fast food — I spoke to some people at the service and they said I'd better get away so they wouldn't have any way to claim parental alienation and they wouldn't even persuade Malú to tell us about our conversations. Did I do well?
— Maybe – the Lawyer answers without looking at Aline. He closes the thick yellow folder and hands it to the woman — In any case, I won't be able to help you… I'm sorry.
—I was told you would help me – Aline pleads, almost in desperation. He lost count of how many law firms he looked for and they all gave him the same answer. Some just hearing the surname Almeida, refused any guidance. That's her last hope and she won't give up so easily — I know everything is against me, but justice needs to be done. He never had contact with her. I have witnesses who can vouch for all this stuff that's in that folder.
—You don't understand, I'm trying to protect you from this family's fury. If they agree to go to court, they can take everything from you! They'll leave you with nothing but destroying my career! – explains Antonio. —Let her grow up and be old enough to choose where she wants to stay. Until then, approach them.
—I can't wait two years – Aline whispers, crying. —She can't wait that long. Don't you understand that I've already lost everything? That Malú is the only person I have?
—I'm sorry… The only advice I can give you is to join them and wait for her to be eighteen. – Strengthens Antônio, even knowing that deep down he wants to accept the case. He doesn't know whether because of the challenge of the case, or out of empathy for Aline.
— Want to know what I think? –Questions Aline who gets up taking her briefcase — It's just that justice is not blind, it privileges the rich and destroys the lives of the poor. And you lawyers give this support, accepting these impositions... I would be disgusted to know that a good person is leaving my room and for my fear, I am destroying the happiness of two people. But thanks for that useless advice.
She storms out towards the alley, that had been her last attempt to make things right. She takes a deep breath as she watches her hands shake. He has no choice but to act outside the law once again.
***
TRIM! TRIM!
TRIM! TRIM!
TRIM! TRIM!
The landline phone rings stridently in the white and black room smoky from the numerous puffs of the person who is sitting watching it, not caring about the rings. After a long puff, his hands manicured in red, he answers the phone calmly saying:
—I knew you'd call.
—We need to talk… Even today. Can I count on you here at home?
— Of course yes. At eight o'clock at night at your house, all right?
— Sure.
— Great… – He lets out another breath — Thiago I hope you understand that everything I said was for your own good.
—I know Vera, and you're right. I need to be an example for Malú and her sister... It's only for them that I won't give up. I will hang up. See you soon. — Say goodbye to Thiago.
— See you. - Vera replies, putting the receiver down. She smiles excitedly, from now on things will go her way. Let the games begin .