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CHAPTER 20
Last Updated:
2025-05-05 09:35:56
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CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 21
One week after that horrendous party (though not entirely horrendous), after the whole Maël Saravia debacle, Sandra told me some details about what happened between her and Galev, the Russian, that night. Apparently, they were already officially dating. In fact, the man wasted no time in claiming her as his partner in front of her father, Mr. Gregorio, and kept visiting Mafalaia as often as possible. Knowing Sandra was happy made me happy. As for me, I didn’t tell her anything about what happened with Maël. Somehow, despite the witnesses, no one had mentioned it. Had anyone told Galev? And would he ever bring it up with my friend? I didn’t want to dwell on it. It was 17:00hrs on November 27th when I left the circus. The entire production team was eager to celebrate—the script for the play was finally finished, and soon, casting tests, costumes, and staging would follow. We were already feeling satisfied, and rehearsals hadn’t even started yet. There was still a long way to go.
Last Updated : 2025-05-05CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 22
Nikko turned me into someone unpleasant. His shock at me showing up unannounced at his house drew a mocking laugh from me. Every doubt I’d had the day before—every pang of guilt over having "cheated"—vanished almost completely. When had that man ever truly liked me? Nikko was alone but about to leave. Maël was nowhere to be found, and I didn’t ask about him. I was determined to end things, but first, I had something urgent to do. I stopped by my in-laws’ to say hello, and they invited me to lunch. Casually, I asked Adelaida where the rest of the family was. She detailed everyone’s whereabouts, chatting endlessly—until one piece of information froze me: "Maël is in Braga.""What?" I asked weakly. Thank God my mother-in-law didn’t hear me clearly. "Maël’s doing some university internship in Braga. At least, I think that’s what it is. That boy’s always so mysterious." «So he stayed there?» I thought, stunned. She continued, "By the way, didn’t Antónia call you? She wanted to a
Last Updated : 2025-05-05CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 23
As every December, the decorated streets, theaters opening their doors with new performances, shopping centers closing late, and event organizations and big concerts arriving from Lisbon and Porto, bringing international artists with them. The temperature dropped considerably, and my inbox kept filling up with work—thank God—but with no replies. No one answered my email question, as if it had never happened. Fran wrote to me several times, inviting me out. I had to be honest and reminded him that Nikko still existed in my life. Fran… Fran suspected strange things because after my flirting and encouraging him, he started asking questions. First, he confirmed he knew Nikko much more than I thought, which reminded me of my clever move not to mention his name during the call while I was in Viana. Then he asked if the reason Maël had acted so arrogantly at the Russian’s party had to do with me being the wife of one of his relatives. The guy made it easy for me: I said yes. Fran immedia
Last Updated : 2025-05-05CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 1
(February 01.2020.Braga, Portugal. Quinta da Mafalaia).Sandra thought I was a liar. Or maybe, on this strict occasion, everything I was telling her was a vile lie."You could say something," I said, after the silence that fell between us.Sitting under that leafy tree that I loved, the beautiful shade of the Quinta da Mafalaia restaurant, I observed her oval face of light and soft brown skin. She looked at me with astonishment and perhaps with something that reproached me."It would be good to have your opinion, Sandra, because I had sworn I wouldn't tell anyone about this," I told her. "Although, there're already people who know about it." I lowered my face a little embarrassed by that last piece of information.I saw her swallow thickly. The story was something that could happen to many people, but not to me. These things should not happen to a mere mortal like me, who used to feel whole in the face of life. Telling something like this was not easy, I knew it wasn't."Well," she
Last Updated : 2025-01-13CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 2
The Nikko family was gigantic, and they lived in the same housing complex. All of them. His grandparents had fought day and night to build an entire housing town development where the Saravias could live.When the story I've had such a hard time telling started, that explosion in someone else's mind, Nikko had convinced his parents that I could stay over there. We were happy and excited about the novelty.I met his parents, Adelaida and Nicolas; I also got to know his brother, Estefano, and some cousins, Eusebio and Harry (they are brothers and only one year younger than my boyfriend). I met Catalina too, a cousin of all of them contemporary with Nikko, and Marcelino, a sweet-faced but physically imposing boy, who was younger than all of us. My nerves were attacking me as the hours passed, and more so when they made me settle in Nikko's room. He was older not only in age but in... experience. I had only a few kisses from a few guys since then.So, without all the fuss, Nikko became m
Last Updated : 2025-01-13CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 3
