Chapter 16

Meanwhile, Dmitri and Francisco watched the family.

Dmitri silently asked what was happening to Francisco, who just shrugged his shoulders.

It was a beautiful scene, that reminded people of the family with a certain nostalgia, but it also left a slightly bitter taste in the mouth. Dmitri shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glanced at the white door, then turned back to the family. He wanted to leave that room and go home, he had already confirmed that Luciene was fine, he didn't have to stay any longer, right?

Of course, it wasn't easy for him to get out either. Even having just met them, it would be an indecorum to leave out of the blue, especially for Mrs. Suely, who had made a strong impression on him in many ways.

Dmitri was thinking of excuses to speak when Luciene's voice rang out.

"Sorry about this, sometimes we forget that isn’t just us in the world" Luciene had the corners of her eyes reddened, but a gentle smile caught his eye affirming simple and pure gratitude.

She played with the pendant making the little stars twinkle “It was a gift. To remind us that even though we're far away, the stars always show you the way home.” Luciene looked into Dmitri's eyes, who for a moment immersed himself in dark, sweet caramel.

He nodded without looking away. Which made him miss the subtle moment when Francisco rolled his eyes, Suely smiled with maternal understanding and Matheus looked at him with disgust.

“Um, you don't talk much do you? But anyway, thank you, really!" He must be pretty shy. How much courage he didn't have to muster to come here. The thought made her smile with a slight feeling of wonder.

She remembered herself when she started at Delin, a girl full of dreams and things to talk about, but with little practical experience in the business world and not knowing how to communicate with the sea of strangers around her.

"It was nothing. I'm glad you are well." Listening to Luciene, Dmitri came to his senses about the way he was acting. What's my problem? Unlearned to speak or what? How many press conferences and meetings were there in the last two months?

"You weren't in a hurry to get out?" With a hint of acidic irony, Matheus squinted at Dmitri and hugged his sister protectively from behind.

Dmitri blinked a few times as if to remember where he was going. “Oh yes, it's true. I'm on my way then, sorry for the inconvenience.” He stood up taking a step or two backward with another sheepish grin, although his expression looked more confused.

“No, no, that was no bother at all. In fact, you should go have lunch at our house in gratitude for today!” Suely stood up, drawing everyone's attention to her with a palm.

"Eh? I…I mean, no need to bother, it was no big deal.” Back to square one, he sighed inwardly.

Dmitri knew that mediating smile and determined look. He had a feeling that wasn't going to end well. Why with me, Lord?

"Right, Mom, it wasn't a big deal" Matheus repeated, receiving from his mother, who looked at him for a second, a death look written 'QUIET, IF NOT AT HOME YOU WILL SEE' what made, of course, he fell silent, huddling slightly behind her sister, who sighed, rubbing her face for a moment to hide her embarrassment as she tried to maintain her sympathetic smile.

“He doesn't seem to be comfortable with the idea, Mom. Isn't it very sudden? He must be busy"

"Well, it doesn't have to be today or tomorrow, Lu." Dmitri tried to intervene to refuse but that doesn’t go well. Suely didn't take a break from her words “You can next Sunday, right? It's the yellow house in front of Belli's store, you can't go wrong. We'll wait for you at 1 PM, okay? And I don't want excuses as you'll be working, Sunday is a rest day!” At that point, Suely was only a foot away with her friendly smile that doesn't take 'no' for an answer.

“R-right, at 1 then.” With nothing to do, and unable to come up with any solution or excuse that would satisfy her, Dmitri responded directly. Also with the incredible pressure, those eyes fixed on him made him feel helpless, with sweat collecting lightly on his forehead as he kept his smile tight as possible. Now I made it. Handled successfully.

"Perfect! See you there then!” With another high palm, Suely overflowed with joy at the achievement, then spoke to Francisco who was near the door somewhat frozen. "After you accompany him, doctor, you could come here again? I just wanted to ask you a few things"

"Yes ma'am." After almost saluting, the doctor opened the door, followed closely by Dmitri.

As soon as the door closed and Matheus heard their footsteps moving away, he came out from behind his sister, sitting beside her with his arms crossed. "Moooooom" Matheus complained, harmed.

"Be quiet, I didn't ask for any opinion!"

“You exaggerated a little bit, didn't you? The two almost run out of the room…” chuckled Luciene.

"Your fault, Lu!" Matheus cocked his nose to the other side, irritated with his sister.

"Mine?? What did I do?”

"Hitting on that guy, then the mother goes and does it!" He waved his hand towards the door

“Hitting on him??? When was that? Are you crazy, brat?” She slapped Matheus behind the head for the nonsense, who yelled a 'hey!' Turning to her.

"I’m lying? And what with that exchange of smoldering looks? You don't even know the guy and it looked like were going to eat each other!" He pointed her two fingers in a V at her eyes and swung them from side to side.

"Language!"

"Sorry, mom."

It was Suely's custom to let the children sort themselves out. If she was going to get in the middle of all their bickering, she'd be in the asylum by now. So she was leaning against the table behind her, waiting for the trouble to be over, but this was starting to get over the edge.

Luciene pushed his hand away from her face and rolled her eyes. “Is being nice to be flirting now? He did me a favor and I was supposed to treat him like an animal? Please, Matheus!”

“Nice as f- nothing” he changed hurriedly under her mother's narrowed gaze “If you had listened to me yesterday and stayed at home with us this wouldn't happen” They were practically screaming at this point. But why am I doing this anyway? Shouldn't I just be glad she's okay?

“So is it my fault now? Because I was asking to be attacked in the middle of the street"

Hearing that, the words caught in his throat. Her sister was trembling slightly. That was not the path that Matheus wanted to follow "That's not what I meant..."

"So what was it?" A tear slipped almost imperceptibly, being quickly wiped away.

The street sounds were heard once more in the distance, as well as Suely's tired sigh, as the two did not look at each other anymore. She wondered if she should intervene or wait any longer.

Something like an eternity passed before Matheus looked up at his sister. “Sorry, Lu, I was just worried okay? I thought…” Words trailed off as Luciene looked up at her, holding out her arms.

“I know, I thought too”

Matheus hid his face in Luciene's hair and she hugged him tightly.

"How do you two manage to start fighting out of nowhere like that, huh?" Suely sighed again.

Matheus made a muffled sound, lifting his head with his mother and sister's 'hum?' “Many years of experience”

"A lifetime right?"

Luciene ruffled his hair while her mother watched them. “At least, you resolve quickly too…”

“But leave that guy out, I don't want to lunch with him” Matheus pouted looking at his mother.

“No way! I already invited, he accepted, and that's it.”

“However, mom didn't even ask for his contact. Joking aside, he might not even find the house." Luciene shrugged.

“Ah! Okay for today. It's just going to be a lunch, why are you two storming a teapot?”

"She started it"

“Blaming your big sister? And I thought you had grown up.” Luciene shook her head pretending disappointment "He came all worried at night and now he's acting like a child."

“Who is a child? And I wasn't worried, who said that?”

"Serious? I hear that you even cry? And didn't you say it just now?”

“Hmm, I think they put something in that serum of yours. Lie down, go.” Matheus pushed her slightly towards the bed, now with an amused smile.

"Annoying" complained Luciene, but not refusing the opportunity to lie down. Her head had started to ache from so many emotions...

Watching them both, Suely could only sigh again with a smile on her lips. Oh my God, give me patience...