Lorenzo: Someone knocks on the door, but there shouldn't be anyone here. I wipe my tears, realizing that I've been watching Suzi's videos for hours without even realizing it. I open the door and Alice stands there looking frightened, holding a tray of food.
What are you doing here, Alice?
Alice: I take a step back by the way Lorenzo asks me why I'm here, his voice choked up and his hair disheveled from crying. I look around and see an almost empty bottle of whisky on the table. He hurt me without even drinking, so if he had been drinking, I don't know if he would become aggressive.
I made lunch.
Lorenzo: Alice looks at the whisky on the table and takes a step back, frightened. I understand her fear. Her voice comes out like a whisper.
I thought about drinking, Alice, but for Theo's sake, I haven't taken a single sip. This bottle was already here from the nights I drank too much to numb the pain I felt. I'm truly sorry for physically and verbally hurting you, but I promise I'll never do it again. I deeply regret how I treated you, please forgive me, Alice. I was out of my mind, and believe me, I've never laid a hand on a woman and I never will again.
Alice: I see sincerity in Lorenzo's words and give him a weak smile.
Theo would be proud if he could understand what you've done for him. I forgive you. Do you want to have lunch?
Lorenzo: Have you eaten already?
Alice: Not yet.
Lorenzo takes the tray from my hand and walks towards the table.
Lorenzo: Then let's have lunch. Why did you stay?
Alice: If you don't mind, I would like to stay. I have nowhere else to go. I moved to Seattle when I started working here, and I was staying in a hotel.
Lorenzo: Your presence doesn't bother me, Alice. The truth is, I didn't know how to apologize to you, and everything is so confusing in my mind right now, which is why I distanced myself.
Alice: I understand.
Lorenzo: Where did you live before?
Alice: In Brazil.
Lorenzo: You speak English so well.
Alice: I'm fluent. I've been taking courses since I was a child. I speak Portuguese, English, and Spanish.
Lorenzo: Do you have family in Brazil?
Alice: I did. But I don't want to talk about it, not today. How are you feeling?
Lorenzo: Awful, to be honest. I was looking at some photos and videos of Suzi. The pain of missing her, Alice, it hurts.
Alice: I know.
Lorenzo: Is it the pain of missing her that makes you stay out in the cold every night?
Alice: That's the way I found to numb the pain I feel. During the day, I can handle the pain, but at night, loneliness brings all the feelings to the surface, and I can barely breathe. That's where the need for the cold comes from, because any physical pain is better than the pain I feel in my soul.
Lorenzo: From my own experience, I can tell you that talking helps. I avoided talking for two years and suffered alone. I became bitter, merciless, and cold. It was a horrible experience. When I started talking about Suzi, I truly started feeling better. She was incredible and deserves to be remembered. Talking gives me comfort and brings back the best memories of her. I even believe that it eases the pain because it keeps her alive within me.
Alice: I believe it's about time, time is unique for each person. I lost everything, Mr. Lorenzo, everything you can imagine someone losing, I lost. Including hope, these scars prove that. But I decided to live, and here I am, like a child learning to take the first steps again. I'm learning to live again.
Lorenzo stares at the scars on my wrists and holds my hands.
Lorenzo: These scars will always be an important part of you. They will remind you that you were reborn and chose to live.
I wonder what Alice meant by "I lost everything," realizing that she attempted to take her own life and that we might have never known her brings forth a negative feeling along with a desire to take care of her.
Alice: I will live, and I will live fully because, as you know, the people we loved and lost throughout life didn't get to choose to live, and we have this gift of life.
Lorenzo: When you are ready, I want to hear your story, but until then, I will do exactly what you have done with me and Theo, and whether you like it or not, I will take care of you. I'm being serious, looking into Alice's eyes so she understands that she is very important to us and that she is not alone.
Alice: Mr. Lorenzo, thank you, but believe me when I say that I am not proud of having tried to take my own life, and I will not do it again. As I said, I am learning to live, learning to cope with my pain, and all that you have done for me since I arrived here has given me joy and hope that I can succeed.
Lorenzo: Just Lorenzo, Alice. I know I was a jerk to you, but believe me, things will be different from now on. I don't know how to apologize to you anymore, but I regret deeply the way I treated you, especially knowing that it was a delicate moment for you, when you needed the opposite of what I gave you.
Alice: It's in the past, it doesn't matter anymore, don't worry. I forgave you before you even apologized, and when I forgive, I leave it in the past. And that is because I have seen your change, and we won't talk about it again.
Lorenzo: How can someone who shows so much pain in their eyes have such a noble heart?
Alice: Don't say that, Sir... Lorenzo, I'll get used to it! I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am just an ordinary woman.
Lorenzo: You are not ordinary, Alice. Accept the compliment, because you are an amazing woman.
Alice: Amazing woman?
Lorenzo: You are a responsible, tough woman, with a sharp tongue and maternal instincts. But, at the same time, you are a joyful and sweet girl who enjoys having fun and also needs protection.
Alice: I end up laughing at Lorenzo. Sharp tongue?
Lorenzo: Yes! Very! Will you join us for a family lunch tomorrow?
Alice: Yes, I will.
Lorenzo: Not as Theo's nanny, but as a guest. My family loves you more than they love me at this moment, and they will be happy to have you there.
Alice: Lorenzo smiles, and what a beautiful smile he has!
Jokes aside, I accept it. Your family, they are so loving and close-knit. I'm sure any of them would give their life for you without a second thought, and I believe you would do the same for any of them.
Lorenzo: They are my life, Alice, and without them, I would be at rock bottom right now. Tomorrow, Suzi's parents will be here, and I want to introduce you to them. Theo has talked so much about you that they are curious to meet you.
Alice: It will be a pleasure to meet them. We continue talking about random topics for hours until it gets dark. I follow my routine and walk in silence to the outdoor area.
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