Regina approaches the couple, furious. How could her daughter have been there on the street kissing a complete stranger? She looks at the young man and, to her surprise, recognizes Bruno. Regina narrows her eyes, glancing at Helena, and then mutters between her teeth: "Come in now, Helena." Helena looks at Bruno one last time, picks up the bag from the ground, and enters the guesthouse, being observed by Regina, who remains outside. Then Helena's mother turns to the young man and says: "Bruno, isn't it?" "Yes, that's my name," Bruno responds, offering a smile to Regina, who remains serious. "Listen well to what I'm going to tell you: forget that Helena exists. She's engaged..." "I don't think she is, actually... From what she told me, she was practically left at the altar," Bruno argues. "She's going through a difficult time, and your presence could interfere with her recovery. So stay away, young man. My daughter is not for you," Regina concludes, turning toward the guesthouse.
Bruno arrives at the store early, anxious. He couldn't sleep at night thinking about the kiss he gave to Helena. He tried to remember the last time he had felt this way kissing someone. The only thing he was sure of was that he needed to touch Helena's lips again. "Good morning." "Good morning," Bruno replies, turning around and finding Marcelo standing at the store's entrance, which makes him raise an eyebrow. He desired Helena's lips, but for some reason, now he was face to face with her brother. "How can I help you?" "Bruno, right?" Marcelo asks, approaching and taking off his sunglasses. "I came here to let you know that Helena won't be doing the tours with you anymore. I'm here to cancel any connection between my sister and your company." "Is there any reason for this decision?" Bruno asks, already knowing the answer. From Helena's mother's expression the night before, he knew he might not see Helena again. "Personal reasons," Marcelo informs, evasive. "Okay, but I can't put
Minutes before...Regina walked through the inn's hall with her luggage when she noticed Helena at the reception, which brought a satisfied smile to her face. Finally, they were going back to São Paulo, and Regina could try to convince her daughter to resume her relationship with Leandro. Of course, Helena's mother would still have to talk to the boy's mother, but she saw that as a mere detail amid her plan to finally secure a comfortable life. Augusto would undoubtedly be thrilled to know that she and her daughter were very well settled in Ibirapuera. Regina could already imagine herself moving her body on the vast lawns of Ibirapuera Park. She was so cheerful in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Helena's approach, who didn't seem very happy."What's wrong now, Helena?" Regina questioned."Nothing...""Did you check out? I can't wait to breathe the air of São Paulo again.""You mean to breathe the polluted air of São Paulo," Helena corrected, adjusting her long, flowery dress.
Helena and Bruno cycled through the picturesque streets of Paraty, their bikes gliding smoothly beneath them as they explored the charming town. The sun-kissed their faces, and the warm breeze caressed their skin, creating an idyllic atmosphere. As they rode side by side, their hands occasionally touched, sending electric shivers down their spines. With a smile on his face, Bruno led Helena to the precious Nossa Senhora do Rosário Church. He explained the rich history of the church, its importance to the community, and the beautiful architecture that adorned it inside and out. Helena listened attentively, her eyes shining with genuine interest as she absorbed every word he said. When they reached the entrance of the church, Bruno stopped the bikes, and they gracefully dismounted. Bruno's heart skipped a beat as he saw Helena enter the imposing entrance of the church. Every movement she made was graceful, and the play of light through the colorful windows made her look almost ethereal
Helena fully embraced the outings with Bruno, who convinced her to do not only bike rides but also a schooner tour of beaches with crystal-clear waters, white and pink sands, large waves, rocks, and the lush forest descending from the hills. He insisted on taking photos of Helena enjoying the sun touching her skin, or laughing when she caught him taking pictures of her. Helena also visited some islands and went snorkeling and diving. In addition, with Bruno's guidance, she explored some waterfalls that made her sigh, like the Cachoeira do Saco Bravo, a small waterfall with a delightful natural pool nestled in the rocky coastline of Ponta da Juatinga, from where you could see the sea so close that it felt like an infinite pool.However, none of the tours compared to visiting Bruno's parents, who always insisted on having them for lunch and afternoon coffee, even though Loreta always repeated the same kind words to Helena. The blonde loved being close to them while waiting for Bruno to
The Cachaça Festival is crowded, indicating it's one of the most celebrated events in the city. Dozens of stalls have been set up around the main church for tasting cachaças produced in the region. On the makeshift stage, there are various shows, and when Helena arrives, she sees the presentation of traditional ciranda groups from Paraty in their typical costumes. She claps excitedly during the performance, while Bruno admires her from a wooden table at the festival with a silly grin."Man, take a napkin," Jonathan says, handing Bruno a paper one. "You're drooling.""Very funny," Bruno replies, slapping his friend's hand."Seriously, in a little while, Helena will leave Paraty with you drooling over her and weighing ten kilos more," Gabriel joins in the teasing."What surprises me is that in these five days of you wanting her like this, you haven't taken her to bed," Lucas chimes in."What's the problem?" Bruno questions, annoyed with Lucas's remark."None, but that's not the Bruno I
