When Benjamin said a few weeks ago that Malú's hands would be his, the young woman didn't think he would be so serious. The black–haired young woman started taking Libras classes with Benjamin after therapy with Ariadne, as it was the only free moment she had in her schedule, already filled with obligations and now with the ASM dance. He insists that Malú repeat the exercises several times until he thinks it is good. In the group, he wrote and she was the one who spoke as if she were his spokesperson.
At first she had great difficulties in getting the message across, but now she is getting better with the help of the people who always signaled when she had something wrong. And also because I'm practicing at home with Aline, who also started learning Libras with Ricardo.
The two also started teaching some expressions to the employees, including Adelaide. They practiced all the time, including during lunch that day, when Adelaide came to serve them. Malú smiles at the housekeeper and then, with her palm facing inwards, she touches her fingers to her forehead lightly and then takes her hand forward, pulling it away from her forehead. Adelaide reciprocates and with her hands flat, rubbing her palms horizontally in a circular motion. Maria observes the gestures without understanding, which intrigues her:
— What's going on here? – asks the matriarch.
—Nothing, ma'am. –Adelaide replies awkwardly.
— Malú thanked Adelaide for serving us and Adelaide responded… In Libras – translates Aline, adjusting her navy blue dress recently purchased. She's still not used to her new look, but at least her hair is intact. She stares at Maria and the pin — You would understand if you learned.
—I don't have time for… This. – Maria replies dryly. She takes a sip of wine, turns to Malú and says — Today, after your session with Dr. Ricardo, we have to go buy your dress for the ball.
— It's a shame to miss such an important event, but I have class with Ricardo… I can't miss it – mocks Aline, winking at Malú, who looks at her seriously.
—A pity, but I think I can handle choosing a dress with my granddaughter.
— Have you already got a pair for Malú? – asks Aline, curious.
—No, unfortunately all the partners' children are already with their respective partners. I'll have to find someone worthy outside the Club – reveals Maria seriously.
— I think I have someone who can be Malú's partner – comments Aline, passing butter on her bread, leaving a mystery in the air.
'And who would it be?' – asks Maria, as curious as Malú, who stops eating looking at her aunt.
— Benjamin – reveals Aline, receiving a surprised look from the young woman — Malú's Libras teacher.
—And why would he be worthy of leading my granddaughter to the ball? What makes him special? – asks Maria seriously.
— Simple, he's responsible for the project... The project you presented to the Magistrate Ladies – explains Aline, calmly.
— I understand your point. Putting him to dance with Malú will earn us more points with the project. – concludes Mary. She turns to Malú — Invite this young man to come to my house, he needs to rehearse with you as soon as possible, since the dance is on Saturday.
Malú waves to her grandmother while drinking her juice glass in one go, not agreeing with her aunt Aline's idea. Despite talking a lot, neither of them gave the opportunity to talk about personal matters or even to do other activities that did not involve the exercises or the group. Now, she would have to invite him to be her partner in a high society ball in Curitiba.
***
Reginaldo parks the vehicle in the Maison's basement, where Maria and Malú went to choose the dress for the young woman's presentation ball. They enter by the VIP elevator Maria used when I decided to go shopping in privacy.
As soon as the elevator doors open, the beauty of the place surprises Malú, who gapes at Maria, who completely ignores her surroundings. The Maison manager comes towards the matriarch with a smile from ear to ear.
— Maria – exclaims the woman with brown hair and platinum locks. She brings her face close to Senhora Almeida's cheeks, but doesn't dare touch — Who's good winds bring you here? Did you come to see our new collection?
—Hello, Michele. – Maria greets with a faint smile. She nods to the approaching granddaughter awkwardly — Today, I need help finding the most beautiful dress for my granddaughter.
— Your grand daughter? – Michele asks, staring at Malú, surprised.
— Yes, and know that I count on your discretion – warns Maria seriously.
—I'll take care of you myself. – Michele informs, placing her hand on her chest. —So, for what event?
