One two three four,
Five six seven eight.
One two three four,
Five, six, seven, eight... – says Maria Luísa in the rhythm of The Second Waltz, music by Dmitri Shostakovich. She watches Malú dancing with her pillow. If your pillow had feet, it would be sore and at least far away from Malú. She finishes the dance and faces her grandmother —Too bad Malú. Once again.
'What's going on here?' – asks Aline, entering the ballroom abruptly accompanied by Doctor Ricardo. She goes to the radio and pauses — Wasn't the rehearsal later?
—Actually, Malú asked for the rehearsal to start before the boy arrived – Maria replies.
— Unfortunately, we've already finished the class and Ricardo is already leaving – explains Aline, staring at Ricardo nervously. —And I don't know anything about the waltz.
— I understand – Maria comments — Doctor, do you have to be somewhere after here?
— Not really… I would love to help Malú, besides being great at the waltz and I'll certainly know how to lead it – Ricardo replies smiling at Aline who snorts.
— Excellent. Position yourself here – explains Maria pointing to the center of the room — Malú, you will just watch them.
Aline positions herself in front of Ricardo who bows to her. Maria goes back to the song from the beginning and then passes by adjusting the posture of the two:
— Doctor, place your right hand on Aline's waist, the left with a closed fist behind her back. Aline stand up straight. The first steps are simple. One step joined, one step joined on the count of four. Five, six, seven, you'll spin around, but I'm sure Aline remembers the steps, doesn't she? – asks Maria, staring at Malú's aunt.
— I'll try – Aline replies almost in a whisper while Ricardo looks at her, curious.
— So let's start...
Five six seven eight...
One two three four...
Ricardo and Aline start dancing watching each other. She is frowning as he admires her. They turn, but only with Ricardo touching Aline's waist.
—If you don't remember, I can take you around the hall. – says Ricardo.
Aline then spins towards the Doctor's left arm that holds her by the waist, dancing around the room. She smiles at his surprise...
— As you can see, I haven’t forgotten – pins Aline
—I'm not surprised by that, but the fact that you learned the Shostakovich waltz. – Ricardo reveals, leading her back to his right arm and supporting Aline's right forearm with his left.
— Because? Don't I look like I was a teenager who dreamed of a handsome prince charming? – Aline asks, watching her right arm float with Ricardo's left.
—No, really. – Ricardo replies, making Aline twirl in front of him. She brings her body closer, sliding her right hand up to rest it on Ricardo's shoulder — You're more like a teenager who had Ozzy Osbourne on her bedroom wall.
— Maybe… – Aline comments before twirling alone around the room, only being observed by Ricardo. He then approaches and holds her waist again with his right hand, while his right arm is suspended in the air along with Aline's right — But that didn't exempt me from having a good education.
—By the level, a princess education, right? – asks Ricardo, curious. She spins back around and then grabs his left arm which is extended with both hands and is a little behind him. —You're not going to tell me right?
— Exactly – replies Aline spinning and holding Ricardo's right arm and standing in front of him — There are things from my past that don't deserve to be remembered.
— That makes it difficult for me to get to know you better – Ricardo comments, pulling away and then holding Aline's right hand, then pulling away again and holding his left. He pulls her towards him, placing his left hand on her back while his right holds Aline's hand with outstretched arms — Something I would love to...
—I'd love to…– Aline repeats, tilting her head to the side as they spin. —There's not much you know about me. I was Anna's best friend, I helped raise Malú. I worked as a bartender and got fired. I received an invitation from Malú's father to continue helping my niece's education and upbringing.
'But before that?' – asks Ricardo making her spin again and stop on his left hand. Then he spins it again, making it stop in his right hand and so on, several times in time with the music. Until he wraps his left arm around Aline's waist, while holding her right hand with his. She touches Ricardo's left hand lightly, while smiling — Whose lips belonged to? Who did you smile at?
—It doesn't matter. – Aline replies seriously. They resume waltzing with their bodies facing each other spinning around the room.
— Alright, then I'll rephrase the question –Ricardo twirling Aline. When he pulls her to him, he asks —Is there any chance you'll open up to love?
— Maybe – Aline replies, bowing slightly — But it's not that simple
He holds her around the waist lifting her up as they turn. Aline slides her body over Ricardo's, panting. He spins her once more causing her to bend over slightly. His lips are parted as if expecting a kiss. Then Aline takes the Doctor's hand and gets back on her feet.
The two walk away, returning to the starting position and bowing, receiving applause from Malú and all the employees who came to watch. The teenager could never have imagined that her aunt danced so well. Maria is also amazed at the lightness of the couple.
'What are you doing standing there?' – asks Maria to the employees — Go back to your chores.
— Mrs. Maria – Adelaide calls — I'm just here to let you know that the boy has arrived, but then I saw this beauty...
— You already warned Adelaide – cuts Maria seriously — Now, bring him here.
Aline takes a deep breath and walks away from Ricardo going to the water pitcher to quench her thirst. She takes it slowly, thinking how long it's been since she waltzed like this.
— Doctor Ricardo – Maria calls, waking Ricardo from his thoughts — I hope you can accompany us on Saturday.
— I wouldn't miss it for anything – Ricardo replies, admiring Aline, who is now talking to her niece.
***
— Mrs. Maria, Mr. Benjamin – announces Adelaide, giving way to the young man who can't hide his surprise at the size of the mansion's hall.
