Rhodia River - In the stream of love [Book 1]

Chapter 16 - Disastrous double dating

CÁSSIO'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Sandra and Cássio discuss the result of the plan. The talk already started.

Sandra gets upset with the outcome. "What do you mean, he didn't have it?"

Cássio explains while shrugging, "That's right, dear. He said he threw it away. Just like Fábia Peres. It was a mutual agreement." He is deluded, "This is true love!"

Sandra stands and walks in circles. "True love my nose! That Fábio Dance never was a decent guy. I don't know what Monica saw in him."

"Although I prefer myself, I have to admit that ugly, ugly, he is not."

"I'm talking about the person within, dear. He and Fábia Peres deserve each other. Do you know how it all started? I caught her in the newsstand buying those abject romance books!"

"Like what does Monica write?"

Sandra responds vehemently, "No! At least Monica wouldn't have the courage, hers is the clean book kind. I'm crazy to read. Fábia Peres' books focus more on men without a shirt than the plot, content, context, verisimilitude..."

Cássio is getting lost. "Got it, got it..."

"So she said that if Fábio keeps his collection, she has the right to have hers."

"But, Fábio vehemently guaranteed that he threw it away. Imagine how he will react if he knows?"

Sandra reacts with an idea and snaps her fingers, malevolently. "What if we opened his eyes?"

Cássio furrows his eyebrows. "What? Give away the girlfriend's head?"

"Cássio, we were thinking that Fábio Dance was the villain, when in fact the villain was Fábia Peres herself."

"What do you suggest we do?"

"Let's turn this story around and do justice! After all, she is breaking the agreement!"

Cássio sits on the couch. Meditation face, hand on chin.

Flashback of Célio on the street warning Cássio:

"So I only tell you one thing, Cássio: when you start getting into trouble because of these favors from people who were not even our friends as children, don't count on me! You're already an adult and you know what you do."

End of flashback. The donkey takes the advice literally, "What do I have to say to Fábio?"

Sandra smiles with satisfaction.

***

STREETS

Rosa is walking home, and once again she runs into Luis's gang. She pretends not to care and walks without even looking at them. Where they are, behind the streetlight and close to the wall of a house, she can't even see them properly. When she is passing by, she hears Luis's voice.

"Everything did well. You can warn Ricardo. Well, I think I can warn myself, right?"

The tone changes, it looks like someone did "no".

"Ah, y-you tell him... Okay..."

Rosa continues walking, finding this conversation very weird.

"These young people today seem to speak in code. I must be old, so nobody believes in my age. Old mind, the same body."

Rosa keeps walking.

***

DE LUCA PIZZERIA

The dating of the two couples follows. Pizza has arrived and everyone eats it. Let's go to Fábio and Fábia Peres first.