My body felt as relaxed as ever. I could feel the soft sheets caressing my skin every time I moved. Everything felt so good and comfortable that I moaned in satisfaction and stretched out lazily on the bed. And it was then that I remembered where I was. Rather, I remembered where I was supposed to be: on the sofa in Damien's living room.Then I opened my eyes and jumped up, lifting my body off the mattress, noticing that I was in a bedroom, lying on a completely white and unfamiliar bed. But how had I ended up there? Was that Damien's room? I shuddered at the thought of it. I ran my eyes around the room, looking for any sign of him. But there was nothing. With the exception of the mess I had made of the bed, the rest looked immaculate. The sun penetrated through the gaps in the blinds of the large glass windows, which a calm breeze made sway. It was the most elegant room I had ever entered and for a few moments I was paralyzed just looking at the perfect decoration. When I finally tu
As I took the last bite of ravioli on my plate under Damien's watchful eye, I rested the cutlery on the table and grabbed a napkin to wipe any traces of sauce from my lips. The table we were at was small and in a covered area in the garden. From where I was standing I could see the huge swimming pool and I could also appreciate the beautiful house crafted from glass, steel and marble. - It was all very nice. Thank you. - I didn't have much idea of etiquette, so I at least appealed to good manners. - You've hardly eaten anything. - Damien made a gesture and George approached us.Yes, Mr. Mason? - Dismiss the chef, I don't think the food was pleasant enough. - I widened my eyes. He was going to fire the chef because I hadn't eaten enough? I had to do something! - No! George and Damien looked away from me. - I mean, everything was great. Wonderful. There's no need to fire anyone.So why did you eat so little? - Damien looked at me suspiciously. - I don't usually eat much. - Of cou
- "I've come to finish what I was saying, Lieutenant. My report on your performance wasn't wrong."- "Is that right?"- "That's right. But I couldn't say everything. I see genius in your flying, but I couldn't say it there. I was afraid that everyone in that class would see right through me. I don't want anyone to know that I've fallen in love with you."- Could you watch the movie without mumbling the lines, Professor Charlie? - Arianna hissed next to me, making me let out a small laugh and look at her.- I wish I looked like Kelly McGillis. - I looked away from her to see Kelly and Tom Cruise kissing on television.- I'd like to be like her too. Seducing Tom Cruise is only for a few. - Arianna took the bowl of ice cream from my hands and scooped some out with her spoon.It was our Saturday of old movies and the one chosen this time had been our favorite. Our beloved Rogue Aces. We were at Arianna's house and it must have been around ten at night. Her father, an elderly retired man,
- So? How did it go? - Baby left the bench and came over to me.- I've been hired. - I shared with a smile.Baby hugged me, leaving me suddenly surprised.- Oops! I'm sorry. - She looked embarrassed. - I always do that.- That's why I can't get a boyfriend, I smother people. - She frowned in annoyance. I couldn't help but laugh a little.- Don't worry about it. - I consoled her. I already felt empathy for the girl I had just met. Perhaps because she had helped me.- You'll need the list of documents! - Baby ran back to the table and came back to me with a piece of paper. - Here it is.- I can't thank you enough. You've helped me so much. - I held her hand.You're welcome. - She squeezed my hand back. - Wow! I didn't even tell you my name. Sorry again. My name is Barbara, but everyone calls me Baby.- I know, I know. Your boss told me. - I smiled and she smiled back.- Would you like to have lunch with me? I'm going now and I can tell you what's waiting for you on Saturday. I'll also b
The evening passed without any more surprises and although Damien continued to stare at me intensely every time I approached to serve the table, he never spoke to me again. the table, he never spoke to me again.Aunt Meiry had told me that David had improved and had even managed to eat his dinner, which left me deeply relieved to go to work without any more worries. Around ten, everyone started to leave and the place became emptier and emptier until everyone left. I didn't get to see when Damien left because at the end of dinner I stayed in the kitchen to help clean up everything we used.- Ell, I know you've done a lot of work today, but I need someone to go to room two and wipe down the tables. The others will finish here and as there are only a few tables, it won't be too hard a job. Can you do that? - Baby held my shoulder.- Of course I can. - I put the bowl I was polishing on the table.- Thank you. - She smiled and put the flannel in my hand along with a cleaning product. - I'v
- Julia, did you give the rent money to Mr. Paulo as I asked? - I said as I opened the oven to check on the lasagna I was preparing for our lunch.- I did, Ell. And I told him everything you told me. - Julia replied without taking her eyes off her handset.- And what did he say?- He said that everything is all right and that now you don't owe anything. - I let out a sigh of relief. The rents had all been paid.I looked at the color of the cheese and inhaled the good smell of my little work of art. Cooking was something I enjoyed doing, especially cooking for my brothers during my time off. We were separated a lot, so I cherished those days because I could make something they liked to eat and the three of us could talk.- Where's David? - I closed the oven again and glanced at the clock. Just a few more minutes.- He's lying in his room. - Julia put down the phone and looked at me. - Will lunch be long?- No, it won't. - I started to arrange the plates on the table. - Everything shoul
