Chapter 4.

Chapter 4.

— Once upon a time, the order of the century…

If one day I tell you what happened that Sunday in question, no one will believe me…

— Well, tell me, my son. — Francesco encouraged him.

— Please stand up, Carina! — Lorenzo asked politely, also rising from his chair.

The smug smile was on his lips, and I was enjoying the scene less and less.

He wouldn't do what my intuition screamed, right?

— Cah, my sweet and eternal love. — He continued in the same tone, taking my hands in his and squeezing them hard. I could only look at him with concern and fear, for I was in shock. — I am absolutely convinced that you are the woman of my life.

Of course, you are, after all, my headdress is only a small sample of all your love for me, I thought with all my mental sarcasm.

— Lorenzo… — I tried to intervene, but he put a finger over my lips, shutting me up.

I didn't even have to look away to know that I was being watched, because I could feel three pairs of eyes staring at us in silence. Only one in particular looked as if it would burn me at any moment, and it even sent shivers down my arms.

— Let me finish, Carina, please. — he whispered, tenderly. — We are the most beautiful and intelligent couple in all of Miami, as everyone knows. — He let go of one of my hands and took his hand into his jeans pocket. He was crazy! — We've been together for almost a year now, so I can't think of a better time to propose to you, my love. — Lorenzo slowly knelt down in front of me.

Stop it now, Lorenzo!

That's what I wanted to scream when my fear came true right in front of me. However, I could only widen my eyes even more and stare at him in horror. Aside from the shock, my heart was beating furiously, and it felt like it would come out of my mouth at any moment.

— Oh my God! I don't believe it! — exclaimed Mrs. Eva, overcome with emotion.

Believe me, Mrs. Eva, neither can I.

— Miss Fernandes, would you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife? — He asked the fatal question and opened a velvet box, revealing a ring with an outrageous diamond on top.

At that moment, I had only three certainties, dear readers.

First, where had I tied my mare?

Second, Lorenzo had gone completely mad.

Third, I was screwed in a way that would make the envy of the unluckiest people on the face of the earth.

No, of all the galaxies, actually, for there was life outside the Earth.

— No. — I whispered, pulling my hand away from his.

His smug smile died instantly.

He really thought I would accept.

— What? What did you say, Carina?

— No, Lorenzo! I don't want to marry you!

Lorenzo frowned and stood up, still holding the velvet box. I could hear a sigh and a debauched laugh soon after. I didn't turn around to face the other three, though.

— You said no to me! — he repeated, assuming a thicker tone and leaving his politeness in oblivion. — Why on earth wouldn't you accept my marriage proposal, Carina? — he insisted, nervously. — I am the dream of more than half of Miami and a millionaire!

I let out a heavy sigh and wiped my hand across my face. I felt exhausted and had little patience for his narcissistic speech.

— Lorenzo, can we talk in private? — I asked, with a calmness that didn't belong to me. In truth, I really wanted him to be taken to a place where the sun didn't shine, but I would never be a troublemaker in front of my ex-mother-in-law. — There is something I need to tell you.

He nodded begrudgingly.

— Let's go to the pool, then.

He didn't wait for my answer, just walked away without looking me in the face. I rolled my eyes at his childish and spoiled gesture.

— I'm sorry about that, Mrs. Eva, but I can't accept his request. — I turned in her direction. She gave me a weak smile and nodded. — Can we talk at another time?

— Of course, dear.

— Mr. Vacchiano…—I scratched the back of my neck as I stared at him, bewildered. — I…

He held up his hand and nodded to shut me up.

— You were right not to accept Lorenzo's request. — He replied with his usual stubborn humor. — After all, my son is the future CEO of my company and deserves a woman of his stature. — He stared at me in disgust, from head to toe. — Not a poor architect like you, Carina.

Hello? What did that disgusting old man just say?

— Francesco! — Evangeline scolded him.

— Quiet, Evangeline! — he grunted as he looked in his wife's direction.

She shut up and bowed her head.

— Yes, you are right. — I agreed, falsely calm, and a single tear ran down my cheek. No, I would not bow my head or cry in front of that unscrupulous man. — I am a poor architect, but very proud of my origins and the paths I have traveled so far. — I said seriously. — I will never have your bank account, but I have something you will never have.

He just raised an eyebrow in response.

— And what would that be, silly girl?

— Character. — I smiled dismissively. — Character is something that no amount of money and power will ever give you. — I muttered, and his expression turned shocked. — Have a nice day!

I didn't wait for an answer from him, I simply turned my back on the three of them and walked towards the pool area. My goodness! I really wish I could cry in my parents' arms for having just suffered yet another humiliation, but they were thousands of miles away from me and I couldn't let myself be shaken by the empty words of a mean, cold and thick man like Francesco.

No, I am stronger than his words.

— Lorenzo? — I called out to him when I arrived outside and found him sitting on a lounge chair. — I'll be quick with what I have to say. — I finished, feeling my head start to throb.

At first, he said nothing and remained in the same position, with his back to me. All right, take it easy a little longer, Carina Maria. I opened my mouth to scream again, because maybe he hadn't heard me, but finally Lorenzo stood up.

— How dare you say no to me, Carina? — he asked, his voice emotionless, still in the same position. — You humiliated me in front of my parents and that bitch! — He shouted, in an explosion so sudden that it startled me, and kicked the same lounge chair he was sitting on earlier.

I rolled my eyes and took a frightened step backwards. Lorenzo, although he had started to become quite jealous and intrusive in my life over the past few weeks, had never been this explosive. Now he seemed to have changed into someone else, or was just showing his true face.

— How? — I stammered.

He let out a shrill, angry laugh.

— I lost. — He said to himself and ran his hands through his blond hair. — Damn it, Carina! — He slammed the wooden table beside him. — I always get what I want! — He looked at me, panting. — You belong to me!

I narrowed my eyes in his direction and put my fear aside. If there was one thing my parents and life had taught me, it was to never bow my head to a man, no matter who he was. I could have swallowed and not said what was stuck in my throat to Francesco, out of respect for Evangeline and also because I didn't want to cause her any more stress. However, Lorenzo was already another matter in my life.

— In the first place, I was his girlfriend and nothing beyond that. — I raised one hand to list my points.

Would it be very rude of me to tell him to go where the sun doesn't shine? Because he was consuming me.

With my face contorted into a grimace of disgust, my voice came out low and cold:

— Second, I am not an object for you to do or think as you please. Third, what kind of stupid idea was it to propose to me? — I asked with a shout, irritated. He stared at me with surprise in his eyes. — Fourth, you are a petty, self-centered, spoiled prick who thinks he is better than everyone around him because he was born into an empire. — I put my last finger down. — And I'm ending this damn relationship. Pay close attention, Lorenzo, because this is the first and last time I will say this: there is no longer you and me. — I gestured between the two of us, with irritation. — It's over!

A mixture of emotions invaded me, but relief was the most evident. It felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders. A satisfied smile came over my face as my breathing calmed down.

— If you break up with me… — he started to say, but interrupted himself. Lorenzo was serious, and his voice was sharp as a sword. — You can kiss your mediocre job at my construction company goodbye, Carina.

Oh, would he really threaten me?

— My love… — I muttered with all my sarcasm and disgust. — Tell you and your father to shove that job up your millionaire asses. — Still, I raised my middle finger at him. — So long, cuckold! — I said goodbye, in Portuguese, turned my back on him and left that devil's mansion in Miami.

Humiliated by this rich and narcissistic man, never again! Now I am unemployed, but with a clean soul.