Chapter 5 RAY OF SUNSHINE

Robin's mother called him over and, giving me a kiss on the cheek, went to meet her.

I glanced in Theo's direction, who had his gaze on me. I blushed, as if he knew what I had just done. Because it always seemed to me that he could see into me, deeper than I could reach myself.

- 'I don't like him with you,' Heitor said, still with his arm around me.

- 'And do you like anyone I've been involved with so far, Dad?

- "I like him less.

- I didn't think so... 'After all, how long did you talk about business at my engagement party?

- That's exactly why I don't like him. - There wasn't a hint of playfulness in my father's countenance.

I swallowed.

- 'It's Maria Lua who has to like him. - Theo was emphatic and serious.

- Thank you, Theo. - I smiled.

- 'If he does anything to you, I'll turn him into wine. - Heitor gave me a kiss on the cheek and left.

- Don't thank me - Theo said. - 'I said you're the one who has to like him.... That doesn't mean I think you do.

- 'Why does everyone think I'm inconsequential?

- Because you "are" an inconsequential.

I came close to him and looked into his green eyes, feeling them in mine:

- "You don't know anything about me," I said.

- I really don't know... The Mary Moon I know would never have a traditional engagement party.... Especially making it official with a man who is my direct enemy in business.

- 'Do you think I did that to provoke you, Theo? - I laughed in disbelief.

- 'I don't think you shine next to him. - It was so sincere that it hurt inside me.

- 'This sunbeam thing is childish. I've grown up, Theo.

- In this family, you've always been our ray of sunshine.

- I... I'm not... - I shook my head, stunned.

- Honey, Mom wants us to talk to the Antunes.... It seems they have a wonderful Inn in País del Mar, a perfect place for honeymooners...' Robin pulled me out of there. - Robin pulled me out of there.

I felt the air return to my lungs. The Antunes couple were nice. They were both over 60, at least. And I just smiled, not being able to focus on what they were saying.

What the fuck had I done? I was a despicable being.

When the conversation with the couple finally ended, I looked at Robin and said:

- I have a headache.

- Have you had too much to drink, my love?

- Maybe... - I lied.

I couldn't stand all those people walking around, drinking, all in suits and ties, talking business. The women in their beautiful long, shiny dresses, their hair done up, smiling like puppets.

It was exactly what my father didn't want for me. And I pretended not to know. Heitor and Barbara always made me believe in true love. But I ran away from this feeling all my life, because I never thought I was good enough to be able to feel it one day and be happy.

I did everything wrong. And yet they supported me and loved me. And that irritated me deeply.

And there was Theo, who did everything right and never gave them a headache. And he was the legitimate son. I was just someone that fate forced them to take and raise.

Sometimes I thought I was too old to still be saddened by that situation about my mother's death and the fact that she had asked Babi to stay with me. But then I thought how much I had run away from it all my life and that maybe one day the truth would fall on my head and I would have to face it.

Because it couldn't be just that: they were best friends, Salma died and asked Babi to take care of me like she was my mother. I knew there was my biological family somewhere. And that my parents, Heitor and Babi, were protecting me and trying in every way to keep me away from them. Because they had blackmailed me for so long for money. But still... Who was Salma's family, really?

- What do you say we leave? Gradually everyone will leave the Casanova house and the party will be over. We can go to my apartment. - Robin hugged me.

- No... I really have a headache... I don't want to go to your place. - If I didn't want to kiss you because I had done it with Dimi a little while ago, what about having sex!

- We can't be bad hosts before we even have our own house, little star!". - He smiled and smoothed my face. - 'I'll get you a painkiller. And let's hope the weather clears up soon.

Robin did indeed bring the painkiller, which I swallowed with sparkling wine. And after that I just watched the hands of the clock go round, so that the time would pass quickly. The last guests left the house just after 1 am.

As soon as they crossed the exit door, I took off my boots and lay down on the couch, looking up and taking a deep breath. I was tired and feeling terrible for what I had done.

- This is what will happen if you marry a man who gives you time to get bored. - I heard my mother's voice.

- I'm not bored," I lied.

- 'Yes, you've been bored since the moment you saw Robin Hood.

- 'He's not Robin Hood,' I complained.

- 'He's not even a disqualified person, Malu.

- Being an underdog is bad. So the fact that he's not one is good. - I was confused, trying to make her understand my line of reasoning.

- Heitor is the king of the downgrades.

- I thought you liked him," I retorted.

- He never bored me.

- Not even today? - I arched an eyebrow, debauched.

The party had been boring and the best part of the night was having sex with Dimitry.

- Not even today... After all, we had sex in the bathroom.

I raised my head, staring at her:

- Disgusting!

- That's what I'm talking about: complicity, passion, fun, madness.... Love.

- Has Theo gone to sleep yet? - I stood up, trying to end the conversation.

- He has.

- I'll wake him up. - I shrugged, heading towards the dormitory wing.

- 'Why the fuck are you running away from this conversation? - Barbara shouted.

- 'Mom, we already talked about this, before I went down to the hottest engagement party of the year. - I was sarcastic.

- Don't go teasing your brother. It's been a long time since he's stayed for a sleepover. I want it to happen again.

- It will happen again. Soon I'll be in my house.... With Robin Hood. - I blinked. - You mean Robin Giordano - I corrected myself.

They bothered me so much with Robin Hood that I accidentally ended up repeating what I hated so much, which was the jokes about my boyfriend.

Because that's how it was: Ben and Babi lost their friends but not the joke.

I knocked lightly on Theo's door and heard no sound from the other side. Of course I wasn't going to wake him. But it had been so long since I'd seen him and I didn't want him to leave without telling me personally how his life was going.

I was giving up, turning away, when the door opened. He was wearing sweatpants and was shirtless and barefoot.

- When did you grow breasts? - I asked him, stunned.

Theo looked at his own chest and laughed:

- I've been working on getting muscular.

I laughed:

- That's not your type... You won't look good with muscles. But your chest... Wow! - I shook myself, debauchedly.