... Five Years Later...

It was a cold morning, gray sky, winds that left all the windows of the house muffled. Such a day used to be a headache for me, but now, this weather is a reminder of the day I was free. Mariano tried to find me for long, hard years, to escape him once and for all, I agreed to live a deja vu of the life I lived alongside Eduardo. So, I agreed to marry the richest and most successful CEO of the moment, Edgar Sanz, I believed that he would save me from falling into Mariano's hands, but it turns out that Edgar made me go through a big and difficult selection, that is, many young people like me wanted to marry him, but after three other long years, I had been chosen, along the way, I had the opportunity to get to know Edgar a little and he seemed like a gentleman, but with an arrogant air. You know that cocky movie heartthrob? So, this was him, I couldn't tell an act of chivalry from an exhibitionism, since that happened a lot, at least, I felt that way. During that time, I also gained status and everyone wanted to meet the man whose fiance was the owner of La Frontera - a cutting-edge technology company.

Xavier: The great one has arrived, you are going to become the husband of the most coveted man in the country. What are you feeling? You got rich with this contract.

Leandro: I'm still getting used to all of this.

Xavier: So get used to it by walking, we're late.

Leandro: But you were the one who asked...

Surrounded by security guards, I walk to the church, Xavier, by my side, doesn't leave his cell phone - it seems he's been tasked with not letting anything go wrong in this ceremony. As for me, I take slow steps, I need to quickly reflect on everything that has happened recently. The church was crowded and the paparazzi were everywhere, recording every detail, at the altar, Edgar with a commercial smile on his face and an expensive-looking suit. I take a deep breath and keep my eyes on the priest.

A traditional wedding, where the bride and groom have to kneel at an altar in front of the priest, Edgar in black and I in white, by his choice, I had to wear a veil.

After the yes, Edgar stood up and lifted me up afterwards, in front of everyone, he gave me a cinematic kiss, making everyone who participated in the dispute to be here in my place envious. The priest doesn't seem to accept our way of love, but Edgar gave him a very good amount of money so he wouldn't refuse.

Walking down the aisle, I have to smile at everyone who came, but inside, I was actually imagining the wedding I had with Eduardo and how unhappy I was, I feel extremely unlucky for having to marry again to escape of this type of man.

Leandro is now 29 years old, in addition to being a delivery man, he is also a store manager, at the moment, the boy is unemployed, it was a way of getting rid of any trace that Mariano could find. Leandro is back by obligation with another contract marriage, however, he hopes that this one will work out.

Edgar Sanz, in addition to being the richest CEO of the moment, is also a charitable man, he likes to make an annual donation to several hospitals in the country. His flaw is that he has a sex addiction and with that he attracts everything that has to do with it, even infidelity, Leandro doesn't know, but his newest husband has difficulties being faithful.

Heir to several million dollars, Edgar feels he owns the world, so he tends to treat lovers like objects.

Edgar is of Italian origin, but his family took him to Sao Paulo when he was very young, where the boy, with the help of his father, raised his then empire. On the boy's resume, there is a hairy story with his cousin, said cousin who does not accept losing the case they had because Leandro got in the way.

...Alfaville...

On my way home, I realize that Edgar is glued to his cell phone. My spy eye discovers that he's deleting conversations from a messaging app.

Upon arriving at the house, I am greeted by all these security guards surrounding absolutely everything.

Yan: Welcome, sir. I am Yan, your consultant and assistant.

Leandro: Do I really need this?

Edgar: Yes! And that's not up for discussion.

Leandro: Well then, it's a pleasure.

Right at the entrance, the house's decor leaves me speechless. I mean, nothing I've ever seen before compares to what I am admiring now.

Yan: This house can be a real labyrinth, and I am here to guide you. If you get lost, I'll find you. If you're confused, I'll orient you. And of course, if you're "off track," I'm here to remind you that, just like Edgar, you are the owner of this mansion.

Edgar: See? You need a consultant. It's too big for a babysitter. I… I have a lot of work and I'm hardly ever here.

Edgar walks away and seems to be heading to his office. Well, I'm used to mansions and I know that the office is usually not that far from the living room.

I mean, it used to be.

Yan: Come, I want to show you every detail.

Leandro: Okay!

Everything was so exquisite…

Yan: What did you think?

Leandro: I really loved everything, but isn't it too big for just the two of us?

Yan: Who told you that? Your in-laws live in the back.

Leandro: What, outside the house?

Yan: Yes.

Leandro: Thank God for that. I mean, that's good.

Yan leaves me alone to explore my room by myself. A room that I will enjoy alone, as in every contract marriage, the husband needs to give the spouse some space. It's not like a traditional marriage.

I sit on the bed and lie down for a bit. I'm so tired from this day that I close my eyes and wish for it to be over soon. But then I remember that I need to make sure Edgar will protect me if Mariano comes back. But I don't know how to ask him something like that. I mean, I feel like I have no right.

In the bathroom, I look at myself in the mirror.

What are you doing? – is what I ask myself.

I mean, what kind of crazy person would agree to go from one man to another like this, so quickly?

