Episode 3

Elisa throws the document back on her desk and goes to take a shower. Under the shower, she starts thinking about the decision she needed to make and how her life would change drastically because of it.

After the shower, Elisa gets dressed and picks up the document again, takes a deep breath and starts signing...

Elisa — Now, there’s no turning back!

She puts the papers back in the envelope and puts it away. Then, someone knocks on her bedroom door. She opens it without asking who it was.

Eduardo — Honey, I… I wanted to talk to you for a bit, can I?

Elisa — What do you want? I already signed the contract.

Eduardo's eyes widen and he can barely disguise the satisfaction in them.

Eduardo — Really? You mean… You already signed?

Elisa — Yes, here it is! If that was all, Dad, I'm sleepy. I'm going to bed...

Eduardo — Elisa, honey, I want to apologize again. I know you must be hating me now, and it's okay, I understand, but I promise I'll work hard until I get all the money and pay off the debt!

Elisa thinks for a few seconds and gets up, going to the door and opening it.

- Good night, Dad!

Eduardo understands that she doesn't want to hear his words. She is hurt, and it won't be easy to forgive him.

…

In the middle of the night, Elisa, even though she’s asleep, feels someone kissing her face. She tries to open her eyes, but sleep prevents her from seeing much.

In the morning, she gets up, does her hygiene routine, gets dressed and goes down for coffee. She only finds Eduardo eating.

Elisa — Good morning!

Eduardo — Good morning, dear! Did you sleep well?

She doesn't answer, sits down and pours some coffee with milk into her cup, then takes a sip with a piece of cake. During their coffee, the two don’t exchange a word. Elisa was very angry with Eduardo; she just wanted to get it over with and move on with her life.

Eduardo — Your mother wasn't in bed when I woke up. Have you seen her today?

Elisa — No! Excuse me, I'm already late!

Eduardo also gets up, crestfallen, to go to the company since now he would have to start practically from scratch and alone, as all the employees had left due to lack of payment.

…

During her class break, Elisa went to the university’s huge courtyard and sat on one of the benches under the trees. It was a sunny day, so she just sat there thinking while the sun's rays peeked through the trees onto her face.

— Elisa? Thinking about life, cuz?

Raquel, her cousin, sits down next to her. They were only a few months apart in age and attended the same university, although in different courses. They had been friends since childhood.

Elisa — Yeah…

Raquel — My dad told me what Uncle Eduardo did. I'm so sorry, cuz!

Elisa — It’s been very difficult to digest all of this practically alone!

Elisa cries and they both hug.

Raquel — You know you're not alone, right? I'm always here for you, but what are you planning to do now?

Elisa takes a deep breath.

— Accept what’s to come!

Raquel — You intend to marry that Christian Fox? Lisa, this is crazy! Have you stopped to think that this guy could be a psychopathic maniac, or a murderous mobster, or even worse… What if this man is an abuser?

Elisa is thoughtful for a few seconds. These things hadn’t even crossed her mind, but what her cousin was saying made perfect sense.

Elisa — There’s no turning back now. I already signed the contract that this man sent me. All that remains is to accept my fate, whatever it may be… Unfortunately, my father didn’t think about the consequences that his bad actions would bring!

Raquel — Oh, cuz, there has to be another solution! You can't just accept and that’s it, it doesn't make sense! You are young, you have a promising future ahead of you, are you going to ruin your life like this? And your dream of being a great writer, where does that go?

Elisa — I’m going to have to postpone everything for a year, that’s what we agreed on. I just need to be married for that long! Then, I’ll ask for a divorce, and life goes on.

Raquel — Dad would love to be able to help, but unfortunately all the money has been going towards my mom’s treatment, and the tuition fees are very high. Family business hasn't been doing so well lately.

Eduardo and Raquel's father were brothers. When their father passed away, the inheritance was divided equally between the two brothers, but each went their own way and set up their own business. Eduardo founded his electronics company and prospered until his addiction took him to rock bottom. Edson graduated in law and opened his own law firm, but all the money has been going towards paying the medical expenses for his wife’s treatment, who had been battling cancer.

Elisa — You know, cuz, I would never take advantage of Uncle Edson like that; I know how dedicated he is. He doesn't even seem to be Dad’s brother, but anyway… How is Aunt Celia doing?

Raquel — Oh… Mom’s the same, you know? The medication seems to be never-ending, and she’s getting weaker by the day!

Raquel looks down and tears stream down her face. Elisa hugs her cousin. At that moment, Anderson, Elisa's friend, approaches.

Anderson — Oops, am I interrupting something?

The girls pull away and wipe their tears.

Raquel — No!

Anderson — Elisa, the teacher has already gone to the classroom!

Anderson was taking the same Literature course as Elisa and Filipa. The three had known each other since high school, and since then he had harbored a love for Elisa but had never opened up to her.

Elisa — I’m going now. We'll talk later, cuz, okay?

Raquel — Sure, I’m heading to class too!

The cousins say goodbye and each one goes to their class.

…

After the end of another school day, Elisa, Filipa, and Anderson leave the campus together, and each one was going home.

Filipa — Elisa, do you have any plans for later?

Elisa — I don’t know, why?

Filipa — I wanted to invite you to go to the mall with me. It’s my mom’s party at the end of the week, and I have nothing to wear! By the way, you guys are invited too. You can bring your cousin as well.

Anderson — Oh, my God, how can you say something so silly? You have a closet full of clothes and say you have nothing to wear! Women…

Filipa rolls her eyes at Anderson’s comment; Elisa just shrugs.

Filipa — So?

Elisa — All right…

Filipa — Great, I'll stop by your house at three, is that okay?

Elisa — Sure!

The two say goodbye and Filipa leaves with the driver. Elisa waits a while longer for the driver to come and get her. She thought it was strange because whenever she left, he was already waiting for her.

Anderson — Want a ride? Looks like your driver isn't coming today!

Elisa — I'll wait a little longer!

Anderson insists until Elisa accepts. It was getting late and her house was a long way off.

On the way, they drive in silence. Anderson was driving and kept looking at her, but Elisa was not mentally there, she was remembering Raquel’s words…

Anderson — Elisa? Earth calling Elisa!

Elisa — Did you say something to me?

Anderson laughs.

— What are you thinking about so much?

Elisa — Nothing, why?

Anderson — Well… You're so quiet, usually you're a chatterbox…

Elisa rolls her eyes and goes back to staring at the road. A few more minutes and they arrive in front of her house.

Elisa — Thanks for the ride! See you tomorrow.

Anderson — See you…

He was actually hoping for at least a peck on the cheek as a thank you, but he was content with her smile.

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