CHAPTER TEN

THE LAKE

The boy's expression remained the same for some time, he seemed to dwell on what she had said, and she bitterly regretted having said it. It was none of her business how he was, for heaven's sake. He had just arrived there. Crouching beside the pond, he seemed lost in his own thoughts, and Clara, who was staring at the stream, stooped down beside him to apologize once again, put a hand on his shoulder, and felt him stiffen at the touch.

“Can you forgive me for saying what I said? I had no business telling you what I said, I like the way you are and in fact, it's my way of being that's wrong, you only say what you think, how could that be wrong?”

Otávio turned around and, being so close, she could see right down to his pores, he was really a beautiful boy. His full, plump lips were so red that it looked like he was wearing lipstick, and his clear eyes stood out against his black hair. His face was oval, his beard shaved and well done, he didn't seem to wear perfume, but he exu