Rhodia River - In the stream of love

Chapter 18 Best Friends Fight (2)

STREET

Carlos is in his car traveling along the back street of Monica's house, looking for the number 33. He is attentive. When he finds the house, he brakes and examines the wires. He takes a flashlight and lights it, gets out of the car, and tries to see. Not so clear, it's night. He goes back to his car and goes on his way.

Moments later, the car is following the path. Carlos notices Rose, walking home, a little hurriedly. Carlos looks further ahead. In Carlos’s view, a group of young people is standing right on the corner. Carlos moves forward in the car and then decreases the speed, looking closely.

Unexpectedly, one of the young men goes to him, "Need help, boss?"

Carlos answers him, "Just waiting for that lady who comes on the sidewalk."

"So be it. Hey, girl!"

Rose suddenly stops and gets scared.

"This guy here said he's waiting for you." The boy says it to her.

Carlos adds to him, "You tell her he's from the police station. Roldão."

"It is—", Hesitation, "Police station?"

When she hears the last word Rose presses her pace and goes towards the car. Looks out the passenger window and recognizes the officer.

"Chief Roldão?"

"Come in and I'll give you a ride."

Rose immediately enters and closes the door, barely looking at the young man.

Carlos goes on talking to the young man, "Discretion there, huh?"

Carlos gives the first gear and goes on his way.

Rose was visibly relieved, "Thank you very much, officer! I'm almost there, but I didn't want to tell them that I live right there."

"Rightly so. You never know with these freaks. A girl named Sandra has already been to the police station twice to report these fellows."

"Did they do something bad? Have they robbed anyone here?"

"No, but do you remember the assault on Monica on Monday? This never happened. Luckily, I was around in the car. I'm starting to think it's all connected, although Uélton has sworn that he acted alone."

Rosa giggles, "Oh, sir, in the movies, the villain always tells his subordinates not to hand over their superiors. They find themselves alone if caught."

"It seems that our police station is not equipped and prepared for something of this magnitude. This will be a service to "mayor" Tito."

Rose laughs at the mention of Tito, "The mayor... We have arrived, but before I go down, I’ll tell you."

Carlos slows down and parks the car. He turns off the engine. Rose opens the door and leaves. Carlos

laughed; she already told him about the stationery.

"We're done with these politicians, huh! Good night, Rosa!"

"Good night! And thanks again."

Rosa goes to her house, taking the keys out of her purse. Carlos starts his car again and heads home.

CARLOS’S LIVING ROOM

Carlos is now on the couch, watching TV at ease without a shirt. The living room window is open because it’s hot. And it’s precisely for this reason that Miriam appears. The naughty girl looks at his hot body. Carlos, however, in his policeman reflexes, is already drawing a revolver hidden under the pillow.

"Don’t shoot!" Miriam yells.

Carlos lowers the gun, "Jeez, Miriam! Don't do that anymore, you knock on the door."

"Can I enter?"

Carlos smiles slightly, "Of course!" Carlos gets up after she enters, "Just a little time to put on a shirt—"

"No!"

Fail. Carlos looks at her questioningly.

Miriam disguises herself, "Well, you're home, and it's hot."

"Okay, but you won't be wearing a bra here with me. Excuse me."

Miriam tries to register the moment until the last second before Carlos disappears down the corridor. She sits on the couch. Miriam sees Carlos's gun. She wants to touch it.

Carlos returns in a tank top, and sits down, pulling the gun away.

"I'm really sorry." He asks her, "Do I offer something?"

"No, I just came to know if you liked the cake."

"Of course I liked it. I said I would like it."

"Better say it after trying. Before, it’d be just kindness."

"I'm going to get your canister."

"Don't be in a hurry, I have several at home."

Carlos looks at Miriam, analyzing her, "How are you, Miriam? You look a little nervous. Did something happen?"

"What do you mean? Today was a normal day for me."

"Didn't your house have a lack of power? Yesterday and today I received complaints that they are making power ‘cats’. In our neighborhood, can you believe it?"

The mention of the ‘cat’ makes Miriam gets tensed, "There was no lack of electricity at home. This looks like an idle woman's prank."

Carlos shrugs, "Anyway, I'll investigate tomorrow. If you know anything, just look for me. Here, or at the police station."

Miriam smiles seductively, "I prefer it here."

Carlos smiles but doesn't burst out laughing as Sandra described to Miriam. She notices it and gets disappointed.

"Better to go. I just came to know if you liked the cake."

Miriam gets up and leaves without saying good night. Carlos doesn't even care; he turns his attention to the TV.

MALTHUS SNACK BAR - DAY

The next day, Aurélio is just keeping an eye on Miriam and Sandra talking in a conspiratorial tone. He serves other clients, but with an antenna on.

"He doesn't laugh or tell jokes as he does with them. And yes, there is this power failure trick."

Sandra is being a fake friend, "Oh, girl, some bullshit... In my house, there was no shortage. But, you know how a woman in love is; she makes up such a thing... It's a lot of soap, like the one in the USA..."

Miriam is impatient, "Sandra, focus! We are in Brazil. What do I do?"

"Well, honey, you can't deal with the cards right now."

Miriam's eyes are wide-open, "Why?!"

"Schii!! It's because we don't know if Carlos is interested in these chicks. That they are interested in him, is clear as water, so you will act smarter. No more going to the police station inventing false crimes. This is a trick of a stranded and desperate woman."

"Monica... Even Annie got one boy."

"Better to do as you said you did yesterday, going in the privacy of his home when he doesn't have his head on the job."

Miriam gets drooling, "And what intimacy... He was shirtless, with shorts above the knee... What legs, what a body!"

Unexpectedly, Aurélio approaches them, "Anything else, ladies?"

Miriam bounces on the chair. Did Aurélio hear anything?