Putting my hand on my face, I remember the aggression I suffered from Nicolas. I mean, I had never been offended like that before, and deep down, I'm afraid of the same scene repeating itself with Edgar. I wish I had at least asked for something in the contract to prevent that.

Yan: Sir?! Is everything alright in there? I came to bring your suitcase and also a magazine.

Leandro: A magazine?! Why a magazine?

Yan: Well…

Yan explained that I should change my style now that I'm married to Edgar, that since the press is always watching him, I should "refine" myself.

Leandro: Is that really necessary?

At dinner, I discovered that yes, it is. The enormous table separating us from each other, and Edgar's meticulousness with the cutlery and food showed me that yes, it is necessary.

He got up as soon as he finished and completely ignored me sitting there.

In the room, I feel offended, again. I mean, why did he choose me then? Aren't we, this, nothing more than a contract? Is this good? Is this bad?

...9 a.m....

I wake up and go to the bathroom, to take a shower and brush my teeth.

Downstairs (kitchen)

Yan: Good morning, sir. I came to bring you the credit card that Edgar separated for your personal use.

Leandro: I thought I wouldn't be entitled to this benefit, I mean, he's already paid dearly for me.

Yan: No, you're wrong. You do and here it is.

I take the card and leave for my walk.

Dua Lipa in my ears, making me so strong and wiping the dust off my self-esteem, I make the decision to get a job and leave Edgar's card as it is, untouched. I don't even need it.

Restaurant: A Moça

Tini: You want a job now that you're married to the richest man ever? Oh, man, tell someone else.

As much as Tini disbelieved my need to work, she gave me a job, an opportunity to not be stuck in that mansion all day.

Leandro: Thank you! At 10 am I'll be here.

Tini: Yes, no delays.

At home, I get a little nervous to tell Edgar that I got a job and that I'm going to work, I don't know if he wants to see me work.

For fear of what he would think, I slunk away and let the rest of the day pass peacefully.

9 am (Next day)

As soon as I wake up, instead of Yan, I see Edgar standing there with his coffee and newspaper.

Edgar: Good morning!

Leandro: Good morning.

He served me some coffee and I sat down next to him at the small table in the kitchen.

Edgar: Any plans for today?

Leandro: Huh?

Edgar: I asked if you have any plans for today.

I grabbed my fear and threw it in the air, opened my mouth and told him about my job.

Edgar: All right, if you want to. However, you will need one of my men to take you and bring you back, you are now married to someone important, you don't know the number of people who would like to hurt you to get to me.

Leandro: Is that so? No, ok. I accept.

Edgar: I'll take you today, ok?

Leandro: You?

YES! He was the one who took me to the restaurant and luckily, he liked the place as soon as he saw it.

But...

Edgar: Who was that man talking to you on the way out?

Edgar came to pick me up on the way out too and saw me talking to a co-worker.

Leandro: Luca? He was just giving me bus fare.

Edgar was obviously jealous of me, it seemed cute, but so much, I mean, it's a silly jealousy, without a real reason.

Edgar: You don't need fucking bus fare.

Leandro: But it's mandatory, I know I don't need it, I was even thinking of going to a church tomorrow and making an offering or to a children's cancer hospital. I wasn't going to stay with him.

Edgar: Well, do that and also stay away from that idiot, because my husband doesn't make small talk with other men.

Leandro: Ok!

At home, I go straight to my room and left dinner for later, I mean, I didn't want to have dinner with him angry, especially for no reason, I don't have time for that kind of couple nonsense.

Looking in the mirror again, I go back to talking to myself.

At least he wasn't aggressive - I said with a sad and confused look.

There's a knock on my door, I come out of the bathroom and go to answer it, opening it, I see him standing there.

Edgar: Aren't you coming down for dinner?

Leandro: I'm not hungry.

Edgar: But it's not right to sleep without dinner.

Leandro: It wouldn't be the first time.

Edgar: But it's not going to be one on the list.

Edgar grabs me by the arm, then by the neck and takes me to the dining room.

Leandro: Are you going to force me to eat?

Edgar: If I have to, yes, I will force you. You want to stay weak?

Leandro: No, I want my decision respected.

Edgar: Not today!

Edgar takes the plate that arrives and with all kindness convinces me to accept the food and I didn't want to make a fuss anymore.

Later in my room, Yan came to show me an outfit Edgar bought me.

Leandro: Why didn't he give it to me himself?

Edgar: I guess because I didn't have time, I mean, you made your scene with the food.

Leandro: Because you did it first with your baseless jealousy.

Yan: Well, I'll leave you two alone.

Leandro: Look, thanks for buying me this outfit, but you didn't have to.

Edgar takes the clothes and puts me in front, watching how they would look on my body.

Edgar: But you would look great in it.

Leandro: I'll see that another time, now you can leave? I would love to get some rest.

Edgar looks me in the eye and ends up leaving, obeying my request.

Edgar stops in the hallway and still looks at me at the door.

After I go in and close the door, I can't help but run to the clothes thrown on the bed and smile like a child, I mean, I like cute gestures and him buying a beautiful outfit like this for me is definitely a cute gesture.