Building My Life

Chapter 51 - Finding the Address

No one could fathom why Pamela had chosen to look so stunning for a simple Sunday lunch. Yet, there she was: a total diva, imposing and radiant, as if the meal had been organized in her honor.

Melissa, however, beamed at the sight. Seeing her friend so full of life was a relief.

Just yesterday, Pamela had been sobbing uncontrollably, seemingly spiraling into a deep depression. The storm, it seemed, had passed.

But as Pamela cast a defiant, sharp look at Fabrício, he felt that a different kind of storm was just beginning.

“Well, it looks like everyone is here, right?” Simeão asked, looking around the room.

“Jenny is still missing,” Melissa reminded him.

While they waited for the final guest, the group migrated to the kitchen, where the table was being set. Pamela made a point of walking directly in front of Fabrício, her hips swaying sensually in the tight red dress.

Fabrício realized immediately that Pamela was provoking him — challenging him. He was a man driven by animalistic impulses, and while he was eager to “tame” Pamela again, he had to maintain the charade of being a gentleman in love with Melissa.

Pamela’s red dress and her newfound audacity were making that very difficult. This was war!

At the table, Fabrício took the seat next to Melissa. Pamela sat directly across from him — and almost immediately, she began to run her foot up Fabrício’s leg under the table.

“Is everything okay, Fabrício?” Melissa asked, noticing the sudden goosebumps in his arms.

“Nothing, Melissa,” he lied, forcing a weak smile. “The lunch just smells incredible.”

“Chicken lasagna.” William sat down, shooting a glare at the guest. He hadn’t liked Fabrício from the moment they shook hands. As he settled in next to Pamela, his eyes occasionally strayed toward the plunging neckline of her dress.

Simeon, seated at the head of the table, began to pepper Fabrício with questions. Fabrício played the part of the “prodigal son” perfectly, revealing that his father was a bank manager and his mother a university professor. He mentioned his plans to study Economics, painting a picture of a stable, wealthy future.

Pamela kept her eyes on Melissa, as if trying to force her to see the “bright future” that awaited her if she chose Fabrício. Melissa, however, kept her gaze fixed on her plate, waiting for Jenny to arrive so they could pray and finally eat.

***

Back from church, Uélton told Wallace that he planned to head over to Pamela’s house.

“She’s going to have to talk,” Uélton said firmly. “I’m starting to think she’s the one who slandered Josias.”

Wallace was busy changing out of his Sunday best into more comfortable home clothes. “Some people just love to control everyone else’s lives, don’t they?”

“If Josias hasn’t eaten yet, I’m taking him with me.”

“Don’t you think Pamela will get intimidated and refuse to give up the address if he’s there?”

Uélton thought for a second. “I’ll bring him, but he can hide around the corner. Once she tells me where Melissa lives, we’ll go over there together.”

Wallace tapped his younger brother on the shoulder. “Good luck. Good hunting.”

Bolstered by the encouragement, Uélton headed to the boarding house. He found Teodoro in the kitchen, hovering over some steaming pots.

“Josias is in his room, kid. Do you know which one?”

“No.” Uélton’s stomach growled at the smell of steak.

“Third floor, room five.”

Uélton hurried up the stairs and knocked loudly on the door.

“Who is it?” Josias’s voice came sharply from inside, sounding startled.

“It’s Uélton. Teodoro told me where you were.”

After a few moments, Josias opened the door. He was shirtless, and Uélton noticed his shorts were sagging slightly, as if he’d pulled them on in a great hurry.

“Were you naked in there, buddy?” Uélton asked with a laugh.

The deep flush on Josias’s face and his silence were answer enough. Uélton waved it off. “Hey, I get it, it’s hot. And you’re alone... but is this really the whole place?”

Josias gave a tired smile. Hadn’t Uélton promised to discipline his mouth?

“That’s why I never said I lived in an apartment, it’s a room,” Josias explained patiently. “Anyway, what’s up?”

“I’m going to Pamela’s house to pin her to the wall, and I want you with me. We’re going to fix this so you can be on good terms with Melissa again.”

Josias looked at his friend with a mix of pity and appreciation. He knew Uélton was the least intimidating person in the world; Pamela would likely laugh in his face. However...

“Let me grab a shirt. I’m coming.”

***

As the two walked toward Pamela’s house, they passed Melissa’s home and heard the sounds of lively conversation and laughter echoing from within.

When they reached Pamela’s door, Mrs. Chaves answered. “Oh, haven’t you heard? Pamela was invited to lunch today at Melissa’s house.”

Uélton seized the opportunity since Pamela wasn’t there to block him. “And where is Melissa’s house? I know it’s on this street, but I’m not sure which one.”

“It’s the white-painted one... or maybe just whitewashed? I can’t quite remember...”

Uélton frowned. The whitewashed house was the exact one they had just passed — the one filled with chatter and the clink of silverware. He thanked Mrs. Chaves and hurried back to the street. Josias, who had been hiding behind a lamppost, stepped out to join him.

“Did you get it?” Josias asked.

“They’re having lunch together. It’s that house back there, the one with all the noise.”

The two stopped in front of Melissa’s home. The front door had been left wide open to let in a breeze. Voices drifted out from the kitchen, and Josias froze as he heard the one voice he dreaded most.

“See, Melissa? I always knew you and Fabrício were a perfect match,” Pamela’s voice rang out clearly. “And now that he’s going to study Economics... just imagine the life you’ll have!”

“Thank you, Pamela,” Fabrício’s voice replied.

Josias stood paralyzed in the street.