Bruno and Helena turned towards the owner of the voice, who was with Jonathan. The girl couldn't be older than twenty, very slim, and wearing a long-sleeved dress that didn't suit the heat of that night. Jonathan hurriedly pulled out a chair for her, almost in desperation. She stared at Bruno and Helena as if expecting something to be said."Helena, this is Raquel," Bruno introduced, pointing to the girl. "Jonathan's girlfriend.""Fiancée," the girl corrected, looking at Bruno seriously. Then she turned to Helena. "And you're the famous Helena.""Hey, let's go get some drinks," Jonathan proposed to Bruno, who got up and went with him.The guys left, and silence fell between the women. Helena wanted to talk more with Raquel, but the girl buried her face in her phone, leaving little space for conversation. When she finally looked up, Helena managed to say something."I'm really glad to hear that Jonathan talked about me to you," Helena said, extending her hand with a smile, but Raquel d
"And that's how a guy broke up with me because of the color of my hair," Helena concluded the story she was telling to her coworker, Lúcia, as they walked along the busy Avenida Paulista towards the office."No way! You left town after getting dumped just before your wedding, and you went to Parati, and..." Lúcia began to say before taking a generous sip of coffee."I got dumped again," Helena interrupted, raising her coffee cup towards her friend. "Cheers to me.""Seriously, the drinks later are on me," Lúcia said."Thanks, I'll need it. Especially because I still have to face my mother, who has been warning me all along, and I didn't listen.""In the end, moms are always right," Lúcia concluded."Well, at least I got to see wonderful places and a decent distillery," Helena commented. "I even brought back a bottle of cachaça as a souvenir for you.""Thanks, friend," Lúcia said, entering the building with Helena."The worst part is that when Leandro broke up with me, it didn't hurt as
The scorching noon sun beat against Helena's car windshield as she drove along the winding roads of Poconé towards the family farm. Every mile traveled felt like an echo of the burden she carried in her heart, a mixture of longing and melancholy that only intensified with the proximity of the place she had avoided since Bruno's departure. Helena took a deep breath as she observed the vastness of the landscape around the farm. Poconé's blazing sun reflected off the dirt roads, creating a golden atmosphere over the rural scenery. Every piece of that place evoked deep memories, some comforting, others painful. As she parked the car in front of the farmhouse, a bittersweet sensation enveloped her. This was the last thing Helena wanted to do after Bruno's loss, but Dante's summons had made it clear that there was something important to face there. Exiting the car, Helena felt a lump forming in her throat. It was as if Bruno's presence were imprinted in that place, every corner, every sh
The years had left their marks on Bruno and Helena's lives, but they had also strengthened them. On that quiet afternoon, the serenity of the backyard of their home in the upscale neighborhood of São Paulo was interrupted only by the gentle sound of chess pieces moving across the board. Portraits adorned the walls, telling the story of the family that resided there. Dante, Bruno's eldest son, smiled alongside his wife Maria and little Nilton, the grandson who filled the house with joy and laughter. Isabel, the couple's daughter, was represented beside Caleb, her husband, still childless but radiant as ever. Antônio, one of Helena's twins, proudly displayed his family, alongside Melissa and their two daughters, Sofia and Lena, whose laughter echoed through the memories of that house. Meanwhile, Emanoel, the tireless traveler, had his portraits scattered throughout the world's most remote places, testimonies of his adventures as a backpacker. At the center of it all, framed in a promi
Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel were gathered in a corner of Ibirapuera Park, where they had improvised a small altar for their parents' wedding, Bruno and Helena. They were all anxious, waiting for their parents to appear after the conversation they were having somewhere in the park. Antônio looked at Isabel with a concerned expression. “Are you sure this plan is going to work?” he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. Isabel held her brother's gaze confidently. “Of course it will, Antônio. Trust me,” she replied, determined. “You managed to get Leandro out of the way, didn't you?” Emanoel intervened, adding his support. “Yes, Antônio had a little help from me in that. Leandro should be far away by now, maybe even in Paris at this moment,” he said, trying to calm his brother's concerns. Melissa, Antônio's wife, watched the scene with interest. “Look, here comes Bruno,” she announced, drawing the siblings' attention. The three children turned to see Bruno approaching, his somber
