João Felipe
After several failed attempts, I decided that Viviane was too loyal to my brother to allow me to show that I was determined to invest in a real relationship between us and to face any social barriers that were imposed since she was my brother's wife, for the fact that she was the daughter of the servants of the mansion ceased to matter long ago.
I had been petty for getting carried away by something so meaningless and superfluous and was now paying the price.
After a few more days, when I was already fully recovered from the beating I had taken in the club, to protect Viviane, and tired of waiting for João Pedro's return, since nothing else explained his stay in New York, I decided that I would go there, talk to him personally and solve our pending issues once and for all.
I requested the family jet in São Paulo and traveled with Luana to the United States, since she had chosen to work in our branch, I would solve both issues.
We had become more and more friends and I was enjoying the experience of having a female friend with whom I could get to know a little more about this complex universe.
I said this to her, which caused many laughs, and the trip, although long, turned out to be very fruitful.
" I have a very serious question for you, Felipe " Your expression was one of seriousness and I waited for what would come next. " Are you sure that the fact that Viviane had a daughter with João Pedro, her brother, will not affect the relationship you intend to build with her?"
" I love Sarah and I don't care who she is a daughter " I spoke so that she could understand all the sincerity that was in those words.
"I admire you so much, for chasing after what you want in such a determined way."
"You look pretty surprised by that," I joked with the admired expression on her face.
"I didn't like all the ambition you showed when we studied together," she said but seemed a little embarrassed by her words. "I truly believed you weren't a good person. I don't even know how I asked you for help that day at the restaurant."
"I'm ambitious, but I realized that there is a limit to everything, including that there are far more important things than making money and accumulating wealth. Living with Sarinha has done me a lot of good. I've felt different since that little girl, my little one, came into my life."
"I'm glad you're so different, you look even happier."
"I feel happy," I said, acknowledging the truth I hadn't realized before, that I've never felt so happy as when I was with my little Sarah and Vivi.
We arrived in New York in the early afternoon, however, I told Luana that she could settle in first, and only the next day would she need to present herself at the company.
She would stay in my apartment until she got a more appropriate location. The other time she lived there, it was through a scholarship, which included housing.
I, however, after installing Luana and having a brief meal, decided to go to the company, because I would like to talk to João Pedro as soon as possible. Now that I've decided to face the situation, I want to resolve it as soon as possible.
I was already at the end of the day, with few people in the building of our branch, but I had confirmed that João Pedro was still in my room, where he was working.
Natalie was already gone, I thought when I saw her empty place and went towards my room when I saw that the door was ajar, and from there came altered male voices, I stopped, I'm not sure why when I heard the voice I recognized as Jack's.
" I'm already totally free, JP " he spoke seemingly exasperated.
"But I'm not and can't do that to Vivi, Jack."
Upon hearing Viviane's name, my whole body trembled in anticipation. What were they talking about?
"I'm sure Viviane won't demand that you stay with this wedding farce! She will support you if you decide to follow your heart."
"Of course, she would support me, but we've built a family and I can't just abandon Vivi now."
"It will never be the right time, JP. Do you know why? Because you have no conviction of your feelings for me. You don't want to come out to everyone that you're gay."
Hearing that last sentence, I could no longer remain in the same place. I opened the door fully and exposed my presence. I believe that my face made it very clear that I had heard more than I should and the horrified look that should be on my face, I believe mirrored that of João Pedro at that moment, such was his face of astonishment.
" Felipe! " He looked at Jack and then at me and soon tried to get around the situation. "It's nothing you're thinking."
" Seriously you're going to use that ridiculous expression?" said Jack, looking tired.
Viviane
Good thing I hadn't fallen for Felipe's bored chatter once again. Not that the other time we got involved he had to lie to get me to bed, he didn't have to.
But this time I had a lot to lose and he tried very hard to win me over with that little love chatter.
All winding! Right now he was in New York with a "friend" named Luana, the same one that João Pedro and I saw him having lunch together in the same restaurant as us.
I learned this from Marta during the meal, when I asked disinterestedly about his absence from the dinner table.
"Any problems at work, Vivi?" Mr. Rodolfo asked, making me uncomfortable.
"Why at work?" I asked, trying to smile.
" Since arriving from work she has a sad little face, dear " Marta explained, making me even blander.
I was really angry when I got home from work and Felipe wasn't with Sarinha like he did every day. But I could not confess something like this to my in-laws, since the son of whom I should have been feeling the absence was the one who had already been out of the country for almost a fortnight!
I tried to disguise my mood and engage in a cordial conversation over dinner, but I'm not sure I was successful. Anyway, I thanked the heavens when the meal was over and I was able to retreat to my room.
Sarah was already sleeping peacefully, she had slept early that night. By the time I went to pick her up after dinner, she had already fallen asleep. I was surprised that she did not show any reaction about Felipe's absence, recalling the time her grandparents had traveled to New York, when Isabela seemed to have heard my thoughts and told me that João Felipe had made a video call earlier, to talk to my little one.
Already in my room, after getting ready for bed and lying on the huge double bed, I thought about how much Felipe could still disappoint me. How could I still give credit to anything he said?
I had these questions in my head when I received a message on my cell phone to surprise me with what I read on the screen.
João Felipe: When I arrive in Brazil, we will have a lot to talk about!
Soon after came the message from João Pedro, who left me apprehensive and not knowing what to think:
João Pedro: Sorry, Vivi...
João Pedro: Never forget that everything I do is for our friendship.
What stranger messages! What could have happened? And how could I stand the wait to understand what was happening in another country?
I tried to call João Pedro, but he didn't answer me. I thought about calling Felipe, but then I changed my mind. I needed to first know what had happened and if the two messages were related or if it was just a coincidence the way the two brothers messaged me at about the same time.