Rita’s POVI arrived at the notary's office and Calvin was already there, all smug, acting like he was the groom of the year. He was talking to the notary, and I saw him hand over a thick envelope, surely containing money for the questionable marriage he was about to perform."Calvin! Where is she?" I asked as I approached."Calm down, Chubby! My bride is on her way." Calvin was very relaxed."You should have arranged this at your house or at the farm, so those cops couldn't interfere." I didn't understand why he wanted to do this at the notary's office."Look, Chubby, I would have preferred that too, but the notary couldn't travel today, and since I'm in a hurry to get this done, we're here. But nobody's going to bother us." Calvin showed no concern whatsoever."Stop calling me Chubby," I warned him, and he laughed, truly a jerk. "How are you so sure they won't find us here before this wedding?""I had the detective take care of it, and he sent those idiots to the ravine. By the time
Flavian’s POVWhen the detective stepped into the square, I became alert. I had already figured the woman would call him. He came to save Rita from public humiliation and would do anything she ordered. However, he wasn't counting on me being ready to counter him. I had just received a brief report from Detective Bonfim. The Secretary of Public Safety wasn't pleased to learn that the detective was controlling the town as if we were still in the days of colonels' rule, and conducted a quick investigation into his activities, which was enough to reveal how much he was breaking the law and overstepping his authority."Oh great, another one thinking he's important!" Melissa mocked, and the detective turned purple with rage."You're all under arrest." When he took a step toward them and signaled to the officers accompanying him, I intervened."Touch a single hair on their heads and the Secretary of Public Safety will personally come to arrest you for all these years of misconduct, corruption
Flavian’s POVWe returned to Cam's house after talking to that woman, Rita's godmother's sister. It was a difficult conversation; Orlando was devastated by everything that was revealed. I must confess it was one of the most perverse plots I had ever seen in my life; everything that lady told us was surprising and unbelievable. Orlando made the entire journey back in silence, completely lost in his own thoughts. I took the opportunity to check with Detective Albert if there was any news, but they still knew nothing, not even the slightest idea where Manuela could be."Dad! Flavian! How did it go?" Cam greeted us, looking even more distressed."Cam, it was difficult, but we still don't have any leads on Manu," I said while sitting down. Cam looked at me discouraged."I confess I had hope you would find her," Cam lamented. "The only way now is to do what Rita wants.""What do you mean?" I looked at him curiously."She was here, making demands to reveal where Manu is," Cam let his body fal
Rita’s POVThose police officers almost found Manuela. Lucky me! Actually, lucky Calvin who found out about it in time. Now I needed to figure out how to deal with this money and company situation. But did Cam really manage to prevent me from getting my hands on Manuela's inheritance? He didn't show me any papers, it could all be lies. Could it? And there's something else - he wanted to negotiate the little rat's freedom with me. Maybe I can use this to my advantage. I'm going after that idiot."MOM! MOM!" Julian burst into the house screaming. "Ah, there you are!""Stop yelling, boy! What do you want?" What got into this kid to come in screaming like that?"Mom, I went to Calvin's house, I went to tell him he's my father. But he said he's not my father. So, Mom, you owe me explanations. I want to know, and no lies, who is my father?" Julian asked angrily, approaching me."I told you not to go after him. I warned you!" But it wasn't possible that this kid was going to start bothering m
Manuela’s POVI woke up in a car, terribly startled, confused, everything hurt, and my head was spinning slightly. With some difficulty, I sat up and looked at the driver through the rearview mirror. He was the same one who had driven the car from Paradise Port to here."Stay calm, miss. I won't harm you," he hastened to say."You've already done enough harm. You brought me to this hell." I looked at my face in the rearview mirror; it was horrible, and tears started flowing. "Look at me, look what that woman did.""Miss, I just follow orders, and we don't question Calvin's orders," he tried to justify himself but avoided looking at me. "Please, don't cause me any trouble. I'm going to take you to my house, my wife will take care of you, and you'll stay there until Calvin gives another order. No one will hit you there. I don't think the boss will let that crazy woman near you again; he was furious with her.""You won't let me leave, will you?" I already knew the answer."I can't, miss.
Calvin’s POVAfter leaving the farm, I went to Sonia's girls' house, a brothel on the outskirts of town. The girls were good at their job, very good. And Sonia would help me with what I needed."Calvin! You're early today." Sonia laughed."Sonia, I need help with something.""And what do I get out of it?""Name your price, I'll pay it. I know your help never comes free." She just smiled. "I need you to buy some women's things for me.""Well, Calvin, what's this about? At this stage of life, a virile man like you changing preferences?" Sonia was a mocking prostitute."Are you questioning me, Sonia? It's for my fiancée.""You're getting married?" Her eyes widened."Yes, I am." I was quite pleased. "But don't worry, I'll still be your customer.""And why don't you have your fiancée do the shopping herself?""That's none of your business." She just shrugged. "You're going to buy a simple white dress for the wedding and some of those fancy undergarments you girls wear. Also bring three more