Chapter 5 Capítulo 4

Curitiba, July 1998.

Judge Alexandre de Almeida is finishing his inhalation when Thiago enters his room. He looks at his son, without showing any gesture of affection, asks him to come closer.

- Hello, my father – greets Thiago, worried, holding his father's arm - How are you feeling?

-How do you think I'm feeling? – Alexandre retorts irritated - I'm dying, what else would you like me to feel?

- Excuse me. – asks Thiago, embarrassed. He'd forgotten the stupid way his father acted when he was asked a question, he considered pointless -I came as fast as I could.

- All right. – answers the father, not caring about what Thiago told him. He looks at the nurse and orders - Get out, I need to talk to my son alone.

Alexandre faces his son, there is something different about him. He adjusts himself better in bed, with a lot of effort, being helped by Thiago.

- I do it alone! – exclaims annoyed Alexandre - I'm not stuttering, I know how to do it myself... Cof!Cof!Cof!Cof!Cof!Cof!Cof!

- Calm down, father. – asks Thiago worriedly - That way it will end up worse than it already is.

- It's my son, that... – begins Alexandre, showing the green goo on his handkerchief - This is the result of the life I've had...

- I am really sorry...

-Don't feel... It shows I've lived long enough. You know, I've been clinging to the four most pleasurable and deadliest vices a man can have: drinking, smoking, gambling, and women. What gave me the most trouble was...

- You can see that it was the cigarette – interrupts Thiago, remembering his father's diagnosis: advanced COPD.

- Stop being a fool. – Alexandre retorts - Woman was my biggest problem... And my greatest pleasure.

- You are talking...? – asks Thiago without understanding.

-Am I talking about Ícaro, or do you still believe he's adopted? – asks Alexander irritated. He looks at his son who shows the surprise of the revelation on his face - Well, I was involved with a woman... I was already married to her mother... She knocked on our door with Ícaro in her arms and left as she came... Your mother... A saint... I never thought she was capable of so much for me... She decided that she would take him as our own... and the rest is what we live until today. I know I hurt your mother, but this addiction that is a woman makes us blind... That was my bad and it gets thrown in my face every year.

- Well, I promise not to commit these vices, if that's what you want... – Thiago begins to speak, being interrupted by his father.

-Not everyone, just don't get carried away by a woman. Don't ruin your life for the women on the street...

- Well... That's not really going to happen... I have something to tell you. – Thiago guarantees smiling - I'm liking a person.

-I know the Financhielli's daughter, Graziela. Are you going to say that they finally decided to get married? – asks the serious father.

-No, father. Grazi and I broke up at Christmas – Thiago replies embarrassed. -It's another girl... She's amazing, you'll like her.

- What family is she from? – asks Alexander.

- She has no family... No possessions, but she is special. - guarantees Thiago confidently.

- Then it's time for you to come back. – Alexandre intervenes seriously - Ask for a transfer from the university to the one here and that's enough with this game of being independent. I need you here, as well as your mother, the family business. Then thank me for saving you a hit.

-I can't go back father. What you mean? – asks Thiago, upset - I need to finish college. And another, she's not interested in money... She loves me. Not to mention that Ícaro is much more prepared than I am to take over.

-A bastard won't take over my company! – shouts Alexandre -He will do other things. And you don't love this girl, it's just a new toy. You will soon get tired.

- I'm not like that... – Thiago rebuts.

- The same blood that runs in your veins, runs in mine, my boy. – comments Alexandre with a malicious look - You may be just like your mother, but you are just like me and I know that in the end you will get tired of this girl and soon you will be with another.

-I'm not like you. So much so that I will marry her. – reveals Thiago.

- The matter is closed, Thiago. You will not go back to that city and you will never see that girl again. – orders Alexandre, without looking at his son - Now go.

- You don't understand... I can't abandon her. – says Thiago - She... I... We're...

- Thiago, my son. – interrupts Maria Luísa, entering the room. She hugs him preventing him from continuing to talk to his father - Glad you arrived. Come, let your father rest.

