Billionaire Seduction

by Miller, Christine

  I ponder for a second, but I refuse.

  - The boss will not mind coming out with her gay friend. - Flashes reveling in the situation.

  - That's not why I have a full day tomorrow. I do not think a good find my mother not hungover.

  - Mother in the play? - Miguel hisses. - It is more serious than imagined.

  Let out a frustrated growl, letting my forehead fall back on the table. - Yeah, the whole thing grew without me realizing.

  - And that's bad?

  - Poor not only terrifying. -he soon became the most important thing in my life.

  - I know how it is. - Miguel rambles. - Come on, join your stuff and let's live a little.

  I go down with Michael, Rafael notice I'm ready and before eight, I'm sitting in my pink sofa in a strangely empty room. I did not want to go to the cafe and told Star not come. Today we will be just me, Peixoto and wind noise and traffic through the windows.

  Damn it! You will be boring staying here without Theo.

  I go to the kitchen and redeem a bottle of wine. I'm bored, lonely and jealous ...

  I deserve to relax ... damn the hangover.

  The day was definitely intense and still feel the effect of Theo wild invested in me.

  I turn to me and had Accommodotrainer ...

  Three episodes of Castle and a bottle of wine later, I begin to worry about the course of my conversation with Peixoto ... I tell him everything that comes to mind ... I speak of the time, the car I have to get tomorrow , my aching back, my mother wanting money Callas, e-mail I received from Bernardo and did not tell anyone, how he said he was sorry for everything you did to me and expect me to be happy, how a friend of Theo's amazing, the kind that until I fall in love in Paris ...

  Speak ... speak ... speak ...

  Until you notice that either Peixoto died or is sleeping. Chacoalho the aquarium and he returns to swim.

  - Ok mate, got it. No more bullshit.

  I sigh and I shut up.

  Turning his eyes around and there is nothing to remember Theo, just television. My apartment is so me and so uniquely feminine that a hypothetical and crazy idea goes through my head ... A place ours. Other trips will come and have a mix of both of us seem cozy and a way to ease the lack I feel it.

  All right, let's stop here.

  ●●●●●●●●●

  Shrug your legs, putting his feet on the chair seat, blow my coffee mug to lead to the mouth. The morning low sun enters through the windows reminding me that I did not sleep at all. Strangely, I have no hangover, but my eyes are swollen. I woke up several times at night, just to check my phone on the pillow Theo.

  I got now, I'm broken. I'll call you later, love you.

  I replied umTe love more and I was rolling on the bed waiting for an answer that did not come. Funny spent months waking up alone and loved the same silence that now bothers me.

  I take another sip of coffee, get up, I type the security code next to the door and out onto the balcony. I sit on the top step cemented. Fresh air rubs my face and a gentle breeze mess even my hair. I smile when the wet grass smell fills my lungs. I look at the wet garden and I gather it must have rained in the morning and I have not seen. I'm kind of crazy, I know we're in the middle of town, but in my garden the air seems different.

  Stretch the legs to enjoy the solzinho. Everything is so quiet, the neighborhood is very different on weekend mornings. None of the horns or the chaotic sounds of the city waking up. If here are seven hours in Paris should be almost noon. Pesco cell in the robe pocket, I call Theo and falls in the box.

  Digit.

  Sleep and wake up without you is torture. I love you.

  Step one time on the step going over everything I want to do on the day. Gradually, the kitchen of the restaurant starts to come alive. I hear voices in the side gate, I recognize one of them, get up, tie the cord robe and down rushed to see what both Vincenzo gives orders.

  - Hi, good day.- greet you, so give back on the path of gravel and Vincenzo see the old gate, surrounded by some men.

  - I woke up, girl. - It opens a warm smile. Your belly is tight in a green polo shirt and jeans fall loose over her legs almost capping white running shoes. - I was going to call Rafael. Men Callas are here.

  - What men? - Lean the body to see the group unloads a truck with the company logo. - Theo told me nothing.

  - Must have forgotten. - Vincenzo takes a handkerchief and wipes his sweaty bald. The few wires left him stand up.

