That night, Mel lay down on the couch, mentally exhausted but determined to move on. She looked around the room, feeling sad and lonely.
"Better alone than in bad company..."
Determined to overcome the pain of betrayal, she promised herself that she would build a new and happier life, where she would no longer need to depend on anyone to be happy.
After the sad weekend, Mel woke up early on Monday. She was determined to start over. Even working at the buffet, she knew she would need more money to support herself. She spent the day distributing resumes to some companies, stores, restaurants and cafes, anxiously waiting for a positive response. Between delivering resumes, Mel began to seriously consider the possibility of going back to school. She knew that further qualifying herself would be essential to ensure a better future. After all, she was still young and had a lot to look forward to.
A few days later, Mel received a call that made her heart race with anticipation. She was called for a job interview. The vacancy for a bilingual secretary at a multinational company that did not require previous experience in the role caught her attention. Mel, who spoke English fluently, was confident that she could get the job.
After the call, Mel took all her clothes out of her suitcase, trying to find a suitable outfit for the interview, when her phone rang again. On the screen was a strange number that she didn't recognize, but since she was looking for a job, Mel answered the call.
"Hello..."
"Mel... It's me, Isabela."
"Isa? Mel was surprised to hear Isabela's voice." Where are you? Are you okay?"she asked worriedly after so long without hearing from her friend."
"Calm down, Mel, so many things have happened, but I'm fine, and I miss you."
"Me too..."
"Are you busy right now? Can we see each other... I have so much to tell you, Isabela proposed."
"Of course, I want to see you, now!"
"Okay, I'll send you the address of a cafe I know downtown, we can meet there."
"Okay, Mel agreed."
After exchanging a few messages, they arranged to meet.
Isabela arrived at the cafe and soon spotted Mel sitting at a table in the corner. Mel smiled when she saw her and got up to hug her.
"Isa! I tried so, so hard to talk to you, and I couldn't. What happened? You fell off the map!" Mel said, visibly relieved and curious.
Isabela sat down at the table, ready to tell Mel everything.
"I know, Mel. It was all so fast and confusing... I was out of the country, to be more precise, in Italy."
Mel's eyes widened, shocked by the revelation.
"What do you mean, in Italy?"
"Remember the man who beat up Paulo at the club because he drugged me?"
"Yes? Were you with him?"
"Yes, he took me to Italy to protect me from Paulo and also from my stepfather. You know how that man always tried to abuse me."
"My God, Isa! I had no idea things had gotten to that point. I was so worried about you, thinking that Paulo had had you killed."
"Wow... When I found out that he was taking me to Italy, I was so scared, I thought I was being trafficked for sexual exploitation, but no, I met a wonderful person who takes care of me, protects me... Mel. It was a difficult time, but Matteo took care of me. We fell in love and he's been amazing."
Mel smiled, happy to see Isabela well and happy.
"I'm so happy for you, Isa. You deserve someone who treats you well and takes care of you after everything that happened."
"But how did he manage to take you to Italy? How did he get past the police at the airport?"
"Matteo is part of the mafia... She revealed, leaving Mel perplexed as she recounted the details of how Matteo took her to Italy on a private plane."
"Seriously? I never thought there could be people with that kind of power."
"Well, there are."
"So that's why he acted that way at the club... Good for Paulo... And speaking of that man, he was arrested."
"He was arrested?" Isabela asked in surprise.
"Yes, after what happened that day, the police started investigating the club and found Paulo's involvement with drug trafficking and other illegal activities, and so he was arrested without bail. Then new accusations started to surface. Finally, some justice will be done."
Isabela sighed with relief and satisfaction.
"It was only a matter of time before the police got to him. He was always a horrible man. I hope he rots in jail."
Isabela agreed with Mel's opinion.
"I hope so too... But let's not talk about that man now. Isabela took Mel's hand and squeezed it affectionately."
"Let's forget about him."
"Yes, let's! And you, Mel? How's your life? Did you get a job, and your husband?" Isabela asked.
Mel sighed and gave a sad smile.
"Oh, Isa, my life took a turn too. I found out my husband was cheating on me..."
"What? Isabela seemed disbelieving."
"It was a shock... After the club closed, I started doing odd jobs at events, parties, working at buffets. There was a day when the event I was working at ended earlier than I expected, and I was happy to go home to be with Alexandre. We were distant, and I thought it was a chance for us to reconnect, but when I got home... he was with another woman... in our bed..."
"Is that for real? Isabela was outraged."
"Yes, I was devastated to see that scene and how they were badmouthing me... I opened the door and they saw me, he even tried to justify himself but I didn't let him. After that, I couldn't look at his face anymore. It was hard..."
Isabela frowned, concerned about her friend.
"I'm so sorry, Mel. It must have been horrible, I know you loved him."
"Yes, I loved him... And to make matters worse, he became violent and I found out that he defrauded the purchase of our apartment, as if he had made the purchase before our marriage, without me helping. In the end, I won't be entitled to anything, even though I helped pay for more than half the apartment, and I helped furnish it. I was stupid to blindly trust him. Now they must be living together, in what was mine. I'm grateful I didn't marry him civilly and in church as he wanted."
"Oh, Mel..."
"I'm trying to get back on my feet, I had some money in the bank. I had to move to a smaller place than the apartment we lived in. I'm managing to pay the rent, doing odd jobs while I look for a better job. At least I have a couch to sleep on and a stove to cook on."
Isabela took Mel's hand, offering support.
"You'll get there, Mel. You are strong and determined. If you need anything, I'm here for you."
Mel smiled, grateful for her friend's support.
"Thank you, Isa. I'm trying to keep my head up and move on. I know things will get better eventually."
"They certainly will, Mel. And you deserve all the happiness in the world. Isabela opened her purse, taking out some of the money she had brought with her." I hope this helps."She said, putting it in her friend's hand."
"Isa... No..."
"Take it, I know you need it."
"Thank you... Mel put the money away, and took a sip of her coffee before continuing." I want to pay you back every penny. She was emotional, she didn't know where to get the money to pay the rent that month and feed herself.
"Mel... We'll talk about that another day."
"Alright... I have an interview tomorrow for a secretary position at a big company. They didn't ask for experience. They will provide specific training for the position, and the salary is good. I'm hopeful. It would be a big step for me. The only requirement for the position is intermediate English, and I have that."
"I didn't know you spoke English..."
"When I was in junior high, my mom used to work as a maid and I used to go with her. Her employer at the time was very nice, and had a daughter about my age. And she was the one who paid for my English course, so that her daughter, who was very shy, wouldn't have to go to the course alone."
Isabela smiled, excited by the news.
"That's great, Mel! I'm sure you'll do well in the interview."
"Thank you, Isa. I'm a little nervous, but I'm going to do my best. Maybe this is the opportunity I've been waiting for?"
"I'm sure it is."
The two continued at the cafe, catching up after so long apart.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 54 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments