Chapter 2

MANUELA'S POV

I was still in shock at the image of Ricardo coming out the landing door, pulling a small suitcase, and carrying a backpack on his back. The athletic and sensual body, which i saw in the photos of social networks, was hidden under neath the white t-shirt and leather jacket. But there was no way i couldn't imagine everything that should be hidden by those clothes. Controlling the direction of my eyes was very difficult, especially when he called me Manuela Banguela. How I hated and loved it, to the same extent. It was like revisiting the past, with the difference that Ric was no longer the prince charming of my children's stories. Now he was the protagonist of the spicy stories I wrote. That's right, I wrote love stories, filled with moments too intimate to be revealed at that moment. How was I supposed to tell him that? And worse, to say that the inspiration for my characters was my childhood love. The best thing was to change the subject before he asked to read one of my books. So I reinforced the request for us to go to the beach the next day. It would be a way to evaluate the material more closely. Probably my stories would be a lot more realistic after my inspiration destowed in swimwear in front of me.

Ricardo was tall and had a breathtaking athletic body. The light hair and the honey-colored eyes fascinated me. Ever since I was a kid, I was in love with him. But because of our age difference, he never looked at me any other way than to be like his sister's best friend. Now that I was 21 and he was 32, that difference wasn't that important.

I went into my room and opened the notebook. My head was buzzing with ideas for a new story. Most of the time it was like this. All it took was a conversation, a movie, or a simple event to awaken my creative and naughty side. Alice said it was the fault of the boiling hormones inside my body. I was 21 and a virgin. All the stories I wrote had nothing to do with my reality, they were just the fruit of my imagination and the erotic films I watched.

After spending four hours typing frantically, I went down to eat something. Writing took me out of hunger and so I had to take strategic breaks to feed myself.

― If it wasn't for the annoying noise of your keyboard, I wouldn't even know you were home — he mocked Andrew, thrown on the couch like a king. My brother was a football player and he didn't do anything else besides that. When I wasn't training or traveling through the championships, I was dumped on the couch playing video games. It caused me spasms of disappointment. It's okay that he was a player with a promising future, but while that day wasn't enough, it didn't hurt to get his brain working a little bit.

― Why don't you drop this video game and go take a course, visit a theater, a museum? — I mocked.

― Because I don't have time for that. Besides, the brilliant mind of the family is you.

― You know I love you, right? Your backrest. But it would be nice to see you go out for more cultural programs and not be around the night in bars and parties — I suggested, while preparing a cheese and ham sandwich for both of us.

― I think you should have more fun. College is making you obsessed. Life goes by too fast, sisy — he moved the remote control like he was playing tennis.

― Okay! I don't you off and you don't fill mine. Agreed? ― I walked up to him and stretched out the plate with the snack.

― Accordingly! By the way, I'm off tomorrow. Are we going to do something? ― he got out of control and took the sandwich.

― Ricardo arrived from vigem today and we are thinking of going to the beach.

― Really? — he asked with his mouth full — I thought he was still going to be a while to come. Legal! I'm coming with you.

― Has Daddy arrived yet?

― Not yet. You know he's only late.

That was information that saddened me. Since the breakup, Dad's only lived for work. When my mother left, I was only five. I didn't feel the loss like my brother, who at the height of his eleven years, knew exactly how much a mother would miss. Fortunately we were able to count on the support of the Marcondes family. We lived more in their house than in our own house. That was how it was until Adolescence, when I began to worry more about my father's health and stay more at home.

Ricardo, Alice, Andrew and I grew up together, as great friends. Although Ric was much older, he always shared the games and adventures with us. Not even when he turned 18 and became interested in adult things, he stopped being present. I had a platonic passion for him. I loved the way he smiled, his conversations and jokes. I imagined that he was my prince charming and that he would protect me from any danger. My dream since I was a little girl was to marry Ric, but when he left my little, childish heart broke into a thousand pieces.

I followed your life for those eight years. I saw the pictures he sent alice and was present when he came to visit his parents. We never lost touch until six years ago, when he brought the bride to meet the family. I remember that day I cried a lot when I got to dinner and saw them together. I decided to leave at the same time. It was the first time I was absent from a family marcondes event. Then we didn't talk anymore, and I shouldn't have missed him, because he never called me or tried to find out about me. That love only existed in my imagination.

Now that he was back, and better yet, undone engagement, it was my chance to win him over. I had learned to love myself and emphasize my physical beauty. I wasn't as tossed as the ladies of my stories, but I wasn't going to stop taking the opportunity before another odd job threw itself into the arms of my love. All right, I was a denial in the relationship. I've had some boyfriends before, but no serious thing. I was completely inexperienced, virgin and fearful. My last engagement was with a guy much older than me, by the way, I had a thing for more mature men. Mark was a businessman, owner of a restaurant chain, the kind that would attract any woman. But in addition to my heart beating hard for someone else, the reason it didn't work out was that Mark controlled me obsessively. I wanted to decide how I dressed, who I was talking to, and hated the idea of me studying medicine. That was causing me so much revulsion that one day I ended up and blocked it in all my networks. I would never have admitted to having a man handle me.

