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

Chapter 21 - Monica's Hope Is Gone

FÁBIO'S LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Fábio asks Fábia Peres if Monica had anything to do with Cássio's plan. And the dishonest girl decides to slander Monica.

"Darling, I'd never have an idea like that! And just with Cássio? I know you weren't intimate in childhood, you would suspect! Look, I can't prove it, but it must have been Monica. She wouldn't call Célio because it would be worse."

"What a lack of self-love this guy has! Anyway, Fábia, I got it right from the beginning when he showed up here forcing intimacy, but I must admit that his way of touching the subject of magazines was smart."

"But, I didn't speak to him, dear, believe me..."

Fábio approaches her, "Yeah, Fábia, I believe. After all, you wouldn't have the mental capacity to come up with something so—"

Fábio interrupts himself before Fábia understands what he is saying. He opens his arms and she runs towards them. The two smile and embrace.

Fábia says relieved, "Forgive me, my love! I'll never distrust you again. You're right; relationships must be based on trust... 'mutual', is that so?"

Fábio corrects her, "'Mutual' it's a paroxytonic word."

"O Father, you love to complicate, huh?"

Fábio laughs and then looks at his girlfriend. The couple kisses like some movie worthy of the 50s.

***

MONICA'S LIVING ROOM

Monica comes from the kitchen giving Carlos a glass of mango juice; he is sitting in the armchair. Carlos notices the computer table full of A4 sheets, some wrapped in small balls.

"And how is the production of the second book doing? Has the first already sold?"

Monica sits and answers, "No, I was rejected by the publishing house. I was almost robbed for that."

"Actually, you did, I reversed it."

"And I'm forever grateful for that, Carlos."

Carlos drinks, "Please, Monica. I'm just a citizen aware of my duty. I hate crime, and when I was at a distance and saw you... I didn't think twice; I called my colleague and we made that scene look like an American action movie."

Monica smiles, "For more American action, then."

Carlos laughs, "Anyway, you told me about Miriam. Is she in love with me, thinks Carina is too, and that's why she did that scene at the Residents' Association? Insinuating that the two of us..."

"It's just a theory, Carlos."

"It turns out that Miriam visited me earlier and apologized to me. She swore she was going to apologize to you too."

Monica reacts in surprise, "With me?"

"She mentioned you too in her daydreams."

Monica bounces on the couch, incredulous.

Carlos goes on, "In fact, if she saw both of us now..."

"Jeez, and I believe that a woman like that only drives a man away. No man likes to feel like the movie 'Fatal Attraction'.

Carlos smiles, "That's it. I like Miriam, she's a good neighbor, and I invited her to the pizzeria to get to know her better, as a friend... and who knows more ahead, more than a friend? But now... she burned the steps..."

"Yes, she ran over the script. But, I'm not saying she's a bad person, Carlos. On the contrary, I intend to talk to her and advise her."

Carlos gets up. His glass is empty, "Yeah, talk, Monica. Please. I don't want to see smart girls like you fighting, especially because at the moment, I'm not interested in dating. I'm focused on my job."