Bruno's request makes Helena close her eyes, allowing herself to go back to the moment that brought her there.
"Open your eyes, Lena," Helena's mother asks, making her daughter open her eyes in front of the mirror.
Regina sighs as she sees her daughter beautifully dressed in that princess-style white dress, filled with lace, just the way the mother of the bride had imagined. Helena could even say she was surprised, but she would be lying, because knowing her mother, she knew the dress would be nothing less than perfect.
In fact, perfection was Helena's motto ever since she was a child, as she was certain about how her life would be. Or rather, the life imposed by Regina on Helena from the night Augusto, the young woman's father, ended his marriage with Regina, right in front of the children. Marcelo was younger and understood very little, but the girl understood very well the argument between her parents, which at a certain point culminated in the conversation that would forever change her family's life:
"So tell me, Augusto, what do you want from me?"
"What I want is a selfless, submissive wife who treats me like the man I am! I'm the head of this family, not you!"
"Funny, I thought to be the head of something, you needed to work and earn money! And in your case, you do neither! It's me who works to put food on this family's table!"
"Yes, because even that, Regina, you took for yourself! Enough, I'm tired of being the butt of jokes among my friends. I need a wife who listens to me, who follows my orders without questioning... And you're not capable of that. So enough, I'm leaving."
And that was how Helena's father exited the scene, leaving room for the child's mother to do everything in her power to turn her daughter into the woman idealized by Augusto. First, Helena should focus on her studies, as that would allow her to get into law school, but she shouldn't actually practice law, as it would be just something to put her in the right circle to meet her future husband, to whom she would dedicate her life as a housewife. Something that, unfortunately, her mother couldn't do because when Helena's father left, the last thing Regina could do was take care of her children at home. Helena witnessed all her mother's suffering and promised herself that she wouldn't go through that. Not at all, she just had to follow the script devised by Regina. And so she did, in her second year of college, she met Leandro, heir to a hotel chain who was studying management. From the moment they saw each other, they were inseparable. In just a few months, she met Leandro's parents, who considered her a lovely young woman worthy of a serious commitment, which came soon after, at Helena's request, convinced by Regina, on Valentine's Day to make it a memorable occasion.
The engagement was not much different, it was on the day of their first kiss, with the groom's speech written by Helena under her mother's influence. In fact, everything was very well orchestrated by Regina. All the wedding arrangements had Regina's touch, much to the chagrin of the event planners who had to deal with the schedule and countless lists sent by email. By the way, the wedding was set for the date of Leandro's parents' thirtieth wedding anniversary. The guest list was also meticulously crafted with the right people, including Lena's bosses, whom the mother of the bride believed, seeing her daughter's happiness, would facilitate her departure from the company without Lena having to quit. Does that make sense? Perhaps not for ordinary mortals, but for Regina, it made perfect sense.
The honeymoon was up to Helena, but with countless recommendations from Regina, who made it very clear that it should be to Leandro's liking, and so it was. Leandro had always dreamed of taking a trip to Parati and practicing his favorite sport, cycling, as well as doing trails, diving, surfing, and other sports. In fact, Parati was chosen to satisfy Leandro's desire to visit the coastal city. Yes, Helena was fully aware that her honeymoon didn't seem at all romantic and didn't match her personality. Every time she told people about the prepared itinerary, they questioned:
"A honeymoon is for the couple, what did you plan for both of you?"
"And what about the romantic part?"
"What do you want, Helena?"
"And what about you, what do you want to do?"
The only thing Helena did was smile and say that the plans were perfect for her and that the important thing was for Leandro to be happy because his happiness was hers too.
"I'm coming in."
The door to the room opens, allowing Marcelo, her brother, to enter. He stares at his sister for a moment, admiring her bridal beauty as she continues to analyze every detail of her dress in search of any flaws.
"Wow, you look beautiful," Marcelo compliments her, ignored by his sister. He starts waving his arms towards her while saying, "Lena, you look beautiful... Hey, Lena! Earth calling Lena!"
