Building My Life

Chapter 27 - Clarifying the Misunderstanding

Josias entered Teodoro’s building with a wide smile. The landlord was at the counter, listening to the afternoon news, but when he saw how happy the boy looked, he decided to ask, “Is all this happiness because of the shopping trip?”

“No.” Josias placed the bags on the counter. While Teodoro checked out the purchases, he replied, “I’m happy because I made things right with Melissa.”

“I told you she chose you. Stop worrying.” Teodoro pulled the package of underwear out of one of the bags. “Ah, now we’re talking!”

Josias chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, and now I’m going to have to wash them constantly so I don’t run out.”

“I’ll teach you how to use one of the washing machines,” Teodoro said, putting the package back and handing the bag to Josias.

“Would you believe I almost ran into Everaldo again?” Josias changed the subject. “Apparently, he’s a regular human being; he missed the bus just like anyone else.”

“He didn’t fly or teleport onto the bus?” Teodoro joked. Josias laughed along with him.

Josias went up the stairs and entered his room. He placed the bags on top of the dresser, realizing he didn’t have a proper wardrobe to store any more clothes he might buy. He sighed, reminding himself to stay calm. One step at a time.

***

Meanwhile, Melissa knocked on Pamela’s door, hard and impatiently. Pamela answered, her eyes showing a calculated indifference.

“Yeah?”

“Pamela, we need to talk,” Melissa said firmly.

“Come in, friend!” Pamela smiled slightly and stepped aside. Melissa entered and sat on the couch.

“Yesterday, there was a misunderstanding. Josias left thinking I was throwing myself at those guys from Saint Gabriel.”

“Oh? And what did you think of them?” Pamela asked, sitting next to her, sounding excited and barely acknowledging the mention of Josias.

“Pamela, weren’t you listening?” Melissa realized the deflection. “I don’t want to talk about those guys. I came to talk about Josias. He was really upset that you interrupted our conversation.”

“He said that?” Pamela feigned indignation.

“No, he didn’t use those words; he’s a perfect gentleman and didn’t even mention your name.” Melissa emphasized Josias’s qualities. “But I could tell. And I told you before: those boys didn’t interest me.”

“But they’re hot and they have money! They aren’t upper class, but if you marry one of them...”

“Why don’t YOU marry one of them?” Melissa shot back point-blank.

Stunned by the blow, Pamela recoiled on the sofa, her eyes wide. She wasn’t prepared to come up with an excuse.

“Well, my dear,” Pamela cleared her throat, “I was so worried about you that I wasn’t even thinking about myself.”

Melissa glared at her, not entirely convinced.

“Are you sure, Pamela? How selfless of you. You’re giving the impression that you’ve decided to run my life. Look, friend, I appreciate advice, but trying to control who I meet is a bit much, don’t you think?”

Pamela avoided eye contact. “Yes, I understand. I didn’t mean for it to come across that way. But when Uélton said Josias’s clothes were borrowed and that he just appeared out of nowhere, I got worried.”

It was the perfect cover for her real motives, and Melissa didn’t see through it at the time.

“Okay, that puzzled me too. When I saw him earlier, he was wearing the same clothes as the party, but he was carrying bags from stores Downtown. That means he bought more. He isn’t a slob.”

Pamela began to feel desperate. She took Melissa’s hand to try and project sincerity. “I swear to you, friend, I didn’t mean to cause confusion. Forgive me for the bad impression!”

Melissa smirked. She figured it was just a blunder on Pamela’s part. Since she couldn’t prove it was intentional, she decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

“Okay, friend, let’s just forget it!” Melissa’s smile widened, and the two embraced.

However, during the hug, Pamela’s expression darkened into a scowl, her eyes burning with restrained anger.

After they parted, Melissa said her goodbyes and left. As soon as Pamela closed the door, the phone rang. She ran to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hello, may I speak with Pamela?” A male voice asked.

“Speaking. Who is this?” Pamela smiled slightly; she always enjoyed a man’s attention.

“This is Fabrício. I was at the party yesterday. Your sister gave my cousin this number. I talked to a beautiful girl named Melissa. Is she really your friend?”

Pamela smiled slyly. Her plan was working.

“Hello, Fabrício! How nice of you to call. Unfortunately, Melissa just left. She was just here talking about the party and how much she liked meeting you. Are you one of the boys from Saint Gabriel?”

“That’s right. You introduced us. We were having a great chat, but something happened, and she had to leave. I can’t get that babe out of my head, but I only have your number.”

Pamela promptly searched for her address book on the dresser. “Don’t worry! I’ll give you her number right now. Do you have a pen?”

As Pamela passed Melissa’s number to Fabrício, she was already imagining herself as Josias’s girlfriend.