CHAPTER 2

More than two hours later...

Young Rúbia was on the upper terrace of the mansion, lying in one of the hammocks, reading a book. At that exact moment, two police officers arrived at the main door of the property and spoke something to one of the housekeepers.

“We are very sorry to bother you, but about thirty minutes ago we received a report of what appeared to be a fire starting at a property neighboring yours. When responding to the call, we found out that it was the aircraft owned by Mr. Reid, and for that reason we needed to speak to him or his wife.” Justifies the agent, in a calm way.

At that moment, the lady seems not to have understood and just stares at the man, without even saying a word. Seconds after the pause, with his breathing quickening and almost unable to speak “neither he nor his wife are here, there is only his daughter on the upper floor...”

“Do you know where we can find them?” Asks the other agent, who appeared to be a firefighter.

“Unfortunately, you already found them both, at the scene of the accident..., in the accident. They were on the plane and were supposed to get back about an hour ago…” with tears streaming down her face and hands shaking.

Her parents are gone. The only thing that remained was a young girl who had inherited her parents' beauty, charm and fortune.

However, it wasn't just her who lost and inherited something. Many kilometers away, on another continent, there was someone, of the same blood, who had also lost his father. And that he had also inherited a large fortune.

In fact, much bigger than hers. An incalculable inheritance. In Europe, her uncle, who was a widower and older than her father when he died in the accident, had left his nine-year-old son as the only heir. In other words, nine years younger than her Brazilian cousin. He had become one of the children with the greatest inheritance in the world. The guardians anxiously waited for the child to become an adult, at the age of eighteen, so that he could learn everything his father had left him.

Years passed, and both cousins ​​developed.

The European child became an adult and the young teenager became a mature and much more beautiful and attractive woman.

He, a young red-haired boy of Scottish origin, with bright blue eyes, athletic build and above average height. He had lived his entire childhood and adolescence in some European countries where he learned some languages, especially where he had properties. Which included the Portuguese language, as he had them in Portugal and Brazil.

Approximately ten years after his father's death and, when he became of age, he had already visited many of the countries where his assets were spread. Finally, he came to South America, visited Argentina, where he had some companies and land. Then he came to Brazil, where his late father's last acquisition had been.

He spent a few months visiting some states and regions, until, finally, he arrived at the coast where his father had died in the accident and where his only relative had always lived.

For reasons of kinship, and because it was the most luxurious residence with comfort that met his requirements in the entire region, which also bordered the properties that his father had acquired, he thought it would be a good idea to stay at his cousin's mansion. . Who knows, maybe I could get to know her and the family she had already created.

Rúbia was absent when her cousin arrived, but even so, from where she was, she said that he was welcome and that he could stay there for as long as he thought necessary. She was finishing a business tour, which deep down she didn't like so much, but in which she was obliged to be present.

If time and unforeseen circumstances permitted, they would meet in person. But there was no interest from either of them.

Days later, in the morning, after breakfast, the boy was on the immense terrace of the mansion, talking to one of his advisors. Then, when they looked up, they saw a jet plane slowing down, ready to land at the property's airport, where his was already located.

The employees change their behavior, also appearing to have been taken by surprise. Thus, somewhat agitated and out of step, they try to organize themselves.

She was expected to return in three or four days, however, she was back sooner, but not to meet her cousin. The reason was that two of the suppliers in São Paulo had canceled their appointments. Therefore, she had decided to reschedule the others, postponing trips to Brasília and other states. Everything would be for the following month.

She loved it when she could free herself from the hassle of meetings.

All staff at the luxurious property are attentive upon arrival. About ten minutes later, an imported, black, luxurious car stops in the immense courtyard in front of the mansion, after going around the pompous fountain where, in the center, there are statues representing Adam and Eve, gushing water over their bodies. One of the symbols of the city of Romântica, which, by the way, has the same name as the municipality.

One of the house's employees, dressed in character, similar to a butler, who was already stationed at the bottom of the stairs, advances in long steps towards the vehicle that had not even stopped completely.

After approaching, he delicately opens one of the car doors. You can see one of the beautiful legs, wrapped in transparent silver tights, coming out of the car and resting on the ground on sophisticated black high heels.

The employee tries to remain upright looking at the vehicle, holding the door open, but she does not leave immediately. His eyes betray him and turn inward as he salivates at the prospect of once again appreciating the woman who makes him and everyone else feel tortured every time they see her.

The delay in leaving makes the moment more tense and sublime. In reality, it is not her intention to delay. In fact, she appears to be organizing some documents in a folder that were spread out on the car seat. Typical scene of someone disorganized.

"I hate when it happens!" She exclaims from inside the car.