  - Miss Kovac! - André the head of maintenance of Callas comes running up to us. - Tell me you did not wake up. - Seem worried.

  - Not agreed. - Closure and the robe. - What are you doing here?

  - The chief sent us to work it out in the garden. We were going to do this on Thursday, but the seedlings he just ordered arrived yesterday in the late afternoon. He is there?

  - Traveled.

  - He lives here? - Question evidently wondering rusticity of the place.

  - Temporarily.

  Vincenzo laughed. - A temporary forever.

  ugly eye for good-natured murmuring one: But it's true ...

  - Oh ... I understand, we start? - André stretches his head to take a look in the garden. - Brought the full team, it should not take more than two hours. The boss sent me the pictures via email and has said everything we need to do.

  I look at the large amount of things being discharged. - Do?

  - In the garden.

  Ah!

  Obviously.

  I forgot I had commented on the garden with Theo.

  - Of course. - Smile glad my Angel have remembered and saved me a lot of work. - I really needed to find a way on the grass and the trees today.

  - Hello good morning, what time is it? - A sleepy Rafael comes behind us, dressed in civilian clothes. The white shirt and blue shorts wearing are impeccably clean and ironed. In fact, everything here at home walking spotlessly clean and past.

  - We arrived earlier. - André says.

  - Okay. - My Shadow responds stroking the messy blond hair. - Come in. They know what they have to do. - Well it opens the gate giving way to Andrew and the team.

  I'm excited to have so many unexpected companies.

  - I'll wear my suit and go down to help.

  - Miss, we arranged to pick up your car at eight.

  - Better go get it girl. - Vincenzo says with some regret. - The Betoven is so long standing in the workshop, which a little goes into depression.

  Loose a laugh.

  - Truth and has the owner Catherine.

  While Rafael will seek the ranger in the parking lot on the corner, climb running and seen a jeans, a light shirt, dark green and emblazoned with white butterflies, and a red shoe. Let the cuffs without buttoning and hold the hair in a high tail, opting for any makeup.

  Oh how exciting!

  Garden pruned and new car!

  Czech cell, no connection Theo or messages.

  Digit.

  I love you, love, love, love ... I loved the surprise in the garden.

  Without bothering to lock the house, picked up the bag and find the ranger silver parked on the street and talking to Rafael Vincenzo in the restaurant door. Despois hearing for the umpteenth time the recommendations of the former owner of Betoven, we went to the workshop.

  The car is beautiful, fully restored like new. A bicolor fusquinha, white and green water, convertible 1970. No wonder when the owner of the shop says that Mike has gone there to inspect the car and pay for the service. I'm so glad that I decide to ignore my Angel broke his promise not to pay for my expenses.

  Screw it, then I hit with him.

  I take the quiet road in the morning to test my pretty boy. Stroll through the tree-lined streets of the village with the ranger following me closely. Under the hood, enjoying the wind and the sun is strongest. It was so long without car that had forgotten how good this feeling of freedom. Being able to go anywhere without worrying about the past drawbacks of hand in the ass, it is
a blessing.

  I make a full tour, stop at the grocery store, the grocery, pharmacy, newsstand. I go wrong in about three streets and get lost. I return home following Rafael.

  I arrive honking in front of the cafe.

  - Polish! It was beautiful! - Star out untying the apron.

  - He was right. - I go down feeling full.

  After looking at every detail of the restoration, she puts her hand in the back pocket of his pants and stretches toward me. - Toma. I went to St. Jude Thaddeus church and asked the priest to bless.

  I caught a silver scapular with the image of the saint, who is the patron saint of motorists. - Our Star. Beautiful, I loved it! - Hug my friend, I support the car door and put the scapular hanging on the internal glass. Shooting the phone, I do multiple photos and selfs and send it to Theo.

  Look who's here!

  Star invites us to enter so Rafael back parking lot. He refuses and I accept. With quiet coffee, we spent a long time chatting.

  - Are you sure it was the father of scandalous?