Helena was sitting in the back seat of the black car, sent by her daughter Isabel to take her to her wedding with Leandro at the registry office. However, her surprise was immense when she realized that the driver was none other than her ex-husband, Bruno. A mixture of shock and indignation took hold of her as Bruno drove through the streets of São Paulo. Her heart began to beat faster as she tried to process the situation. What was he doing there? And why on earth was he driving the car? She stared at Bruno seriously, unable to understand what he was up to. “What on earth do you think you're doing here?” she asked, her voice overflowing with disbelief. Bruno briefly turned his face to look at Helena, displaying an enigmatic smile. “I've already said I'm doing something grand,” he replied, with a confident tone. Helena's eyes narrowed with disdain at Bruno's response. She couldn't believe he was actually kidnapping her on the day of her wedding to Leandro. “So, your 'something gr
Helena was standing in front of the mirror in her room, observing herself with a mixture of anxiety and resignation in her gaze. The light blue dress she had chosen for her registry office wedding with Leandro seemed heavier than she had imagined. She smoothed the folds of the flared fabric as she tried to convince herself that she was making the right choice. The door to the room opened gently, and Emanoel entered, wearing an expression of admiration on his face. His eyes, so much like those of his father, Bruno, conveyed a mix of pride and tenderness as he watched his mother. “You look beautiful, Mom,” Emanoel said, his voice laden with sincerity. Helena lifted her gaze to meet her son's eyes, feeling touched by his words. “Thank you, my dear,” she replied, her voice choked with emotion. “It means a lot to me to hear that from you.” Emanoel smiled, his expression radiant. “I'm glad to be a part of this moment with you,” he said, his voice brimming with joy. “And about Paris... i
Helena was lying on her bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as a flood of thoughts swirled through her mind. She hadn't been able to sleep all night, consumed by the anguish and sadness that Leandro's news had brought. Selling the apartment and planning a sudden move to Paris, without even consulting Helena, was a betrayal that cut deep. Her feelings were a whirlwind of anger, disappointment, and confusion. How could Leandro do something like this to her, especially on the eve of their wedding? Helena felt lost, unsure of how to deal with this sudden turn in her life. It was then that Isabel, her daughter, entered the room, interrupting her thoughts. Helena tried to force a smile when she saw her, but she knew she couldn't hide her agony so easily. Isabel looked at Helena with evident concern in her eyes, asking if her mother was sick. “Are you sick, Mom?” Isabel asked, her voice filled with concern. Helena looked at Isabel and forced a smile. “No, sweetheart, I'm fine,” she replie
Helena walked through the bustling streets of São Paulo, lost in her thoughts as she searched for the perfect dress for her courthouse wedding. Although it wasn't a traditional ceremony, Helena wanted to find something special to mark the significant moment in her life. However, she was determined to avoid white, a color associated with purity and youth, something she had left behind long ago. After all, at fifty years old, Helena was no longer a young innocent, but a mature woman who knew what she wanted. Entering the tenth store on that busy street, Helena felt a mixture of hope and anxiety. She rummaged through the racks in search of the perfect dress, examining every detail carefully while trying to visualize how she would feel in each model. Finally, she found a light blue, flared, and elegant dress. As she looked at herself in the mirror, Helena imagined wearing that dress at her wedding, feeling confident and beautiful. However, her thoughts were interrupted when a young man
Helena was engrossed in her work, meticulously reviewing the details of an important case from the office, when her children, Emanoel and Isabel, walked through the door, radiating contagious energy. She lifted her eyes from the computer and greeted them with a warm smile, feeling her heart warmed by their presence. “Good to see you both!” exclaimed Helena, rising from her chair and going to meet her children. “I missed you.” Emanoel, with his warm embrace, almost lifted Helena off the ground, expressing his affection exuberantly. “Mom, we missed you yesterday!” he said with a smile. “Especially to finish eating the party food.” Helena laughed, feeling light-hearted with her son's contagious energy. “I wish I could have stayed longer,” she confessed. “But Leandro thought it's best for us to come back early to rest.” “Leandro also mentioned that you would be taking care of the wedding papers today,” she added, her tone filled with anticipation. Helena nodded, a look of agreement
The morning began to sketch its first rays of sunshine over Bruno's farm, enveloping it in a gentle luminosity. In the quiet kitchen, Bruno moved with the familiarity of one who masters the environment, preparing breakfast before his children awakened to face the new day. As Bruno finished brewing the coffee, the soft sound of footsteps approaching caught his attention. In an instant, his daughter Isabel appeared in the kitchen doorway, her presence radiating a youthful and infectious energy. Isabel regarded Bruno with a radiant smile, revealing the joy of seeing him again. “I've been missing the smell of your coffee so much,” she confessed, expressing her appreciation for the morning routine with her father. Bruno returned Isabel's smile, feeling grateful to share that moment with his daughter. He poured a mug of coffee for Isabel, his skilled hands performing the gesture with inherent tenderness. “I've been missing serving coffee to my daughter,” Bruno admitted, his eyes shinin