-Not now, Mom. – Thiago refuses, pushing her away. He glares at his father angrily - I have to finish talking to Dad.

- The matter was closed a long time ago. – grumbles Alexandre - If you don't want to act for the good, I'll do the things for the bad. Get out of my room.

- Come on, dear. – Maria Luisa calls with a forced smile on her lips. She takes her son's arm, leading him out of the room - Tell me, how is Belo Horizonte?

***

- I can't believe he didn't want to listen to me. – comments Thiago in disgust, sitting on the couch.

- Your father hasn't been listening to anyone these last few days. – explains Maria Luísa, serving her son a drink. She sits next to Thiago and continues - So, tell me who is this young woman you fell in love with so quickly?

- Anna... – Thiago sighs - She's amazing, mom. I really wanted her to come with me, but... She didn't risk it.

-Were you afraid to meet your father? – asks Maria Luisa, curious. - I think she is less brave than Graziela.

- It wasn't for that. – denies Thiago nervously. He runs his hands down his pants before taking his mother's - I know I should have told you this sooner, but I wanted to speak in person.

- What's it? – asks Maria Luísa, seriously - Has something happened?

- Mom, I'm going to have a child – confesses Thiago, watching his mother's shocked look.

- Oh... My... God... – Maria Luisa exclaims, getting up. She goes to the window, takes a deep breath and turns to her son with a nervous smile - Are you sure?

- She's three months old now. – reveals Thiago - I know it was fast, but it's for real. I love her.

-Did you tell your father that? – asks Maria Luisa, nervous. - What did he say?

- The lady interrupted me and he didn't want to listen to me – Thiago replies, upset - Mom, I need your help. I can't stay long and I want to get everything sorted out as soon as possible.

- But your father needs you, we all need you here... In Curitiba.

- I know – agrees Thiago, standing up. He touches his mother's shoulder and replies - I only plan to stay for two months and then I'll go back there... And at the end of the year I'll bring Anna... And the baby.

- Are you really determined to take this relationship to the altar? – asks Maria Luisa.

- No doubt. But with this daddy story, it ended up delaying a little. But we intend to get married. I hope you support us.

- Well... – begins the woman in the moss green dress, pouring another drink, this time for herself. She downs it in one gulp and clears her throat. - Of course, I'll support you...always. I just don't think you should tell your father right now. Wait for him to improve a little, all right?

-All right. – Agrees Thiago - I also think it doesn't help you talking about it.

- I just want you to know that I'm on your side. – Maria Luísa comments - I'm happy to know that my son is growing up... And forming a family. I hope to meet you as soon as possible.

-You will love Anna. – Guarantee Thiago.

-I don't have the slightest doubt. – says Maria Luísa with a slight smile on her lips.

***

Curitiba, September 1998.

Thiago hangs up the room phone. He no longer had any idea how many calls he made... He hadn't heard from Anna since the beginning of the month. You feel that something is wrong and it's time to go back.

- Thiago? – Maria Luisa calls, entering the room. - Is everything okay, my son?

- My apartment's phone isn't working... – Thiago answers worriedly - I need to go back and see if Anna is okay.

- But you talked to her these days. – Maria recalls - I'm sure she's fine. Pregnancy is not a disease, unlike what your father has.

- I know mother. But I want to follow Anna's pregnancy. – explains Thiago - I'm going to talk about the pregnancy with the father today and I know he will understand.

-Why would you do such a thing?' Want to see your father get worse? – asks Maria worriedly.

-Of course not, but she needs me. – argues Thiago.

- And we too. Your father could die at any moment. – Alleges Maria Luísa pointing to the door.

-We've been at it since I arrived. He is already much better. – argues Thiago - I really need to know how Anna is doing.

- I'll go – Maria Luísa lets out - I'll go to Belo Horizonte.

-What are you going to do there, Mom? – asks Thiago confused.

-I'll go get yours... Yours... Yours... – the mother stammers.

- Anna? – asks Thiago arching his eyebrow.

- Yes, I'll bring her to stay close to Da. Our family – explains Maria Luísa, squeezing her fingers.