"What?" Lena asks, annoyed with her brother.
"Am I okay?" her brother asks, showing his black tuxedo to Lena, who grimaces. "What's wrong?"
"Your tie is crooked," the sister says, approaching Marcelo and practically choking him with the tie. She then adjusts his shirt, belt, and lapel. "Now, yes, not as bad."
"And with you, perfect Lena," Marcelo teases, receiving a death glare from his sister. "Poor Leandro, he'll have to put up with you for the rest of his life."
"Marcelo, leave your sister alone," Regina requests, seriously. "Well, I think we can go now, or we'll have to pay the fine for the hall... and the Sala São Paulo is not cheap."
The wedding was organized at the historical heritage site of São Paulo, the headquarters of the São Paulo State Symphony Orchestra, Leandro's parents' favorite orchestra. Granted, attending the orchestra wasn't something within Helena's reality, but Regina convinced her to attend to please her future in-laws, and now her daughter will get married at Sala São Paulo.
"Marcelo," Helena calls out, watching her mother arrange the bouquet of red roses symbolizing the first rose Leandro gave to her. Her brother gives her an unfriendly look. "You had the audacity to take my fiancé to a bachelor party. Did you check if he's okay?"
"The bachelor party that you and Mom forced me to end at ten o'clock in the evening, without any alcoholic drinks? If you're talking about that, don't worry, I left your fiancé safe and sound at home. No need to worry," Marcelo replies. "Okay, he needs to be at Sala São Paulo by 6 p.m. We still have the photos in thirty minutes," Regina says, looking at her notebook of notes. "Great," Helena says, looking at the mirror while making some faces. "What's this?" Marcelo asks, annoyed by his sister's expressions. "What are you doing?" "Your sister is practicing expressions for the wedding," Regina replies in place of her daughter. "She can't appear horrible in the wedding photos. The photographer's service is extremely expensive." "Why not hire a cheaper guy? Besides, this wedding could have been much cheaper..." Marcelo comments, flopping down on the sofa. "It's such a waste of money, all of this. And for what? People will eat, drink, and still gossip about everything! I don't know, t
Bruno gazes at Helena, deep in thought. In a million years, he wouldn't have imagined that this sweet girl had gone through all that. She turns towards him and offers her best smile amidst the pain in her eyes. Helena looks back at the ocean and then feels Bruno's hand holding hers in the sand. She continues staring at the sea because if she looks at Bruno, she feels the tears will take over her face, and Lena isn't willing to allow that. Cry in front of a stranger? Not in a million years! Gradually, Bruno's fingers move away from hers, and he turns back to face the sea, in silence. They remain like that for a few long minutes until Bruno takes a deep breath and asks: "So, you decided to come on this trip to try to convince him that you're not the person he accused you of being?" "No," Helena denies, shaking her head, smiling. "Actually, that would be an obvious reason, but no..." "Did you come because the tickets were non-refundable, and you decided not to waste that money?" Bruno
Helena opens her eyes and for a matter of seconds, she had the feeling that she was awakening elsewhere, at another time in her life. A moment a few days ago, to be more exact. Perhaps because it was exactly the day, I would be returning from this trip. She holds up her left hand, making sure it was just a feeling to feel the weight of her perfectly chosen 18-carat gold wedding rings for her wedding day. Close your eyes by smoothing your finger as you let go of your mother’s words. It was true that Helena did not want to have the fate of her mother, and that she had agreed to go to Parati just to rub the email in the face of the daring attendant. And of course, also reflect on how to reverse the situation, but now... Now that didn’t make any sense. It would reverse the situation, and w "Bruno, this way I might have to hire you as my employee." Bruno and Helena turn towards the direction of that calm voice and come face to face with a woman with long gray hair in a generous braid, sit
