Building My Life

Chapter 52 - Two Crashers

The voices Josias had heard from the kitchen belonged to Pamela and Fabrício. He had never heard Fabrício’s voice before, but he deduced it was him by the unfamiliar male tone and the way he spoke with such unearned intimacy.

Fabrício had managed to embed himself within the Campos family so quickly. If he was having lunch with them, it was because Simeon had allowed it. And if they were talking about futures and careers, it was because Fabrício already had, or was seeking, permission to date Melissa.

Disappointment hit Josias like a punch; he felt a heavy stone in his chest and a thick lump in his throat.

Uélton noticed his friend’s defeated posture and immediately bristled. “Hey, what’s with that face?”

“The face of someone who knows he’s been beaten,” Josias responded, his voice hollow.

“Who says you’re beaten?” Uélton smirked, a bold spark in his eyes. “This is just starting. Wicked forces are trying to pull you two apart, but what God has joined, let no man put asunder!”

“What are you talking about?” Josias asked, frowning.

Without answering, Uélton stepped forward and marched right into Melissa’s house. Terrified, Josias scrambled after him, trying to hiss a warning.

“Uélton! You can’t just break into people’s homes like that!”

But Josias had spoken too loudly. His voice echoed straight into the kitchen.

Inside, Melissa’s face instantly transformed. A radiant, relieved smile broke across her lips at the sound of Josias’s voice. God, how she had missed him!

Pamela, however, saw her fake smile vanish in a heartbeat. Her eyes went wide as she shot a panicked glance at Fabrício. Fabrício’s brow furrowed, his jaw tightening as he gripped his fork with white-knuckled anger. His rival had just breached the fortress.

Simeon, who didn’t tolerate intruders, bellowed from the table, “Who’s invading my home? Get out of here!”

“Daddy, I think it’s Josias!” Melissa cried out, sounding as giddy as a five-year-old girl.

William looked as sullen as Fabrício. He still wasn’t ready to admit that any man was worthy of his sister.

Melissa rushed into the living room and found Josias and Uélton standing there. Josias was momentarily paralyzed by her beauty. Her sleeveless blouse accentuated her collarbones and the grace of her arms; he was mesmerized.

“Josias! How did you find my address?” Melissa asked sweetly.

“Mrs. Chaves provided it,” Uélton answered for him, since Josias was still in a trance.

“Josias?” Melissa prompted again. He finally snapped out of it.

“Melissa, I wanted to talk to you about... about our date,” Josias began, his voice regaining its strength. “But I see you’re having lunch. We can talk another day.”

“My dad doesn’t want us speaking anymore,” Melissa lamented, her head dipping for a moment. “But please, know this: I know you didn’t want to take me to any motel.”

“I have to explain! Someone lied to your father!” Josias said desperately. If only he could clear his name right now...

“Melissa!” Her father’s authoritative roar echoed from the kitchen.

“Okay, mission accomplished, comrade,” Uélton said, starting to back out and tugging on Josias’s shirt. “Let’s go. We weren’t invited, and our clothes are definitely not up to code.”

“Bye, Josias!” Melissa waved effusively, her eyes shining.

Josias waved back and hurried out with Uélton before Simeon could appear and physically throw them out.

Melissa marched back into the kitchen. With a defiant look and a firm voice, she declared to the room, “Dad, you are going to clear up this story about Josias, or I will do it myself!”

She pulled her chair out and sat back down with a loud thud, refusing to look at anyone — especially Fabrício.

“Since I ordered you not to speak to that young man, you can leave the investigating to me. Until then, the ban stays!” Simeon warned, pointing a finger at her. “And I suggest you don’t pin all your hopes on him. There is a very impressive young man sitting right next to you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Campos,” Fabrício muttered in a low, humble voice.

The rest of lunch continued in a funereal atmosphere. The lively chatter and jokes were dead, buried under Josias’s brief appearance.

***

Meanwhile, Josias and Uélton walked down the main street, laughing with the thrill of victory.

“We did it, partner!” Uélton celebrated, clapping his hands. “We made the first c***k in the ice. It’s only a matter of time before the whole iceberg shatters.”

“The first drop of water that pierces the stone,” Josias agreed, smiling. “Now Fabrício knows for sure that Melissa likes someone else. Me!”

“I wish I could’ve seen Pamela’s face when she heard you,” Uélton laughed.

“She’s another one who’s going to fall flat on her face sooner or later,” Josias said with visible contempt.

When they reached a corner, the two prepared to part ways.

“I’d invite you for lunch, but my parents might get angry to this last-minute invitation,” Uélton apologized.

“Don’t worry about it. Seu Teodoro is waiting for me,” Josias said solemnly. “Thank you, Uélton. For everything.”

“I’m the one who drove you away from her; it’s only right I help you get back. We’re even.”

“Don’t even think about it. It’s over, buddy. Don’t beat yourself up.”

The two friends shared a quick, brotherly hug before heading their separate ways.

***

Lunch was finally over. Jenny mumbled a series of unconvincing excuses and fled Melissa’s house. The awkwardness was so thick she couldn’t stand another second of it. It was obvious to everyone that Melissa’s heart wasn’t on the lasagna or the guest of honor; she was still under Josias’s spell.

Fabrício stood up to leave, offering a polished “thank you” to the hosts.

“The lasagna was delicious, ma’am.”

“You’re always welcome here, Fabrício. Our door is always open,” Simeon said with a warm smile.

Fabrício then turned his gaze toward Pamela. With a sharp, imperious nod of his head, he silently ordered her to follow him outside.