Aline walks impatiently down the hall waiting for the two. He looks once more at the clock, which is already approaching dinner time. Where will they be? Did something happen? Aline thinks, nervously nibbling what little remains of her thumbnail.
—... Families came from all over just for this dance, so imagine the embarrassing situation I went through when I missed that note on the piano – comments Maria opening the door being accompanied by Malú who is smiling and the driver with the huge box of the dress.
— At last! – exclaims Aline with her hands on her hips. 'Where were you?'
— Good night, Aline – greets Maria without caring about the woman's irritation — You know very well that we went to buy Malú's dress.
'But until this time?' – Asks Aline, annoyed.
— Adelaide – Maria calls, ignoring Aline. As soon as the housekeeper appears, she smiles and orders, —Bring my ASM prom album.
—Yes, ma'am. – replies Adelaide, already heading towards the central library.
— Before you go – Maria intervenes with her hand — Do you know where my dress is?
— In Miss Malú's room inside the closet – Adelaide replies — Do you want me to get it for you?
— It's not necessary, I'll get it myself – Maria replies — For now I just need you to take the album there to her room. Come on, Malú, we need to find my dress.
Maria and Malú go up excited being accompanied by Aline who is not enjoying this situation at all.
***
The wooden box was almost twice the size of the one that brought Malú's dress, which now helps her grandmother take it out of the closet and put it on the bed. Aline sits on the edge just watching the grandmother and granddaughter's excitement as they release the clips that hold the lid, remove the package carefully, letting the pearl fabric appear.
—One, two, three.... – Maria says before taking the dress out of the box and floating it across the room until it rests on the bed.
The dress is long with a princess neckline. The body is embroidered with various gemstones and embossed flower applications. The full skirt in sequined net, superimposed by plain tulle; with a crinol finish and crystal button closure. Aline notices that in the wooden box, there is still another jewelry box in the corner, when opening, a beautiful tiara full of crystals.
—That's your wedding dress, isn't it? – asks Aline, amazed by the beauty of the dress and tiara.
— No, Aline. That was just my ball gown my parents had made in France. – Maria replies, lightly touching her dress that brought her beautiful memories.
Malú also admires the pearl–colored dress on her bed, this is the perfect dress for the ASM prom.
— Do you want to try it? – asks Maria, surprising Malú and Aline. She lifts him off the bed and puts him in her granddaughter's arms — Come on, try it. I want to see how it will look on you.
—But it's unlikely he'll fit in it. – says Aline.
—She'll only know when to wear it. – Maria claims.
Malú holds the dress with some difficulty and walks to the bathroom to try it on, being watched by Aline and Maria.
— Aline, can I ask you a favor? – asks Maria without facing Malú's aunt.
—Just the fact that you were asking made me curious. What you want?
— Could you teach me some things... In Libras? – asks Maria seriously.
—Okay, who are you and what did you do with the bitch Mor? – Asks Aline getting up.
—So that's what you call me behind my back? – asks Maria, surprised.
— I call you worse, but anyway… Why do you want to learn Libras? – Asks Aline whispering.
—Because it's best for...
Malú opens the bathroom door, the dress perfectly fits the body of the young woman who walks into the room under the emotional gaze of her grandmother and aunt.
— You look beautiful – praises Aline, touched, admiring the dress.
Maria is speechless, if it weren't for her short hair, Malú would easily be a mirage of her grandmother from years ago when she first tried on the dress in that room.
— My goodness! – Adelaide exclaims, dropping the photo album on the floor, looking at the young woman — But you are identical!
— I must admit I thought so too – Aline comments, grimacing as she stares at the matriarch's painting.
— Put on the tiara – asks Maria, handing the tiara to her granddaughter who puts it on — You look beautiful.
Malú smiles, facing the mirror once more, she really looks beautiful in her dress. But gradually, her smile fades and she takes a deep breath, closing her eyes.
— She would definitely say that you look beautiful – comments Aline, who knows exactly who came into Malú's thoughts: Anna.
Malú turns to face her aunt with a slight smile of thanks. She goes back to the bathroom to remove her dress and comes back, sitting next to her aunt.
— It looks great on you, Malú – praises Maria, who turns to Adelaide — Bring my album.
Maria's album is filled with memories of the day she was introduced to society. The black and white photos do not stop Malú from admiring the beauty of the event. Malú points to a boy who seems to have light hair dancing with his grandmother:
—That was my partner. Augusto Brückner, son of a powerful judge – comments Maria admiring the photo.
— Mrs. Maria's first roll – mocks Aline.
— No, but he was a great friend. – Maria replied sadly.
“Who was your first boyfriend?” asks Malú, curious.
— Your grandfather. He was my first boyfriend, fiancé and husband. – Maria replied seriously.
"How did you meet?"
—Our families were great friends and obviously had already planned our union that took place three years after the dance.
— Arranged marriage? – Aline asks raising her eyebrow.
—Yes, as well as those of your parents, Aline – Maria replies turning the page of the album. Malú stares at her aunt, surprised, how does her grandmother know about Aline's parents? Your grandmother smiles and points to the album — That was my best friend at the time.