-You don't have to, Mom. I go and it's all right. – Thiago replies, holding his mother's shoulders.

-Of course I do... She's our family too. – concludes Maria Luisa.

-But she won't want to... She won't want to bother.

- I know how to convince you, after all I am also a woman and a mother. Now, just worry about the college transfer and soon we'll all be reunited. – Maria Luisa rambles

-You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. – Thiago comments hugging his mother.

-I only ask that while I'm gone, don't tell your father about it. – Asks Maria Luísa, holding her son's face -Wait for us to arrive and we'll all break the news, okay?

- You are the best, Mom. – praises Thiago, smiling.

-What we don't do for our children. – Maria Luísa comments hugging Thiago. -When you have yours, you'll understand what I mean.

***

A week later...

- I'm sorry, dear. – asks Maria Luisa, running her hand through her son's beautiful black hair. - Who would have thought she'd lost the baby and would run away in fear of you finding out? Will you know if she was really pregnant...

-Anna's not like that! – shouts Thiago, getting up from the bed - She certainly has a good explanation for all this. I need to go there...

- But she's not there. – Maria Luísa retorts, punching the mattress - I made a point of looking and no neighbor knows her whereabouts. If you want, I can put a detective after her, but it won't change the fact that she ran away from you. Life always teaches us something and this time it taught him that not everyone is nice, good–natured, good–natured as we would like them to be. I know you love her, but she hasn't returned that love.

- You don't know Anna. - Thiago counters as he opens the wardrobe. He starts tossing the clothes on the bed deliberately - I know she needs me. She must be suffering.

- What are you doing? – asks Maria Luísa, watching Thiago arrange his clothes - Don't you believe me?

- I believe mother. –Thiago answers, closing the suitcase - But I need to find Anna. She is my life and she needs me more than anyone.

- Excuse me – says the nurse, knocking on the door - Mr. Alexandre... He has just passed away.

Thiago runs towards his mother who faints on the bed.

***

Curitiba, November 1998.

Thiago calmly closes the door to his mother's room. She was the most affected by Alexander's death, forcing him to constantly stay by her side. However, he feels he must go after Anna. He starts to walk down the hall thoughtfully when he sees the image of a copper–haired man wearing a black suit at the end of the hall. Thiago stops for a moment and then recognizes the figure: His brother, Ícaro.

After his father's death, Ícaro decided to travel in search of new partners to expand the family's law firm. It was also a way for him to relax and escape the pain that was in his chest, because now he only had Thiago by his side, since he didn't like Maria Luísa, something mutual.

- My brother. – Thiago says, hugging Ícaro - How are you?

- Well... A little tired. – Ícaro replies smiling - We need to talk.

- Let's go to the living room. – comments Thiago, whispering - I don't want to wake up Mom. It was hard to get her to sleep.

***

- I tried to find new partners, but when they hear my name, they refuse. – says Ícaro, looking out the window - With his death... It's as if I had become a nobody.

- Don't worry. – asks Thiago, drinking whiskey - After you take over Dad's job, they'll respect you.

- I doubt it. – replies Ícaro - I've heard rumors that they will appoint you to the position...

- I don't intend to take your place. – guarantees Thiago - The only thing I want is Anna.

- The girl from Minas... – Ícaro remembers, taking another sip of whiskey - How are you going to find her?

-I don't know... Mom in this state hasn't contributed much. –Thiago replies with his hand on his face - But every time I think about it, I feel like I'm losing her. She must be mad at me.

- Well, I can go after her for you – comments Ícaro, looking at Thiago - In the meantime, I want you to convince them that I'm the best for the company. According? – proposes Ícaro, extending his hand to his brother.

- Agreed. – agrees Thiago, smiling, as he shakes his brother's hand - She just doesn't know her name... I always said her nickname.

-That even gives me an advantage. – Ícaro comments - That way I can check if the story Maria Luísa told is true or not.

- My mother wouldn't lie about something like that. – defends Thiago.

- And I can't believe her. – retorts Ícaro - We're tied. Anyway, we won't find out until I get back. You can be sure that Minas Gerais will be searched for this Anna. I just need a photo and your problems will be solved.

