Viviane
I just quickly explained the situation to my parents, as they didn't know about the relationship I had with Beatrice, so I just said that we studied together and she wasn't feeling well.
They accepted without further questioning and soon the three of us were in the car, on our way to Beatrice's apartment.
She really didn't look well at all and I was really worried. The girl had changed a lot, I was thinking as we headed towards an upscale neighborhood in the capital, but later, thinking back on the past, we studied together and she never treated me badly. To be fair, the offenses always came from her sister Alicia, and she just kept quiet, which always led me to believe that she was colluding with the things her sister did.
Inside the room where we studied, she had several friends, but I could say that she herself was not that close to the girls, because at break time her company was always her sister and her friends.
Despite the state she was in, she was very kind and we chatted a little along the way. Apparently, she was very nauseous had a headache, and refused to go to a hospital.
" When I'm home, I'll soon get better. I just need some painkillers and a shower. The day was very hot today" she justified.
" I thought you still lived with your parents, Beatrice.”
" I left home as soon as I turned eighteen. This apartment was my gift and I decided that having my privacy was the best thing at that moment, João Felipe.”
He stared at her as if he'd just had a brilliant idea. I could almost see the light bulb over her head and if it weren't for Beatrice's pained expression, I would have burst out laughing at the look on his face.
" You are right! And do you like living alone? Don't you feel lonely? " he still questioned her.
" When I feel the need for company, I go to my parents' house or meet with my college friends. Reading a good book also solves it, most of the time, " she said, smiling weakly.
" João Felipe, let's leave her so she can finally take her bath and medicine. Or would you rather we stay until you're feeling better?”
" Not really necessary. I thank you both from my heart, but you can go without worry. I will get better.”
João Felipe even took her number and said he would talk to her later to confirm if he was better. I didn't feel jealous of his attitude, because I didn't perceive any kind of interest from either party.
" I had an idea," he said excitedly when it was just the two of us in his car, already leaving the parking lot of Beatrice's building.
" I perceived.”
I smiled because I remembered his expression back in the apartment.
" I'm going to buy an apartment.”
" Do you want to live alone? "
Strange. He loved his mother too much to leave the house like that, to live in another place in the same city.
" No!”
" I didn't understand, then.”
" An apartment so we can meet with more privacy and without so many setbacks. You could find me there whenever there was an opportunity, a time together. Even more so now that he will be on vacation from the University.”
He seemed quite pleased with his proposal. An apartment for clandestine meetings, so that it would be easier to hide our relationship from our family members and, above all, from your mother.
I thought about it and decided that it was already raining anyway, so I would get wet.
"Okay then," I just said.
He let go of the steering wheel and took my hand, caressing and kissing my wrist, drove the car a little longer and then stopped near a square, where we stayed for a while, just making out a little, like the normal couple who don't we were and talking about random subjects. Enjoying each other's company.
We couldn't take long, because my parents knew that we had left together to leave Beatrice at home and since they were close neighbors, there would be no justification for such a delay.
Despite that, that moment with Felipe was very good. There were so few of them, and they all seemed stolen, that I clung to the little we had together.
João Felipe
On Monday I contacted a real estate agent and in a few days, I had the key to an apartment in my name, which would become my meeting place with Viviane.
We began to meet regularly at the apartment, at times that would not arouse suspicion in our families, and I was very pleased with our "relationship".
Vivi also seemed satisfied, because she didn't complain about our dates and was always very passionate when we were together, in our corner.
I had bought the apartment furnished with only the necessities, and I was thinking of hiring a decorator to make the environment more beautiful and harmonious.
" It's a good idea," Viviane said only when I questioned her about the matter.
" Aren't you excited to be able to choose the decor for our corner?”
We were lying on the couch in the apartment's living room while we were watching a series that she was a fan of and that I ended up liking a lot too.
It was a Friday, late afternoon, and it had been two months since we'd been meeting at the property.
"No," he replied absently, looking at the TV.
I got up and stared at her face to get her attention.
" What's the problem?” she asked, looking at me too.
" I did not understand your answer. I think she was too monosyllabic for me.”
" What did you expect me to say?”
" May you be happy to be able to choose furniture and things for a place where we are together. That would be the reaction of any woman in love.”
" I am in love? " She looked in a way that made me very uncomfortable talking about feelings.
" It is not? " I asked, confused.
" You are? " she questioned me.
" Of course! What would we both be doing here in this apartment if there was no feeling?”
I tensed and started pacing the middle of the room. We were so good, and suddenly this! I regretted getting into the subject of decoration.
" We're just coming here to have sex. I don't see anything beyond that.”
She also got up and went towards the bedroom, where I followed her.
" Where are you going?”
I asked when I saw her grab her purse and quickly turn back to the living room.
" I am going home. I'm tired and I don't think this is the time to talk.”
I grabbed her by the arm as she continued to walk towards the exit.
" And why can't we talk now? What's the matter, Vivi? And don't tell me it's nothing. You know I'm crazy about you, I've said it many times. We don't just have sex. Tell me what's going on.”