"What happened to her?"
—She married a great grape grower right after the ball and we lost touch.
They keep looking at the photographs of Maria, until on the last page the most precious photo of Maria: Pedro, her piano teacher.
— Well, that's it – finishes Maria closing the album quickly. She gets up, adjusts her clothes and the serenity of her face is replaced by the old and familiar serious expression. She walks to the door being accompanied by the housekeeper. —Don't forget to ask the boy to come over and rehearse. I'll wait for the two of you downstairs for dinner, without delay.
As soon as she leaves, Aline and Malú look at each other, confused. Then they start arranging the dress inside the box.
— Tell me, what did you do today? – asks Aline, curious.
"We bought the dress... and we had Milk Shake"
—Wait, are you trying to tell me that lady had a Milk Shake? – Aline asks, stopping everything she's doing, in disbelief.
"Yes, we went to a fast food nearby."
— Not even...
"I'm talking auntie, grandma went with me, sat at the table and we had a drink together. She even froze her brain. Ah, she taught me what to do when this happens... Really solves it"
—Oh yeah, I can't believe I missed that... And did you enjoy hanging out with her? – asks Aline with fear.
“Yes, it was really cool. She told me what it was like in her day. Did you know she met Mom?"
—Did she tell you she met your mother? – Aline is paralyzed. Did Maria tell Malú the whole story?
"Yes and that Mom was the most loving, honest, kind–hearted person she's ever met."
— Anything else? – Aline asks nervously.
"That's all," concludes Malú, omitting the agreement. "Well, let's put the dresses away before we're late and grandma freaks out."
—Yes, let's go. – Aline replies, intrigued. You feel something very strange in the air.
***
Floricultura is busy with so many requests that came after the episode of Graziela's Reality Show, leaving all the employees busy, including Benjamin who decided to take Malú there in order not to cancel the class with the young woman.
He arranges the flowers in the flower shop window, while Malú practices the past exercises. Benjamin then realizes that the young woman is making one of the wrong moves, approaches and holds Malú's hand, closing all the fingers except the thumb. He guides his thumb to her cheek and slides it down her face to past her chin. They are concentrated to the point of not noticing the presence of Aline who sneaks into the space.
— Time to go – warns Aline, startling them both — You have homework and you don't want me to put it in the report for your old man.
“Okay, auntie” Malú replies in pounds, receiving Aline's smile, pointing to Benjamin, reminding her of the invitation. She turns to the boy “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” replies Benjamin. “If you answer mine first”
“Okay,” Malú agrees, curious.
“Aline is not your aunt, right? Do I really mean aunt?” asks Benjamin shyly.
“No, she's my aunt at heart…she met my mother when she was pregnant with me…why do you ask?”
“Because she's nice, so I figured she couldn't be your blood aunt” jokes Benjamin, getting a slap on the shoulder from Malú.
“She's nice, but my mother was more... much more... she was amazing” comments Malú, who, when she's finished, touches her hair a little below her ear.
"What happened to her?" asks Benjamin, curious.
“She died of cancer… not long ago. I have to go” Malú, uncomfortable.
“Hey, you said you had something to ask me,” remembers Benjamin. He approaches her with a lily and hands it to her who turns red.
“That's right... Saturday will be my presentation dance at the Ladies Magistrates Association. One of those bland, traditionalist parties.”
“Want me to go with you?” asks Benjamin seriously.
“No… I already have a date” Malú lies nervously. “I was going to ask you if you could rehearse with me... My date is in exam season and my grandmother insists that everything is perfect. So I was wondering if you could rehearse me with me?"
“But I don't know how to dance to that kind of music for rich people” replies Benjamin “Especially if you're going to dance with someone else”
Malú narrows her eyes, analyzing Benjamin who was clearly jealous. As much as she didn't want to admit it, things are changing between the two. He takes a deep breath and then looks at her:
"You teach me?" asks Benjamin nervously.
“Of course, but I have two rules: the first is that it will be at home and the second is that your body is mine… I say learn to dance, of course. We can start tomorrow”
"All right"
“Thank you, Benjamin” thanks Malú, who immediately hugs Benjamin.
The two stay in each other's arms for a while, feeling each other's breath, their hearts in the same rhythm. Benjamin observes Malú's hair, the mole on the young woman's ear. Malú takes a deep breath, smelling the cologne Benjamin is wearing.
— Come on, Malú – calls Aline appearing again making Benjamin almost throw Malú on top of the begonias. This time the young woman's aunt realizes that it was an awkward moment and turns around walking quickly.
“Until then” says Benjamin “And… your hands are yours again”
"Thanks. See you tomorrow” Malú replies, almost running from the flower shop.
As soon as she appears in the parking lot, she finds Aline with a dull face.
—Excuse me, I didn't mean to disturb you. – Asks Aline without grace. —But just for the record, I think you two are cute.
Malú just nods, ignoring her aunt's provocation and gets into the car. You're thinking about how you'd learn to dance by tomorrow .