Written in the Stars

CHAPTER 7

Bruno gazes at Helena, deep in thought. In a million years, he wouldn't have imagined that this sweet girl had gone through all that. She turns towards him and offers her best smile amidst the pain in her eyes. Helena looks back at the ocean and then feels Bruno's hand holding hers in the sand. She continues staring at the sea because if she looks at Bruno, she feels the tears will take over her face, and Lena isn't willing to allow that. Cry in front of a stranger? Not in a million years! Gradually, Bruno's fingers move away from hers, and he turns back to face the sea, in silence. They remain like that for a few long minutes until Bruno takes a deep breath and asks:

"So, you decided to come on this trip to try to convince him that you're not the person he accused you of being?"

"No," Helena denies, shaking her head, smiling. "Actually, that would be an obvious reason, but no..."

"Did you come because the tickets were non-refundable, and you decided not to waste that money?" Bruno tries to guess what made Helena come to his town.

"It's a good reason, but no. On the contrary, I spent more bringing my brother and mother with me."

"Hmm..." Bruno says thoughtfully. He analyzes Helena from head to toe and then tries again: "The outfit, the store where you bought it didn't accept returns because it was past the date. So, you ended up with a cycling outfit without any purpose and decided to come."

"I ended up with two outfits because I bought his as well," Helena corrects, observing Bruno's joyful expression for thinking he had guessed correctly. "However, no, that's not what made me come here. Although I still have his outfit in my suitcase. If you want, I can give it to you... if it fits."

"Thank you," Bruno says, looking at Helena, who returns her gaze to the sea. His curiosity doesn't allow him to give up on asking what brought Helena to Parati. He nudges Helena with his shoulder and asks, "So, what made you come here?"

"You," Helena calmly responds.

"Me?" Bruno asks, shocked by the revelation.

His mind races, trying to figure out when he had met Helena and invited her to come to Parati. He promises himself never to talk to any woman unless he's sober. Bruno looks at Helena and can't resist asking:

"Do we know each other?"

"No!" Helena laughs. "No, actually, it wasn't really you, but your shop, when they responded to my cancellation. You sent me an email saying, 'Don't let your broken heart prevent you from experiencing our services. Believe me, you will fall in love.'"

"Gabriel," Bruno mutters, shaking his head, in disbelief. He looks at Helena and then concludes, "You were the bride from the email that Gabriel replied to. I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," Helena replies, touching Bruno's shoulder.

"And so? Were we right?" Bruno asks, curious.

"We'll see," Helena says, getting up. She brushes the sand off her clothes. "I believe there's much more you want to show me..."

"Yes, there is a lot," Bruno says, getting up. He approaches Helena and says, "But it's not fun to show everything at once..."

"No?"

"No. After all, the best passion is the one that grows slowly," Bruno explains, getting close to Helena that their bodies would touch with any breath. He adjusts her hair while she continues to gaze at him. "In the details... in the gestures."

"But I don't want to fall in love," Helena asserts, taking a step back. "I didn't come here for that."

"No?" Bruno questions.

"I just came here to see what I could be capable of."

"Even better," Bruno says, wearing his seductive smile. "That way, the tour becomes more interesting."

"I bet it does. So, shall we?" Helena asks, walking towards the trees. "I believe there's still something else to see today."

"Yes, but first, may I suggest you release your tears at the best distillery in the region?"

"Are you inviting me to drink in the middle of the day?" Helena questions, surprised, as she unlocks her bike. "That's personalized service!"

"Well, since you don't want to fall in love... it's better to go in the morning," Bruno explains, shrugging. "Now, if you change your mind, we can go in the late afternoon, near evening..."

"Let's go now," Helena accepts, putting on her helmet.

Bruno and Helena pedal back until they reach a bumpy dirt road with hills throughout the 1.5 km route. Helena finds this road a spectacle in itself, surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of birds.

When they arrive at the location, a farmhouse, Helena feels like she's in paradise because the view is incredible, with the mix of the countryside and a little beach at the edge of the sea at the end of the property. The blonde feels a good energy as she gets off her bike, accompanied by the sound of the working machinery and the pleasant scent of sugarcane in the air.

"This farmhouse is Santo Antônio," Bruno informs, catching Helena's attention. He approaches from behind and then holds her arm until he reaches her hand, pointing out places as he speaks. "Up ahead is Araújo Island, with its fishing village, and the Bay of Ilha Grande. This is where Maria Izabel's distillery is, and it's up there on the slope."

The farmhouse and the distillery, both simple and well cared for, transport Helena to the past. They are situated close to each other in well-kept gardens framed by the forest and the sea.

"Spectacular!" Helena exclaims, intoxicated by Bruno's touch, still holding her hand. She turns towards him, lips slightly parted, finding Bruno gazing at her tenderly. She closes her eyes, anticipating the touch of his lips on hers.