Chapter 2.

Chapter 2.

— Once upon a time there was a lunch in a not very nice family….

Sundays have always been my second-favorite part of the weekend, right after Friday nights and all of Saturday. Or would Friday night count as a separate day? Anyway, the point still stands. But back to the subject at hand, there was a reason for my personal fondness for Sundays. Back when I was a teenager—not all that long ago—it was customary for me to gather with my parents in our small dining room and enjoy traditional Brazilian meals in our modest home in Philadelphia.

Yes, I was born in Brazil. However, I ended up on American soil at the age of ten, along with my parents, a sister still tucked away in my mother's belly, and big dreams of a better life—all packed into our luggage.

But after going to a bar on Friday night and waking up in a room that wasn't mine, next to a woman I didn't know, on Saturday morning, I was starting to hate my beloved Sunday. What a hateful day! As if the embarrassment of the day before weren't enough, I now found myself in a car with my almost-ex-boyfriend, on our way to have lunch at my almost-future in-laws' house.

Which boyfriend? The same one I'd cheated on two days earlier with a spectacular Italian woman, and who was also cheating on me with God knows who.

— Why are you so quiet, my love? — Lorenzo, my future ex-boyfriend, asked at one point during the drive, his tone a little too sweet. — What? — he pressed.

— You're imagining things, Enzo — I murmured, not particularly interested in the conversation, but still smiling.

Silently, he stared at me with his light eyes and an unreadable expression. For some reason, his expression reminded me of her. But soon, the affectionate smile returned to his lips.

— So, how was your night out with your friends on Friday? — he continued in the same tone. — Did you have a good time, Cah? — He turned his gaze back to the light traffic on that warm, sunny Sunday morning.

— I'm Beatrice — she continued, her smile widening. — And you?

I blinked a few times, trying to stammer out something without looking like an idiot in front of the stranger, even though I already looked like one.

— Ca-Ca-Ca… — I fell silent after stammering out the beginning of my own name. — Carina. My name is Carina Maria. — I forced a smile, feeling my stomach turn. — How are you? — I forced myself to be polite, even though I couldn't think straight.

Not with her looking at me so intensely, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Oh, my Goddess, where is this going?

— Carina? — Lorenzo pressed, pulling me out of my memories of how this whole mess had started. — You suddenly went quiet. — He watched me closely, attentive to the slightest change in my expression. — Did something happen that I don't know about?

Yes, I cheated on you and even had a divine night with a stranger, my love.

— Nothing, Enzo — I sighed deeply. — Everything worked out fine with me and the girls.

If only he knew.

In response, he simply nodded and returned his attention to the road ahead. I silently thanked him for the quiet, as I was still utterly confused by the recent events in my otherwise peaceful, monotonous life. Oh, Goddess, what have I gotten myself into? It had never crossed my mind that a simple trip to a bar could bring me so much trouble and so many orgasms.

Did I mention I'm never drinking again?

Part of me was still worried about Arabella's disappearance. She'd let me know she was alive and well when she sent me a voice message on Saturday morning, saying she was okay and needed the rest of the weekend to think. In a way, that reassured me. However, I was still distressed that I couldn't be there for her, just as she'd always been there for me. My best friend, who was of South Korean descent, was much more than that; she was the sister life had given me all those years ago.

I firmly believed there weren't enough words in the world to describe the bond I shared with Arabella.

On the other hand, while my bond with Bella only grew stronger, my friendship with Grace was coming to a definite end. Actually, it had already ended, and I was simply putting off the inevitable out of respect for the time we'd spent together. After all, it had been six years since we'd gone from being a duo to becoming a trio. But now, I could no longer turn a blind eye and pretend I didn't notice her negative behavior toward Arabella and me.

— We're here, my love! — Lorenzo announced, snapping me out of my reverie. — You spaced out again. What's going on in that little head of yours, Cah? — he asked after turning off the engine and turning to me.

Very intrusive.