  - I have. - I put the empty cup on the counter.

  - Discovered the reason for the discussion?

  - No -. Wrinkling my mouth making a beak. - Theo told me not to worry.

  She takes the cup and pass a cloth removing traces of sugar that I dropped. - So do not worry. You want another coffee?

  - No, thank you. - I spend a finger on the phone to my side, no messages yet.

  I begin to wonder silence.

  - What is it?

  - I can not talk to Theo and he did not answer my messages.

  - Have I even know what you're thinking. You can go stopping now ... - Star says and asks for a minute, go to the box, closes the account of a customer and giving change. - A woman can be amazing as I said, but it was you who he wanted next to him in Paris. - Complete so back to stand in front of me. - Moreover, no man is so stupid to present lover to his girlfriend.

  Beautiful spot.

  - I know, only I do not know ... They seemed to have a lot of history together.

  - Anyone who has lived abroad and attended college together has a lot of stories.

  - She insinuated?

  - No.

  - So relax, Polish. - Puts two cups and serves some sparkling water. - Funny right, was only dating you become public that the ghosts decided to appear ... Your mother, Bernardo ...

  - Well, my mother I expected. - Turn the cold water. - At least Bernardo was decent. I think I finally fell in love with the daughter and decided to let me move on.

  - Hallelujah. - She raises her hands to the ceiling. - No man is immune to the charms of a daughter. I'm sure if one day my husband have to choose between us, I will lose badly. The Moonlight is everything to him.

  I agree.

  The bell rings and Star grimaces.

  I turn and see Henry coming straight for us. Snot. When he arrives, I see that still bears yellow lines on the forehead and neck. - I'm sure, or have to wear my armor? - Smiles debauched invading my personal space.

  Douchebag.

  stool go down and pull away. - Hi henrique. - Nod from afar, without excitement.

  - You look tired, trouble in paradise?

  His play annoys me. - A lot of work, that's all.

  - Do not push your luck. - Star chimes in and points to Rafael leaning against the VW bug.

  His expression changes completely. Despite scans your face, taking away the gentle and funny man.

  Henry laughed scornfully. - Lion Bouncer ... Um ... The guy must be really important, and rich, of course. - Quips. - I thought that valued their freedom. - His eyes behind his glasses purse. - Since when turned property troglodyte?

  Uh what?

  I open my mouth and then closing.

  Do not fall into it.

  My hand itches for a slap, Henry is encroaching. Insinuate that I have sold me is too much. I take a deep breath, because I know that is your wounded pride talking. He's just trying out on me, the humiliation that Theo did pass. My anger quickly turns into pain and decide that I have to like it, just because you think like me. Sometimes our saint simply does not fit and ready. It happens. It's all right.

  Is over, Nina.

  I tell myself and breathe again.

  - Less Henry, far less. Theo and I are committed, you know. - Advise and also point to Rafael, who it seems, is putting a group of reporters to run. - It is my security, keeps unwanted away. Behave yourself and do not turn one of them, okay? - I scowled at him.

  Star cackles and loose. - I could have done without this! Good, Polish!

  Embarrassed, Henry straightens his glasses and swallows.

  - Sorry, I waited for you at the bookstore. - Says, opening distance and do not understand why I waited if not agreed anything. - The book you ordered arrived. - Explains noting my confused expression.

  Ah!

  I reach my bag on the counter. - Once you have a little time, step by and caught.

  - I arranged a few beers with friends, if you want to come tonight, I can bring ...

  - No need, thank you. - Interrupt. - I picked up the book the other day. - Eye star that rolls his eyes - Well, I must go, they must have finished pruning the garden. - Indicate the André men guarding the tools in the truck.

  - I'll call you at night, will you? I'm thinking of going in the crafts fair of antiques, if you want. - It serves a will Henrique.

  - Maybe, but I drive. - Balance the car keys, turning on my heels, I head for the door and leave.

  Deviation of a couple passing by me laughing, leading a huge Labrador, lost in their morning chores Saturday.

