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

Chapter 19 - Love is in the fair

PRAÇA DA GRANJA - DAY

Sunday. There is a gathering of neighborhood residents with their children. Churchgoers left the Mass and went straight to the tents that were assembled.

As stated by Cássio, the fair is small, with a limited number of stalls. Still, people appreciate what they have. There are two novelties: Luis's cassette tapes stall and Carina's stall with several canvasses painted by her.

At Luis's tent, Cássio and Sandra approach it.

"See, darling? Luis got it."

Sandra speaks haughtily, "Yeah, how interesting..."

Luis takes advantage, "And, of course, you gonna honor your friend here, right?"

Cássio replies joyfully, "Ah, sure, let me see what you have!"

Cássio leans over to the showcase. Sandra, with a twisted nose, walks away. She looks around until she finds Miriam with bags.

She approaches the lunatic girl, "Now, can you explain to me what shame was that yesterday?"

"What shame, my friend? I killed it; I made the dead-fly girl think that Carlos possessed me yesterday!"

"And now 'Carlos' is thinking you're the biggest slut in Rhodia River Environmental Park!"

Miriam drops the bags, "I hadn't thought of that!"

"I'm glad I'm here to help you. I'm with Cássio today, but tomorrow, we'll meet at the Malthus cafeteria."

"Bye!"

Miriam gathered her bags and left without noticing that her "friend" Sandra did not say goodbye to her.

At Carina's tent, she is attentive, reading a book. Without realizing it, someone is approaching her and talking to her.

"Look, how interesting... The girl has an artistic vein!"

Carina lifts her head and stares at Ricardo with astonishment. He looks back at her with a smile. Carina is nervous and afraid before Ricardo. He looks at the pictures and chooses one, extending it to her.

"How much is it?"

Carina answers fearfully, "Please, sir, stop bothering me."

"Ricardo. You can call me Ricardo. And you are..." He looks at a corner of the frame, "Carina Sousa. Beautiful name, Carina."

"Please, sir, go away! You don't want to buy my painting; you just want to piss me off! I'll scream!"

Ricardo makes gestures, he finds it funny, "Calm down, miss! I'm indeed interested in painting. I thought this blue was very nice with this hue of shades until it became purple."

Carina becomes hostile, "What do you understand about painting?"

Ricardo responds in a mysterious tone, "Much more than you think."

Carina takes a deep breath and tries a tactic. "R$ 200.00"

"Are you sure?"

"Are you deaf? That's the price."

Ricardo answers gallantly, "No, it's because... It's too cheap for so much talent. Here..."

Ricardo takes his wallet, opens it, and takes out R$ 300.00. Carina gets wide-eyed and shakes her head.

"I can't accept it, sir! I said two hundred."

"Carina, I know how to value things. I know exactly what price I should pay. I want to give you a fair price. Accept, I'll take the painting, and I'll be gone. Come on!"