(2016). "Oh my. The ghosts hanging around." Maël's words made my face crumple and I turned to him. It was the first time that I heard his grown voice. As a little boy, he was playful and even tremendous with the grown-ups, but with me, he faded away and lost the ability to speak. I knew that for some reason, or several reasons, the cousins bothered him, sometimes they're cruel. Despite his behavior, he always struck me as a very intelligent one. But that teasing was seven years ago. His return to Viana was enough to suddenly remember that smooth and cute little face now, at the beginning of 2016, my eyes could see he wasn't longer an ordinary infant but a teenager whom no one made fun of anymore. I could feel how the character of a guy is formed when he grows up too soon. I always wondered what he felt when saw me after such a long time. How long did children's love affairs last? How long did they last in love with their teacher, for example? Is this the case when they leave sch
Last Updated : 2025-01-14CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 4
(2018). I noticed the first hint of what happened two years later, at one of the children's gatherings organized by Nikko's family. I arrived at the beginning of June at a little party room that the Saravia grandparents had built for the family's enjoyment, and I noticed that Maël had arrived early to help with the setting up of the tables and tablecloths and all the preparations for that party. It was the fifth birthday of cousin Catalina's son. Wearing a simple and comfortable dress, I helped with the tasks. When everything was ready, I took advantage of the good Internet signal offered by the hall and sat at one of the first tables to check my emails and social networks while the guests arrived. There was Maël, and it didn't have to be like that, it was a children's party. Yes, I know, it was about his little cousin, but that was still unhinged. Or so I thought. Fuck, I didn't want to be near him. Maël was getting on my nerves! I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. God
Last Updated : 2025-01-14CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 5
After nine years together, things between Nikko and I had reached an awkward point. He was a man who loved his freedom and made arbitrary decisions without consulting anyone about what would do next. Therein lay our arguments. His father was a lawyer for a small firm in Viana and before his oldest son graduated, he managed to get him on the payroll. Work, occupation, and our schedules, plus the condition of living in different districts, made him accustomed to not including me in almost any of his plans. However, we were still dating, because the little time together was good. Nikko's cousin Catalina, who owned a shoe store in Castelo, would occasionally receive us there. She was one of the cousins I got along best with, we hit it off, and she even knew my friend Sandra, and we used to meet in Braga when Cata traveled. Two days after her son's birthday, Nikko and I went into her store with the idea of saying hello and seeing her new merchandise. I love shoes, and Cata was selling
Last Updated : 2025-01-17
Latest chapter
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 23
As every December, the decorated streets, theaters opening their doors with new performances, shopping centers closing late, and event organizations and big concerts arriving from Lisbon and Porto, bringing international artists with them. The temperature dropped considerably, and my inbox kept filling up with work—thank God—but with no replies. No one answered my email question, as if it had never happened. Fran wrote to me several times, inviting me out. I had to be honest and reminded him that Nikko still existed in my life. Fran… Fran suspected strange things because after my flirting and encouraging him, he started asking questions. First, he confirmed he knew Nikko much more than I thought, which reminded me of my clever move not to mention his name during the call while I was in Viana. Then he asked if the reason Maël had acted so arrogantly at the Russian’s party had to do with me being the wife of one of his relatives. The guy made it easy for me: I said yes. Fran immedia
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 22
Nikko turned me into someone unpleasant. His shock at me showing up unannounced at his house drew a mocking laugh from me. Every doubt I’d had the day before—every pang of guilt over having "cheated"—vanished almost completely. When had that man ever truly liked me? Nikko was alone but about to leave. Maël was nowhere to be found, and I didn’t ask about him. I was determined to end things, but first, I had something urgent to do. I stopped by my in-laws’ to say hello, and they invited me to lunch. Casually, I asked Adelaida where the rest of the family was. She detailed everyone’s whereabouts, chatting endlessly—until one piece of information froze me: "Maël is in Braga.""What?" I asked weakly. Thank God my mother-in-law didn’t hear me clearly. "Maël’s doing some university internship in Braga. At least, I think that’s what it is. That boy’s always so mysterious." «So he stayed there?» I thought, stunned. She continued, "By the way, didn’t Antónia call you? She wanted to a
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 21
One week after that horrendous party (though not entirely horrendous), after the whole Maël Saravia debacle, Sandra told me some details about what happened between her and Galev, the Russian, that night. Apparently, they were already officially dating. In fact, the man wasted no time in claiming her as his partner in front of her father, Mr. Gregorio, and kept visiting Mafalaia as often as possible. Knowing Sandra was happy made me happy. As for me, I didn’t tell her anything about what happened with Maël. Somehow, despite the witnesses, no one had mentioned it. Had anyone told Galev? And would he ever bring it up with my friend? I didn’t want to dwell on it. It was 17:00hrs on November 27th when I left the circus. The entire production team was eager to celebrate—the script for the play was finally finished, and soon, casting tests, costumes, and staging would follow. We were already feeling satisfied, and rehearsals hadn’t even started yet. There was still a long way to go.
