Illusory Love

7

Chapter 7

A little while later Nelio and Antony arrived at a brothel in the city. Two other friends joined them.

Once inside, the young men sat down at a table full of drinks and cigarettes.

Prostitutes were sitting on their laps and they remained in that atmosphere of drinking and chatting, flirting for hours. Finally, each couple got up and went to their respective rooms.

***

A new day was dawning when Nelio returned to his house. He wasn't able to go into his own room because he was under the effect of alcohol drink. His clothes were crumpled and he had several lipstick marks on his neck.

He lay down on the couch in the living room and slept deeply for hours.

***

Lany was talking to her friend Helena in the backyard, while she was putting the clothes on the Clothesline.

"What do you see in my brother? He arrived today in the morning filled with lipstick marks on his neck." Lany said.

"Is he dating someone?" Helena asked seeming relatively concerned.

"No, he must have been with some girl and I think she must be very ordinary to have left him in that state!"

"You're right," Helena agreed.

"What did you think of Antony?" Lany changed the subject as her thoughts ran to Antony.

Her startled eyes flew to Lany's. "Are you talking about your brother's friend?"

Lany responded quickly. Her cheeks were red and Helena perceived that. "Yes."

"Why are you asking me this?" Helena asked smiling and ran her eyes on Lany's face.

"Ah... What do you think of him?" Lany insisted and shook her shoulders.

"Ah, he is cute...he is a diligent boy ..."

She paused.

"And he is poor!" Lany said resentfully.

"Why this question now, Lany?" She was suspicious at her friend. "Is he interested in you?" She insisted.

"He gazes at me strangely ..."

"Haaammm! And what do you think of that?" she asked curious.

"I don't know..." She said stunned.

"It is a sign that you feel something for this guy." Helena looked to comprehend her friend's feelings.

"I don't know yet..." Lany said, thoughtful and stared away, Antony's image didn't go out of her mind and that bothered her so much.

"I'm rooting for you!" Helena exclaimed and gave her a truthful smile.

"I don't want him!" Lany finally said and crossed her arms over her chest.