by Ky Crossfire
— Including your son?
I walked over to my bed and grabbed her by the arm, my hand closed more tightly than it should have around her slender arm.
— Oh... Oh, Nicolas, you're hurting me.
— And I'm going to hurt a lot more if you dare to blackmail me using my son — I snarled. — I already said I will give you everything, but my son will not be used against me in your fucking game.
Diana remained silent, her blue eyes fixed on mine.
— On Monday I gonna go to the company, call an emergency meeting with the other partners so that my total removal from the company can be carried out.
I released her arm, and she rubbed her skin.
— Is that your final decision? You know you can't go back later.
I kept glaring at her.
— Monday I'll be there early in the morning. How am I supposed to know that these videos won't leak after I leave?
She smiled.
— That's the funny part, baby. You'll have to take my word for it. — Diana kept her smile victorious as she walked to the door, and turned to me one more time before leaving. — Make sure your maid, oops, your fiancée, does not steal anything when you both leave the house.
When she was gone, I started looking through everything. I looked for the cameras that had filmed us, but there was no sign of them. Diana had made a point of leaving the pen drive there, that was just a copy.
Everything was out of place. Isa sat beside me on the sofa and ran his hand over my arm.
— I'll call my mom. She’s a lawyer. Maybe she can help us. — Isa finally breaks the silence between us. — What Diana is doing is a crime, right? Blackmail, invasion of privacy, I don't know. There must be something we can do.
— Not quite, Isa. Of course, what she is doing is a crime. The problem is to attribute it to her.
— What do you mean?
— Prove that it was her — I explain. — If I allow these videos to leak, our life will turn to hell. Furthermore, when we fall into the net, we will never be able to find the source.
— So what are we going to do?
— I already solved it. I will give up the company, investments, everything. Monday I will go to the company to make the termination official.
I sigh and lean back, feeling the weight of my choices on my shoulders.
— For God's sake, Nicolas! I don’t believe this. How can you do something like that?! — Isabel slapped my chest indignantly.
— I’ll not expose our family. There's nothing else to discuss. We fight more, work hard and earn money.
— Are you out of your mind? How are you going to support yourself and Nick penniless?
— It was that or abandon you. — I grab her wrists and put her hands on my chest. — Not now, not ever. We will get through this together.
I steal a kiss from her mouth, and she smiles with her lips glued to mine.
— You mean you got poor because of me?
— Poor? I already have a new job in mind, CEO of Hinny’s Cakes.
Isa laughs.
— If I hire you. I am a very demanding boss with my employees. — She strokes my beard and nibbles on my lip. — I didn't tell you, but I already have an employee in mind, an intern. He's kind hard to take, but he's good.
I stop playing and get serious.
— What the fuck, Isabel?
— Nick. — She laughs. —- Who did you think was?
— And, how is he? — I soften.
— I think it’s better you ask.
I entered Nick's room without knocking. He had headphones on his head and his cell phone in his hands. I sat on the edge of the mattress, trying to choose the right words, but when I saw that his face was still marked by crying, my heart tightened in my chest.
— Your mother's visit was a surprise to me too — I say with my head down. — A very bad and unpleasant surprise. I wonder what must go through your head now.
He takes off his headphones, but he keeps touching his cell phone.
— No, you can't imagine — he says resentfully. — I still have nightmares about the day my mom left. I get angry for waking up crying in the middle of the night. Do you know how it feels like to be abandoned? I know. My mother didn't want me and for you I'm just a burden from a marriage that you didn't want.
His words are harsh and full of remorse. I deserve this and more.
— I'm going to tell you something I never told anyone before — I say, lowering my voice. — Your grandfather, Matty, found me going through a trash can behind the Forum where he worked. He and his other grandfather adopted me and gave me all the affection that a family could give to a child. I failed you, Nick. I wish I could erase the years when I was a bad father, I didn't give you the love and attention you deserved. — I inflate my lungs and let the air escape in a defeated sigh. — Damn, you have the right to never speak to me again in life if you want to. But I want to do different.
I cover my face when the emotion gets stronger and the tears force my way.
— I know it will not be overnight, but I will fight for your forgiveness, I will strive to be the father you deserve — I say in a choked voice. — I want you by my side, not in a school on the other side of the world. Things are going to be a little tight now, but we will be able to be together. That's what I want the most.
Nick got up from the bed and went to the desk, fitted the phone to the charger and kept his back to me. Closed and inaccessible. I got up and went to him. My arms wrapped around him in a tight hug. First, he struggled, struggled and shouted hateful words that I almost couldn't understand. But I didn't let him go. I needed that hug. Maybe more than he did. It was then that Nick burst into tears and gave up fighting. Our hug was long. His sobs went away, and I fussed with his sweaty hair.
Isa Oliveira Brandão
Just before dark, in an almost unanimous vote, we managed to convince Nicolas to spend the rest of the day at the mall. Of course, while he was driving, he complained.
