Like every beginning of a speech, the faces are in disbelief before the figure of Thiago who is now on the platform adjusting his black suit. By his side, a Libras interpreter. In the background are Aline and Vera watching the audience attentively. While public relations analyzes body language, Malú's aunt was in charge of observing the conversation in Libras.
As Thiago advances with his new speech, reinforcing the new proposal, the faces that once doubted the candidate now have a ray of hope in their eyes. They also come to believe in the Institute and in Thiago, who is excited to finish his speech in yet another city. The applause comes right away with everyone standing up.
— Thank you all – thanks Thiago, waving.
He descends from the platform being accompanied by his team and the reporters who happen to follow them. Aline tries her best to avoid photos of her, catching the attention of Vera who watches her sneak into the middle of the team.
— Sir, Thiago, where is your bride? – asks a journalist practically running beside him.
—Is the brunette next to you your new girlfriend?
—Is it true that your engagement has ended?
— Candidate, what do you think about your daughter dating a hearing impaired person? – asks another practically throwing himself in front of Thiago.
— Gentlemen, please, any question that is not about the project, should be forwarded to my public relations – informs Thiago getting into the car with Aline and Vera.
— At last... I can't stand these needy communities any longer. – Vera grumbles taking off her shoes.
— I thought it would be tougher, but you know, people want to know more about it, they really believe in us... And that gives a boost. Isn't that too much? – asks Aline, excited to receive an eye roll from Vera.
— I'm also finding it pretty cool – answers Thiago, loosening his tie — I don't know, I feel like I now have a purpose with my campaign.
Silence reigns in the car as the two smile at each other. Those days were the most peaceful between them, they came to understand a little more about each other. A noise appears inside the car, surprising everyone.
— Sorry, I'm starving – says Aline, running her hand over her belly.
— Me too. How about we all have lunch together? – proposes Thiago.
— I'll pass – Vera refuses, adjusting herself on the bench — I just want to go back to the hotel, take a shower and rest.
—I agree. – says Thiago. He smiles at Aline —How about we meet at the hotel's restaurant?
— Great idea – agrees Aline — A more reserved place...
— Where you won't have to run away from the photographers – Vera pins with half–closed eyes.
—I'm not running from photographers.
—It wasn't what it looked like. Want to know what it looked like? – Vera asks putting her hand on her chin.
—I don't want to know what's going on in your sick mind. – Aline counters.
— It even looks like you were a fugitive from the police – Vera comments, ignoring the other's answer — For a few moments, I really was able to swear to it.
— So you really need new glasses, because I wasn't running away from anyone – denies Aline — I just don't like pictures... I never did and I won't be exposing myself like that now.
— Stop – orders Thiago, adjusting himself — We're here, try to pretend you don't want to kill yourself, please.
He goes down being accompanied by Aline and Vera to the elevator. Silence enters until the public relations floor, which stops very close to the brunette:
— Funny you say that, because I found a newspaper from 1996 with your face stamped on it... At a wake – Vera whispers, making Aline turn around, scared. The blonde laughs as she passes Malú's aunt — Have a great lunch.
— See you in half an hour, says Thiago, also coming down from the elevator.
Aline takes a deep breath, trying to ignore Vera's provocation. She's just bluffing, she's just bluffing, he thinks as he looks at the panel.
***
Vera opens the door to her room and practically throws herself on the bed with her eyes closed. She feels exhausted, not just because of the campaign or even dealing with the poor and disabled who have become Thiago's focus, something she would never have considered having to work. Despite this, having to put up with Aline and all her benevolence is by far what leaves her most tired and frustrated. So far he hasn't been able to progress with his investigation about her, despite his intuition saying that his secret is in the accident, all the reports found showed the opposite.
— Apparently I'll have to find another way to get rid of this woman and soon, before we win the election – Vera says to herself. Then her phone rings making her look for it in her bag for a long time until she finds —Vera Lúcia, who's talking?
— Is it in this issue that I speak with someone from candidate Thiago de Almeida's team?
— Yes, you're talking to his campaign manager – informs Vera, looking for a cigarette — What do you want?
— Pay close attention. You need to get that assassin off that platform – shouts the woman on the other end of the line — You can't keep colluding with that woman.
