Cecília
- All right, brother! Don't worry about a thing, Luana and I are ready for anything.
- I wanted to shoot Carvalho's loose tongue in the head. But we had already foreseen that this would happen, I'm sorry for that and for all the exposure you'll suffer at this dinner.
My brother hugged Luana knowing how hard it would be for her to have to look at the man who raped her and did so much harm to her for so long, but there was no way we would have to face it. But my sister-in-law is a strong woman because when we talked about what could happen, she stood firm and ready to face her past like I did, it wouldn't be easy but we weren't going to lose heart in this situation.
- Romeo, be at peace! I know you did what was within your power, now Cecilia and I have a dinner to organize, we will give them what they want so much.
Luana and I left Romeo in the office, ready to prepare dinner along with mama and Conceição, I knew Dario would realize how unwelcome he is here so counting on this reaction I was ready for him.
But worst of all is the story that Romeo told me, the son of Dario thinks that I and Luana are superheroines and for this reason wanted so much to meet us in this causing the father's curiosity about us.
- Luana, go pack the children, let me, mama and Conceição finish the last details of the dinner, I'll help you in a little while.
In a few hours the dinner was ready, I decided to make all the dishes that Dario liked and with the help of mama was very easy, I chose the wine and dessert he liked best, I want him to feel like a king as always tried to treat him when he lived as his prisoner, I will defy him and I know he will understand.
I went upstairs to help my sister-in-law, Miguel was already dressed up in his suit looking like a little man, my daughter wore a black dress and although she has many dresses of various colors and shapes but I know the reason for this, she never left the mourning she wore black clothes since the death of Tomás, I did not feel really alive without him because he was the man who really showed me what love is.
Even after all these years I still miss him as if at any moment he would return but I know that this is impossible, my little girl wants to dress like me, I remember once she commented that it would match me. I started to get ready too while Luana finished getting dressed, my sister-in-law was apprehensive but I was sure she was prepared for anything when she hid a gun under the long dress she was wearing.
- It's just in case! The children will be at dinner so I will only use it if I realize that the situation will get out of our control.
- I understand you, but I prefer to use the knives that will be on the table, I asked them to keep them sharp!
We smiled at each other, accomplices as always, as apprehensive as we might be we would never let it take our focus off this night, wearing our beautiful black clothes we were ready to face our past.
- We are ready!
Luana took Leandra in her arms while holding Miguel by the hand, Melina was also by my side holding my hand smiling when she saw that I was wearing an outfit that matched hers, as we went down the stairs Romeo and Camilo were waiting for us and it was impossible not to notice their admiring look in our direction.
When we finished going downstairs, Romeo kissed my sister-in-law on the forehead and did the same with the children, no matter how strongly he wants to pass that on, I know he fears what this night holds for us.
Dário
Valentine was excited to meet the black roses while I just wanted answers to questions that troubled my mind. Why does Romeo Bernardino want to hide his sister and his wife? I know that Rosalia disappeared for many years, but how did he find her? And why didn't he tell me about her sudden return?
- The Brazilian capo is hiding something from us, sir! I imagine that for a long time I have even thought that it has something to do with his wife and sister. Why make such an effort to hide two women who belong to the family?
- I believe that too! The fact that he keeps a man he trusts just to pass on all the results and profits during all these years in Italy proves that he really wanted to keep us apart, but I don't understand the reason.
Bernardino has never represented a danger to me even though he doesn't agree with my methods, I have had no problems with him since the day he took over as Don but I know he is not my biggest fan on the contrary, the reason that made him lie to me even knowing the consequences of this must be very strong but today I will find out why.
- Are you ready, Saul?
- Yes, brother! But do you really think it is necessary to go to Bernardino's house to meet two women who until then are not important to us? They haven't done more than their duty as members of the family, I admit it's admirable, but I guess we should respect the fact that the Brazilian capo doesn't want to talk about them is enough for us not to get bored by going to his house.
Saul didn't understand that it wasn't just about that but the bigger fact was the reason for the lie, I'm sure it's not just to preserve the image of his sister and his wife there is more involved without a shadow of a doubt.
- Saul, don't be limited! Bernardino is hiding something very important and is closely connected to his wife and sister. If it wasn't, why would he lie to me knowing the consequences of this act, we'll go to this dinner and find out what Bernardino is hiding with so much effort.
My brother just agreed and went to get Valentine in his room. When we were in the car I realized how anxious my son was to see the black roses, he didn't stop talking about them for a minute, and about the story they told at the meeting.
He really got excited with the possibility of being close to two heroines in his vision, it's good to let him be a child, Valentine has already lost a lot in life and I recognize that I am responsible for that so everything my son wants he will have, not only because he is my heir but because he has already suffered a lot even though he is so young.
When we arrived at the mansion I noticed how the security was reinforced again I was bothered by all this, it was men from the family and others that I didn't really recognize. What the fuck is going on here?
- Bernardino invited us to a dinner or to a war?
- I don't understand it either! Let's go inside and find out what this bullshit is all about.
Saul stayed by my side along with Valentine while Caetano came in front to check the terrain, I knew he was alert because like Saul and me he found it strange that there was so much security and only me, my son, Saul and Caetano were here with no other security guards.
When we arrived at the entrance door we were greeted by a dark-skinned lady with a serious countenance giving clear evidence that we were not welcome here.
- Good evening, gentlemen, the Bernardino family will be right with you, excuse me.
We waited about ten minutes when Bernardino came accompanied by the Colombian and just behind two women with three children, as the part that gave access to the room was dark I could not see who they were but as soon as they came to the light I thought I was dreaming or going crazy but it could not be a dream or a crazy head of mine because both Saul and Caetano when they saw who were the women were without reaction.
- Cecilia!
- Good evening, Mr. Albertini!