Chapter 24

We sat down and spent about 10 minutes waiting for Paula until she arrived, almost running.

Rafaela: jeez, what took you so long girl, I thought you weren't coming anymore

Paula: I missed the time, friends, sorry

Isabella: oh really? you couldn't even notice that

Rafaela: next time I'll go to your house even if you tell me not to.

Isabella: come on, girls, let's order something

Rafaela: let's go!

Rafaela waved her hand to a waitress passing by the table; we placed our orders and went back to talk.

Rafaela: So, how is dating Isa?

Isabella: it's terrific! I have nothing to complain about; I feel blessed.

Rafaela: that's awesome my friend

Paula: keep it that way, look how smiley and cheerful you are

Isabella: People have been telling me that a lot, that I'm happier, but it makes me feel good; there's no way I couldn't be happy

The girls looked at each other smiling; we were in silence for a few seconds

Paula: and what about you, Rafa? How are things going with Eduardo?

Rafaela: I wish it were better

Isabella: what do you mean? Aren't you ok?

Paula: Don't tell me you guys had a fight, was that it?

Rafaela: no, it's not like that

Paula: so, what happened?

Rafaela: What happened is that it's difficult to relate to someone when that someone is so far away; it Hurt that you want to have them around and not be able to do that. Getting away from the ones we love hurts so bad.

Isabella: hey friend, I'm sorry...

Paula: but it won't be like that, it's just a matter of time; time passes quickly, soon it will all pass, and you will remember and laugh at all this time of waiting and suffering

Rafaela: But in the meanwhile, what should I do when I feel like hugging him, and his arms and lap aren't here when I want to go out and see the city lights with him, but he's there, in the meantime, it's still going to hurt to be away from him.

Isabella: be strong, sister, think that this will strengthen your love even more

Paula: all of this is just a phase, and all these are just barriers that you will undoubtedly be able to overcome because you love each other, and love is more vital than any distance, no matter how long you are from each other whatever time it is.

Rafaela: Amen, thank you, girls

Isabella: don't mention it, sweety, we are your friends; we will always be here to listen and help you

Rafaela: I love you both, she said, hugging us

Paula: we love you too

Shortly after the snacks arrived, we ate, talked a little more, and then we left. Fortunately, there still was some time for training when I got back home, so I tried to get ready so that I wouldn't be late; I got in the car and went to the gym.

It was 20:30 on my watch, and Nicolas hadn't arrived yet; I sent messages, and he didn't reply either; I waited another 10 minutes and decided to go to his house; I was a little worried and didn't want to wait any longer.

-Hi Isabella, his mother said after she opened the door, giving me a room to enter.

Isabella: Hi, good evening, I replied in my polite way

Luana: good evening

Isabella: Is Nicolas at home?

Luana: Yes, he's in his room, do you know where it is?

Isabella: Yes, thank you

I went straight to Nicolas's room, knocked twice on the door, and then walked in; when I found Nicolas lying on the books spread across the bed, it looks like he fell asleep.

I took each of the books slowly, in a gentle way so as not to wake him up, covered him with the blanket, gave him a very light kiss, and accidentally woke him up.

Nicolas: Isa? He said, surprised in a sleepy voice

Isabella: Hi my love, sorry I didn't want to wake you up, I said, scratching my head.

Nicolas: what are you doing here? Did anything happen?

Isabella: no, it's ok. It's just that you didn't show up, and I was worried.

Nicolas: I'm sorry, I had a lot to study, and I lost track of time. I didn't even pick up my cell phone to let you know, and I ended up falling asleep; I'm so sorry

Isabella: no problem! don't worry alright, I understand

Nicolas: what time is it, you know?

Isabella: it's 9:08 now

Nicolas: wow, very late he said and got closer to me; I'm sorry, ok? he said and kissed me right before I got the chance to answer

Isabella: it's ok, relax

Nicolas: come here, I miss you, he said, pulling me gently and kissing me again

Isabella: Are you going to spend the day at college again tomorrow?

