Bruno and Helena dismount their bikes, panting. They gave it their all, pedaling as fast as possible to get back to Parati before the sunset was over. Some stars were already appearing when they finally stopped in front of the inn where Helena was staying. She takes off her helmet, hands it to him, and receives in return her bag with the cachaças she bought. "Thank you for today," the young woman says, adjusting her blonde hair behind her ear. "Always at your service," Bruno replies, looking at the girl with a daring smile. "What's up?" she asks, smiling, feeling awkward. "And so?" "And so what?" "Did you feel the passion? Are you in love?" Bruno asks nervously. Helena's face turns as red as a tomato, forcing Bruno to continue quickly: "I mean, with the place... Maria Izabel's story." "Oh... Yes, it was all incredible and captivating," Helena replies, relieved. She then raises an eyebrow, saying, "Of course, that doesn't change our deal." "Of course not. I hadn't even thought a
Bruno arrives at the closed store where his friends have already put the bicycles outside. He stores the bikes and takes the helmets to the locker. He puts away his helmet and then takes the one used by Helena, caressing it carefully as his mind wanders through the day's memories. Bruno focuses mainly on the moments when she smiles at him or looked at him, enigmatic. He smiled, recalling how happy Helena was on Corumbê Beach. "Glad we'll see each other tomorrow, Helena," Bruno thinks, putting away the helmet. Just thinking about the next day makes him anxious, leaving butterflies in his stomach as he counts the minutes to see the young woman with blonde hair once again. He arrives home, and his parents are already in their room, which is better for Bruno, who also goes to his own room. He takes a shower and then lies down, falling asleep while thinking about Helena. The next day, Bruno gets up before his father, who is surprised by his son's enthusiasm as he has already prepared break
Helena opens her eyes and, for a few seconds, feels like she's waking up somewhere else, at another moment in her life. It's a moment from a few days ago, to be exact. Perhaps because it was the day she would be returning from this trip. She raises her left hand, making sure it's just a sensation to feel the weight of her 18-carat gold ring, perfectly chosen by her for her wedding day. She closes her eyes, caressing her finger while letting her mother's words sink in. Indeed, Helena didn't want to end up like her mother, and she had agreed to go to Parati just to rub the email in the face of the audacious clerk. Of course, she also wanted to reflect on how to reverse the situation, but now... Now, it didn't make any sense. She would change the situation, and then what? Marry Leandro and pretend that nothing he said affected her? Ignore that this trip had affected her? Conceal that Bruno was stirring something in her in two days that her fiancé couldn't do in years? "What?" Helena excl
Helena starts shaking her head, refusing to go, but gradually, her gesture turns into a yes accompanied by a broad smile for Bruno. "Great! Let's take my bike," Bruno says, walking towards the back of the shop while holding Helena's hand. She follows him, under the curious gaze of their friends, who don't understand Bruno's actions. Bruno adjusts the bike and then helps Helena get on the back. The blonde feels awkward, not knowing where to hold on, and then Bruno places her hands around his waist. "Hold on tight," he said. He starts pedaling, making an effort not to focus on Helena's breath on his neck as she tries to balance. The feeling of her being there, holding him, sends shivers down his spine and warms his heart, as if he had been expecting this moment for a long time. Helena, on the other hand, is intoxicated by the scent of Bruno's cologne. She tries not to admit it, but it's challenging to contain herself while feeling the defined abs of the young man. The two get lost in
Bruno takes Helena to his parent's room, and while the young woman stands at the door, he goes to the wardrobe and opens it. Bruno doesn't need to search much and finds some well-packaged female outfits. He takes two of them and tosses one toward Helena. "Found them," he says, tossing one of the outfits to her. "See if it fits you." "Here? Is this your room?" Helena asked, apprehensive. "Uhm, no... Come on," Bruno beckoned, taking Helena's hand and leading her to his room. He opens the door and points inside. "Make yourself comfortable." "Thank you," Helena said, entering Bruno's room. She turns around and notices Bruno still standing by the door, watching her. "Could you... close the door, please?" "Oh, sure. Sorry. Let me know when you're done," Bruno asked, before closing the door. Helena then turns around and starts removing her clothes, trying on the first outfit, which fits her perfectly, to her surprise. She puts on the second one, and it fits her like a glove, making her
After Helena changed her clothes, the trio went downstairs, hearing Loreta humming in the kitchen. Nilton enters the room before Bruno and Helena, and she holds onto Bruno's arm, catching his attention. "What is a Blue Marine Fish?" she asks. "Have you never heard of the best dish in the world?" Bruno asked, smiling. He takes Helena's hand and says, "Come, you'll have a unique experience today." They enter the kitchen and find Loreta cutting the sea bass, while Nilton sets the cast-iron pan on the stove. Helena observes the fish, which is nowhere near blue, surprised. "Shouldn't the fish be blue?" she asks, catching Loreta's attention, who smiles at her. "There's no fish that is blue in color," Loreta begins, placing the fish in a bowl. "Come, I'll teach you how to make the dish. Boys get out of the kitchen; today, I'll cook with my daughter-in-law." Bruno and Nilton look at each other, concerned. It's been a long time since they left Loreta unsupervised, especially with a woman.
Regina approaches the couple, furious. How could her daughter have been there on the street kissing a complete stranger? She looks at the young man and, to her surprise, recognizes Bruno. Regina narrows her eyes, glancing at Helena, and then mutters between her teeth: "Come in now, Helena." Helena looks at Bruno one last time, picks up the bag from the ground, and enters the guesthouse, being observed by Regina, who remains outside. Then Helena's mother turns to the young man and says: "Bruno, isn't it?" "Yes, that's my name," Bruno responds, offering a smile to Regina, who remains serious. "Listen well to what I'm going to tell you: forget that Helena exists. She's engaged..." "I don't think she is, actually... From what she told me, she was practically left at the altar," Bruno argues. "She's going through a difficult time, and your presence could interfere with her recovery. So stay away, young man. My daughter is not for you," Regina concludes, turning toward the guesthouse.
Bruno arrives at the store early, anxious. He couldn't sleep at night thinking about the kiss he gave to Helena. He tried to remember the last time he had felt this way kissing someone. The only thing he was sure of was that he needed to touch Helena's lips again. "Good morning." "Good morning," Bruno replies, turning around and finding Marcelo standing at the store's entrance, which makes him raise an eyebrow. He desired Helena's lips, but for some reason, now he was face to face with her brother. "How can I help you?" "Bruno, right?" Marcelo asks, approaching and taking off his sunglasses. "I came here to let you know that Helena won't be doing the tours with you anymore. I'm here to cancel any connection between my sister and your company." "Is there any reason for this decision?" Bruno asks, already knowing the answer. From Helena's mother's expression the night before, he knew he might not see Helena again. "Personal reasons," Marcelo informs, evasive. "Okay, but I can't put