— Friday night at the mall? This is going to be LIKE hell — He growls sulking.
— You lost in the vote, babe, just drive and save us from regrets. — I turn around in the car seat. — Nick, look what movie is playing in the cinema. See if that one inspired by the exorcist is still on display.
— Not this one — Nicolas opines.
— Stop being so funky, Mr. Reis. Do you know that your father blurs with fear from a horror movie?
Nick laughs, but Nicolas defends himself.
— I’m not funky, — He justifies — I just don't see grace in scary movies. I prefer a movie with a lot of action to a horror where the girl is vomiting green and turning her head all over. Sit your ass on the bench and put your belt on, Isabel!
I laugh out loud.
— See, he doesn’t stop talking. This is fear. — I adjust myself in the seat and pull on my seat belt. Before I hear the click, I feel the impact of the crash dismantling our car against a truck.
I blink once or twice to try to understand what happened.
— Dad — Nick yells getting rid of the seat belt.
I look to the side and see the blood running down Nicolas' forehead. I want to scream, go out and seek help. Nicolas is dying beside me and my body refuses to move. I want to calm Nick down, wake up Nicolas, I need to wake up from this nightmare.
I can't close my eyes. I need to stay awake. The smell of smoke and blood permeates the car. My head is pounding, and I try, unsuccessfully, to move, but my body remains inert. I knew that if I closed my eyes it would be the end of our short love story, but it was impossible to keep them open, so, against my will, I closed them. And then the darkness swallowed me up.
Chapter 38
Nicolas Reis
I managed to loosen my seat belt.
— Dad! Wake up, Dad. — I shook his arm hard.
He had to hear me, but he didn't move.
— Damn it, Dad! Wake up! — I let go of his arm and tried to move Isa, but, like my fa
ther, she didn't move at all.
I dried my tears and tried to wake them up again.
— All right, boy. I'll get you out of there. It's going to be okay — said a man in uniform pulling me out of all the twisted iron that had turned our car.
— Help him! Get my dad out of there. He's not waking up — I screamed, unable to control my crying.
I knew it wasn't going to be okay. Nothing would be okay.
— Stop, let me go! Get him out first! — I screamed until my throat hurt, but the guy kept pulling me out of the car. — ISAAAAAAA! DAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!
I struggled every time the paramedic moved me further and further from the wreckage of the car. Another three men started to take him out of the car, to place him on a cloth lying on the floor.
— Kid — the man called me, making me sit on the ambulance step — What's your name?
— Nicolas — I replied, wiping away the tears that kept falling.
— Nicolas, you're going to have to be a strong boy. — He held my hand. — We will do everything to help your parents. They are your parents?
I looked again in the direction of the wrecked car and saw my father's body on the floor. I ran as fast as I could and leaned over his belly, his white shirt now all stained with blood.
— Dad. You promised, dad. — I held his body trying to hug him. Perhaps, if he saw that everything was fine, he would wake up. I just wanted to lean my head against his chest and listen to his heart beating with the same strength that it had before.
My father was huge. A giant. A hit like that couldn't get him out of me. Not now.
— Wake up, Dad. — I hit his chest. — Because, if you don't wake up, I won't forgive you. Damn it, Dad! Open that eye!
I felt a strong sting in the arm and my body went limp, in the next few seconds, I saw the same men who took my father out of the car to take Isa. And like my father, she didn't move either.
— Get him out of there. — It was the last thing I heard before erasing.
Diana
— Mr. Reis suffered a mild concussion. We did a CT scan, and he's out of danger. There was no more serious injury, no fractures, the spine did not suffer any damage either.
I sigh in relief, placing my hand on my chest.
— Thank you, God — I say, looking at Nicolas. He is undressed, covered only by the hospital sheets. A lot of wires and electrodes monitor your well-being.
— As soon as he wakes up, we will carry out some more exams — The doctor explained looking at the clipboard. — As for the girl who was with him, the situation is a little more complicated.
I have to make an effort to keep my air of concern. Bad pot doesn't break, isn't that what they say out there? I've never seen a poor person being so tough.
— And how is she? — I investigate.
— She went to underwent a long surgery to remove a remnant of the car's hardware. But don't worry. The babies are fine.
Babies? Had Nicolas got the redneck pregnant?
— Babies?! — I ask without disguising the surprise. — Twins?
— Actually triplets — She corrects me. — She's breathing on devices. The next few hours will be decisive. — I will keep you informed, the boy received a sedative as he was in shock. It would be better if you took him home.
— I understand. Thank you, doctor — I said, forcing a smile.
I watch the doctor leave the room, but her voice in my head still echoes, "Triplets". How can Nicolas be so careless? Get her pregnant...
— Nick, honey. — I sat in the armchair beside the hospital bed. — I know you really want to be with your father right now. — I take his hand, but he doesn’t want to be touched.
— I want to see my father — he insists.