Nicolas: Yes. But I promise that when I arrive, I will go straight to your house.

Isabella: ok, but understand if you have things to do or you have to study, or if you're exhausted, you don't need to come, you can stay here and rest, just let me know, don't let me worry about you.

Nicolas: Of course, I'll see you; I don't want to spend another day without looking at that little face; he smiled and stroked my chin with his fingers. Now, tell me, are you alright?

Isabella: I'm great

Nicolas: that's great, my love

Isabella: and you?

Nicolas: just tired

Isabella: Well, you should have a rest, ok? See you tomorrow. Good night, may God be with you; I love you

Nicolas: oh! Stay a little longer; he said, grabbing my arm

Isabella: I can't resist I, and we kissed

Nicolas: I spent the whole day thinking about you

Isabella: Thinking about what? I grinned

Nicolas: thinking about that beautiful smile, those honey-colored eyes, that beautiful mouth, your voice, how I love everything about you

Isabella: OH, that's so sweet, honey! I keep thinking about you all day long too, you know? thinking about you makes me feel good and brings out silly smiles

Nicolas: And do you often feel good and have many silly smiles often during the day?

Isabella: so many you can't even count

Nicolas: geez, he gasped and then kissed me; how about we walk a little in the square near here?

Isabella: fine by me

Nicolas: will you wait for me to change?

Isabella: sure, I'll be waiting for you downstairs.

Nicolas: Ok, give me a minute, ok.

Isabella: ok

I left the bedroom and headed to the living room, which by the way, was empty, I sat on the couch and decided to tell the girls that I had left, and I would let them know when I get home for them to go there after I have sent the message, I saw Thomaz opening the main door

Thomaz: good evening Isabella, how are you? He Said, smiling.

Isabella: Hi Thomaz, good evening, I'm good and you?

Thomaz: thank God, I'm great

Isabella: wonderful

Thomaz: are you waiting for Nicolas?

Isabella: yes, I answered, and then Nicolas appeared in the room

Nicolas: you're here, Thomaz. Would you tell our mother that I'm going out with Isa, and It won't be long.

Thomaz: it's ok, he replied, settling himself on the sofa and turning on the TV

Nicolas: Shall we go, Isa? he reached out to me

Isabella: let's go, I replied, holding his hand; see you later Thomaz

Thomaz: see you later Isa. Have fun

The square was close, so it only took us some minutes to get there; we parked the car and walked under the giant trees; it was pretty busy.

Isabella: my parents traveled this afternoon; they will probably be back in two days

Nicolas: Wow, and are you going to be alone?

Isabella: not exactly, during the day, Aunt Luh goes there normally, and at night I asked the girls to sleep with me.

Nicolas: Good then. Did your parents travel on business?

Isabella: Yes, to meet some representatives, etc. My parents want me to take care of the family businesses soon, but I don't know if that's what I want to do; I'm actually not sure what I want.

Nicolas: I think they're thinking right about your future; you're the only heir.

Isabella: I don't see myself managing companies.

Nicolas: but have you ever tried to do anything in this field at least? A course or something to see if you like it?

Isabella: nothing yet.

Nicolas: So, you'd better start thinking about doing soon; maybe you'll end up enjoying it

Isabella: you're right; after graduation, I'll see what I can do; the Lord will provide.

We walked around the square, which by the way was quite big; after a few minutes, it was time to leave; I pulled over at Nicolas' house because we were in my car, and then we said goodbye.

- Calm down, just one more kiss, he said, pulling me slowly by the arm and kissing me. Good night my princess

- good night, my prince

I went home, took off my sandals, and went straight up to the bedroom, told the girls that I had arrived, then I threw my cell phone on the bed and went to the bathroom, took a shower, put on pajamas, and lay waiting for Paula and Rafaela. I hadn't had dinner yet. Thus I prepared a simple sandwich and a glass of juice, but it didn't seem like a good idea, I had a sense of having eaten a watermelon, and suddenly I felt so full. However, I had no appetite, for I was afraid of that horrible feeling of pain.