Luana
Bernardino stayed the whole trip in silence and I did the same, I didn't know what to expect from him after what happened, the most correct thing is to keep quiet. I noticed that he was taking a detour from the mansion, he was going somewhere else, I just didn't know where. With each deep breath he took the more nervous I became, it's inevitable not to be like this, I don't know what awaits me.
- I got out of the car, we needed to talk in a definite way!
We were on a piece of land with a small house in the background, it looked like a kind of farm, even though I didn't know the place, I decided to get out, there are hours to discuss and hours to listen. Even though I don't want to, I need to give him the benefit of the doubt, maybe after today I won't give up this crazy idea of marriage when I realize that I don't want to join him.
We entered the house that despite having an old decoration was well maintained, it was not like the mansion in size but it conquered me much more for its simplicity and charm. Bernardino asked me to sit next to him on the couch there, I will let him talk, I will not fight or retort, I will just listen to him.
- Luana, I am not a brat! My actions sometimes give the impression that I am not, I know that I have acted wrongly with you by imposing a marriage that you clearly do not want but please think about the possibility of giving our relationship a chance, you cannot measure the anger I felt when I saw that bum hitting on you. I know you have already suffered first from being raped and then from the death of your brother, I just want to show you that you can find happiness by my side! But you're not willing, you're always running away from me like I'm some contagious disease when I just want to make you happy. Tell me what should I do to make you give us a chance?
- Bernardino, I can't fool you! You are a good man although you often act childishly but what happened to me spoiled my heart for any kind of feeling, I loved a man and he died because of me because I thought I could escape from the monster that destroyed my life. I want you to see something, so you can understand why I can't love you!
I lifted the shirt I was wearing showing the scar with the letter C on my back, Bernardino was silent but suddenly felt his fingers touch the scar.
- What is his name?
- Caetano Pacino, he's the one who did this to me, it all started when I was 15 when he raped me then followed for two years, he knew my mother and Tomas' schedules so he always got what he wanted based on the threat and the fear he knew I felt from him, he was a drug user when I didn't show up at his house on time, Caetano would get furious! So I imagine that you know what was happening to me, with time I lost control of my life, even knowing the possible reprisals, I met Nathaniel, we dated and got engaged but Caetano did not accept it, so he killed Nathaniel unjustly accusing him of betrayal, it was a lie from Caetano but because he loved me Nathaniel died to serve as a lesson, Caetano marked my back! A few days later, I slit my wrists trying to take my life but Tomas saved me, I lived for a whole year running away from the monster, hiding in the midst of my maid duties and always avoiding being alone, you have no idea how I was a prisoner inside my own house locking doors and windows so as not to be raped but Caetano had plans for me not to run away from him, As my family did not know about what had happened to me allowed Caetano to ask for my hand in marriage, I could not stand the idea of marrying that horrible man so I tried to kill myself again but again my brother saved my life, however this time Tomas kept me away from everything after Caetano sent my brother here, the intention was to get back at him for not telling him about my whereabouts. Mama and Tomas hid me with a rumor that I was addicted to drugs and had been admitted to a clinic being abandoned because I was considered a shame to the family, but it was all a lie just to protect me even without knowing the truth, Tomas took me from the clutches of the devil!
I put the shirt back on turning to look at Bernardino, his expression was indecipherable perhaps it is now that he will give up on me, he approached me holding my face caressing it with his hands I closed my eyes feeling his caresses, I can not deny that there is an attraction between us but there would never be love.
- I can't measure what you have suffered for so long but I want you to know that I have no intention of ending the engagement because I want you the way you are including your past, today you have no feelings for me but I know that I will win your heart however I need you to be open to this, Luana. Let me show you that I can care, protect, and love you, we can build a family together, we will have children to love and be happy but for that you have to let me. I won't force you to be mine like that damned man did, the wedding will happen not because I want to take responsibility for your family or out of guilt and remorse for the death of Tomas, our union will happen because I want it to, I can't stand living far away without feeling your presence, especially now that you have trusted me to tell you about your afflictions and for being true to me. Know that my heart is yours even if you don't want it!
I smiled at him noticing how good Bernardino is, unfortunately I can't love him, I can only feel a gigantic affection for having respected my past and for him not forcing me to do something I don't want to do, however I know that when he realizes I will never love him he will feel sad and unhappy.
- Bernardino, you are a good man who doesn't need to feel jealous or angry with any other I have never had any feelings for another after Nathaniel, I will never love you and I can't lie to you because you don't deserve this but who knows we can be friends and even build a family. I thank you for your respect and understanding, I can only offer you my friendship.
- I accept yes, I just disagree with this certainty that you have that you will never love me because I will live every day of my life with you to make you love me!
I couldn't go against him when he sees that he can't get what he wants so much that he will understand and maybe it will be too late for him, I'm sad about that but this is his decision, his will continues to be sovereign. I will marry Bernardino but now he knows my true feelings.
Bernardino
- Good evening, Luana, come to my house for dinner tomorrow night, you'll be very welcome. Before you think about saying no, I warn you that I will not accept your refusal, you have committed to be my friend!
- All right, I will have dinner with you. Good night and enjoy your rest.
Luana realized that there is no escape from our marriage, I want her and I'm not going to give up that easily. She got out of the car going towards her house and I just watched her steps accompanying and watching over her.
Luana needs protection, especially now that I know what really made her so aloof to my advances. Luana thinks that she can never love again but I will show her that she is wrong about that.
I knew who Caetano Pacino was, a nothing who suddenly achieved a lot because he was Dario's trusted man, I imagined that around Dom there would only be that kind of unscrupulous people with violent inclinations. At first I won't do anything because I know that Italians hate coming here but that doesn't mean that it would be impossible, but one situation is to mess with an unprotected and poor woman, and another is totally different, because I'm a man and I'm very capable of ripping the balls off that wretch. Besides, Luana is no longer that girl from years ago, now she's a woman who knows how to defend herself very well.
Caetano will never hurt Luana again, she will be my wife, she will have my eternal protection and he may even come after her but he will be very surprised to learn that she belongs to me, and that I will do everything to protect her.
Caetano
- Dead? When did this happen, sir?
- Almost two months ago, Caetano, Saulo told me about Tomas' death in an ambush set by Gian Tolentino!
A year ago, Tomás put my blonde in a clinic, abandoning her to her fate after I sent him to that end of the world. I won't say that I'm sad about his death because because of what he did Luana can't be mine, but I know that she was very attached to her brother and I know that if she heard about it she's devastated.
- Listen, Caetano, Luana has not been located and Emilia is only talking to my mother. I tried to ask my mother about Luana's whereabouts but every time my mother touched the subject, Emilia got upset, I guess now is the time to stop this search, forget this addict, Caetano, there are better women in the family!
- Sir, Luana is mine, I will not stop looking for her, I don't care about other women because I only want her. I will go to Brazil today, I will find out from Emília where she has put Luana and I will take care of her myself!
Dario knew he wouldn't give up so easily to get Luana back, but I know that if he goes to Brazil, Mama will have no other option but to tell me where she threw her daughter.
- You are not going to Brazil, Caetano, you are going to stay here and fulfill your obligations to the Mafia, I am not asking you to stay, I am telling you to stop this madness, you know me well enough to know that I do not tolerate disobedience!
Dario left the office leaving me there with an absurd hatred for having to obey him, there was no other way I would have to do what he ordered, I know it may take a while but I will find Luana and make her mine again.