— Presentation ball to the Association of Ladies of Magistrates society – reveals Maria proudly.
— Wow, a very important event for Curitiba society – Michele exclaims. — Come on, we have exclusive dresses for this important moment.
Maria walks beside the manager towards the department, while Malú trails behind, it would be a long afternoon.
***
—Malú, let me see how the dress turned out. – orders Maria, sitting on the ivory pouf facing the cabin.
Malú opens the curtain revealing the moss green dress with a bateau neckline and silver gemstones on the bodice to the middle of the huge tulle skirt. The top of the dress both front and back with nude sequined lace appliqués. The granddaughter's disgusted face was the same as the one on Maria's, waving at the manager to choose another one.
— Next – asks Maria, being answered promptly by the manager.
Long, short, removable skirt, full and smooth, full and tulle, red, green, yellow, pastel, blue, pink, white, lilac, wine... One by one, the dresses were eliminated by the two who had been there for two hours. in the store and no dress pleased them.
So Malú returns now dressed in a strapless strap with a sweetheart neckline. Bodice with black poetized lace, embroidered with beads. Round skirt in rose ruffles, with a black crinol hemmed finish. Lace–up closure. On her head, a tiara with a huge black flower.
—Look, if you don't rock this dress, no one else will. – Michele says.
The young woman looks at her appearance in the mirror, she even likes the dress, but doesn't feel any connection with it. But you're already tired of so many exchanges. And not just her, but her grandmother and manager. Malú rocks the luxurious dress trying to be grateful for having the opportunity to at least have one of those dresses to go to the ball. She turns to Michele and waves confirming that she will take him.
—Fine. – Michele exclaims, clapping her hands and walking away to make the sale.
Maria observes Malú, who is still analyzing the dress, she knows very well that her granddaughter didn't like the dress that much, but she doesn't feel entitled to intervene in the choice.
After a few minutes, Reginaldo is putting the huge black box with gold details in the trunk, while the two are already in the passenger seat just waiting for the driver to take them home. Malú sighs, thinking how easy it would be if her mother were there. Surely in less than half an hour they would have chosen the cheapest and most beautiful dress in the store and at some ice cream shop sharing a Milk Shake. So she takes out her tablet and writes to her grandmother:
“Can we stop at fast food?”
— Fast food? – asks Maria arching an eyebrow.
"Yes, I feel like having ice cream"
—I think you can wait until we get to the mansion, since we have ice cream there. – Maria pleads dismissively. She then watches Malú sigh and return to her corner, sad. Then, reluctantly, she orders Reginaldo — Take us to an ice cream shop or something.
Malú smiles towards her grandmother who rolls her eyes, she doesn't even know why she gave in to her granddaughter's whim, but since that's what she wanted. Maria tries to remember the last time she set foot in a diner, as it was called in her day.
Mal Reginaldo parks the black BMW in front of a fast food franchise and Malú runs off to the checkout line. Maria follows close behind, putting on her sunglasses so she won't be recognized and thus avoid any headlines that mention her entering a place like that.
—Wait for us here, Reginaldo… I'm sure our stay will be brief – informs Maria, disgusted.
However, it is impossible not to draw attention with the elegant outfit she wears, as well as the huge hat in a relaxed atmosphere. Everyone in the place watches the two, curious.
When Malú's turn comes, she gets nervous, for a moment she had forgotten that she wasn't talking anymore. Your grandmother touches you on the shoulder and then says:
—Point out what you want and I'll order it for you.
Malú smiles grateful for her grandmother being there by her side and then points to the Ovaltine Milk Shake, being played by her grandmother at the cashier.
— Two? – asks the cashier, smiling.
— Only one – corrects Maria, receiving a nudge from her granddaughter — No, no way am I going to take that, Malú. – The granddaughter makes a face at the grandmother who continues to refuse, until she is overcome by fatigue and the abandoned puppy look that the young woman makes — All right, two.
