Chapter 2

“I can't tell you that I loved you the first moment I saw you, or if it was the second, or the third, or the fourth. But I remember the first moment I saw you walking towards me and I realized somehow, that the rest of the world seemed to have disappeared when I was with you.” — Cassandra Clare.

Petropolis

At eight in the morning, Camila left the supermarket, carrying a bag full of fruits and vegetables. She was just a few feet away from the supermarket when she noticed someone following her. Her heart began to beat very fast and a cold sweat ran down her spine. Suddenly, she slowed her pace and looked to the side. Camila slowly turned around, but there was no one. Then she took a deep breath and sighed.

It's just my imagination, maybe from watching too many horror movies, she smiled to herself.

Camila started walking again. Then she saw through her peripheral vision a man in black, flannel shirt and jeans, really following her. She wasn't crazy.

Oh, God help me! She thought. A stalker or a serial killer was following her. Camila walked quickly, half running, and the man walked faster too, following his pace.

Just two more blocks and she would be at her Aunt Beatriz's house!

She saw a secluded alley next to a building and decided to hide. Holding the bag of groceries tightly to her chest, she peeked around the side of the building and was relieved to see that her stalker was gone.

Ufa! Thank God he's gone. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord. She sighed with relief and said a silent prayer.

Camila was about to step out of the secluded corner when someone suddenly grabbed her arm from behind. Alarmed and afraid, she screamed in panic at the top of her lungs.

— AAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! When she screamed, immediately the man's hand covered her mouth.

The bag of groceries fell to the floor, scattering the fruits and vegetables. She tried to punch and kick the man, but he was big and too strong. Her body pinned her to the wall and her wrists were held in an iron grip above her head. She struggled and writhed, trying to get away, but to no avail. Then she bit the man's hand very hard.

— Oh! Holy crap! He exclaimed and took his hand from her mouth. He winced and rubbed his injured hand on his jeans.

— Sooooooo! Camila yelled again. The man covered her mouth with his other hand.

- Stop yelling! You are attracting an audience. the man said angrily.

Camila's eyes widened in shock. She looked into her attacker's eyes and realized that his dark blue eyes were vaguely familiar. She tried to remember where she knew him. I know him, I know him, she thought. Her attacker looked at her, with such boldness and intensity that she cringed in fear.

“I'll take my hand, but you have to promise not to scream. He spoke softly to her as if he were talking to a child with a tantrum.

His blue eyes were locked on hers and his breath was fanning her face. She could smell him, a combination of musk male cologne and breeze. Trying to understand what he said, she nodded. Her eyes studied his face unhurriedly, feature by feature. From her eyes, a dark shade of blue, to the tip of her well-sculpted nose, to her thin lips and strong chin. Then she recognized him.

His mixed feelings of fear, shock, and anxiety were suddenly replaced by intense anger. Up close, she saw that it was Eduardo Villa-Lobos, her supposed fiancé! Eduardo released his hand from her mouth, gently. He felt guilty seeing the reddened marks on his face. She looked so young and helpless and innocent in that moment.

However, he knew it was only skin deep. Her gaze could be very deceiving.

- Are you okay? His gaze dropped, as did his voice.

Camila was breathing hard, sucking in air hard. Her heart was beating pretty fast. The maniac! He's trying to scare me to death!

Her body was still pinning her to the wall, so she pushed her chest hard, trying to get away. Avoiding his watchful gaze, she bent down, hurriedly gathering up her scattered purchases and placing them back in the grocery bag. He helped her pick up the oranges that had fallen away, while trying to explain her unjustifiable actions.

“I'm sorry if I startled you, believe me, I didn't mean to startle you. Her voice was deep and smooth. But Camila wasn't listening to his explanations. She was totally ignoring him as if he didn't exist. She was really mad at him for scaring her like that. So she ran away without warning.

- Hey! Where are you going? He followed immediately. "So that's how you treat your future husband, ignoring him, huh?" He spoke with distinct scorn. - We need to talk.

His voice sounded with command, but she still ignored him, increasing her pace.

“I know you're mad at me for doing this. But I apologized. OK?

Camila pretended not to hear him and continued walking in silence.

- Will not you answer me? I already apologized. — Eduardo's voice was cold. His expression bordered on mockery. - Are you deaf? You are acting like a child. I'm warning you, Camila Cavalcanti. Stop ignoring me. Talk to me like a grown woman. We need to discuss the conditions of our marriage.

Suddenly, she turned to him and gave him a hostile look. Her rebellious emotions were evident. Then she spat out the words contemptuously.

"There's nothing to discuss, Mr. Villa-Lobos, because I'm not going to marry you, just over my dead body! Even if you were the last man on the face of the earth, I wouldn't allow myself to be chained and dragged to the altar. So have the decency to leave me alone.

The force of her answer caught him off guard, and then quick anger flared in him. His eyes met hers with contempt before she turned around, not waiting for his response. Camila was happy when she finally arrived at her aunt Beatriz's front yard. She quickly entered the house and went to the kitchen. Her aunt was making pancakes.

“You look so upset. What's wrong? Beatrice asked.

- He is here. Oh God... Eduardo Villa-Lobos is here. Camila said, panting. Her aunt sighed and smiled at her niece.

- Serious? Ah, that's so sweet of him. He came for you, honey.

- No of course not. Camilla said.

Then the doorbell rang. Camila's eyes widened.

"Auntie, it's him!" Oh my God, I'm going to hide.

'No you won't.' Stay here. I will let you in.

— But Auntie, I don't want to talk to him. I hate him, he's an arrogant and... a bastard!

“Camila, where are your manners? Talk to him at least. You owe him at least one explanation after you dumped him yesterday.

- Auntie, please...

Her aunt didn't hear her. She let out a laugh and walked out of the kitchen to open the front door. Camila felt nervous like she never felt before.