—And which woman are we talking about? – Vera asks, dragging her cigarette.
— Aline… Aline Buarque de Melo – answers the woman, angry.
—And where do you know her from? – Vera asks choking.
—She is my daughter.
— That's great… I think we both have a lot to talk about – Vera says, smiling. Got you, Aline.
***
Thiago is sitting watching the view of Guaraqueçaba from the hotel window, he feels happy that everything is going well. He's deep in thought, when Aline sits at the table with a huge ivory–covered photo album and a smile from corner to corner:
— I've been wanting to show you for a while – comments Aline, opening the album — This is Malú's photo album, since birth.
— Wow – exclaims Thiago, slowly admiring the photos.
Photos of Anna with Malú at the maternity hospital... Photo of Anna sleeping sitting in an armchair with her daughter in her arms...
—This photo is my favorite – comments Aline.
Malú at five months with her hair in mohawk full of shampoo laughing along with Aline who was bathing her... Taking her first steps... Malú with a huge Easter egg... Malú holding Aline and Anna's hands. The three of them laughing on the couch smeared with lilac paint...
— Malú was almost four years old – explains Aline. — She was obsessed with the color lilac and then we decided to paint her room...
—And what's her favorite color today? – asks Thiago, curious.
— Depends on the mood. When they enter adolescence, they love and hate everything and everyone, very quickly – replies Aline, making Thiago smile. She turns the page, letting the photo of Malú sleeping with a book in her arms enchant the candidate — Six years... That was her favorite book... The little prince.
— Mine too – confesses Thiago, delighted with his young daughter and knowing that they had that in common.
— This photo was taken by Ícaro... She stayed up all night waiting for him and ended up falling asleep – comments Aline.
— He also read to me – reveals Thiago, sadly — Ícaro read to me, so I didn't pay attention to our parents' fights...
'Do you miss him?' – asks Aline.
— I miss my brother every day – Thiago answers with a choked voice.
— I miss him too – Aline replies, wiping her face — I've even managed to forgive him for everything...
— I still do not. He was my role model... The person I wanted to be... He knew I loved Anna. I totally understand his anger over the company, but... It's been sixteen years, Aline. – Thiago comments, pointing to the Malú Album — I was supposed to have all this in my memory, the first step, the first word, the first tooth, the first day at school... I wish I had participated in each of these moments. Even the first time she snorted at me, or asked me to hold her... I don't have those first times anymore. But I just can't forgive Ícaro for lying to me and not for preventing me from living with them. In fact, I am to blame for this absence. I should have gone against my mother, Anna was counting on me. But I was weak and I was weak... And I'll have to live with that for the rest of my life – Thiago vents crying.
— Thiago – Aline calls, making Malú's father face her — You'll have many other first times to put in this album... Photos that Anna won't be able to participate. For some reason, I decided to hold on to the fact that it was meant to be. Because if it were different, I would never have the opportunity to meet Anna and Malú, her brother, her mother... And you. I had a different idea from you and you know what? Until you're not a bad person.
—You're not a bad person either, Aline. – Thiago answers with a slight smile.
— Now, enough crying – comments Aline wiping her face. She approaches Thiago's face, cleaning it carefully, being watched by him. Malú's aunt smiles, embarrassed —Can you imagine if they catch us crying here in the restaurant?
— Well, agrees Thiago awkwardly. He closes the album and asks – Can I keep the album a little longer?
— Of course yes. Give it back to me whenever you want – replies Aline. She looks serious for a moment — Do you have any idea where Ícaro might be?
— No. The last time I saw my brother was when Malú arrived in Curitiba – answers Thiago — It was our last fight and since then, I never heard from him again. Is that you?
— Neither . But I saw him the day you went to Belo Horizonte. He came to my house... It was weird. – Aline comments, omitting the conversation she had with Ícaro — Anyway, I never saw him again.
— It sounds crazy, but sometimes I think he's close by... Watching – comments Thiago — Well, I think we'd better eat.
— I totally agree – says Aline, holding the menu.
—Anything else, sir? – asks the bartender.
— One more brandy – asks Ícaro, watching the two .