Building My Life

Chapter 39 - Protecting the Little Princess

Josias was wearing the black T-shirt and jeans donated by Uélton’s brother. He stood at the corner of Hope Street, adjusted his clothes, and waited for Melissa. Not far away, a drunk customer from the corner bar slept shamefully on the sidewalk, oblivious to the morning sun.

“Man, in that outfit, I can tell things are getting serious,” Uélton teased, approaching him. “But isn’t it a bit early for a party?”

“Get out of here,” Josias replied with a grin. “I’m going downtown with Melissa. We have a date.”

“Are you going to have your first kiss in Central Square? There’s a fountain there that sets a very romantic mood.”

Josias laughed and patted Uélton on the shoulder. “Who knows? But that’s not the plan. Not today. We’re still just getting to know each other as friends.”

“Oh, please... this ‘just friends’ talk...”

“Well, to show you how much we’re ‘getting to know each other,’ I actually told her what happened to me. Everything.”

Uélton’s smile vanished. Josias’s past was a heavy burden. If he had shared it with Melissa, it meant she had earned his ultimate trust.

“Look, buddy... congratulations. Now she won’t judge you for your limited wardrobe.”

“She was very understanding,” Josias said warmly. “Today, she’s going to recommend a book for me to buy. And when we get back, I’m taking her home to meet her father.”

“You actually want to meet the big father-in-law?” Uélton laughed again.

“It’s to reassure him. Other guys have been calling her — at least one of those Saint Gabriel types from the party.”

“I’m sure Pamela is behind that,” Uélton noted, scowling. “That’s why she came to the site to demand you stay away.”

“I’m not obeying her!” Josias snorted. “I don’t even know if I’d obey her father if he told me to stay away.”

As if on cue, Simeon Campos approached the two boys. His face was a mask of stern disapproval. “Which one of you is named Josias?”

Simeon’s voice was harsh and uninviting. Both boys straightened up, immediately on high alert.

“That’s me,” Josias responded after a brief hesitation.

“Are you the one who wants to take my daughter out? I’m her father.”

Josias glanced at Uélton and then turned back to Simeon, extending his hand politely.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Seu Simeon. I’m Josias Rocha, the one who spoke to you on the phone yesterday. I’m supposed to meet Melissa here. Didn’t she tell you?”

“Oh, she told me,” Simeon replied dryly, ignoring the handshake. “But you forgot to tell her that you were planning to take her virginity today!”

Josias and Uélton both froze, their eyes widening for very different reasons.

“Whoa, Josias! You didn’t tell me you were going for the ‘grand prize’ today!” Uélton blurted out, unintentionally making everything a thousand times worse.

“Shut up, Uélton!” Josias barked. His visible distress only served to convince Simeon further.

“Ah! Did I ruin the wicked plan?” Simeon sneered. “So you admit it?”

“Sir, there must be a mistake!” Josias pleaded, his voice bordering on despair.

“The only mistake is the treachery and depravity you planned! You won’t take advantage of my daughter, you arrogant brat! The worst part is that with your ‘good man’ act, you could deceive anyone!”

“It was never my intention to deceive her! Who told you I was going to disrespect her?”

Simeon just shook his head and began to walk away. “Stay away from her, I’m warning you. Or I’ll tell Teodoro exactly what kind of tenant he’s harboring in his boarding house!”

Simeon turned his back and marched off, leaving Josias and Uélton in a stunned silence.

“Man, that’s rough,” Uélton muttered.

Josias turned to Uélton with a scowl and punched his friend. He was furious that Uélton’s “prize” comment had basically confirmed Simeon’s worst fears.

***

As Simeon walked back home, feeling triumphant for “saving” his daughter from a predator, a red Gol sped past him. The car parked at the corner of Melissa’s street, taking up half the narrow road.

The driver stepped out: it was Fabrício. He was dressed in expensive designer labels and wore a confident, practiced smile. He checked the house numbers, recalling Pamela’s directions, and knocked gently on the door.

After a few seconds, Melissa opened it.

Fabrício was taken aback. Melissa’s face was streaked with tears that had flowed down to her chin.

“Who are you?” Melissa asked, her voice hollow.

“Good morning, princess!” Fabrício smiled, using his most charming tone to cheer her up. “I’m Fabrício. We met at your friend’s party — the one who lives over there.”

“And how did you find my address?” Melissa was not in the mood for guests.

Fabrício remembered Pamela’s warning and tried to hide her involvement. “Well, I just came from Pamela’s house. Her older sister gave me the address.”

“And I assume she gave you my phone number, too,” Melissa concluded with a bitter edge.

“Look, Melissa, would it be so awful for us to just sit and talk for a while?” Fabrício was genuinely confused. He knew she might not be in love with him yet, but he couldn’t understand the look of pure disgust and rejection she was giving him.

Melissa didn’t want to be rude, but the truth was simple: now that Josias was in her heart, there was no room for anyone else. Especially not someone who arrived just as her world was falling apart.