Building My Life

Chapter 60 - Declaration Interrupted

Josias narrowed his eyes, a flicker of displeasure crossing his face as Uélton pointed out that Fabrício was heading straight for Melissa’s house.

The two rivals hadn’t exactly cleared the air; Fabrício still clearly believed he had a claim on Melissa. Josias knew exactly how the “playboy” would play it: he’d run to her, spin a tale of being victimized by a “rude ruffian,” and hope Melissa would be indignant on his behalf.

Josias grabbed Uélton by the shoulder, steering him back toward their original task. “First, we deliver the bread. Seu Romualdo is waiting.”

“Aren’t you going to defend your lady, man?” Uélton asked, astonished by Josias’s restraint.

“I trust Melissa to handle that i***t with her usual grace,” Josias said with a confident, albeit tight, smile. “But it’s better that Romualdo hears what happened from us first.”

After picking up the fresh bread and a bag of butter cookies, the two returned to the site and gave Romualdo the full rundown of the near-accident and the confrontation.

“My God, boys!” Romualdo exclaimed, shaking his head. “And you say this scoundrel is at Melissa’s house right now? It’s already getting dark.”

“I just hope her mother is home,” Josias muttered. Despite his words of trust, his eyes betrayed a growing knot of anxiety in his chest.

Romualdo noticed the assistant’s distress and gave his shoulder a supportive clap. “Go on, son. Get out of here. Go protect your future girlfriend.”

“He better go make sure she is his girlfriend!” Uélton joked, unable to resist the jab.

Josias gave Uélton a look that said ‘See? This is why I wanted a witness,’ and then he was off, sprinting toward Melissa’s house.

As he approached the front door, he saw them through the living room window. Melissa was perched in an armchair while Fabrício lounged on the large sofa. They were alone. The house was too quiet.

Not wanting to barge in and cause a scene that might upset Dora or Simeon later, Josias ducked down, creeping silently until he was positioned just beneath the window ledge. He held his breath and listened.

“He got my car filthy, Melissa! A red Gol... have you seen it?” Fabrício was practically whining like a child who’d dropped his ice cream.

“No, I haven’t seen it yet. I’m sure it’s... interesting,” Melissa responded, her voice flat and devoid of interest.

“It’s beautiful! The latest model. My father gave it to me for my birthday, and that bricklayer’s assistant smeared his hands all over it!”

Melissa stiffened. There it was again: that specific term, used like a slur. It was the same way Pamela spoke.

“Fabrício, I know that’s his job, but I won’t have you using that tone!” she snapped, crossing her arms. “Construction is honest work. He’s out there earning a living instead of loitering on the streets, dealing drugs, or joining gangs.”

“I don’t do those things either,” Fabrício lied smoothly. “And I’m not a bricklayer. Does that make me less worthy than him?”

“No one is ‘less worthy,’ Fabrício. That’s not the point.”

“Then tell him that!” Fabrício stood up, his voice rising in petulant fury. “Because when I brought up my Volkswagen, he told me he was ‘too busy for trifles.’ I doubt the guy even knows what ‘trifles’ means!”

“And there you go again, disparaging him!” Melissa was losing her temper.

“I’m losing my patience because he’s the same lunatic who invaded your home last week, during our lunch...” Fabrício suddenly softened his voice, dropping to one knee in front of Melissa.

She froze, stunned by the theatrical gesture.

“I’m dying of jealousy, Melissa. That’s the truth,” Fabrício said, pitching his voice to a soulful, pleading vibrato. “I can feel that guy taking your focus away from me.”

“If that’s true,” Melissa said with a sweet, cutting smile, “then it’s a sign I like him more than I like you, isn’t it?”

The words tasted like ash in Fabrício’s mouth. “No, Melissa, I won’t let it be that easy! I’m acting like this because... because I’m in love with—”

Outside, Josias had heard enough. He wasn’t about to let this clown finish his rehearsed declaration. He stood up abruptly, appearing like a ghost in the window frame.

“Melissa! Good to see you!” Josias shouted, his voice booming as if he’d just happened to be passing by and hadn’t heard a single word of the previous ten minutes.

The words “in love” died in Fabrício’s throat, leaving him stuttering. He spun around toward the window, his eyes narrowed into slits as he glared at Josias with pure, unadulterated venom.