The Virgin Saved by the Billionaire

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 complaints, Lily!" she interrupted. "What's the harm in leaving a few towels for Luciano Monteiro?"

So, it was indeed a VIP guest, and my aunt always caters to his every whim, no matter how absurd it might be.

"It's already past eight in the evening, and I've been working for nearly twelve hours, Aunt," I pointed out with weariness. "I need food and rest, as tomorrow it all starts again."

I couldn't stay silent this time, as I was nearing exhaustion. I had been working for almost a month without a single day off since the summer began in Gostoso, one of the most beloved tourist destinations in Brazil that attracts many visitors throughout the year.

"Don't give me any drama, Lily," she said, quite annoyed. "You know Luciano always prefers to be attended to by you. After delivering the towels, you can do whatever you want, you lazy ungrateful girl."

Even though I was tired and eager to end the day, I realized it was better not to contradict my aunt. She could become quite cruel when angry, and I wasn't in the physical condition to endure all her insults, let alone the speech she always gives whenever she gets upset with me.

"I'm going to get the towels," I said, turning away without bothering with any kind of cordial farewell.

I preferred to postpone my rest a little rather than argue with Lucrécia once again, which had become quite common in the last few months. Our relationship had been getting more tense every day since I received an offer to move to Rio de Janeiro and work as a model.

I hadn't accepted, after all, I wouldn't trust offers like that when the internet is full of stories of people, especially young women like me, who had been deceived and fallen for scams involving work in the southeast of the country, especially when it came to something as glamorous as being a model.

Thinking about this made me nervous and irritated, especially when I remembered my aunt's crude words telling me to use my beauty for something useful like winning over a millionaire tourist.

"You should stop wasting time with a poor guy like Samuel and accept the offers from tourists, silly girl," she repeated whenever she had the chance. "If Juliana had your beauty, I'm sure she wouldn't be in Gostoso anymore but in Europe with some rich man, living surrounded by luxury, like Lourdes did."

I smirked cynically as I recalled one of her sermons and the face my cousin made when she got caught up in her delusions, as Juliana wasn't the person her mother believed her to be. Besides being quite introverted, she always told me that she would never get involved with someone because of money or status, as her mother constantly suggested she would.

But it's better to pay attention to what I was doing and forget about my aunt, so I grabbed some clean and neatly folded towels that were packaged and ready for use. I quickly went to one of the chalets in the inn, even though my aunt hadn't told me which one her VIP guest was in. Luciano Monteiro has one of the chalets reserved with us, as this is one of his favorite destinations to bring his business partners.

"Oh, you're already here!" Luciano commented with obvious satisfaction as he opened the door for me.

"I brought the clean towels," I said, trying to hand over the package and leave as quickly as possible.

"Don't go now," he requested in a friendly tone. "I enjoy your company, Lily."

I didn't like the way some guests behaved towards me, especially when they spoke with such familiarity, even though I hadn't given any indication of that. But to avoid my aunt losing customers, I always kept quiet in the face of such behavior. Lucrécia would never forgive me if a guest left her inn because of me.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Monteiro," I politely replied, "but I made plans to meet with my boyfriend in a few minutes, and I'm not even ready yet."

I always made a point to emphasize that I have a boyfriend, and I hated having to do that because a simple "no" should be enough. But I couldn't afford to leave any room for more inappropriate behavior and certainly couldn't displease my aunt.

"Of course, of course," the man quickly agreed, but then an unwanted suggestion came, "Won't you join us for the fireworks? We can meet there."

I wished not to say anything about that. I didn't want to imply anything remotely personal between us, but I had to emphasize once again.

"I'll be with my boyfriend, Mr. Monteiro."

Faced with the guest's displeased expression, I just smiled and excused myself after finally handing over the towels.

I tried not to let anything of what I was truly feeling show at that moment and quickly walked to my aunt's house, conveniently located just a few meters away from the main building of the inn, where all the administrative part, as well as the reception, was located.

I entered the house in a hurry, not wanting to risk encountering my aunt again that night, as she would surely assign me some last-minute task. I needed a long and relaxing shower, something I did as soon as I found myself inside the tiny bathroom.

Lucrécia's house is small and without any luxury. Her interest was solely focused on the inn, where she made a good amount of money. So there were a few pieces of furniture and some visible repairs to be done, but that didn't bother me. Worse than anything else was her personality, and I was starting to seriously consider accepting Samuel's marriage proposal and finally leaving that house and getting away from my aunt.

But what I feared the most was having to stay in the same city as her. Despite being a beautiful place with a strong tourist appeal, I might not be able to find a job in any other establishment. Everyone would question why I didn't work for my aunt, after all, her inn was one of the best in the city.

No one truly knows how unpleasant Lucrécia can be-a petty and cruel woman who, for some dark mystery, raised me since her sister Lourdes left with a foreigner she met at the same inn, leaving behind a five-year-old daughter.

My aunt made a point of reminding me of this fact and highlighting how kind she was for raising a child who wasn't hers, even though she was a widowed and lonely woman with a small daughter of her own.

Juliana is Lucrécia's daughter and is twenty-two years old, practically the same age as me, with only a two-year difference. My cousin and I are very close friends, and despite her mother's difficult temperament, we manage to live in relative peace and have never had major conflicts with each other.

She had gone to visit one of her college friends; she was majoring in business administration at a university in Natal, the state capital, over a hundred kilometers away from São Miguel. She was currently on vacation and took the opportunity to go out and have some fun.

After feeling adequately fed, exhaustion seemed to have left me, and I felt energetic enough to leave the house that night and meet my boyfriend, whom I hadn't seen for days. I decided to surprise Samuel and go to his house. I was sure he would be very happy to see me after so many days apart, even though we had agreed that he would pick me up at home around eleven o'clock, and there was still over an hour left.