— Nothing in particular, just random thoughts, Enzo — I replied irritably, shrugging. — Shall we go? — I pointed toward the Vacchiano family mansion, opening the car door and hopping out before he could say anything.

The cool breeze greeted me, swaying a few loose strands of my ponytail as I stepped out of the car and my feet touched the ground. A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I looked away from Lorenzo's frown at my opening the passenger door myself and focused on the huge mansion standing right in the middle of those vast, unassuming grounds.

Heavens!

Located in the city's most exclusive neighborhood, the Vacchiano mansion was just one of many properties that added to the area's luxury. The facade was made almost entirely of glass walls and large windows. However, the oversized dark blue main door offered a slight break from the simple, light-colored surroundings. The fabulous garden, on the other hand, looked almost like a painting by one of the most renowned contemporary artists, as the profusion and variety of flowers contrasted perfectly with the lifeless appearance of the million-dollar residence. The property also featured a swimming pool in the backyard and even a private stretch of beach.

— Why do you almost never let me open the door for you, Carina? — he grumbled, stopping beside me. — Carina? — He snapped his fingers in front of my face while I remained silent.

Dear reader, having made it to the third chapter of my latest misadventure, you must be wondering why I haven't broken up with him yet, right? Well, the answer is simple: I loved Mrs. Lucy's cooking. She'd been the family cook for years, and I wanted to enjoy her food one last time before breaking up with him.

I'll never be cheated on by him again! But remain a lover of good food? Always!

— Lorenzo, why are you being so annoying today, huh? — I suddenly asked, unable to put up with his irritation any longer, and turned to him with a grimace. — Heavens! Leave me alone! — I shouted, completely out of patience.

His eyes widened ever so slightly, but he quickly regained the composure of a millionaire and heir to a major construction company.

— You know how much I hate it when you talk like some poor girl. — He hissed irritably, taking a few steps toward me and closing the distance between us. — Act like a lady, Carina. — he demanded in the same tone.

I let out a mocking laugh, making him stare at me even more intently.

— I don't act like a poor girl. I am one, darling. — I replied proudly. — Leave me alone, you cuckold. — I whispered in Portuguese.

I watched with satisfaction as his expression turned confused and disgusted. He couldn't understand a single word of my native language, yet he still picked on me whenever I pronounced something. To make matters worse, Lorenzo actually thought people spoke Spanish in Brazil. Honestly, I'd spent far too long trying to make this failing relationship work over the past few months. However, after enjoying one last lunch prepared by Mrs. Lucy's magical hands, I'd put an end to what should have been over a long time ago.

— What did you say, Carina?

I shrugged.

— Nothing much.

Without waiting for him to respond, I turned my back on him and started down the stone path that cut through the evergreen lawn. I quickly climbed the few steps leading to the small front porch. Fortunately, for the sake of my sanity, he was still standing like a statue beside his car.

— Darling, welcome! — Evangeline Vacchiano, Lorenzo's mother, greeted me as soon as she opened the door and saw me standing in front of her. — I've missed you, Cah. — She pulled me into a tight hug. — How are you?

Actually, the real reason I'd agreed to have lunch at the Vacchiano mansion was to see Evangeline and give her a proper goodbye. Despite her expensive clothes, nearly flawless skin, and access to countless jewels, I could see beyond her physical appearance and recognize that some painful feelings never left her kind eyes.

— I'm fine, Mrs. Eva — I whispered, using the nickname I'd always used for her. — But what about you? How have you been? — I asked with a smile, pulling away from her embrace so I could get a better look at her.

She offered a faint smile and took my hand, leading me into the mansion.

— I'm well, Cah — she replied a few seconds later. — And how are the girls? It's been so long since I've seen them.

Well, Mrs. Eva, what can I say? One disappeared after being hurt by her ex, and the other is probably stuck at some rich guy's house, and he might even end up being her future husband someday.

— They're fine — I forced myself to say. — We went out for a girls' night on Friday — I added, unsure of what else to say.

