CHAPTER 4

Nelly

I walk into the bathroom huffing through my nostrils, allowing the door to slam with no delicacy and frighten me. Ingot her party guests checking their makeup. I mumble a lame apology and huff in spite of myself, heading straight for a private stall inside the bathroom and locking myself in.

“Argh! How could he be such an asshole?” I tell myself, lowering the lid of the toilet and sitting down. "You don't remember me, Mr. Bragança?” Disdainful, adopting a mocking tone and three octaves lower than mine.

Snort.

Damn Nelly!

This is all your fault, you agreed to come to this cocktail party even though it was his company's birthday party.

What did you expect? Flowers and burning kisses?

Wake up!

I run both my hands over my face, realizing that I'm still addressing him formally, giving him the power of superiority from years ago. Mister Bragança. I press my lips together until they form a thin line and proceed to fan my face with both hands, refusing to shed another tear tonigh