¨But if he's not one of yours and he's not one of ours either... Then whose is he?"- He's from the navy. - Tk spoke next to me and I pushed him. - What?- Don't tell me the movie. - I replied.- You've already seen this movie, Ellen. - He said in a bored voice.- I know, but I don't like being told. - I replied and laughed, knowing there was no point in my answer.Takashi laughed too. I looked over to the other sofa and saw David asleep cuddled up with the Supernatural box set.- Thank you, David. - I turned to Takashi. - He was very happy.- It was nothing, Ell. - Tk smiled tenderly. - I wish I could do more for you. I know things haven't been easy for you Ellen... - the sentence suddenly died on his lips.- What is it, Tk?- Ellen, I know it's none of my business, but why did you leave with that guy on your last night at the club? - I was silent for a few moments. I didn't know how to answer that question, without bringing up new questions to be answered as well.answered. But befo
Damien's hand rested calmly on the curve of my waist, but he didn't seem to have a third of that calmness as we crossed the entrance to a restaurant in Copacabana. As I had feared, the place was exquisite and I could already see some people looking at us curiously from the side where the tables were spread out.- You said it would be a discreet place, Damien. - I stammered softly.- It will be, Darling. But this entrance is unavoidable. - He replied without looking at me.- Your table is ready, Mr. Mason. - A well-dressed man informed me and then gave me an unflattering look, making me cringe. - I'll take you.- I know the way. - Damien said harshly and the man seemed to pale. - Tell Frederico I've arrived.- Yes, sir. - The man nodded and walked away.Damien then began to lead us towards an entrance that I hadn't noticed before. It consisted of two glass doors framed by dark, well-kept wood. As soon as we passed through them, I came across a large garden with the most diverse species
BONUS DAMIENI stopped before entering the balcony, just enjoying it. She looked even more beautiful against the classic Italian backdrop. Her hair took on bronze tones in the sunset and the exposed skin that slipped through her robe glowed, capturing my attention. To think that the woman sitting on the parapet with her eyes focused on the Italian landscape was my wife filled me with pride and relief. I tightened my fingers around the glass, silently thanking her for having me. I wouldn't risk losing her ever again. I would take care of her. My eyes went down to her abdomen with our little miracle that still had no sign. I would take care of them both.She wouldn't suffer any more, I would make sure that everything for her went full and happy. That's what she deserved after so much suffering. I made her my life from the moment we walked up the aisle on the island of Solstice and I would love her until the very end.Ellen raised the coffee cup next to her to her lips and her well-drawn
To my surprise, Nicholas and Arianna managed to get along and ended up giving a speech together. Damien and I danced together once again in the Golden Room, to the same music we danced to the first time. When I heard Michael Bolton's final chord, I managed to snatch him into the garden before we were surrounded once again by guests. He looked as surprised as I had imagined when he saw himself in the hotel's empty garden. - Where's my present? - You'll have to look for it. - I nibbled my lower lip and took a step back.Damien frowned in confusion. - All over the garden? - In the immediate vicinity. - I nodded positively. He smiled and ran his hands through the hair on the back of my neck. Then he looked around and I smiled when I realized he was lost as to which direction to go first. - Look, Mr. Mason! - I urged him. Damien looked at me and smiled in my direction and then started walking towards a flowering bush. - It's not there. - I warned him. He stopped immediately. Then
" - I promise to protect and respect you, loving you and our family above myself and my desires. I'll be there every time you need me, because you're the woman I've always hoped for and the only one I've ever really loved, Ellen. As long as my heart beats, it will beat for you and to you."His words still rang in my ears, like a sweet dream. I closed my eyes to remember the recent emotions I had experienced in front of the altar, when he promised me that we would be each other's forever. I opened my eyes and looked at my reflection in the mirror. The happiness was so great that I couldn't keep the tears at bay. We decided on an informal ceremony on the beach before sunset. sunset. Solstice Island was the chosen location. There, six months after an intense night, Damien and I exchanged the vows that would last the rest of our lives. rest of our lives. It was almost impossible to believe that after the troubled way we met, things would end in such a beautiful way.However, things weren'
