4th Chapter

We entered the mansion and everything was so neat and beautiful. The living room was huge, a fireplace, chic sofas, a giant TV.

Near the fireplace there was a man standing looking at us. It must be another Lorenzo employee, although, he doesn't seem to wear a uniform or walk like a penguin like Marcos (the bodyguard and driver).

 “Lara, this is my son, Daniel.” Points to the man standing by the fireplace.

I was unable to express myself. I was too shocked by the news. My God! He has a son older than me! What the fuck!

He is completely different from his father. He’s tall, well stocked. Has green eyes and spiky medium blond hair. It must have filled the hair with gel to look like that...

“You're kidding, right dad?”

I recover from the trance and look at Lorenzo.

“Of course not.”

“She is a girl!”

I cross my arms and tie my face.

“And you think I wanted to be here?”

The two look at me. Lorenzo with a half smile and Daniel with a raised eyebrow.

“Can you explain that to me?” He looks very upset now. If he doesn't like my presence, I hope he sends me back!

“I would also like explanations, after all, you said you were going to tell me everyrhing and so far I haven't heard” I say looking at Lorenzo. He chuckles.

“I'll explain everything.”

“Great!” I talk with Daniel and we exchange angry looks.

“I need to get married again in order to keep our properties.”

I look disgusted and then my eyes dart to Daniel involuntarily. He's with his arms crossed looking in my direction I am serious at the same moment.

“And what do I have to do with that?”

“Well, since your father was looking for a husband for you, it fitted perfectly.”

“So you're a pedophile?” I challenge and watch Daniel approach me.

“Look how you talk to my father!”

“As I recall, I'm talking to him and not to you.”

“Stop it!” Lorenzo fights. He strokes his belly and runs his hand through his hair, or what’s left of it. “You are supposed to get along and not go to war!”

“Explain it to me better then. Is this marriage like a “business”?”

“We can say yes.”

“That’s why you said I can get a divorce later?”

“That.”

“Thank God!”

Lorenzo burst out laughing, startling me. I look at Daniel and see a hint of a smile, but he disguises it as soon as my eyes are on him.

“You are always like this?”

“As?”

“No filter.”

“Like I say what I want?”

“Yes.”

“Of course.”

“Great!” He says ironic and looks at his father. “Couldn't you find at least someone more polite?”

“Dani!” He scolds.

“Look who's talking! The well of delicacy!” I say irritated and Lorenzo laughs.

“I see how easy this is going to be,” he says wryly.

“A lot.” I answer in the same tone.

“Good. Come with me. I'll show you the house.”

“OK.”

I follow Lorenzo. When we're leaving the room, I look back. Daniel looked at me with crossed arms. I smile wryly, and he tries, but he can't help but smile.

Lorenzo showed me around the place, it was very big! It's very beautiful. The good thing about being big is that I don't have to cross paths with his handsome, brownish son. What is it? He's annoying, but I'm not going to be a liar. It's beautiful to die! So let's not be false here.

“This is your room.”

I go in and look everything. It is twice as big as mine and very neat. The bed is double — something that mine was not — the closet is huge and exaggerated in my opinion. And there’s a bathroom.

A bathroom of my own!

“Liked?”

“It's very beautiful.”

“How nice. Sit down and let's talk for a while.”

“All right.” I sit on the edge of the bed, and he sits next to me.

“I know that this situation must not be pleasant for you.”

“This is not a secret.” Lorenzo laughs at my answer.

“I know. But you see, as it is a ‘business’ as you said yourself, we don't need to be a real husband and wife. You understand?”

“Good! That was the part that worried me the most.”

“I won't do that to you, girl. I could take advantage of the situation, but I will not do that.”

“Thanks.”

He smiles and several wrinkles appear on his face.

“You can have your life normally, understand? I just don't want you to be seen with anyone out there.”

“What do you mean?”

“You can date if you want. I am not repressing you, because this is not really a marriage, not for both of us.”

“Are you saying that I can be with other people if I want to?” I ask, perplexed.

“Exactly. I will not deprive you of living your youth because of your father's strange desire.”

“I'm starting to like you, you know?”

The laugh was loud and it made me laugh together.

“I'm sure we'll get along, Miss Lara.”

“If you don't change your mind about what you said now, I also think we'll get along.”

“I'll let you rest now. If you want you can take a walk around the place, but be careful not to get lost!”

