Episode 16

When the car finally stopped, Louis found himself in front of a very elegant house. Its two floors drew attention to a balcony, made of wood, where vines twisted around the railing.

Louis went to get his things, but the driver didn't let him.

Driver Daniel: Sir, please, let me take everything inside.

Louis Olid: All right, thank you.

Louis looked up again at that balcony, and this time Nestor looked back at him with a smile.

In the living room, a large fireplace gave a cozy touch to the environment. Nestor entered that room.

Nestor Grize: Good morning, Louis, how are you?

Louis Olid: Fine.

The cold response of the young man with beautiful yellow eyes left Nestor apprehensive.

Nestor Grize: We need to talk, sit down for a moment.

Louis obeyed.

Nestor Grize: I talked to your brother and...

Louis Olid: Negotiated with him. To marry me.

Nestor Grize: Louis, it's not quite like that. I had to get you out of that house, and I only had one thing he wanted.

Louis Olid: Right. I understand, he explained it to me. Can I see where I'm going to sleep?

Nestor Grize: Hey? You didn't find anything good in this? Why are you speaking in that tone?

Louis Olid: I can't see what's good. My brother hates me and negotiates me... And you are a part of this business. I liked you, I liked everything I felt close to you. You were the only person who seemed to see me and enjoy being around me... But now, I feel like he was right, you just wanted to get to him when you approached me... And you negotiated me as if I were an abandoned building.

Nestor Grize: I couldn't ask you to marry me. You said you would never speak to me again. And your brother wouldn't let me, out of spite. I was so tormented these days, I didn't know how you were, and I wanted to see you so badly. Yes, it was ugly... I negotiated you like an abandoned building, and that's because if he doesn't see value in you, I do.

Nestor held Louis' hand.

Nestor Grize: I promise I will dedicate all my days to making you happy.

Louis Olid: Those are very beautiful words; I don't think I've ever heard them before. But... I don't believe I'll be happy again. I was abandoned by my real family, adopted by a wonderful family, and I caused my parents to die, and my brother hates me... I'm going to do something like that to you too.

Nestor Grize: Let's make a deal here. Forget the past. If your real family abandoned you, it was because destiny wanted you to be an Olid, you lived happily while they were alive, didn't you?

Louis Olid: Yes.

Nestor Grize: And even suffering all this wickedness from your brother, do you hate him?

Louis Olid: No.

Nestor Grize: Then think about it. Everything happens for a reason. Now is the time for you to be rejected by him because it is necessary. Because this way you will live a life here with me. And in the future, Eder will understand what he did wrong, and you will rekindle the bonds of brotherhood.

Louis Olid: Do you really think so? You think that's possible?

Nestor Grize: Yes, I think so.

Louis again let his tears fall. Nestor hugged him but noticed that he flinched.

Nestor Grize: What happened? Did I hurt you?

Louis Olid: No... It's nothing.

Nestor Grize: Of course it is, let me see!

Louis tried to leave, but Nestor held him firmly by the waist. He pulled Louis' loose shirt aside and could see one of the cuts on his back.

Nestor Grize: That doesn't look well treated. Come with me.

Nestor took Louis' hand and led him upstairs. The room they entered smelled of wild wood; all the furniture was rustic.

Nestor Grize: Take off your shirt.

Louis Olid: I'm fine, don't worry about me.

Nestor Grize: Please, Louis.

Louis took off his shirt.

Nestor Grize: Heavens! This... This is very bad. Some of these cuts are infected.

There were five cuts on Louis' back, two much larger ones near his neck.

Nestor Grize: How did this happen? You were in the hospital; they should have taken better care of you.

Louis Olid: I fell on the glass table. And... after the hospital, I couldn't change the bandages. It's my fault.

Nestor Grize: And you didn't want to ask for help? All right, I'll take care of you now.

Louis Olid: Thank you for all this. I was upset with you, but it's over now. You tell me things in a way that I can understand well... I'm feeling much better now.

Nestor Grize: That's good. I would be very sad if, after all this, you stayed angry with me. But you are a special person. Now I'm sure you are incapable of holding grudges in your heart.

After having his wounds cleaned and receiving a new bandage, Louis lay face down on the bed to rest.

After resting for some time, he became restless and walked to a second glass door in the room. It led out to the same balcony he had seen Nestor on when he arrived.

Louis Olid: What a beautiful place! You can see the mountains.

Nestor joined him and leaned on the wooden railing.

Nestor Grize: You can put your easel here and paint. What do you think?

Eder Olid: Can I really?

Nestor Grize: This house is yours now. You can do whatever you want.

Louis Olid: Thank you.

Nestor Grize: But, I really need to know one thing.

Louis Olid: What?

Nestor Grize: I didn't give you a choice because, in the negotiation, it wasn't interesting... But you have a choice.

Louis Olid: A choice? About what?

Nestor Grize: About marrying me. I was never interested in living with anyone. I was terrified of commitment, and that's why I never marked anyone. But ever since I met you, everything is different... I want to see you every day. I want to talk, have coffee, watch you paint... It was as if my life was on a canvas like this, totally blank, until you showed up with the brush.

Louis Olid: You always say such beautiful things...

Nestor Grize: I only speak my mind. And Louis, I want to marry you. You can accept, but I'm not forcing you to do this. If you tell me you don't want to, you can stay in this house just the same. It's yours. And I will live happily, even without having you as mine, just for the fact that I can see you every day... What do you say?

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