crossed destinies

ELOISE

I look at myself again in the mirror. I just put on my dress. Today, my fire-red hair decided to collaborate. I look at my phone and answer the message from my best friend, Isabela, about our meeting at your house this afternoon. She is married to the governor of Água Azul, Manoel Velasco. This man honestly does not like me at all, but I dare not question it. A person enters uninvited in my room. Those blond hairs take the front of the mirror where I fix myself.

- Good morning, little sister. - My brother lies on my bed. - Daddy is calling you.- Take my bag. I pull my bag from his hands.

- You’ve already given the message, Chris. Vaza! - I’ll go to the door and open it. I hope the same goes out. - "Please, Christian.- He gets up and leaves quickly.

— Calm down, little sister, you’re very angry, huh? Oh, it must be the engagement you just broke up with, huh?- You leave my room laughing, but I hold your arm.

- Do not dare! - I pull him and place him against the wall of the corridor. - Do not say anything.

— Relax, Ise... If it’s up to me, Mom won’t know. But I want $300! - Put your hand in front of me. I’ll give you the amount. - Very good to do business with you, little sister...- leaving me alone there.

I walk towards the stairs. My father is in the room with my mother. I see no sign of my brother and I assume that he left with his best friend. As soon as he sees me, my father gives a yellow smile. My mother barely looks at my face. In the last few days, my mother disappears from nowhere. Even my brother Christian doesn’t know where she goes.

- My princess! - Try to get up. - You look so beautiful. - Before he gets up, I go to him and give him a kiss on his face.

- Dad, I’m going to Isa’s house. - Without waiting for my mother to get up and bother me, I leave.

FELIPE

I just finished my job at the stable. As soon as I get to the kitchen, all the servants are looking at me curious. I take an apple and ignore everyone’s looks. Karol comes in my hesitant direction. She’s my best friend since we were kids.

- The boss is calling, Felipe. - I am surprised. Without releasing a word, I go to his room.

I take a deep breath and open the door to his room. The place doesn’t have a ray of light, the walls are dark, the bed is three times bigger than mine. Even though I’m not a good man, I can’t stand to see him like that. His tired gaze stares at me as I walk into his room. I approach him and he holds my hand.

- My... son...- A tired cough takes care of him. - Come closer. - Speak with difficulty.

- Do you want to give me some instructions? - I sit in the chair next to your bed.

- I just changed my will. I named you my universal heir. - Still in shock, I ask:

- Me? Why? - Your hands caress my face.

- Because... vo... you are my son.- Tears flow in my eyes.

- Master, you are delusional.- I walk away and stand.

—No, Philip. No. I’m not delusional. - The shortness of breath increases. - "You are blood of my blood. - I shake my head refusing to believe his words. - My only son. - The silence becomes unbearable in that room.

— Boss? Your Victor? NO! NO! DON’T DIE. It can’t be... I can’t be your son. I run out of there to my room. As soon as I close the door, Father John enters the room. My head is a thousand, trying to process what just happened. He looks at me expectantly, expecting some reaction from me. But I don’t know what to say.

- Was he able to say anything? - Anxious question.

—Yeah. He told me I’m his universal heir, Father. That I’m his son. His only son. But that’s not true, right? - ran his hand through gray hair, confused. - That is not possible. - I sit in the chair, stunned. - How can I be his son?

- Yes, Philip, yes. Victor Alexander was his father. - confirms, with regret.

Without wasting time, I run to the stable and take a horse, which is now mine. I climb it and go off in a shot, aimlessly. I hear Karol’s voice behind me and get off the horse, moving away. My cries echo all over the farm.

- What happened, Felipe? - He runs towards me. - Why are you shouting like that? I never thought you would be so shaken by the death of the boss.

— This man was not only my boss, Belinda. I am his son. Victor Alexander was my father. - stubborn tears flow down my face. - This man whom I only respected because he was my boss, and whom I criticized so much for the way he treated employees, was my father. I don’t feel this blood in my veins. How can it be true? - I put my hand on her shoulder, seeking support.

- Calm down! Things are like this, and you have to accept. I worry about seeing you like this. - You get too close to me, insinuating. - Talk to me.

- I want to be alone. This time don’t follow me. - I climb on the horse again, heading towards the beach.

.

LOUISE

My meeting with Isabela was great. We had tea, we talked about her wedding, which was a few weeks ago, and her honeymoon in the Maldives. It’s been a long time since we’ve met. As soon as I walk into my room, my mother walks in like a hurricane.

— Imagine my surprise when your fiancé Lucas called me saying you broke up with him. In one day you ruined what I planned for a year, Loise! I explained to you what this marriage means to our family, to your father’s business. - she holds me by the arm, furious. - Go pack your bags. Tomorrow we’ll go to London to fix this mess you made. Whether you want it or not, you’ll marry him. - Squeeze my arm tight.

— No, Mom, I’m not going with you to London and I’m certainly not going to marry this guy . - I let go of her, heading towards my bed. - I will not marry a man I do not love. - I say, firm.

- That we will see! It is better Eloise , that you do not tempt me. You know me perfectly well and know that my decisions are not discussed.

— Mine don’t argue either. I stopped being a girl a long time ago and you can’t meddle in my life like that. I respect you a lot, Mom, but I don’t care what you think anymore. I always knew you wouldn’t agree, but I’m lucky and I know I can count on my father’s support and he can! You’ll be on my side in this decision. - I’m walking fast towards the corridor. - Dad!

- COME BACK HERE!! - I hear footsteps behind me. I enter his office and he is frightened by the way I enter.

- Calm down, my princess. - Hold me. - What’s all the shouting, Blanca?