Lizandra
I'm in shock.
Were my ears deceiving me? The female voice moaning like a cat in heat, and the name she repeated incessantly, was what I thought I was hearing. Maybe it would be better to leave and pretend that none of this was happening.
"Delicious!"
Now it was a male voice's turn to speak and then release something very similar to a roar, which left me completely disgusted, and a strong feeling of indignation with the situation I was experiencing at that moment started to form within me. I needed to take action, but my feet seemed to be planted on the expansive veranda floor.
"Let's get up, Jú. I'm covered in sweat and need a shower."
There was no doubt about the owner of the male voice anymore, and I was facing a harsh betrayal.
"Wait, let me fix my dress, Sam," Juliana requested with a smile in her voice.
I could hear their steps and the laughter getting closer. I was at the front of the veranda, and I deduced they were right at the beginning of the lateral part, as quickly they were turning the "corner" and appearing before me, still standing like a betrayed idiot statue.
"So, it's 'Jú' and 'Sam'?" I asked ironically.
They abruptly stopped, almost colliding with each other upon realizing my presence on the veranda.
"It's not what you're thinking, Lily!" Samuel quickly said, raising his hand, evidently trying to evade blame.
"Of course not," I said with a scornful smile. "You were moaning because it's fun to do it behind my back, right?"
"We were going to tell you, cousin," Juliana had the decency to admit. "But you're always so tired to meet Sam that he didn't have the chance."
To make the scene even more interesting, as soon as Juliana said that, Samuel approached her, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, which she soon reciprocated, forming the "millionaire" couple.
"So, the blame for you two having an affair behind my back and making me look like a fool is mine for not having time available for my boyfriend? Is that what you mean, Juliana!?"
"I didn't say that!" Juliana protested. "We fell in love, and it just happened, it wasn't planned. And nothing should have happened between us before Sam ended things with you, but for days he's been trying to do that."
I felt even worse hearing this explanation because when Samuel said a few days ago that he needed to talk about something very important, I thought he was going to propose to me again. I even concluded that this time I would accept his proposal. I could never have imagined that what he wanted to say was about his passion for my cousin and their desire to be together.
"You're a nice and easy-going girl, Lily," Samuel continued with the humiliation, "but after years of dating you, I realized I don't love you."
"Great that you found that out now, isn't it? Imagine if I had accepted your marriage proposal a few months ago, and you only discovered this sudden passion for Juliana after we were married. After all, the fact that she's 'giving' you something I didn't has nothing to do with it, right?"
"Don't be so low, Lizandra! Samuel and I love each other, and we're going to be together."
"Enjoy it, 'Jú'..."
I didn't stay for another second in that place and descended the stairs two steps at a time, trying to get away as quickly as possible from that veranda and those two cowardly traitors—my cousin and my boyfriend. Who would have thought that the shy and introverted Juliana would be so bold, I thought with cynicism. She didn't even wait for the wedding to give herself to her great love. Haha, it seems like a joke.
I walked boldly through the streets of São Miguel do Gostoso, paying no attention to the various people all around, the majority of them smiling and bronzed from hours on the beautiful and warm beaches of the city. Many beautiful and happy people, but I felt neither. I just wanted to get to my room and let out all the tears I was holding back at great cost.
But my discouragement grew even more when I encountered Luciano Monteiro, as I was sure he would offer to accompany me to the inn, and I had no desire to talk to anyone, let alone force myself to be friendly with a stranger.
"Well, if it isn't the most beautiful girl in town right in front of me," Luciano joked.
I forced my best smile, and that was all I could manage.
"Are you heading home?" he asked the one thing I feared the most. "Lucrécia was looking for you."
Those words set off an alarm in my brain, "Oh no!" I was not inclined to talk to my aunt now, and even less to do anything she might ask of me today. Only then did I realize that the best thing to do at the moment is not to go back home now?
But where could I go alone? I had no other place to go.
"I'm not going home," I replied succinctly.
Luciano seemed quite pleased with my answer and soon made the offer I already anticipated he would make, inviting me again to go with him to see the fireworks. Due to a lack of options, I accepted.
We walked through the streets together, but I tried to keep as much distance as possible from Luciano. I didn't want anyone to think there was something between us. After all, in a small town like Gostoso, everything was a reason for rumors about the residents.
"Where's your little boyfriend?" Luciano asked, starting the conversation in the wrong way.
