CHAPTER 3.

For the first time, Galata faced such strong refusal from her father, and also for the first time, she felt fear. They had never disagreed; he always supported her in everything, but it seemed this time would be the exception.

She stared at him not only with surprise but with a hint of sadness and even annoyance.

"Dad, why are you acting this way? Why do you dislike Matteo so much? He's the son of your best friend, Uncle Nick. Why wouldn't he be the right man for me?" she asked, without hiding her displeasure at her father's stance.

"Because no! I don't like him for you!" the man spoke firmly, while he remained with his daughter, still arguing in the living room, drawing the attention of some of those present.

"Dad, it's me who has to like him, not you. I'm the one who's going to marry him," she stated decisively.

"Marry? What do you mean, marry? Are you crazy! If I don't like the idea of a romantic relationship between you two, even less so the idea of marriage."

"He's a man and you're an eighteen-year-old girl who still doesn't know life. You have a world to explore, boys your age to meet, the wonders of life to experience. Besides, he has a girlfriend," he expressed, feeling distressed at the idea of seeing Galata married so young.

"I didn't think you were so hypocritical, Dad. I'll remind you, in case you've forgotten, my mom was eighteen when you were with her, and you had a greater age difference between you two than Matteo and me," the indignant young woman challenged.

"That's why I'm saying it. I made your mom suffer for a long time, because I was a womanizer, with other purposes in my life. I behaved badly with her, and we couldn't be happy until much later. I don't want the same for you," he pronounced almost in a tone of lament.

"It's not the same! Matteo is not a womanizer; he's responsible, he's an intelligent man, not like you at his age."

"He is a cold-looking man, dry, distant, serious, too realistic; it seems as if no blood runs through his veins. You are completely opposite, a warm, affectionate, dreamy young woman," Sebastián debated.

"Opposites attract, Dad," the young woman continued to oppose her father's words. "Besides, if I have to change some aspects of my personality to please him more, I will."

"That's not right. You should never change your character to please others. Whoever loves you should accept you with your virtues and flaws; it's part of your essence. On the other hand, Matteo loves another woman, and you cannot fight against that," he concluded, feeling defeated for not being able to convince his daughter, and also noticing the young woman's agitation.

"I'll make him fall in love with me; you'll see how happy I will be with him," she declared with determination.

Sebastián sighed, feeling sad because he feared for his daughter. However, he couldn't do anything; like parents, it was his role to advise, but he couldn't impose his judgment on his children. After all, it was necessary for everyone to have their own experiences.

"Be careful, my child; I don't want to see you suffer. I wish I could protect your heart so no one could ever hurt you," he said, embracing her.

Two weeks after that conversation with her father, Matteo broke up with his girlfriend, and a few days later, he started dating Galata and seeing her frequently. Two weeks later, Matteo asked her to be his girlfriend, and fourteen days after that, they got married in one of the country's biggest events.

When those events came to her mind, Galata sighed. Her father had been right, and she refused to listen to him, because for her, the fact that Matteo set his eyes on her and ended up asking her to be his girlfriend and then to marry him, was her dream come true. She even confronted her mother and Paula, her best friend, calling her envious and jealous because in the end Matteo paid attention to her and not to Paula.

Memories surged like a waterfall in her mind, giving her no respite. Despite all attempts to suppress them, it was impossible; her mind was determined to show her how she had stood against everyone for this love she believed was sincere and genuine.

"Her friend arrived early to pick her up. The night before, she hadn't been able to talk to her because she had returned very late from her date with Matteo. Besides, the euphoria from his marriage proposal didn't even allow her to speak of all the emotion.

As soon as she saw her, she practically threw herself onto her.

"My dearest friend, I am the happiest woman in the world! Finally, my dream has come true, guess what," she gushed, overflowing with joyful vitality.

Paula stared at her for a moment in surprise; her face paled, but seconds later she composed herself. Galata, without letting her speak, extended her hand where a huge engagement ring rested.

"Look, Matteo proposed to me, and in two weeks, I'm marrying him," she informed, without hiding her excitement. Paula took the ring and smiled slightly.

"It's very beautiful, Galata, I'm happy for you. However, I have a doubt. Why are you marrying in two weeks? It seems too soon, especially since just three short weeks ago he was with another girl and seemed very much in love," the young woman questioned.

"And you think he can't fall in love with me? I am a beautiful, intelligent girl; I have many qualities. Why can't you see them?" she asked, feeling disappointed in her friend.

"I'm not saying that. I know you're an extraordinary young woman, that's why you're my friend. But you're going too fast. I trust you, but not him. How can someone fall out of love so quickly with their eternal youthful love? Despite only being engaged for two years, Matteo had a close relationship with her for many years."

"You should wait, get to know each other more, be sure of Matteo's feelings for you, then take the next step, not before that," the girl said, not hiding her concern for her friend.