— I already explained to you, your father is recovering, it will be exhausting for you to stay here in the hospital, and I have my commitments too. I can't stay by your side all the time. Why don't you accept your mother's invitation to go to France? I can put you on the same flight as her today, if you want, of course.
— I'm not going to France! - he screams.
— Then you'll have to go back to boarding school — I reply sharply. — This is no place for you.
My patience with children has always been nil. And Nick, in recent times, was crossing the line!
— Sometimes life imposes situations that force us to make difficult decisions. I'm giving you two options, Nicolas.
He strains his thin jaw and his eyes water.
— I'm going back to boarding school — He surrenders. — You can ask Rico to take me back.
I sigh and pull my hair back, past it behind my ears.
— Very well — I declare. — I'll call one of my assistants to take you back there. Rico's irresponsible traveled without warning anyone.
After Susi took Nick, I went into the room where the big ass redneck was still intubated. A tube fitting in her mouth, and several wires stuck to his chest. Her dark hair was spread over the white pillowcase.
— And you did the impossible — I came closer to the bed, looking at the ring shining on her finger — He got a proposal from Nicolas with a ring and everything a woman wants.
I touch her cold, lifeless hand, lift it high enough to get a closer look at the ring.
— You know he never gave a ring to my sister. The best that Luciana's donkey got was to make him live with her for a few years. — As I unburden the ring on her fat finger. — Nicolas was never a man of one woman. I understood him, but then you arrived ...
I put the ring she wears in my own hand. The jewel is beautiful, but unfortunately, it’s big for me. I could also be weird if the ring of that fat woman fitted in me. However, I do not take it off.
— It would be so much easier if you hadn't gotten into our lives. — I lean on the bed and approach her ear. — It would be so much easier if you just died, you and those little bastards.
The bedroom door was opened, and a nurse came in with a tray. I pulled away and touch her head softly.
— Hope you get well soon.
When I returned to Nicolas' room, the same doctor who was talking to me yesterday was now aiming, in the direction of his eyes, a pen with a small white light at the tip.
— Nicolas! — I exclaim when I see him sitting on the bed.
The doctor turns off her instrument and continues with her exams. I watch everything in silence.
— What's your name?
— Nicolas — He replies. — Nicolas Santoro Reis.
The doctor shakes her head in a positive sign and continues with the questions.
— Do you know where it is?
He looks at me and looks back at the doctor.
— In a hospital or clinic. — He frowns and puts his hand on his head, as if thinking about it was too difficult. — What happened?
— You were in a car accident. The car crashed into a truck — The doctor explains patiently and resumes questions. — Do you know what day it is?
Nicolas struggles to remember.
— June. I don't know the day exactly. Everything is a little foggy.
The doctor writes something on the clipboard.
— No, Mr. Reis, it's December. Your temporal disorder is a consequence of the concussion caused by the accident. I'll order some more tests.
When the doctor excuses me and leaves the room, I follow her.
— Doctor, is this serious?
— These lapses are fleeting. With time and patience, the memories come back. Definitive loss cases are rare. Either way, I’ll keep Mr. Reis hospitalized for some more exams.
Nicolas Reis
A little dizzy, I decided to lie down again. Diana entered the room with a wide smile on her face.
— How are you feeling, my love? — She comes closer and sits on the edge of the bed. — I'm so happy to see you awake.
She takes my hand and strokes it with her fingertips.
— I spoke with Dr. Olivia and she explained to me that your confusion is t
emporary. Soon you'll remember everything. From both of us and our engagement.
— Engagement?! — I exclaim. — What the fuck are you saying, Diana?
She sighs, and her smile is sad.
— You proposed me in the moonlight. — She raises her hand and quickly shows a ring.
Me? Getting marry? That shit didn’t make sense.
— Are you saying that proposed and I gave you that engagement ring?
It didn’t sound like me.
She sits closer and kisses my lips.
— Calm down, honey. The doctor said that the memories would come gradually. You are just a little confused right now, but your fiancé is here and will never leave your side. — Then she kisses me again.
Chapter 39
Nicolas Reis
It was my third day in the hospital, and I couldn't stand another minute in that room. Diana had spent a good deal of time by my side, leaving only a few times. She had provided a change of clean clothes and a new pair of shoes for me.
The doctor who was attending me came into the room with the clipboard in her hand and a smile on her face.
— Are you ready to leave us, Mr. Reis? She asked with a friendly smile on her face.
— Everything okay with my exams? — I cut the small talk part and went straight to the point. — Because I don't like to know that I have a six-month lapse in my head.
— Calm down, honey. — Diana hooked her arm in mine and stroked my chest over her shirt. — Listen to your fiancé. The doctor has already explained it to me, explained it to you and even called another doctor who, like her, said the same thing. However, I see no harm in looking for treatment abroad. You know how everything here in Brazil is still very late.
— Mr. Reis, as I have already explained, this is temporary, we have to allow time for your body — She answers patiently. —- You will be happy to know that the girl who was with you at the time of the accident is already out of danger.