“Thanks.”

Lorenzo leaves the room and I remain in the same place still anesthetized about what I heard.

This is very weird!

****

The next day I got up with someone knocking on the door. I opened it and it was a woman. She was short like Lorenzo, but with dark skin and curly hair. He had a friendly smile on his face.

“Good morning, Miss! My name is Rosa and I am the cook.”

“Nice to meet you, Rosa.”

“Shall we go down for breakfast? The bosses are already seated at the table.”

“I'll be down in two minutes.”

“All right.”

She leaves and I change my clothes. I go to the dining room and when I arrive, the two of them are seated and the table is full of food. Which I think is an exaggeration since apparently only three of us are going to eat.

“Good morning, girl! Sit down.”

“Good Morning.”

“Dani ...” Lorenzo looks at him suggestively. He rolls his eyes.

“Good Morning.”

“And I'm the uneducated one,” I mumble loudly enough for him to hear. Daniel looks at me seriously. Is it just me or is he looking better today?

“Sleep well?” Lorenzo asks.

“Yes, thanks. I wanted to know something...”

“What?”

“How are you going to get Teci?”

“What is Teci?” Daniel asks and I give him an angry look. Before he can give a rude answer, Lorenzo replies:

“Her mare.”

“Do you have a mare?”

“Is there a problem with that?” I ask bitterly.

“Daniel is passionate about horses.”

I remain silent looking at him. Something good he has, doesn't he?

“There are many here too. If you want to ride, feel free” says Lorenzo. I smile widely and see Daniel smile together.

“What about Teci?”

“Do not worry. As soon as we get home she'll be there.”

“When are we back?”

“In five days.”

“All this?” I let my shoulders fall.

“What's the problem?”

“It's just that she get upset when she’s far from me...”

“Do you have a strong connection with her?” Daniel asks.

“Well, I saved her life when she was a foal and since then she lets just me to get close. He smiled.

“How was that?”

“What?”

“How did you save her?” I look at Lorenzo. He smiles and nods encouraging me to tell. I look back at Daniel and tell him that I found her in the bruised woods and took care of her for days.

“It's a very beautiful story.”

I look away.

“She must be missing me...” I mumble.

“Do your parents have internet?” Daniel asks. Change the subject so fast...

“They have, but knowing how to use it, is another story.” They both laugh. “Why are you asking that?”

“We could make a video call and see it on the screen.”

I remain silent looking at his face. It looked a lot nicer today than yesterday...

“Yeah, but they don't know how to do anything.” I pout. The two laughs and Lorenzo take his cell phone.

“Serve yourself” says Daniel as his father makes a call.

“Did you have kindness tea or what?” I ask suspiciously.

“I'm just trying to make it work.”

“I know... If it's going to be the way he talked to me, I'll do it too, but if he changes his mind, you can be sure that I’ll make your life hell.”

He is silent looking at me with squinty eyes.

“What did he talked to you?”

“Hi João! How are you doing?” Lorenzo's loud, scandalous voice makes us look at him. “We arrived well, yes. I wanted to ask you a favor.”

I drink some juice and keep looking at him.

“Can you answer your cell phone on video and show Lara's mare?”

I swallow faster and look surprised.

“Great! I'll call again.”

“He will?” I speak louder than I wanted to. Lorenzo looks at me confused.

“Why wouldn't he?”

“He hates Teci,” I say, frowning. “And doesn’t care to what I think. Oh, sure! But cares to what you think” I roll my eyes and he laughs.

Lorenzo waits a few minutes and then makes the video call. I was anxious looking at his cell phone screen.

“Show her, please” he says when my father covers the screen with his huge face. He messes with the cell phone and then Teci appears on the small screen. I smile widely.

“Teci...” As soon as I speak she raises her ears and starts to huff. “Are you okay, girl?” She shakes her head and neighs loudly. “Don't worry, I didn't abandon you, okay?”

She was shaking her head frantically and huffing, looking for where the voice came from, but I wasn't there. She always knows when I am. My dad turns the phone on him again and I sigh.

“Thanks, João. I will send someone to pick t up tomorrow.”

“All right.”

They hang up, and I am silent staring at the juice jar on the table.

“She really likes you.”

I look to the side. I didn't even notice that Daniel was eavesdropping on my call.

“She does.”

“Don't be sad. I'll show you the horses we have here.”

I smile and so does he.