Saudade

8 (Now)

The first thing Cecilia did the next morning was FaceTime Ali, Cecilia slept in until 12pm since she was still jet legged, so it would be 8am for Ali. "Hi, how is everything?" Ali said as soon as she picked up, she was also lying in bed. "Honestly, not as bad as I thought. how are you?" Cecilia said rubbing her eyes. "good, I'm just heading up to the cottage in Perth today. Have you seen Rui?" Ali questioned.

"Yes, and before you ask, he's single." Cecilia laughed. "Have you guys spoken about.. what happened." Ali asked. "No, but we're going to at some point." Cecilia said. Cecilia had told Ali everything that happened between Rui and her, Cecilia trusted Ali with her whole life. She was her biggest emotional support. "Ok good, I think that is something you two definitely need to do. You have to tell me how it goes." Ali demanded. "I will for sure." Cecilia laughed.

"Hey Cici!" Cecilia heard Brents voice through the phone, then his head popped in. "Hi Brent." Cecilia smiled and waved. "I have to steal my girl back, I'm taking her to get her nails done then heading up to Perth." He said. "Ok, love you guys!" Cecilia smiled. "Love you too!"

Cecilia got ready for the day, she was going to a cafe in downtown Porto to do a bit of work on her computer. She got her bag and made her way downtown. She walked down the busy streets, ever since she was a kid she loved Porto. Her parents too, they would always go on day trips and go for lunch there too. She took pictures of the city on her digital camera, Cecilia also always had a love for photography.

Once she got to the cafe she order a well needed espresso shot and got to work, editing some reports that were due soon. She then took a break to people watch, one of her favourite things to do. She felt calm, safe almost. She watched as tourist walked by, and birds flew around.

She then got a text, from her mom which read 'Want to meet me and Pai for lunch? Martina is cooking. come by. Martina was her parents chef. She replied saying sure and packed up to walk to their apartment.

Their apartment was a penthouse looking over the city, it was an old building which they had made renovated it to look newer. Her mom had great style and did all the interior design. She greeted her parents and sat down at the table, which was full of food. They started eating. "So how much longer are you staying, Filha?" Cecilia's mother asked taking a bite of cod fish. "I'm not too sure, maybe another week. Your guys can come visit me in Toronto if you want to see me though." Cecilia said raising her eye brows. "Yeah, but your grandparents want you here too." Cecilia's dad stated, Cecilia nodded. "Do you want rosca?" Cecilia's mom asked picking up the bread basket. "No thanks." Cecilia declined. Awkward silence filled the room.

"Um.. have you seen Rui." Cecilia's mom asked, she knew her parents always tried to be careful with the topic of Rui. Cecilia nodded, trying to be nonchalant. "Yeah, we went to the beach the other day." Cecilia said. "I'm guessing he told you about buying into Tony's cafe?" Cecilia father asked, making her mother nudge him with her knee under the table. "Yup! So.. when are you guys going to France to visit Tia Lina?" Cecilia said trying to move the conversation along, passed Rui. "In a few weeks, does Rui know that you're staying another week?" Cecilia's mom asked. Cecilia put her cutlery down on the table. "What's going on? Why are we talking about Rui right now?" Cecilia starred at them, no answer just a shrug. "Oh meu dues! Can I just live my own life? I'm an adult, all you guys do is baby me. I can't handle it anymore!" Cecilia cried.

"Did you know he was going to be at the restaurant that day?" Cecilia asked. "Fiiha, we were just trying to help the situation." Cecilia's mother said with a long blink. "Ok, whatever. It's fine, I'm jet legged. I'm going to head back." Cecilia stood up, her parents said nothing. She put in her headphone once she stepped out the apartment door and put on mazzy star, trying not to cry.

As she walked back to the hotel she picked up her phone, going to her contacts and finding Rui's number and mustered up the courage to call him. She pressed it and let it ring, with less than two rings he picked up. "Cici?" He said curiously through the phone. Him calling her Cici made her heart feel warm. "Hey, Rui. I'm going to drive into town tomorrow, are you around?" Cecilia asked wincing, her heart racing. "Yeah it's actually my day off, why don't you come by? I'll send you my new address." Rui said enthusiastically. "Ok, Great!"

She hung up the phone and took a breath. She was going to tell him.