Unfortunately, Galata did not understand, and even misinterpreted Paula's position. She got upset and confronted her.

"I thought you were my friend, but you're not; you're just envious," she pronounced, looking angrily at the young woman.

Paula looked at her sadly, her eyes beginning to well up with tears that she was trying by all means to hold back.

"Galata, please don't say that. I love you like a sister; we've been through good times and bad. I couldn't envy you; I'm glad everything is going well for you. If I'm advising you, it's for your own good, because..." her dialogue was interrupted by Galata, who looked at her with disappointment.

"Don't keep pretending, Paula. If you're saying all this, it's not for my good, as you claim, but because you're madly in love with Matteo." Paula's eyes widened. "Did you think I wouldn't notice? I've known for a long time, and if I didn't say anything before, it was because it didn't seem relevant to me. But now, given your feigned concern for my future, I must tell you."

"Your words have no value because they come from a scorned woman. You only intend to sow doubt in my head to have a chance with the man I love."

She saw the sadness on her friend's face; she wanted to retract her words, but despite that, she couldn't. Paula stood firm in front of her; chin raised.

"It's true, I've liked him for a long time," Paula began to say, wiping away the tears that had started to stream from her eyes. "But never! Listen to me, Galata Ferrari, I have never tried the slightest approach with him, because I know how much you've loved him all this time."

"If I am advising you, it's because I care and want the best for you. I didn't think that in your eyes, I was so vile," having declared that, she turned and left, leaving Galata in a whirlwind of remorse.

That day she felt extremely sad for having behaved that way with Paula, and although she reacted by going to look for her that same day to apologize and Paula received her kindly, today, looking back, she couldn't help but reproach herself for her foolishness. Everyone had been right, but she refused to listen to them.

Finally, she didn't know how long she had been submerged in her thoughts; she only felt her eyelids grow heavy until she plunged into a deep and unsettling sleep.

***

Matteo watched his friend as he poured himself a third glass of whisky. He was already bored with the conversation to the point of wanting to kick him out.

"You can go now, Leandro," he said in a cold tone.

"I don't want to leave you like this; I'm worried about the situation you're in," Leandro said with mortification. "That's why you shouldn't delay your conversation with Galata any longer. Tell her the truth, that you don't love her. After all, you married her to forget Helena, and you can get your true love back."

The man's words left Matteo pensive. He frowned, finding it strange that Galata hadn't arrived with the traditional juice and cookies. No one cooked better than her; in fact, his stomach only tolerated her dishes. Other people's food caused him indigestion, which was why he abstained from eating outside his home.

For a moment, he was tempted to go look for her, but then he imagined her asleep and felt relieved. It was better to let her rest; besides, he didn't have the courage to face her at that moment, when his emotions were a sea of confusion.

Even so, he remained uncomfortable with his friend's attitude and insistence on speaking with his wife.

"Leandro, answer me something. Why are you so insistent that I talk to Galata and tell her about my feelings for another woman?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"What are you implying?" Leandro asked.

He opened his mouth in surprise, still watching Matteo's inscrutable expression. He thought Matteo would retract his words, but seeing that he remained in the same position, he challenged him.

"I'm truly very surprised, I can't believe it. Why do you think I'm moved by an ulterior motive when I'm just worried about you?" Although he asked the question, he didn't wait for an answer. "You're my friend, and my only intention is not to see you dragged down, feeling sad and unhappy," he declared, shrugging his shoulders.

Matteo looked at him for a few more seconds and replied, "It's too late now, you can go." He spoke curtly. "I'll be fine. I'll stay a few more minutes to think about the next step. I'll walk you to the entrance."

"Don't worry, I know the way," Leandro replied, immediately leaving the office and closing the door behind him.

Matteo looked back, and finding himself alone, walked to the kitchen, hoping to see Galata. Not finding her, he left with a bit of frustration. He would talk to her another time.

*****

Matteo remained seated, motionless, trying to curb his thoughts, wishing all of this was a dream and he would wake up at any moment. His life had been peaceful until a couple of days ago, without shocks, problems only in work situations. Personally, he had a pregnant wife and a son.

Most of the time he went from work to home, to family gatherings, to some occasional meetings with partners or friends. Despite this, he always kept his feelings under control, as he didn't want any surprises that would affect or disturb his peace. From the moment he broke up with Helena, he locked away all emotion deep within himself, because he didn't want to suffer any more harm.

He was immersed in these thoughts when his cell phone began to ring. He saw an unknown number on the screen. For a moment, he felt tempted not to answer, however, his curiosity was greater.

"Hello, Matteo Sebastini speaking, and who is this?" he asked with a hint of curiosity. Immediately, a feminine voice was heard on the other end of the line.

"Matteo, oh my God! You have no idea how happy I am to hear from you again. I'm sorry to bother you, but I so longed to hear your voice, I couldn't bear it any longer without you. It's me, Helena," she spoke, not concealing the emotion in her voice.