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

Chapter 22 - Surprises

MIRIAM'S BEDROOM - DAY

Miriam is sleeping like a saint, even though it was late. She turns from side to side and smiles, she is dreaming. She begins to embrace herself, dreaming that she is embracing someone.

"Oh, Carlos, hug me... Oh, Carlos, what huge arms you have... Oh..."

Miriam wakes up, opens her eyes, and...

... Scream! She comes face to face with Monica.

"I'm not who you expected, am I?" Monica asks jokingly.

Miriam gets up, "Definitely not. I was dreaming of something much better."

"And it's this dream we need to talk about. Girl, you're so distracted that you left your door unlocked. What if a thief appears?"

Miriam, dreamily, leans against the headboard, "Nothing is gonna happen to me while Carlos is in the neighborhood."

"If you continue in this Glen Close style, he will move to Várzea do Nego, dear."

Miriam scratches her eyes, "Monica, what's so important for you to take my morning breath?"

"Dear, yesterday Carlos was going to Carina's house."

Miriam has two heart attacks, bounces on the bed, and gets up, "But, it can't! I have to stop, talk to—"

Monica is attentive to the name Miriam was going to say, "Talk to..."

Miriam dodges it, "Talk to Carina, but I was going to curse a bad word. I need to control myself, right?"

"Of course, you need to control yourself, dear!"

"I'm doing everything wrong, right?"

"It's scaring Carlos. You know, he likes you and wants to get to know you better, but you're scaring him. And you're attracting too much attention to Carina. The more you talk about her, the more he'll be interested."

"He can't be that dumb."

"Girl, you need to know men more. They are more interested in actions than words. It doesn't matter what you say about Carina, but what she does, what she is like. And if in Carlos's eyes, Carina is the opposite of what you say, bye! You lose."

Miriam was dazzled by Monica's knowledge, "My friend, you really know things."

Monica reacts modestly, "You need to know a little about them for me to write a good book."

Miriam becomes friendlier, "I want to buy it when it comes out."

"Wheeeen it comes out, dear."

"Oh, yes, you deserve it."

"Thanks..."

Monica and Miriam embrace. Behind them, Sandra, almost entering, suddenly stopped. She has wide eyes and then a look of revolt because Monica is hugging her "friend".

***

GRANJA SQUARE

Luis is listening intently to Ricardo, he still doesn't dare to see him as an equal, and Ricardo doesn't even give him that chance.

"Luis, if you're interested in earning some more money—"

"We're here for this!"

Ricardo makes that icy face again and Luis swallows.

"As I said, you can perform at other fairs that take place on other days. Like, for example, tomorrow there is a fair in Jardim Carolina. Every Wednesday night there is a fair in Parque Débora. This one is fixed, just like the ones here. If you can get a spot..."