Episode 5

MATEUS...

I'm in my office analyzing some contracts when the store manager, Joana, knocks on my door.

"Come in, Jo."

"Excuse me, Mr. Matheus," I gesture for her to enter, "you have a visitor..." I raise an eyebrow.

"Who is it?"

"Miss Rafaela."

When she says that, I feel my heart race, and before I can think of anything else, I instruct Jo to bring her to my office. Natan had told me about the results of the test she took, and to be honest... I had been praying to God for her to show up at my door any minute.

I straighten myself up in my chair and organize some papers on the desk, as it is a bit messy, and I know how Rafa likes things organized. I check my hair and fix a few strands that are out of place, sit up straight in my chair, and as soon as she knocks on the door, I tell her to come in.

She looks even more beautiful than I remember... Her hair is even more defined, her face... Still the same work of art that I used to spend hours gazing at, but now with some dark circles. Her body, which used to look like that of a girl... Has gained many more curves...

Oh, Rafa... You could stop traffic... I snap out of my lovesick thoughts when I see the sadness in her eyes, directed at me.

"Good morning, Rafaela..."

"Hello, Matheus..." I gesture for her to sit, and only when she settles in front of me, do I speak. "I know I'm the last person in the world you'd want to see at this hour of the morning... And I still remember every word you said to me six years ago, that you didn't want to have anything to do with my children... But..."

She hesitates for a moment, and I see that she's crying. I can't bear to see her cry like this, so I get up from where I am and take out a handkerchief that I always carry in my jacket pocket. I kneel in front of her and lift her face, wiping away each tear, while she keeps her eyes closed.

A jolt of electricity courses through my body as I touch her chin, bringing back all the feelings from years ago, causing my heart to race.

"What happened to them, my little one?" Her eyes meet mine, full of tears, but I also see surprise in them when she hears me call her by the nickname I always used when we were together.

"Pedro... He... He needs a bone marrow transplant. I don't have enough compatibility to undergo the surgery. I wanted to ask you to take the test... That's all I'm asking... His doctor said you are likely the only one in the family who has the necessary compatibility, because... You're the... Father..."

Before I can respond that I would do anything to save our child, she continues speaking.

"I'm not asking you to be a part of their lives. I just want... If there's still any good feeling left in your heart... Please... Help me save my boy's life..."

She was shattered, my God... I did this to her... If I hadn't doubted her when she told me she was pregnant... I've hated myself since that day.

I stroke her face and continue to dry her tears. But I feel that she needs much more than just me wiping her tears, so I stand up and pull her into my arms. Feeling her body pressed against mine again... My God...

She doesn't refuse my embrace; on the contrary, she curls up even more, crying heavily. I feel her tears wetting my shirt, but I don't care that the woman I love is staining my shirt with her tears.

We stay embraced until she stops crying. I continue to caress her back until she's completely calm. When she's finally calm, I lift her face and look directly into her brown eyes, stroking her cheek, and she closes her eyes at my touch.

"You can count on me for whatever you need with our children, my darling... If you need my bone marrow to save him, you can take it all, if you want. If you need me to be present in their lives to share the burden with you, then I will be here too. I was a fool not to believe in you back then, but there isn't a single day that I don't regret it."

She lowers her gaze and lets out a sarcastic laugh.

"I didn't come here seeking your regret, Matheus, on the contrary, I came only to ask you to save my child."

She steps out of my embrace as if only now realizing what she's done, and I feel... Empty without her in my arms. I clear my throat and walk to my desk, sit back down in my chair, and try to snap out of the trance I was in.

"I... um... When do you need me to go to the hospital for the test?"

"As soon as possible... Every second that passes is a grain of sand falling from the hourglass."

"We can go now if you want " she looks at me, then at my desk " I'm the boss, I can do the work later."

"Oh, sure... Let's go then."

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