  - Where? - Rafael question stopped next to the Volkswagen Beetle.

  - I'm going home. Are journalists? - I ask and my security scowling looks for a group in the distance.

  - Yes. - He runs a hand through his hair. - Unfortunately, Miss.

  Hell.

  Imitate his scowl, I accepted that cross and go with me to the gate where Andrew awaits us with a smile. Give the keys to Rafael take my Betoven to one of the places they rented in the parking lot. Let him giving soup in the street is not a possibility very safe, not in São Paulo.

  - All right there, André?

  - I just, Miss Kovac. - Delivers a floorplan wound. - We did everything according to the project.

  Project?

  Curious unroll the plant. Oh my God. It is an outline of my garden made by Theo. Secure a hiccup out of time when I realize that was not a simple pruning, my Angel dedicated his time creating new spaces much more harmonious. He is good.

  Unable to wait I go running with Andrew behind me. My jaw drops. The garden-yard in rectangular shape looks elsewhere. The grass and the trees lining the three walls are neatly trimmed, the winding gravel road that leads to the stairs, covered by mini Boardwalks in oriental style. The construction of the trees gained new spaces that were filled with hundreds of white tulips. He remembered! They are the same species of Curitiba Botanical Garden.

  Pretty pretty pretty...

  My heart warms to the sea of white flowers. I start walking cheaply made dizzy looking at all the details. The old table in the backyard funds was replaced by a white wooden table with picnic style benches. On top of it a ceramic vase with a dozen planted tulips. Beside one of these huge and portable grills in stainless steel. On the other hand, two deck chairs under a white pergola surrounded by vessels with more tulips or white flowers falling like waterfall.

  - God of heaven, how they managed to do this in such a short time?

  It looks like a garden of dreams.

  - An impeccable design and a competent team. - Andrew laughs satisfied - It has a garden in the corner. - Points to the vertical construction behind the desk.

  - Wow, it was beautiful! Thanks. - I want to jump, but I refrain.

  - Thank the boss, he designed every detail. - Goes to the pergola and connects a switch installed on one of the pilasters. Hundreds of tiny lights shine like stars in the wooden beams intertwined in coverage. I
lose speech when a single tear rolls on my cheek. - That here in the dark will give a sensational effect. We installed some spots of light between the trees and flowers, and also put troughs for the birds. It has very hummingbird here in the village. You will be able to give great barbecues at night.

  That BBQ, nothing.

  I want to make love, that's what.

  - It's just perfect. - Mutter holding crying.

  - We need to go. I hope you enjoy.

  - I'll ... Let's ... Thank you. - Impulsively hug.

  Redder than a pepper he thanks and leaves.

  Alone and overwhelmed, sit on the edge of one of the sun loungers, reach for the phone in the bag and call Theo.

  Mobile unable to receive this kind of call.

  Damn it! Why does not he answer?

  His silence is troubling ... Lack bit for me to despair.

  Calm, Nina he's fine.

  Your heart says he's fine.

  Trust.

  Rafael reappears and lets out a long whistle. - The head excelled. - Said to himself, and without looking at me up the three steps in three, and runs into the office. It comes out at the same speed that he came up, go down the stairs toward me with a shy smile.

  - The Lord Callas asked me to deliver it as soon as he saw the garden. - Extends a blue velvet box in my direction. With a trembling hand picked up the box. - I'll leave her alone, I'll be in the office.

  There is an envelope with her. Open and retreat written note with the Theo letter.

  hick,

  I had planned to give you this in Paris.

  They have a park, the Jardin du Luxembourg[57]With stunning flowerbeds.

  But, not everything happens the way we want to and when is not it?

  And how patience is something I have hand, you know.

  I decided to recreate our own time, even if the distance.

  I know it's little, but wanted to give him paradise, bringing to close, souvenirs and bits of the city that was born and loves so much.

  Yes, I remembered the white tulips in Curitiba, which barbecue is your favorite dish in the world and lack feeling the stars in place of his grandmother. And yes, I am too short-sighted and impulsive to wait until I return.