- Thank you, brother. I don't know what I would do without you. –Thanks Thiago, excited.

-Just do your part and mine will already be done. –replies Ícaro.

- Where do you intend to start? – asks Thiago.

-For your building. Someone must have seen your girlfriend leave there.

***

Curitiba, December 26, 1998.

Maria Luisa pours her fifth glass of gin, when Ícaro abruptly enters the room. His face reveals what the woman feared most: He knows the truth about Anna and the baby. He glares at her with furious eyes.

- Where is Thiago? – Ícaro asks irritated.

- Why do you want to know? – Maria Luisa answers with a question.

- You know. – answers Ícaro through gritted teeth - Your granddaughter was born on December 24th... They live three blocks away from the building where you expelled them.

- You mean you spent Christmas there in Belo Horizonte? – asks Maria Luísa, taking a sip of her drink, ignoring her stepson's revelation. - Interesting.

-Why did you lie to him? – Ícaro asks irritated –- I knew you were bad, but not to that point.

- My reasons are only up to me. – Maria Luísa replies, seriously - What do you intend to do? Tell your brother I lied about the two of them?

- Basically that. – answers Ícaro - Where is he?

- He must be back by now. – Maria Luísa replies, sitting on the sofa - Today was a very important day... At the company.

-What are you talking about, Maria? – asks Ícaro, crossing his arms.

- While you were digging up your brother's past... He was being nominated for Alexandre's job. And today he was nominated. Apparently, people like the legitimate to the dubious. – Pin Maria sipping her gin.

- I don't believe you... My brother would never betray me like that. – retorts Ícaro, incredulous - He's not like you.

-Then let's wait for him to get to the house and find out. You will be surprised. – says Maria triumphantly.

- Mom, I'm here. – warns Thiago coming down the hall. As soon as he arrives in the room, he is surprised by Ícaro staring at Maria Luisa - Ícaro? Glad you came!

- Congratulations my son on the nomination. – congratulates Maria hugging her son - I'm proud of you.

- Thank you, mother. – returns Thiago, awkwardly in front of Ícaro.

-So, you've been nominated?' – asks Ícaro - And he accepted...

- Yes... Look, they pressured me... I had no choice... –Thiago clarifies - Did you manage to find Anna?

-No. – lies Ícaro coldly. He looks at Maria who smiles - Maria Luisa was right, once again.

- Wow... I had hope... – Thiago begins, desolate.

- Forget it. – interrupts Ícaro, harshly - See you soon.

-Won't you stay? – asks Thiago confused.

-There's nothing to keep me here. – Ícaro answers, leaving.

Thiago goes after his brother and finds him already close to his car.

- Look... I know you really wanted the position, but they pressured, threatened... – Thiago defends himself, nervous.

- Thiago... I'm not interested in knowing. Apparently, people like the legitimate to the dubious. – Ícaro comments, remembering Maria's words.

He leaves in his car without giving Thiago a chance to explain. His brother stayed with the company and now Ícaro would stay with his family.

***

Sixteen years later...

Maria Luisa was getting ready in her room when someone knocked on her door. She takes her black bag that matches her dress of the same color and opens it, facing Ícaro.

- What are you doing here? – Maria asks raising her eyebrows.

- You still haven't told Thiago about Anna. – Answers Ícaro entering the room - It's been a year since I told you that she has cancer and you didn't even have the good sense to talk to him.

- I was going to tell you, but he decided to run for the elections, I didn't want to worry him about it. – she claims, closing the door.

-That's a lifetime. Anna is dying... Put your hand on your conscience. – shouts Ícaro nervously - Malú will be alone.

-If she dies, we'll give the girl everything she needs – Maria replies calmly.

-She needs a family! – shouts Ícaro. He leans his arm against the wall - Damn it... She needs someone for her... From the family she was denied.

-And who was it that denied her that? – asks Maria pretending to try to remember putting her finger on her lips. Then she smiles facing Ícaro - It was you.