It might have worked if he wasn't such a manipulative person, because he showed up just at the time when I wanted to get Ric out of my life. But I couldn't, and the passion only increased even more when I heard that he had finished dating and was returning to Brazil. Then my heart couldn't stand emotion. I dreamed again of the possibility of having my great love close to me. It wouldn't be easy to make him see me as a woman and not as his childhood friend. But, as Alice always said, there's nothing you can't do if you really want to. That man would be my too, and then he'd cross my path.

The next morning I got up very excited. I put on my lacy bikini, a denim shorts and a white T-shirt. I fastened my hair in a coe at the top of my head and pulled a few strands to sensualize. I shred on the lipstick, a little perfume and sunglasses to complete. I felt beautiful and hot. There's no way he wouldn't notice me.

Andrew didn't take long to get down, which I found very strange. My brother never woke up early, unless on training days. When he invited himself, I honestly thought it was just straw fire, but he was there, down the stairs, wearing microfiber shorts and a gray shirt that left him a charm. My brother was a cat and something told me that his interest was greater than seeing his childhood friend. I had begun to realize that he looked at Alice differently, but he was still not sure. Today I'll keep an eye on him. I'm not going to let him hurt my friend. Andrew was very womanizing and as much as I loved him, He knew that my brother was not an easy person.

― Am I kitty? ― he asked all the little ones.

— I didn't think I'd be able to get up so soon — I spoke coldly.

— I wasn't going to miss this meeting for nothing.

― Andreeeeew!!! What are you up to?

― I'm not up to anything, sis. I just miss my friend - he shrugged and got in the car.

― For your own safety I hope that's all. If I know your intentions are different, I'll kill you, understand? ― I threatened after slamming the door and sticking the key in the ignition.

― What that? What's all the violence for? — he stretched out his arms as if he were surrendering.

— Let's go before I give up taking you with me — I put on my belt and rolled my eyes.

By the time we got to the beach, Alice and Ric were already waiting for us. We greeted each other and put our things on top of the canga. The sight of that man in surfer's shorts shocked me. How am I going to control myself until we're alone? It was the middle of summer and the weather was very stuffy. I had barely arrived and was already on fire in that heat. At least that's what I wanted to believe.

― What about brother? How long! ― Andrew greeted him with a handshake and a hug.

― Didn't you bring the board? ― Ric asked.

― I'm a little rusty. But let's schedule catching a wave next time.

― Certainly. My sister decided to learn. Let's schedule some classes in the morning. If you want to... You're invited too, Manu!

― I don't know if I have the guts.

— Manu was already stuck in that room so long that she's white as paper. Did you know she's a writer?

— Yes, I heard. I want an autographed book.

― What a delay! Get off your clothes and we're going to fall in the water, Manu! ― I realized that Alice was trying to get me out of that tight skirt and decided to take the opportunity to change the subject.

— I was waiting for my father to leave. You know how he is. He works until Sundays - I explained while taking off my shorts and t-shirt.

― He is still with... with... the workshop? ― Ric stuttered and I wondered if it had to do with seeing me only in a bikini. Was I seeing things or did I make Ric Rich blush?

― Yes, it is. He spends all day there. It makes me very worried and...

— Let's go to the water, Manu ― Alice interrupted by pulling me by the hand, without even giving time for me to finish answering.

My friend was more excited than usual, and I resumed the theory that something was going on between her and Andrew. I was afraid to ask and end up throwing firewood at a dead fire. It was better not to risk it. If it was in my head, I'd end up drawing Alice's attention to my brother. We got into the cold water and my whole body got chilled. Actually, I didn't like the beach, I preferred the pool at Alice's house. But since my crush was dying to miss your board, I wasn't going to be silly to let you parade down the beach alone.

— I need to tell you something — Alice whispered in my ear.

― What is it? Why are you so agitated?

— Ric kept asking about you yesterday.

― Asking about me? What do you mean, you don't know? ― my eyes widened and my heart went off.

― I wanted to know if you were dating, if you were liking someone. When I asked him what the interest was, he disguised it and said it was just concern. But it's in the face that he shook when he saw you at the airport.

― Alice! I'm afraid to create expectations. You know how I suffered when he showed up with that girlfriend. ― I justified it as we jumped the waves.

― I know, so I'm telling you. I know how much you've liked him since we were kids. This is the time for you to act with everything. Now he's vulnerable because of the breakup with Jade. Enjoy it and put it against the wall.

― I don't know — I contracted my lips and shook my head.

― If you don't try, you'll never know.

My friend was willing to become your sister-in-law and I was loving it. I looked towards the sand and saw Ric running with his board next to his body. He walked past us and gave me a wink that made my whole body tremble. Blimey! That wasn't a man, it was a god of the oceans. Aquaman couldn't get to his feet.

― I don't know if it's water or drool, that's what's dripping from her mouth — Alice pointed to my face and started laughing.

― You slut! You really make fun of me - I threw water on her.

― It looks like my little brother is making a success of it!

― What do you mean?

― Look there the piriguetes on duty in the sand.

I followed Alice's look and came across two tall blondes, drying my Aquaman. They kept laughing and showing off throwing their asses back and side. Bitches! If they think you have a chance with my man, they're very wrong. I've got years of advantage, bitches!

― Alice, go back to the sand ― I ordered.

― Why?

— Let me put an end to the joy of these bitches — I spoke, stuffing my chest and prancing my chin, very angry.

— Oh, my God. I created a monster. You scare me!