Fernando and Ernesto remained in Ronaldo’s office. The employee files — only those of employees living in Lion’s Den — made Ernesto uneasy. “Mr. Silva, I understand that we’re all under suspicion—” “Not exactly, Ernesto!” Fernando tried to mask the bad atmosphere. “No, don’t try to smooth things over or sugarcoat it.” Ernesto gestured firmly. “We’re men; let’s speak frankly. Your son is suspicious of us.” “The police are going to interrogate everyone, that’s for sure.” Fernando pointed at the files, “But I DID NOT ask my son to do this. He did it on his own.” “And why do you think he called my son?” Ernesto smiled slyly. “Jealous of my boy and Miss Borges?” Fernando jumped slightly. Knowing his son’s disturbed mind... “Ernesto, I genuinely hope you overlook this offense. Yes, my son is a decent and fair guy; but when it comes to Patty... when they broke up the first time, Ron went days without eating properly, let his beard grow, and didn’t bathe. Everything returned to normal
At the Siren Restaurant, Ronaldo and Patricia realize they will be taking the table Matthew and Elaine were vacating. The waiter, unaware of the awkwardness between the couples, was clearing the used plates and cutlery. “Mr. Silva and Miss Borges, you can come closer and sit.” “That’s right, folks,” Matthew broke the silence, suddenly smiling. “We were just leaving.” Ronaldo shook his head. “Wait a minute, guys, what’s this? Why are we embarrassed as if it’s the first time we’ve seen each other?” Elaine tried to hide her embarrassment with a slight smile. “Exactly. We’re not doing anything wrong. In fact, we were worried about you two.” “Really?” Patricia’s question didn’t sound sincere. Elaine turned to her. “Yes, Patty. We were discussing the dangers the Silva Oil Company is facing with that drug dealing organization. How shameful that a dock worker suffered an overdose, huh? Has the police checked if he was just a user or something else?” Patricia replied sourly, “The worker
At the Siren Restaurant, Patricia and Ronaldo finished their lunch – shrimp risotto, as if they wanted to replicate the pleasant moments of Matthew and Elaine. “My dear, before I ask the waiter for the bill, how about we talk about something important?” Ronaldo suggested in a caring tone. Patricia smiled sweetly. This is the Ronaldo she fell in love with. “Yes, darling, let’s talk.” “I apologize if I got worked up with Gustavo Alvares.” Ronaldo sighed. “Will you swear to me he never tried to hit on you with those overused pickup lines?” Patricia giggled. “Hi, hi... no, dear, Gustavo is innocent. I mean, he never HIT on ME, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t tried with other women. Ripped and built as he is, I'm sure he's already picked up hundreds of girls behind the chestnut trees on the beach.” “Yeah, he has that look like he’s always pounding innocent girls— or not so innocent,” Ronaldo replied bitterly. “That’s why his file was the first one I read. And honestly, I didn’t even k
“Two Cheeseburgers to go, please!”“Matt, two cheeseburgers!”Matthew was in a corner of the kiosk trying to read an Economics book, but with the order given by his superior, he patiently left the book with the marker on the page where he stopped and got up to go to the hot plate.Grabbing cheese and hamburger meats, Matthew began the preparation. After cooking so much, Matthew could make snacks with his eyes closed.While preparing the order, Matthew began to reflect on his life so far.The customers who eagerly awaited the order were university students, attending the famous and private Sterling University, the most popular and referenced Higher Education institution in the state of Espírito Santo. The two-story university was built with the same appearance and architecture seen in the world’s most famous universities.For someone to say they would study at Sterling was the same as saying they would study at Harvard or Oxford.The building was erected by the famous Rocha Constructio
“ARGH!” Matthew screamed in pain.Matthew was not a weak man. The difficult life he led made him endure a lot. He never shied away from hard work, causing him to gain stamina and physical strength.But being completely taken by surprise by David, it was inevitable that he wouldn’t feel some pain. Still, David’s friends laugh thinking that Matthew was nothing more than a useless weakling.“A light kick like that, and he screams like a little girl!”“For a moment, I thought I was going to witness a real fight.”“The waitress is lost if she really needed the grill cook!”“Come on, man, get up!” David bellows imperially, “You asked, and now you’ve got trouble!”But Clayton appeared from inside the kiosk, rubbing his hands on his apron, “Hey, you guys, stop it or I’ll call campus security!”David looks arrogantly at Clayton, “Are you also going to call my father to teach this worm who dared to defy me a lesson?”Patricia doesn’t remain silent, “Mr. Saldanha, that’s not what—”“You know wha
Matthew felt a mixture of surprise and disappointment. Cindy was reacting as if they were strangers or as if they had broken up years ago. He observed Ricardo and saw how he smiled mockingly.“What’s going on here?” Matthew asks, not so sure he wants to know the answer.Ricardo steps in front of Cindy and responds on her behalf, “Look, my friend, I don’t know what Cindy said – or what she didn’t say – the point is that we’ve been dating for months. I think we should dissolve any misunderstanding before the situation becomes more embarrassing than it already is.”Matthew’s eyes widen. He tries all the time to face Cindy, but she doesn’t have the guts to face him.“Ricardo, allow me to resolve this...” Cindy asks in a low voice.“No, darling. As a gentleman, I can’t let you expose yourself.”Matthew finally says, “Cindy, is this the journalist who is investigating a corrupt politician? What if he puts you in danger?”“Matt, I already told you that’s not going to happen!” Cindy speaks in
Walter stands up abruptly, his brow furrowed, eager to defend his friend, “Excuse me, there’s an injustice happening here. Who are you, the new university inspector?” Another colleague comments, “If Matt got into trouble with David Rocha, then that’s not an injustice, Walter!” A girl says dismissively, “Yes, yesterday’s fight was spread on the campus social media, Walter. Haven’t you seen it yet?” “I don’t have time for this nonsense!” Walter exclaims. “Is that you Matthew Silva?” The fifty-year-old man slightly narrows his eyes, as if he already knew that whoever was speaking was a friend of the person he was looking for. “No, I’m Walter Andrade.” Walter speaks boldly. The surname Andrade should spark some interest in the middle-aged man, given that the Andrade family has a network of private clinics famous for serving people of all ages and social classes. But the man didn’t change his stance, “I just came here to take Matthew Silva.” The professor also notices that the man
Abner leafs through Matthew’s academic record very carefully. He nods with a calm but observant look. Matthew just wonders what the old man must be thinking.“Your grades are very good and your class attendance is above average.” Abner finally speaks.Matthew allows himself to smile. At least someone is saying something nice, “Thank you, Mr. Sterling.”Abner continues to flip through and read, “No internships in the field yet?”“Like I told you, I’m working at the square kiosk here,” Matthew responds with a touch of pride.“But you’re wondering if you’ll be able to buy your mother’s medicine. In other words, that means you’re not earning enough income.” Abner has a worried expression.Matthew starts to find something strange. This is not the talk about someone who will be expelled from an educational institution...“Mr. Sterling, I know you care and I appreciate that. But can we formalize my expulsion once and for all? I think I’ve learned my lesson.”Abner, however, raises his head a