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 20
I turned my head to the left. I smiled. "Cheers." I clinked my glass again. It was the blond guy from earlier. "I never told you my name. I’m Fran. And I’m not from here like my friend is—I’m from Lisbon." I nodded. "Sounds interesting. I didn’t say my name either. I think. I’m Delu," I introduced myself, shaking his hand. He glanced at the dance floor, then back at me. With a decisive move, he took my glass, set it on the bar, and left just a light touch on my hand. "Shall we dance?" "To that song? It’s like a rock. I don’t think—" "Everyone’s dancing to it." He pointed at the crowd. "Besides, it’s country—since when is country not danceable?" I let out a resigned laugh, thinking this guy didn’t fly because he didn’t have wings. I took his hand and let him lead. "I really like Braga. Have you lived here your whole life?" he asked. "Yeah. I was born here." I studied his face. This man was really handsome, no doubt about it. His smile was sweet, his gaze myste
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 19
"Press the Russian’s button already—do you plan on keeping us here forever?" the brunette demanded of his friends. Then Maël realized it was me. His expression shifted from amusement to shock, then from shock to confusion. And as the elevator began to rise, with the others still chattering loudly, oblivious to us, his features traveled from bewilderment to something else I couldn’t decipher. Yes, questions were written all over his face—I could see them from where I stood. He was wondering what I was doing in that elevator. I didn’t know if it was the literal "lift" of the elevator, but a surge of anxiety exploded in my stomach, replacing the butterflies and bees with what felt like furious ants. That explosion raced through my skin, turning into adrenaline. And I think he noticed my reaction too—he was asking himself the same questions I was. From that moment, I didn’t look at anyone else, only him: well-dressed, light jeans, a striped shirt that accentuated his height, smelling
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 18
(2018. Braga). I had two missed calls from Sandra. God, I was so busy. The organization of Theatro Circo in Braga had contacted me to help with the script for a very important play—almost a dream for anyone in the Portuguese theater scene. I accepted immediately, immensely grateful for the invitation and for not forgetting one of their former collaborators. Besides, that venue was one of the best stages in Europe—I don’t think I could ever refuse them. The Braga City Council had strengthened ties with the theater’s institutional department to raise funds for improving the city’s stage systems, breaking barriers to enhance smaller and outlying theaters as well. Once, Uncle Oscar—my mother’s only brother, who had lived in Porto his whole life—told me I’d starve studying theater in Portugal, that it was an undervalued profession in Europe. If I wanted to stand out and become a superstar, he said, I should learn English and move to London—or go even farther and head straight to Holl
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 17
I listened to my brother, and we hid like criminals in a hotel room that I had to pay for with my own money. I stayed with him for an entire week, taking care of him, with the most suffocating weight inside me. I questioned my brother many times, asking him how long he had known about the husband’s suspicions, and I scolded him for not hiding better, for moving forward despite knowing the danger he was putting himself in. I told him so many things, and he told me even more until my ears burned and then my whole body from exhaustion, rage, and worry. That week in that room, I felt like a fugitive—stupid and afraid. I never want to feel that way again, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. But it was my brother, and I know he would do the same for me. The legal advice was nothing more than guidance on what to do if that man decided to retaliate in other ways. Because of that, Danilo spilled the truth to Nikko, revealing the identity of the one who had hurt him—a name that meant nothing
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 16
What would life be without secrets? My brother was in trouble. We acted quickly, and I demanded that he be taken to a hospital urgently. He refused—and for good reason. He knew that there, he’d have to answer questions, that both he and I, even Nikko, would have to give statements to the doctors and any authorities who came to investigate what had happened. But Danilo’s story was so strange, so twisted… My brother had fallen for the wrong woman. A "lady" he’d met who-knows-where, the one who had left him with those injuries. Well, it wasn’t exactly "her" who had messed him up, but rather, perhaps, her husband’s men, who, after finding out about their affair, decided to teach him a lesson. Pathetic and tragic. Fucking horrible. The initial shock of the news gave way to rage. Danilo didn’t want to report anyone—fear had clouded his judgment. In the hospital room, we argued fiercely, though without raising our voices, not wanting others to overhear. I insisted a thousand times on c
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 15
I immediately removed the blindfold. "What...?" I looked at the door. I sharpened my hearing, and the absolute silence was too overwhelming. Without moving from the mattress, I scrutinized the bottom of the door, and the shadow told me someone was standing behind it. I swallowed hard and dared to ask: "Nikko? What's going on? Why aren't you coming in?" A muttered curse was exhaled from outside, and I gasped loudly. I grabbed the blankets and clenched them into a fist against my chest. "Who is it?" My voice trembled. The person took a few seconds to respond. "It's Maël." My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and my jaw almost dropped. «What...? Wha... Wha... What...? MAËL JUST SAW ME NAKED?!» I stood up on the bed. "What?!" "Delu. Sorry, I just came to tell you—" "You didn’t come to tell me anything, you pervert!" That ridiculous, then perverted Maël had just seen me naked. My God, Holy God, Holy Mother of God. "Delu?" he called through the d
