Cecília
- I understand, Cecilia, for my part you know that I'm against this approach, but I'm not going to get involved. In this game I know I've lost, first because I've always been connected to the memory of Tomás and second because now Dario has shown up, I believe I'm better than him but I know how things work.
Camilo didn't seem hurt or upset, in fact he was resigned, he knew that we wouldn't be more than good friends and now he seems to have accepted this reality once and for all.
- You always knew what to expect from me, long before Dario arrived, Camilo, I'm sorry that I don't live up to your feelings, but I really hope that we can continue to be good friends!
He hugged me in such a tender way that it was impossible not to reciprocate, with Dario's return I felt very confused after all, I considered our story unfinished and that there was no turning back but now everything has changed and I don't know how to react.
- You know that you can always count on me, before anything else you have continued to be his friend and that won't change. Don being Don or not, I won't think twice before killing Dario Albertini if I hurt you or Melina!
I knew I could count on Camilo, because during all these years he has been my friend without asking anything in return, my only regret was that I couldn't reciprocate his feelings for me. We said goodbye, promising him that I would keep him informed about the challenge between me and Dario, and I went to Melina's room staying behind the door to listen to the conversation between her and Valentine.
- You are very brave, no one has ever faced pope like that, is it because of your breast?
- Yes but because I don't think it's right that you don't play with me just because of your papa, we are little friends now and whenever you need me I will take care and protect you.
Melina hugged her brother showing that she really spoke the truth, it is impressive the bond that the two have with each other even though they met today.
- Papa, you want me to be the next Don, but I don't know if I want to!
- What is Don?
I had to get into the room before Valentine could talk more than he should, when he saw me his eyes shone and his smile opened, he admired me for the story told about Gian Tolentino's death and believed I was a hero.
- Tim, can I talk to you for a moment outside? You can say goodbye to your father, what do you think? Then I'll bring you to stay with Melina!
Melina encouraged him to go with me, saying that she was waiting for him to play on the new video game that he had received from his uncle, while we walked through the corridors towards the stairs I held his small hand, smiling to reassure him, Valentine did not find me strange or aloof at any moment, on the contrary, he was very comfortable.
- Honey, Melina doesn't know about the mafia, here at home we try to keep both her and her cousins away from this world, do you understand?
- Yes, I do! I wanted to live here with you, Papa thinks I have to know everything about the Mafia, but I don't want to know. One day, I saw Aunt Mari crying saying that her life is over because of the Mafia, I think that if the Mafia is something that ended my aunt's life, it is not good!
Even at such a young age, Valentine saw the world he was living in a very mature and intelligent way. I felt for him having to live with dilemmas and situations that should only be adults' and not his, I don't regret at any time leaving that world out of my daughter's life.
- It's not good, honey, that's why I want to ask you to never talk about the mafia with Melina and Miguel, I know that like the smart little boy that you are, you will heed my request.
- Where I live everyone tries to pretend that they are happy around me, but I know they are not. Aunt Mari is always crying in the corners, Grandpa is sick but no one knows because he tries to show that he is well, and Grandma seems sad all the time. I feel lonely, but when I played with Melina, Miguel and Leandrinha I felt as happy as I ever was.
I never imagined that his life would be so sad, I took him in my arms and hugged him very tightly, not realizing that he was crying in my arms. I understood at that moment that this little one needed my presence and love for everything he was going through, he needed to be loved and that is what I will do for him.
- I'll tell you a story, I know you like it! Once upon a time there was a little prince who dreamed of having his mama back, he asked and asked God that by some miracle his mama would come back to take care of him even though she was full of wealth, the little prince missed his mama but one day his papa took him to a distant kingdom where he met a beautiful castle where everyone was happy, different from everything he knew but something special happened.
Valentine was anxious to know the end of the story, even against everything that our relationship could represent I want to be his mother because I know that this boy needs me.
- He found the mama he always wanted, do you know who this prince is?
- I know, I am the prince and you are my mama!
I smiled at him, shaking my head in affirmation, and Valentine began to cry, lining himself up in my lap as if he didn't want to be separated from me.
- I knew you would come back to me, mama! Now I will be happy because you will take care of me, won't you?
- Yes, my love! Mama will take care of you.
Dario and Saul appeared at my brother's side looking at the scene of the two of us together, Valentine ran into his father's arms jumping for joy and crying also to give the news.
- Papa, mama came back to stay with me, I knew God would bring her back to me! I want to stay here with mama and Melina, I don't want to travel with you, I want to stay with my mama.
- How about taking your mother with us and Melina too? Papa doesn't want to be without your company, my son, but I understand that now that he has found his mother he wants to have her by his side.
I can't believe Dario did this, you have to be kidding me, he is using Valentine to travel with me. My little boy came running up to me with his eyes full of expectation to receive a yes.
- Mama, you are going on a trip with me and daddy, aren't you? Melina has to go too, my sister can't stay here.
Dario smiles seeing that his plan had worked out, as much as he wanted to say no, it would be very difficult to explain to Valentine the reason for not wanting to go, so I decided to accept.
- Of course, my love, your sister and I will go with you on this trip.