- Me? – exclaims Ícaro, surprised.

-Yes, you could have told him and you didn't. He never did and now he wants me to tell him, because he's got a bad conscience. For me this matter... It doesn't need to be revealed. – says Mary.

-For me, yes. – replies Ícaro.

- So, go on, tell him. – suggests Maria Luisa, opening the door.

-I'm not falling for this anymore. I'm tired of your blackmail. – Ícaro counters through the door -This is bigger than both of us. I don't care if he will forgive me...

-Once I tell you, there's no going back. – Maria Luisa threatens, grabbing Ícaro' arm. - He won't forgive you.

-I wouldn't even forgive myself for what I did. – replies Ícaro, pulling his arm, to Maria's surprise.

***

Thiago was saying goodbye to the family of his fiancée, Graziela, when Ícaro appears nervous, walking from one side to the other.

-Is everything okay, brother? – asks Thiago touching Ícaro's shoulder.

- Anna is dying. – reveals Ícaro, desperate - She has cancer, hospitalized in Belo Horizonte... And dying.

- What are you talking about? What you mean? – asks Thiago confused - is Anna dying...? How do you know that? Did you find her? When... When did you find her?

- I'm sorry... I wanted to tell you, but I didn't have the courage... – Ícaro replies, nervous.

-When did you find her?– asks Thiago, narrowing his eyes.

-I found her sixteen years ago. – Reveals exasperated Ícaro. He smiles nervously and continues talking quickly - She had a beautiful girl named Maria Luísa, we call her Malú. She has hair as dark as night and eyes bluer than any sky we've ever seen. She's tough, smart and determined. And Anna... Wow... Anna is a wonderful mother. There's Aline, an incredible woman who took them both in when... When... Her mother touched her from home and I'm madly in love with her. For Aline and not for Anna. Anna is amazing, but her heart has always been yours. Just like I gave mine to Aline.

-Why are you telling me all this? How do you know all this? Did you live with them? Are you telling me that you lived with my family for sixteen years? – asks Thiago with his head down. He looks at Ícaro who is crying, approaches him and in a fit of rage he punches Ícaro in the chin, making him fall to the ground - You hid my family from me! How could you do this to me?

- I'm sorry, man – asks Ícaro raising his hands still on the ground - You didn't give me a choice.

- What you mean? What choice? What have I done to you? – asks Thiago confused

-You took the company from me! – shouts Ícaro, getting up -The only thing I could have from our father... I wanted you to feel exactly the same thing I felt. But it was before I entered their lives. All these years I felt like crap for what I did.

- You destroyed my life for a company?! – shouts Thiago, upset. Without thinking he starts hitting his brother who doesn't react to his advances - I hate you! I hate you!

- Stop! – orders Maria Luísa, holding her son's arm - Don't do that.

- Let me go! – shouts Thiago pushing his mother on the couch. He points his finger at his mother angrily - You suck less than he does. Your rubbish! I hate you two!

Thiago strides towards his room, being followed by Maria Luísa. She runs a little further, stopping in front of her son with an air of despair:

- Where are you going? What do you think you are doing? – asks Maria desperately.

- I'm going after what little is left of my family – Thiago answers, pushing his mother before entering the room.

***

Today

-After that, I bought a ticket and came here. – Thiago continues staring at the emptiness of the street - But it was too late to rescue everything they took from me. I only have Malú and I will do everything to have her with me.

- If you think that your story will move me to the point of letting you keep Malú... I have bad news for you: That won't happen. – Aline comments, drying her face. She stares at him, disgusted - All this just made me realize how bad you guys are and how much they'll hurt my Malú.

-Are you declaring war? – asks Thiago, approaching Aline - Well, I don't care who I have to destroy to get my daughter back.

- I'm declaring war. – admits Aline - Because I don't care if you think you have the right to keep her.

- So, it's war. – says Thiago, returning to the hospital.

Aline takes a deep breath as she lets her tears fall down her face. He tries to process once again everything Thiago has said about Ícaro and only comes to one conclusion: He needs to get Malú out of the Almeida family's clutches.