You have no idea what happened that night, Mrs. Eva...

— Ah, Enzo mentioned that.

I didn't answer, as I was too busy making a face of pure disgust at the sound of his name. Then we made our way to the kitchen in comfortable silence, where I broke into a huge smile and ran toward the cheerful cook, who was stirring something in a pot on the stove.

— Mrs. Lucy! — I exclaimed delightedly, making her jump in fright and turn toward me with wide eyes. — I've missed you so much! — I wrapped my arms affectionately around her plump little body.

She burst out laughing and hugged me back.

— Did you miss me? — she asked cheerfully, pulling away and giving me an amused look. — Or was it my cooking, Carina?

I took a few steps back to give her room to stir the pot again, then tapped the tip of my index finger against my chin, pretending to give her questions some serious thought.

— Both — I finally replied with a shrug.

She shook her head and laughed some more.

— Always sassy. — She clicked her tongue and let out a little giggle. — How's life, child? — she asked with an affectionate smile.

Without hesitation, I smiled back and sat on a stool by the counter, enjoying a relaxed, lively conversation with Mrs. Lucy. By then, Mrs. Eva had disappeared, leaving us alone in the elegant, modern kitchen. But poor people can never enjoy their happiness for long, and there he was.

— I'm really excited about this new project my boss has taken on — I said cheerfully, sipping my mango juice. — We're going to...

However, I couldn't finish my sentence because I was interrupted by a rude, obnoxious voice.

— Isn't lunch going to be ready soon, Lucy? — asked a frowning, irritated man standing in the doorway.

At that very moment, my smile vanished, and a heavy atmosphere settled over the kitchen.

— I'm almost done with lunch, Mr. Vacchiano.

Still standing in the same spot, Francesco Vacchiano, Lorenzo's father, was looking only in her direction. The serious, frowning Italian had blond hair with a few white strands mixed in, tanned skin with few expression lines, and mysterious blue eyes.

— I want lunch served in five minutes — he ordered sternly. — Carina. — He greeted me curtly when he noticed my presence, then left before I could respond.

I let out a sigh of relief when it was just the two of us again.

— My dear, I think you'd better go keep Mrs. Eva company — Mrs. Lucy murmured, clearly displeased.

I nodded and got off the tall stool, heading in her direction.

— See you later, Mrs. Lucy! — I kissed her on the cheek.

— See you later, my dear!

I hurried out of the kitchen and into the dining room, where I found the three members of the Vacchiano family. A heavy, uncomfortable silence hung over the bright, airy room, so I approached and sat down beside Lorenzo without a word. What wouldn't I do for a good free meal? The atmosphere was so awful that I wanted to get up and leave right then and there. However, before ending things with Lorenzo, I still wanted to talk to Evangeline and Mrs. Lucy one more time.

— Well, I asked Lucy to make your favorite dish, dear — my future ex-mother-in-law said, breaking the oppressive silence.

I opened my mouth to thank her, but when two staff members suddenly entered the room, I fell silent. They served us with enviable elegance and speed, then left us alone just as quickly. I had to fight the urge to shout at them to take me with them.

Can someone help me?

— Well… — Francesco began, but was interrupted when the double doors burst open. — What does this mean? — he shouted irritably, suddenly getting to his feet and knocking his chair over.

I'd already picked up my fork and was getting ready to savor this gift from the gods when I jumped in fright and looked up at the double doors. My eyes widened as the blond, somewhat familiar figure entered my field of vision.

— Sono tornato, Papa! — declared the seemingly unwelcome and unexpected visitor. — I'm back in the United States, Daddy! — she repeated with a huge smile on her full, crimson-red lips. — And I'm back to stay. Did you miss me? — The venom was practically dripping from her words.

What do you mean, Brazil? The visitor was the same blonde from the bar and, apparently, the daughter of my future ex-in-laws! How was that possible? Oh, I'm so screwed!