— Aline – Maria calls, staring at the boy. As soon as Malú's aunt approaches, she orders — Please translate to the boy and we will start the rehearsal...
— He listens – interrupts Aline hugging Benjamin — Glad you arrived.
— Malú and Benjamin, position yourself – begins the matriarch —Benjamin, put your hand on Malú’s waist, Malú fix your spine – straighten Benjamin’s hands, who admires Malú and for a good reason: The young woman made some curls in her hair that fall nearby. on her ear, a white tiara and she is wearing a beautiful flowered dress. The look was meticulously chosen by the young woman. Maria walks away — Good. Let's Dance.
Music invades the mansion's ballroom. Benjamin and Malú start to move, shy. The boy moves closer to the girl, gluing their bodies together. They look at each other while dancing Malú notices that Benjamin is wearing perfume. Benjamin's palms start to sweat, the only thing he can think about is not stepping on her toes. Every part of Malú's body feels the heat that Benjamin's transfers.
The boy notices that Malú's lips are painted a very light pink, almost imperceptible, the young woman's eyes are blue very close to dark, she has a greener tone, a mole close to her eyes, a small chin, pink cheeks with dimples. .. Malú notices that Benjamin's eyes are brown, almost honey... He slowly squeezes her waist... I look her in the eye... Strong breathing... Lips parted...
—And… Guys… – Aline calls with folded arms, waking the youngsters. She points to the radio which is turned off, to Maria who is now talking to her housekeeper. Both are flushed that they didn't notice it — Rehearsal is over.
The two walk away gracelessly to opposite sides. Maria returns noting Benjamin's simple robes.
—Boy, do you own a tuxedo? Suit? Shoe?
The boy shakes his head vehemently, not even a dress shirt would be found in Benjamin's dresser.
—Okay, I was expecting that. Come, I asked Adelaide to prepare a suit for you – informs Maria leading Benjamin to the floor of the rooms of the mansion.
***
Benjamin walks down the hall following Maria to the solid wooden door. As soon as it opens, the sunlight coming from the windows forces him to close his eyes for a moment. When he opens them he finds the room painted in pastel and white tones with golden details and the biggest bed he had ever seen in his life. He approaches the housekeeper who is holding her black tuxedo, sock, and black patent–leather shoes.
— View. I need to see if it will look good on you – orders Maria seriously.
The boy takes the men's suit and walks into the bathroom indicated by Adelaide. After a few minutes the boy comes back wearing his coat with silk lapels, pants with silk sides. The black belt over the white shirt with the front worked. The black silk bow tie bow is still undone. Maria approaches the boy and makes the bow for him, adjusting his tie.
—Perfect. – Maria praises, pulling away.
— Benjamin, Ariadne came to get you – warns Aline entering the room. She smiles, amazed at the boy's elegance.
— Go change then, boy – orders Maria — Adelaide, save the suit for him to take.
—Yes, ma'am. – Adelaide replies, walking away.
—How did you know the tux would suit him?
—Because he's the same height as my son when he was younger. – Maria replies.
— Funny, I've always imagined Thiago a skinny boy – comments Aline.
— But Thiago was skinny... I was talking about Ícaro. He was always a big, good–looking guy. – Reveals Maria under Aline's surprised gaze — Well, my work is done, I'm going to my room. Please guide Benjamin to the exit.
— Okay – Aline replies watching Maria leaving the room. — Who knew… I never thought she liked Ícaro.
Benjamin comes out of the bathroom and gives the costume to Adelaide who puts it inside the cloak and gives it back to the boy who is now accompanied towards the Hall by Aline. He says goodbye to Malú's aunt, then grabs his things and walks towards the door. Malú looks at her aunt, who makes a gesture with her head to make her niece accompany the boy.
The young woman practically runs to catch up to him... Then she walks beside him, shyly. Her heart is still beating fast, something has happened and she feels it... She needs to know if he feels the same way too, but she doesn't have the courage. They are already at the gate when one looks at the other. Malú waves his hand saying goodbye to Benjamin.
“See you,” says Benjamin, turning around shortly thereafter. Then he stops and looks at Malú, smiling "So your plan A gave you a cake and you told your grandmother that I will replace him..."
"Why do you think that?" answers Malú with a question, biting her lips.
“Well, your grandmother lent me an outfit complete with shoes. And I don’t think it’s just for rehearsal.” responds Benjamin.
“No, it's not just to rehearse” reveals Malú stopping in front of Benjamin “Would you like to go with me to the dance?”
"So your plan A gave you a cake and you think I'm going to accept your invitation... keep dreaming, I'm nobody's plan B" Benjamin, stubborn, crossing his arms soon after.
“You are not my plan B” Malú reacts with a sweet smile. She approaches "To be a plan B, you have to have a plan A... and you've always been the only person I'd want to go with"
“But you said earlier that you were going with someone else,” recalls Benjamin, confused.
The young woman turns red so she decides to confess pointing to herself and then immediately makes a hook with her index finger waving quickly in front of her face. "When you figured I was going to take you to the dance, I decided to put you down for a bit."
"What if I don't want to go now?" teases Benjamin, trying to get serious.
“I'll find a way to convince you,” Malú replies confidently.
“What way?” asks the boy, curious. “As far as I know, there would be nothing that would make me mu...”
Malú takes Benjamin's lips in a sweet kiss. He walks away, leaving Malú breathless.
"Until the dance, Malú" says goodbye Benjamin, running towards Ariadne's car .