Episode 18

William was in the living room, the meeting was over and he went there, the door is open, his brother enters with some suitcases smiling as he sees them.

Jacob is 25, he lives in Italy, single and a player type. He has been living abroad for a year but is always visiting his family. He has a chain of restaurants there and a food company. William and Jacob have always been close and companions.

Jacob greets his parents and William, he sits on the couch excited to be back.

Jacob: Let's get out of this chair to pick up some women, man.

William: Soon.

Jacob: Very well, I liked hearing that.

William: Will you stay here for long?

Jacob: I don't know, who knows, how's the treatment going?

William: Progressing.

Jacob: Great, I want you in Italy with me.

William: No doubts, if everything goes as I imagine, I'll be there.

Jacob: Will you stay at the mansion?

William: Yes.

Jacob: Okay.

Juliana: Darling, how was the trip?

Jacob: Good, Mom, I missed it here.

Otavio: A place where you should have never left.

Jacob: But I always come back.

Otavio: Have you found a daughter-in-law for us?

Jacob: No, Dad haha. The women don't want me.

William: Or maybe you just don't fall in love.

Jacob: Both, haha.

William: Haha, you dog.

Juliana: Let's have lunch, boys. You need to rest a little, son.

Jacob: No, Mom, I'm fine. I have a dinner later, so don't prepare anything.

Juliana: A dinner out of nowhere?

Jacob: Yes, an Armani, do you know them?

William: Armani?

Juliana: What do you mean Armani? Which one?

William: Who is she, Jacob?

Jacob: Calm down, I don't understand why you're all shocked. Helen Armani, do you know them?

Juliana: Ah, yes, we know that family. Her sister is William's physiotherapist.

Jacob: What a coincidence.

William: Why are you having dinner with her? A new crush?

Jacob: No, but it could be. It's a business dinner, brother, who knows, maybe she becomes a partner in my company.

William: It could happen, they have a good reputation, impeccable image.

Jacob: Yes, I did some research, Helena has brought more success to their surname, she is well recognized.

William: I don't know, I didn't research about her.

Jacob: She has accomplished a lot, there are very touching stories about her in magazines and websites.

Juliana: She's amazing, you will like her.

William looks at his mother and then at him, he loses his appetite.

Jacob: Are they single?

Juliana: Yes, but Helen is a bit involved with a man.

Jacob: I see, maybe I can unravel that, haha.

William: Don't you dare, Jacob.

Jacob: Why? What's wrong?

William: I don't want you involved with my physiotherapist, it would be disgusting.

Jacob: Okay, brother, calm down. I was just joking. I'm talking to Helen, who knows, maybe the fish will bite.

Juliana: Be wise, son.

Otavio: These boys...

William leaves the table, he goes to the garden taking deep breaths to calm down. Jacob goes to him and sits on the ground next to the chair.

Jacob: Do you like her?

William: What?

Jacob: Remember when we studied together and you really wanted to be with a redhead? That was her nickname.

William: I remember, you ended up with her.

Jacob: I swear, even to this day I didn't know that you wanted to be with her. You got very angry that day, I didn't really understand it, but later it clicked.

William: Why are you bringing that up?

Jacob: You're acting the same way now, do you like Helena?

William: No.

Jacob: You do. Don't worry, because I won't interfere. Are you the man she's involved with?

William: A surgeon from the hospital where she works.

Jacob: Looks like it's going to be difficult for you to get rid of him.

William: Don't talk nonsense.

Jacob: Have you been with her?

William: I kissed her three days ago, but I don't think it will go anywhere, she doesn't want to.

Jacob: How do you know?

William: She doesn't give me any openings, any chances, she always avoids it. She's tough.

Jacob: The ones who are hard to get are the best, you know.

William: I know, but she uses work as an excuse, she can't get involved with me because she's my physiotherapist. She's also the serious type and I don't know how it would be to get involved like that again.

Jacob:I see, you're afraid to try, aren't you?

William:Yeah, I am.

Jacob:You know that if you don't try, you'll lose her to the doctor, right?

William:Shut up, Jacob.

Jacob:Brother, don't think nonsense thoughts. It's normal to feel like this and feel scared. Haven't you seen what happened to me? I was betrayed and stolen from. Here I am again, chasing after someone who disappears with me.

William:I'm in a wheelchair, Jacob. She doesn't want me, she made it clear.

Jacob:Did she say that?

William:No, but she also didn't need to. Have you ever seen someone want someone in this situation? She's young, has a long life ahead of her, she wants to have fun. As for me, I can't do any of that with her right now.

Jacob:And when you get out of there?

William:When I get out, I'm going to Italy. I'm going to start my life over there. If she didn't want me like this, she won't want me when I can walk either.

Jacob:Have you ever stopped to think that maybe you're the one who's believing in this? It's all in your head. Don't associate past experiences with the present.

William:I'll leave everything as it is. If she wanted me, she would have already ended things with the doctor too.

Jacob:Let her figure it out. Don't be impatient. Maybe she doesn't even know how you feel.

William:Do you think so?

Jacob:It's possible. Sometimes everything has to be clear, you have to make your feelings and desires known.

William:And what if she rejects me? I mean, another rejection.

Jacob:It won't kill you. You've faced rejection before. If she doesn't want you, then you move on with your life without caring about her.

Jacob leaves, William is lost in thought. He calls his mother, and she comes to him.

Juliana:Hi, son.

William:Arrange for dinner to be prepared here in the garden. I want you and Dad to leave the house, and tell Jacob to sleep somewhere else tonight.

Juliana:What happened?

William:I'm going to invite Helena to dinner. Since I can't go out, we'll have it here.

Juliana:Oh my God, my son, that's great news!