Written in the Stars

CHAPTER 9

Bruno and Helena dismount their bikes, panting. They gave it their all, pedaling as fast as possible to get back to Parati before the sunset was over. Some stars were already appearing when they finally stopped in front of the inn where Helena was staying. She takes off her helmet, hands it to him, and receives in return her bag with the cachaças she bought.

"Thank you for today," the young woman says, adjusting her blonde hair behind her ear.

"Always at your service," Bruno replies, looking at the girl with a daring smile.

"What's up?" she asks, smiling, feeling awkward.

"And so?"

"And so what?"

"Did you feel the passion? Are you in love?" Bruno asks nervously. Helena's face turns as red as a tomato, forcing Bruno to continue quickly: "I mean, with the place... Maria Izabel's story."

"Oh... Yes, it was all incredible and captivating," Helena replies, relieved. She then raises an eyebrow, saying, "Of course, that doesn't change our deal."

"Of course not. I hadn't even thought about that."

The two stare at each other, analyzing each detail of each other's faces. Bruno has to make an effort to restrain his hand that desires to touch Helena's face, to trace with his fingers the faint freckles on her skin, descending along the lines at the corners of her mouth, where he would undoubtedly get lost. He bites his lips when he realizes they were slightly parted as he gazes at the young woman. Helena slowly puts a smile on her face and then moves closer to Bruno, planting a kiss on the young man's cheek, causing him to hold his breath at the touch.

"Goodnight, Bruno."

"Goodnight, Helena, almost Albuquerque," Bruno says with a big smile.

He adjusts the bicycles and then walks down the street, whistling loudly, with Helena following him until she loses sight of him. She smiles and then walks into the inn, lost in thought. It was surreal how Bruno managed to affect her in that way in such a short time. Just his touch sends shivers down her spine, his smile takes her to the moon. What's happening to me? Is it just loneliness because of what happened to me? Oh, God, what's happening to me? Helena thinks as she opens the door to her room.

"Finally, you showed up, Helena!" Regina exclaims, getting up from the couch, extremely nervous, unlike Marcelo, who remained engrossed in his phone. "Your brother and I were about to call the police."

"Why didn't you?" Helena asks, placing the bag on the round dining table.

"What?" her mother asks, surprised by her daughter's audacity.

"Mum, Helena asked why we didn't call the police," Marcelo repeats, mocking his mother.

"What's that smell of alcohol?" Regina asks, ignoring her son. She approaches Helena and then backs away, horrified. "Did you drink, Helena Santos Rocha?"

"Oops!" Helena blurts out, walking towards the wardrobe, observed by her brother, who now finds everything very interesting. The young man walks towards the dining table as his sister opens the wardrobe door, saying, "My bad, Mum."

"My bad? Helena, you left here to cancel that damn package and spent the day drinking? Is that right?" Regina asks, irritated.

"Well, not exactly," Helena says, rummaging through her clothes. "I went there and expanded the package. I got a seven-day cycling package."

"You what? Helena! Do you realize what you've done? You weren't supposed to do that!"

"Wow, you bought cachaça! Cool!" Marcelo says excitedly, looking at the bottles.

"Yes, it was part of the cycling package. I discovered a wonderful beach today... Corumbê. Then we went to the Maria Izabel Alambique," Helena comments to her brother. She turns to her mother and says, "It was at that alambique that I drank all of them."

"You forgot the reason we're here?" Regina asks, holding the wardrobe door and facing her daughter.

"We're here because I got dumped by my fiancé. That's why you and Marcelo are on this trip. If Leandro were here... It would be me and Leandro. Actually, if that were the case, I doubt I would have drunk so much... which would be pretty boring. The cachaças are amazing. Seriously, Marcelo, you have to try them. If you want, I can go back there and buy more."

"Of course, I want, sis," Marcelo replies excitedly.

"Helena!" Regina calls out, trying to reason with her daughter. "That's not why we're here. We traveled here because we need to reflect on the mistakes that made Leandro give up, improve, and then win back his fiancé. And, of course, to cancel that damn package and tell them we'd sue them if they didn't refund us. Now you've expanded the package to seven days? What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking of enjoying the trip. I recommend you do the same because Leandro will never come back to me. He doesn't want me, and he's right not to want me. Leandro wants someone who knows who they are, and right now, I don't even know what to wear after taking a shower," Helena replies seriously. "Now, if you can leave my room and go to yours, I'd appreciate it."

"And if you continue like this, neither Leandro nor anyone else will want you, Helena. Is that what you want?" Regina asks. "Do you want to end up like me? Alone, with no one to take care of you? Think carefully about what happened to me and see if that's what you want for yourself."

Helena moves away from her mother and walks towards the bathroom with some clothes. She takes off the cycling outfit and steps into the shower, trying to focus on the hot water running down her body, but her mother's words continue to disturb her peace of mind.