Maria watches the preparation of the Milk Shakes with a disgusted face while Malú's mouth is watering just to see the attendant closing the glasses with the plastic lid. He places the two Milk Shakes on the tray and gives them to Malú, after the grandmother's clear refusal to touch any corner of the counter.
The granddaughter walks towards one of the tables with two seats, leaning against the wall under the derogatory gaze of Maria, who only sits down after splashing some gel alcohol on the table and chair, where she will sit making Malú blush with embarrassment.
— What's it? I'm just taking care of catching any disease here – explains Maria, sitting down carefully.
Malú extends the Milk Shake towards her grandmother who reluctantly accepts. She laughs heartily when she notices that Maria doesn't have any experience in puncturing the lid with a straw.
— What are you laughing about? In my defense, in my day it wasn't like that.
Then help her by putting the straw in its proper place. The granddaughter then takes the tablet out of the crossbody bag, and writes:
“What was it like in your day?”
—First, we were served in glass cups, not toxic plastic cups. Second, the waitress would bring her order pad to you, in some places they had skates. – Maria recalls looking at the environment — There was also a Jukebox and a space to dance...
"Jukebox? What is this?" asks Malú, curious.
—It was a... A record player. We put in a card and chose the record that was at its peak. – Explains Maria smiling. Then she realizes that Malú has her hand on her forehead — Did your brain freeze? Put your tongue against the roof of your mouth... Did you see that?
"Thank you" thanks Malú, the headache really disappeared. "Now stop stalling and take yours"
—I don't like it. – Maria claims, rejecting her glass.
"Have you tried it?"
—No, but not everything I need to try to know I don't like it.
"Just a little bit... Please" asks Malú pushing the glass towards her grandmother.
Maria holds the glass with a napkin and after a while I decided to try a sip of that dubious liquid. As soon as you feel it on your palate, you are surprised by the flavor that pleases you.
“So?” writes Malú, curious.
—Yeah... Nice one. –Maria replies, tasting a little more. And then one more sip and then when you see you've had half the glass — Oh, my God... This feels so good.
She smiles towards her granddaughter who is surprised. In all that time it was the first time he had seen such a genuine smile from his grandmother. It gives you a feeling that that distinguished lady is not as bad a person as you thought.
“Can I ask you a question?” writes Malú, seriously.
—If this is about becoming a routine, the answer is no. – Answers Maria enjoying the Milk Shake.
“Did you know my mother?”
Maria places the glass calmly on the tray, while adjusting her posture. He knew that one day he would be asked about his contact with Anna and the moment had come. She struggles not to remember the day they met... From Anna's look when she told who she was... The young woman's hope faded with her harsh words... The cry of the helpless young woman deceived by her own boyfriend. .. The appeal... And the agreement between them. But those memories had always lingered in her mind, every second since.
—Yes, I met your mother. – Maria replies seriously.
“What was the deal you made?” Malú writes bluntly.
—Who told you about this? – asks Maria, annoyed.
“It doesn't matter, what really matters is what deal that was. She's already dead so she'll never tell me, but you will. So tell me"
— Malú, this is a matter for adults. There's nothing you deserve to know. – Rebuke Mary.
"But I want to know... I need to know if..."
—Was your mother a bad person? – asks Maria, annoyed. —Your mother was the most loving, honest, kind–hearted person I've ever met in my life. If you want to know what the deal was, I won't tell you. But I hope you understand that what we did was for your own good.
Silence takes over the table, Malú turns to the other side pretending to observe the tables while wiping the tears that run down her face. Maria finishes her Milk Shake calmly and then puts her hand on her forehead, drawing Malú's attention.
— Oh heavens, I had forgotten how much that hurt – Maria comments, making Malú smile. —Next time, we'll just have an ice cream, okay?
Malú smiles, happy to know that her grandmother is already considering a return.
“Tell me more about your time then” asks Malú, being promptly answered by her grandmother who begins to tell about her generation .