"I will meet him later; he doesn't need to know what happened, and I can use this as an excuse to leave when necessary."
Luciano insisted that I accompany him to one of the upscale hotels on the waterfront, where a big party with nationally famous artists was happening. However, I could never accept something like that. I wasn't even dressed to go to a high-end place like that! When he realized that he wouldn't convince me, he opted to stay on the waterfront, where many people were gathering to witness the New Year's Eve festivities. While he had a few drinks, I accepted only a soda.
But as I looked at the people and thought about the great disappointment I experienced that night, I also questioned what would happen from now on when everyone found out that my boyfriend and my cousin had simply discovered that they love each other and want to be together.
However, it never crossed my mind that it would happen so quickly until I saw, like in a horrible nightmare, the newest couple walking hand in hand in front of everyone, not caring for a second how I would feel about it.
"Isn't that your cousin... Juliana?" Luciano asked with a smile, which soon became even bigger upon seeing my cousin's companion. "Isn't the one hugging her your..."
"Yes..." I confirmed with difficulty, a lump forming in my throat. "It's him."
HeitorAfter much insistence from Heloísa, I had agreed to accompany her to spend New Year's Eve in São Miguel do Gostoso, and now I questioned why I always ended up giving in to the whims of my annoying and impulsive sister. Soon, I answered myself: I love her, despite everything."You should try to have some fun, Heitor!" Heloisa repeated the same phrase for the umpteenth time that night. "You're always so proper.""I'm a responsible guy, is that what you meant?" I suggested ironically."A bore! That's what Heloisa meant," Bernardo said, butting into the conversation."I don't remember anyone asking for your opinion, Bernardo," I replied rudely."Guys, can we just enjoy New Year's Eve?" Heloísa tried once again. "Is that possible or not?""Heloísa is right," Catarina says in a conciliatory tone. "What do you think about going down and joining the other guests to watch the fireworks?"Everyone agreed to Catarina's suggestion, and we asked for the check for the drinks we had at the ho
LizandraAfter seeing Samuel and Juliana together in front of the entire town on New Year's Eve, it was impossible to stay strong and pretend that nothing was happening when I was bleeding inside.I ended up accepting a glass of some drink Luciano offered me, drinking the entire contents in one gulp, which immediately made me dizzy and gave me a strange sense of euphoria in the midst of what I was experiencing as I saw the two traitors happily smiling after making a fool out of me.Despite feeling dizzy and tempted to laugh at my misfortune, I tried to control myself at all costs and dodged Luciano the first chance I got. The drink hadn't completely taken over me, and I wandered along the beach, dipping my feet in the waves, desperately wishing those strange sensations would disappear, which wasn't happening.Without even realizing what I was doing, I sat on the sand and admired the sea and the waves breaking ever closer to where I was as if enchanted by the sight. Gradually, reality
HeitorI should just go my way and continue searching for Catarina, who had drunk more than recommended the last time I saw her and for whom I am responsible. That was my intention, but as I walked just a few meters, I noticed some visibly drunk men heading toward the unbearable girl, and that was enough to make me uneasy in a disconcerting way.I didn't have to worry about that girl, but it was impossible to keep walking without making sure those individuals wouldn't bother her. I slowed down my steps completely just to confirm that they wouldn't notice the presence of the lonely girl sitting by the seashore."Look what we have in front of us, my friends," one of them spoke loud enough for me to hear. "A beauty like that alone here. Must be lost...""Or she's just waiting for someone to find her," another suggested. "I think today's your lucky day, beauty."I didn't need to see what was happening to understand clearly where that would lead, and I was sure nothing good would come out
Lizandra (Lily to her friends)Today was quite busy at my aunt's inn, and I barely had time for even a simple meal. My arms were already sore from the repetitive effort with the broom and various other tasks I had been doing since I woke up in the morning. It's always like this in the summer, especially on the last day of the year when the chalets are fully booked for the traditional New Year's Eve celebration in São Miguel do Gostoso.It was a great relief when my work hours finally came to an end, and I began dreaming of a good shower and meeting up with my boyfriend. I was in the process of putting away the cleaning tools for the guests' chalets when I smelled the sweet and strong perfume of Aunt Lucrecia, and a sense of dread crept over me."Lily, dear," she said immediately, and I shuddered with disgust. "I know you were finishing your shift, but one of our best guests just arrived, and you need to provide some extra towels for him.""But, aunt..." I began to protest."No complai