- No, no, no... - He pulled me close and wrapped his suit around my waist. I wanted to help him, but I was feeling weak and dizzy.- My love, don't... - Damien sobbed and his lips touched my forehead. - It's all my fault...I reached out slowly and took his arm. He hadn't forgotten me. He had come back to me, as he had promised. And although I was in a lot of pain, my heart warmed inside with happiness.- You came back... But when you called me... I thought...- Ellen, forgive me... - her fingers brushed my right cheek.- It was supposed to be a surprise... I wanted to make you happy...He seemed to despair even more and his sobs became louder.I held his face between my hands.- It's all right... Damien, I... - I felt a twinge and let out a groan, but I didn't give up. I had been foolish to hide my feelings from him and now there was no turning back. It was the deadline. - I love you. I love you with everything I am.Damien let out an agonized moan and more thick tears rolled down hi
I spent Monday trying to distract myself. I bought ice cream and rented romantic comedies to watch, even alone. Jenny and Arianna tried to persuade me to go to a club in Urca, but I refused on the grounds of feeling unwell. Which, in a way, wasn't a lie. They accepted my excuses, but assured me that they would come and visit me later.At lunchtime, I put a supermarket lasagna in the oven and mixed it with some rice. At times I couldn't help shedding a few tears and convinced myself that I was only doing it out of emotion for a few scenes in the movies. At least that's what I'd tell Julia and David when they arrived in the evening. I curled up on the sofa and stared at my cell phone. I'd called Arianna just before four o'clock, but she hadn't picked up or returned my call. She must still be at the club with Jenny. So I kept my cell phone in my hand, staring at his name.I should have told Damien. Told him how I felt. He was right when he said he was the only one fighting for what we ha
I watched the black liquid drip down and gradually fill the cup with dishes of the same color. I continued to pour it slowly and without any pretense of paying attention to the task at hand. That's how I'd been acting since that morning after the Solstice.The cup finally reached the goal I had hoped for. I sighed and brought it to my lips, trying to convince myself to face the hours that awaited me outside. I concentrated only on the taste of the strong coffee for a few moments, but soon the scene was back in my mind. His blue eyes had a melancholy glow and were as hazy as the cloudy morning sky when we arrived at theinternational airport. He tried to convince me to accept the keys to his house one more time, but I stood firm in my decision.Finally giving up, he gently took my hand and brought it to his lips, placing a kiss full of devotion under my skin. I choked back a sob and Damien moved closer, placing his cupped hand on my left cheek.- Are you sure you don't want to come wit
He seemed to hesitate and then let out a long sigh.- I need to go back. - He revealed what I already knew, but added something more.Things in New York have changed a lot and I'll have no choice but to leave. My trip is scheduled for tomorrow. - Then I finally understood what was happening. The whole thing was our farewell. It was to end our relationship. I felt my heart speed up and then tighten in my chest. This was the momentthat I had always dreaded, even though I knew it was bound to happen. Damien and I were from different worlds and at some point the gap between us would become apparent.- It's all right. - I stroked the hair on the back of his neck and held his gaze, but when I felt my eyes getting teary, I put my face on his shoulder. - I'll understand.I had nothing to complain about. When we got together, our time together became something precious to me. So it wasn't fair to spoil the moments he had prepared for us with tears.- Ellen. - Damien called me, but I couldn't
Damien rested his free hand on my waist and we walked to the garage as if we were once again going to one of the usual parties. He chose the Ferrari this time and before long we were crossing Rio de Janeiro.Damien kept silent about our destination and really surprised me when he maneuvered the car and parked it in front of the international airport.- You'll be well looked after, Mr. Mason. - A man in a suit with an airport badge met us. - The platform is ready for you.- Platform? - I looked at Damien without understanding.He just smiled and led me into the airport. Another employee greeted us with a smile and I was stunned when we stepped onto the take-off platform.- Your private jet is ready, sir. I wish you a safe journey.He waved goodbye.- Jet? Damien, we're going...- We're going somewhere special. And since I know how much you like that airplane movie, I got a bit of inspiration since I know how to fly and I think I look better than Tom Cruise. - I let out a laugh.- Wait
David had a huge smile on his face when he entered the house and the first thing he did was announce that it was time to catch up on his series. Jenny and Arianna were also with us. Aunt Meiry had gone to the hospital, but couldn't follow us home, promising to come and see us later.- Things seem to be getting back to normal. - Arianna glared at me as I finished sorting out the chocolate cake I had made for David.- Yeah. It looks like they are. - I agreed.- What is it, Ell? - Jenny stopped pouring herself a soft drink next to me and stared at me. - You don't seem very excited.- I am. - I smiled at her. - I'm very happy that David is finally home.- But... - Jenny insisted. - You can't fool us, my friend. Go ahead.She gestured to Arianna who went to the door leading to the living room and then came back.- David is explaining something about that series he likes to Julia and Renata. We can talk about it.- I'm fine. - I assured them. They both looked at me incredulously. - Damien i