We planned to watch the fireworks together on the waterfront of Gostoso and then take a stroll along the beach and spend some time together.

Now, with great enthusiasm, I quickly changed out of the comfortable clothes I was wearing into a light and white strappy dress. The night was warm, and anything more than that seemed unnecessary, I thought with a smile.

I walked hastily-a habit of mine to move quickly and do everything in a rush-and a few minutes later, I was standing in front of Samuel's house, which was all dark, indicating he wasn't home. As the house had no front walls and was surrounded by verandas, I decided to sit on one of the chairs there, intending to send a message to my boyfriend and check where he was.

I was typing when I heard something resembling moans. Moans? I questioned my choice of words but remained silent and stood up. Probably someone had taken advantage of the absence of the homeowners and was using the veranda's hammocks for rather inappropriate things, I thought with displeasure.

Accustomed to the dimness of the place, I analyzed my options, but soon concluded that I shouldn't report the couple of lovers-it was becoming increasingly clear that it was that-because the moans were becoming more "intense."

I decided to leave as soon as possible. I didn't want to know who the people were and was about to descend the veranda stairs and leave when a louder moan and a very audible request made me freeze in place.

"Harder, Samuel!"

I recognize that voice...

"More, my love!"

Juliana!?

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."

Heitor

After 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 hotel bar. We joined the majority of other guests in the party area near the pool, where several tables were set up with a complete and appealing buffet, featuring many traditional New Year's Eve dishes and also regional Northeastern cuisine.

While trying some delicacies, I looked around the venue, recognizing some faces and hoping that Heloísa and Bernardo would soon find interesting company and forget about Catarina and me. Once that happened, I planned to return to my suite and sleep. I was bored; that was the only word that could define my current state. I was sure my girlfriend wouldn't mind missing the rest of the "party."

Catarina and I have been dating for two years, and I plan to propose to her on my grandfather Vicente's birthday, which will happen in a month. This will be my gift to the patriarch of the Alves de Bragança family, considering that his greatest wish at the moment is for his grandchildren to get married and have children. He can't wait to have children running around the gardens of his mansion.

Despite the plans for an imminent marriage, I can't say that I love my girlfriend because I don't believe in love and don't think I will ever fall in love. The only reason I chose her to be my wife is the bond between our families and the fact that I've known Catarina for years, and we have a lot of affinity with each other.

I don't see any problem in having a calm relationship, or as Bernardo always insists on saying a lukewarm and unexciting relationship. But my best friend's opinion and that of the biggest womanizer I know don't matter.

"What do you think about going back to our suite?" I asked discreetly, right after midnight and after losing sight of Heloísa and Bernardo.

"Let's stay just a little longer..." Catarina asked in a strange tone of voice.

I looked closely at my girlfriend when she took another glass of champagne from the passing waiter's tray, and I'm sure that should be at least the fourth time I've seen her do that.

"Do you think you've had enough to drink for one night?" I asked, not disguising the disapproval in my voice.

Catarina seemed to be very focused on something on the other side of the huge pool and didn't even bother to pay attention to what I was saying, which bothered me a lot.

"Catarina?" I tried.

"Yes?" Despite the response, I didn't have her attention, and I noticed a clear expression of displeasure on her face.

I looked once again in the direction Catarina was so interested in, but I didn't understand what she was seeing. However, I soon realized that Bernardo was already kissing some random girl, something quite common for my friend and shouldn't be a surprise to any of us.

"What's the problem?" I asked, already irritated with Catarina's strange behavior.

"There's no problem at all," she replied with annoyance. "We're all free to do whatever we want, right?"

That question left me astonished and seemed more rhetorical, as she didn't even wait for me to respond and was already turning the glass and drinking the entire content in a single, long gulp.

"What's bothering you? I don't understand."

Catarina didn't answer me and, in a quite inappropriate and surprising manner, turned her back and walked away through the crowd without even looking back, leaving me without understanding anything that had just happened.

I decided to wait sometime before returning to our suite, the place where I believed Catarina might be. However, when I arrived at the room, there was no sign of her passing through the luxurious accommodations of the luxury hotel where we were staying.

"Where could she be?"

Now I was truly worried about my girlfriend. After all, she wasn't in her normal state, and being alone out there could be very dangerous.

Catarina is a beautiful black woman with straight hair, cut shoulder-length. She has a slim and delicate body with extremely elegant long legs, creating a very striking image that could attract the attention of some ill-intentioned person, which is quite concerning.

Thinking about it made me return to the location where the celebration was happening, and it was even more crowded now that a very successful singer had started performing. Still, I walked through the entire area, attentive to any sign of Catarina or anyone who could provide information about her.

Luckily, I found my sister, who, as I expected, was hugging a man with whom she seemed to be having a great time. I felt quite uncomfortable interrupting their moment.

"I don't know where Catarina is," I said all at once.

Heloísa became as concerned as I was, and we agreed to go in different directions, communicating with each other in case either of us found my girlfriend.

I also decided to search along the beachfront and walked, attentive to everyone around. However, a lonely girl sitting by the sea caught my attention. Even though I was sure it wasn't Catarina, something made me stop and observe her actions.

The sea seemed to be getting closer to where the girl was, as each wave broke closer to her, and she didn't seem to mind getting wetter. I thought she might have fallen asleep, but her shoulders were shaking strongly, and I understood that she was crying copiously.

Another concerning fact was that the beach in that area was almost deserted, with few people walking toward the busier part, indicating it would become even emptier over time. However, the girl either didn't realize or wished to be completely alone to cry her very painful tears.

For some reason, I couldn't walk away and pretend I hadn't seen that clearly sad and even... depressing scene of a girl crying alone on New Year's Eve, while the beach waves soaked her more and more.