Bruno and Helena dismount their bikes, panting. They gave it their all, pedaling as fast as possible to get back to Parati before the sunset was over. Some stars were already appearing when they finally stopped in front of the inn where Helena was staying. She takes off her helmet, hands it to him, and receives in return her bag with the cachaças she bought. "Thank you for today," the young woman says, adjusting her blonde hair behind her ear. "Always at your service," Bruno replies, looking at the girl with a daring smile. "What's up?" she asks, smiling, feeling awkward. "And so?" "And so what?" "Did you feel the passion? Are you in love?" Bruno asks nervously. Helena's face turns as red as a tomato, forcing Bruno to continue quickly: "I mean, with the place... Maria Izabel's story." "Oh... Yes, it was all incredible and captivating," Helena replies, relieved. She then raises an eyebrow, saying, "Of course, that doesn't change our deal." "Of course not. I hadn't even thought a
Bruno arrives at the closed store where his friends have already put the bicycles outside. He stores the bikes and takes the helmets to the locker. He puts away his helmet and then takes the one used by Helena, caressing it carefully as his mind wanders through the day's memories. Bruno focuses mainly on the moments when she smiles at him or looked at him, enigmatic. He smiled, recalling how happy Helena was on Corumbê Beach. "Glad we'll see each other tomorrow, Helena," Bruno thinks, putting away the helmet. Just thinking about the next day makes him anxious, leaving butterflies in his stomach as he counts the minutes to see the young woman with blonde hair once again. He arrives home, and his parents are already in their room, which is better for Bruno, who also goes to his own room. He takes a shower and then lies down, falling asleep while thinking about Helena. The next day, Bruno gets up before his father, who is surprised by his son's enthusiasm as he has already prepared break
Helena opens her eyes and, for a few seconds, feels like she's waking up somewhere else, at another moment in her life. It's a moment from a few days ago, to be exact. Perhaps because it was the day she would be returning from this trip. She raises her left hand, making sure it's just a sensation to feel the weight of her 18-carat gold ring, perfectly chosen by her for her wedding day. She closes her eyes, caressing her finger while letting her mother's words sink in. Indeed, Helena didn't want to end up like her mother, and she had agreed to go to Parati just to rub the email in the face of the audacious clerk. Of course, she also wanted to reflect on how to reverse the situation, but now... Now, it didn't make any sense. She would change the situation, and then what? Marry Leandro and pretend that nothing he said affected her? Ignore that this trip had affected her? Conceal that Bruno was stirring something in her in two days that her fiancé couldn't do in years? "What?" Helena excl
Helena starts shaking her head, refusing to go, but gradually, her gesture turns into a yes accompanied by a broad smile for Bruno. "Great! Let's take my bike," Bruno says, walking towards the back of the shop while holding Helena's hand. She follows him, under the curious gaze of their friends, who don't understand Bruno's actions. Bruno adjusts the bike and then helps Helena get on the back. The blonde feels awkward, not knowing where to hold on, and then Bruno places her hands around his waist. "Hold on tight," he said. He starts pedaling, making an effort not to focus on Helena's breath on his neck as she tries to balance. The feeling of her being there, holding him, sends shivers down his spine and warms his heart, as if he had been expecting this moment for a long time. Helena, on the other hand, is intoxicated by the scent of Bruno's cologne. She tries not to admit it, but it's challenging to contain herself while feeling the defined abs of the young man. The two get lost in
Bruno takes Helena to his parent's room, and while the young woman stands at the door, he goes to the wardrobe and opens it. Bruno doesn't need to search much and finds some well-packaged female outfits. He takes two of them and tosses one toward Helena. "Found them," he says, tossing one of the outfits to her. "See if it fits you." "Here? Is this your room?" Helena asked, apprehensive. "Uhm, no... Come on," Bruno beckoned, taking Helena's hand and leading her to his room. He opens the door and points inside. "Make yourself comfortable." "Thank you," Helena said, entering Bruno's room. She turns around and notices Bruno still standing by the door, watching her. "Could you... close the door, please?" "Oh, sure. Sorry. Let me know when you're done," Bruno asked, before closing the door. Helena then turns around and starts removing her clothes, trying on the first outfit, which fits her perfectly, to her surprise. She puts on the second one, and it fits her like a glove, making her