Episode 20

...Renan…...

A month has passed since Milena called, and that situation with Julia happened. Thank God we got over it and she is no longer cold with me. Emily and I haven't seen each other since what happened at the restaurant either, she received a job offer abroad and traveled with her daughter, we spoke a few times on the phone, but I don't think it's meant to be, I like her as a friend and that's it.

- Mr. Renan, Mr. Tiago is here.

Renan: Let him in.

She leaves and shortly after, Tiago enters.

Tiago: My friend!

I get up to greet him and sit back down.

Renan: What are you doing here?

Tiago: What's up, didn't you miss your cousin?

Renan: You usually only show up to ask me for money, and speaking of which, when are you going to pay me back the twenty thousand?

Tiago: Charging me twenty thousand reais?

Renan: Obviously, it's almost the value of my son's school fees.

Tiago: Speaking of that, how are they?

Renan: Don't change the subject.

Tiago: I'm serious, Renan, just a few more months and I'll pay you back, man, I have a new project going on, it's going to work out.

Renan: Okay, but after all, what are you doing here?

Tiago: I need a place to stay for a while, Tatiana kicked me out, we broke up.

I can't hold back my laughter.

Renan: And you've already found a place to stay?

Tiago: No, man, that's why I came here to ask for help, you're the only one who can help me with this.

Renan: Tiago, you can't stay at my house.

Tiago: Come on, cousin, just a month and after that, you can even throw my clothes on the sidewalk if you want… I need this help.

Renan: It's funny how it's always up to me, isn't it? Even when I do everything to stay away, you guys keep chasing me!

Tiago: Thanks, cuz, you're the head of this family.

Renan: Just a month!

Tiago: Not a day longer!

Renan: Knowing you as I do, I'm already warning you not to hit on the nanny!

Tiago: That old lady? God forbid.

Renan: No, you idiot, Rosa passed away.

Tiago: May God bless her soul, Rosinha, my bad.

Renan: I'm talking about the kids' new nanny, her name is Julia, she's only nineteen years old! She's a very conservative girl, so don't make me kick you out before your time.

Tiago: I won't even look at her, relax! Is there anything to eat around here? I'm starving.

I roll my eyes, already imagining the hell my life will be with Tiago at my house.

He leaves the office behind my secretary, and I return my attention to the computer. I have another meeting, and when I return, I receive a call from Julia. I decide to let the kids go and tell Luis to keep an eye on the three of them.

After talking to Luis, I find myself thinking about him and Julia, they are always talking and now this thing about going to the mall together, although I was the one who told her to go out for a bit and Luis has always been our driver.

Renan: Stop thinking about it, Renan…

Tiago: Talking to yourself, cuz?

He walks in with a glass of champagne.

Renan: What's this? Has this company turned into a mess?

...Julia…...

The kids and I arrived at the mall, and Virginia was waiting for us at the entrance.

Virginia: Hey, girl!

We hug.

Julia: Hey, girl! Look, this is Gabriel and this is Beatriz.

Gabriel: Hi, miss.

Virginia: What beautiful children, oh my love!

She pinches Gabriel's cheek and plays with Bia.

Virginia: Luis, I hadn't seen you there…

Luis: So that was the surprise, Julia?

I laugh.

Julia: He just came to accompany us, girl.

Virginia: But it seems like he wasn't too happy to see me.

Luis: That's not true, you know.

They stare at each other, and Gabriel shakes my leg.

Julia: Shall we go?

Virginia: Let's go, let's go…

We walk in front with the kids, and Luis follows behind, not too close.

Virginia: Girl, I don't want him to see the outfit I'm going to wear, what now?

Julia: Don't worry, he won't come into the store.

Virginia: Okay.

Julia: Wow, this place is huge, we have to be careful not to get lost.

Virginia laughs.

Virginia: Relax, girl, there are several exits and security guards to help if we need it… besides, I've been to this mall several times, I know it like the back of my hand.

We walk to the toy section, and Gabriel gets very excited.

Julia: Let's go to the ball pit, what do you think?

We take off our shoes and the four of us go in, both Bia and Gabriel were having a lot of fun.

Gabriel: Now I want to go on the slide!

Virginia: Stay with her here, girl, I'll go with him!

Julia: Be careful!

They go to the other side, and Virginia looked like a child playing among the little ones.

Gabriel: Julia, you have to go, it's really cool!

Julia: I bet, but Bia is already tired, let's go to that game room for a bit and then get something to eat.

Gabriel: Let's go!

We go to the game area, and he spends some time playing video games.

Gabriel: Come on, Julia!

I leave Bia with Virginia and go play with him.

We leave there and go straight to buy snacks. As soon as we finish, we enter a clothing store. Luis stayed at the entrance watching us.

Virginia: Do you think I should wear a dress? Luis said the place has live music, and I want to dance all night.

Julia: Just get a loose one, girl, look how cute this one is.

Virginia: That one is more your style.

Gabriel: True, Julia, buy it.

Julia: I don't know… I have to save money.

Virginia: Come on, Julia, at least try it on! You got paid three months' salary this month, girl, stop being so cheap.

Julia: Okay, I'll try this one on.

As we looked at the clothes, Virginia convinced me to get more things. In the end, she only bought the dress, and I left with three bags full from the store, but I also bought one for Dona Gloria and paid for Virginia's as a way of thanking them for everything they did for me. After the clothing store, we went to a bookstore, and I bought some stories to tell the kids too.

Luis: Shall we go?

Gabriel: Julia, can we buy ice cream?

Julia: Of course, do you want one, girl?

Virginia: No, girl, I'll wait here with Luis.

I go with Bia and Gabriel.

Julia: Good afternoon, I'd like an ice cream.

- What flavor?

Gabriel: Chocolate.

While she prepares the ice cream, I get my card. When I'm putting it back in my purse, it falls to the floor, and a man who was passing by picks it up for me.

Julia: Thank you very much.

- You…

He stood up with the card in his hand and stared at me, he was so paralyzed he didn't even finish his sentence.

- You…

I was already getting scared, I didn't even notice Luis approaching us.

Luis: Let's go.

He takes the card, hands it to me, and holds Gabriel's hand.

Luis: Julia, let's go now.

I follow him and can't help but look back again.

Julia: Where did he go?

Luis: We're not sticking around to find out, strange guy.

Virginia: Let's go, girl, Luis is right.

We follow him back to the parking garage, and Luis gives Virginia a ride.

Virginia: You know, you could come down for a bit with the kids, mine would love to meet them.

Julia: Next time, girl, they're tired.

Virginia: Okay, bye, kids… bye, Luis.

Gabriel: Bye, Aunt Virginia.

Luis: Bye, Vi, see you tomorrow.

Virginia: See you tomorrow…

Julia: We'll talk later, girl.

Virginia: Okay, girl, thanks again for the gift, my mom will love hers too! See ya.

She leaves, and we go back to the house.

Luis: Why the long face?

Julia: I can't stop thinking about that man, the way he looked at me…

Luis: Must be some crazy guy. We're here.

Julia: Can you help me take them inside, Luis? Gabriel fell asleep.

Luis enters with Gabriel, and I with Bia.

Luis: Excuse me, good evening.

Renan: You're back… Give him to me, Luis.

Mr. Renan takes Gabriel.

Julia: Thank you, Luis, we'll talk later.

I go up behind him, but we take different paths. Bia ends up waking up, and I take the opportunity to bathe her, then I give her a bottle and go back to the room with her.

When I leave, I come face to face with Mr. Renan.

Renan: Is she asleep?

Julia: Yes, and Gabriel?

Renan: I had to wake him up to take a bath, but he's already back to sleep.

Julia: They spent a lot of energy today, you should have seen them.

Renan: I imagine it was great then.

Julia: It was more than that, they loved it.

Renan: That's good.

He stood there staring at me.

Julia: Do you have something to tell me?

Renan: I do, I…

Tiago: Man, I haven't had such a nice bath in a long time…