The sky was still draped in dark shades of the night when Bruno opened the door of the sports equipment store, Nilton's Bike. It was a new day, but for Bruno, it seemed to carry the weight of the choices he had made. He wanted to lose himself in his work, immerse himself in every task that needed to be done, a way to find focus and purpose amidst the confusing emotions that plagued him.He began cleaning the store, organizing shelves, checking stocks, and ensuring everything was perfect for another day of business. The occupation gave him a sense of normalcy, a feeling of control over something in his life that he felt he had lost.Nearly two hours later, his friends and coworkers, Gabriel, Lucas, and Jonathan, arrived at the store. They watched Bruno with looks that denoted concern and curiosity. It was clear that something was happening, something they hadn't been informed about.Lucas was the first to approach, greeting Bruno with a nod. "Hey, Bruno, everything okay?"Bruno averted
On the beach's edge, the gentle breeze and the sound of waves created an atmosphere of tranquility as Gabriel, Lucas, and Jonathan conversed. The concerned glances exchanged between them revealed that Bruno's situation was weighing on their hearts.Jonathan looked at his friends and sighed. "We need to do something about this, guys. I've never seen Bruno so down."Gabriel nodded, agreeing with his friend. "It's true. He's going through a tough time."Lucas nodded, his brows furrowing in agreement. "I agree. He's shutting himself off, and that's not good."Gabriel furrowed his brow, lost in thought. "But what can we do? Bruno clearly said it was his choice not to be with Helena, and she also seems to have accepted it."Jonathan pondered for a moment, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I get his point, but what he didn't tell Helena is about the prophecy. If she knew about that, I think their decision might have been different."The other two friends turned to him, surprised. Lucas tilted
Helena stared at Bruno's friends, trying to grasp the meaning behind Lucas's words. Her heart raced as questions piled up in her mind. Bruno didn't stay with her because he was going to die? The idea seemed absurd, but there was something in the seriousness of the three guys' eyes that made her question even more. How could Bruno be so sure about this? And what was the meaning behind this prophecy? The questions multiplied, and Helena was determined to uncover the answers.Sensing Helena's discomfort, Lúcia suggested they go to a nearby bar for a more relaxed conversation. The five friends walked to the place in silence, their expressions reflecting the seriousness of the matter at hand. When they arrived, Helena looked at the three guys and finally broke the silence."Okay, can someone explain what's going on? Why are you talking about prophecies and death? This doesn't make any sense."Pedro sighed and turned to Helena, determined to tell the whole story. "Some time ago, we crossed
While Jonathan, Gabriel, and Lucas conversed along the way about lost time and how everything could have been avoided, they turned the corner and came face-to-face with a familiar figure. Bruno stood in front of the store, arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. He watched them approaching, and the friends exchanged nervous glances among themselves.Bruno walked up to them, his gaze fixed on the three with an intensity that conveyed seriousness. "Where were you guys yesterday?" he asked directly.Gabriel tried to deflect, smiling nervously. "Oh, you know how it is, Bruno, we thought it was a holiday..."Lucas chimed in, supporting Gabriel's attempt. "Yeah, exactly! We swore it was a holiday."Jonathan also confirmed, trying to follow the invented story. "That's right, it seemed like a holiday."However, Bruno wasn't willing to accept the excuse. He looked at the three with narrowed eyes, suspicious. "The three of you know very well that yesterday wasn't a holiday. From your
Bruno was lying in his bed, staring at the ceiling as the early morning slowly gave way to dawn. The pale light that began to seep through the cracks in the curtains gently illuminated the room, but his thoughts were immersed in tumultuous darkness. It was Helena's wedding day, the day she was about to unite her destiny with Leandro's.He tried to convince himself that this was best for both of them. Helena deserved happiness, and if that happiness was with Leandro, he should accept it. But his heart seemed to rebel, clenching in his chest like an implacable fist. He closed his eyes tightly as if he could contain the torrent of emotions that threatened to overflow.With a deep sigh, Bruno got out of bed, his legs feeling as heavy as lead. He made his way to the bathroom, letting the shower water fall over him. The hope was that the water could wash away the memories of Helena from his mind. He closed his eyes, tilting his head under the flow of water, but instead of dissipating the me
Moments Before...Helena felt as if the ground had been pulled from under her feet. Marcelo's words echoed in her mind, revealing a reality she hadn't foreseen. The veil covering her face seemed symbolically representative of the veil that had kept her away from the truth for so long. With accelerated breathing, she stared at her mother, seeking confirmation of Marcelo's words in her eyes.Regina avoided Helena's gaze for a moment, but then, realizing she couldn't escape the situation, she sighed and finally confirmed, searching for words to explain herself. "Helena, I wanted... I just thought I was doing what was best for you. I wanted you to have a secure future, to be happy."Her mother's words echoed in the room, but Helena was still struggling to assimilate the impact of what she had heard. She turned to Marcelo, her eyes moist with emotion. "So, is this the truth? Leandro... he's marrying me because of this agreement?"Marcelo nodded solemnly, observing the distress in his siste
Bruno grabbed his bicycle, quickly checking the details as if he wanted to make sure everything was perfect for the upcoming ride. He then turned to Helena, with a gentle smile on his lips. He handed her the helmet, a mixture of anxiety and excitement in his gaze."Ready for the next step?" he asked, his tone filled with enthusiasm.Helena accepted the helmet with an equally infectious smile. "Absolutely. I'm excited."Bruno gestured for her to get on the bicycle, indicating the spot behind the seat. With skill and gentleness, she settled there, holding onto his shoulders lightly. The sensation of the wind against her face, the sun painting the city gold, and the closeness to Bruno created a perfect scene.He began pedaling at a smooth and tranquil pace. The city blurred past them as Bruno effortlessly guided the bicycle. Helena relished the feeling of freedom, closing her eyes for a moment to soak in every sensation. She never thought she would be there, on the back of Bruno's bicycl
Bruno's room was in a gentle silence, with only the faint sound of the couple's peaceful breathing. The first rays of the sun began to infiltrate through the partially open window, casting a golden and soft light upon the bed where Bruno and Helena lay, naked and entwined, as if they had finally found refuge in each other.Bruno, with a loving smile, caressed Helena's sleeping face, gently tracing his fingers along her delicate contours. The touch was like a silent caress, an expression of all the love he felt for her. It was hard to believe that this was real, that after all the obstacles they had faced, they were together again.Helena, with her eyes still heavy with sleep, began to awaken slowly. Her eyelashes lifted, revealing her passionate gaze, which met Bruno's. A smile spread across Helena's lips, an expression of pure happiness."Is this real?" she whispered, as if she were still dreaming.Bruno smiled and gently stroked her hair. "Yes, Helena, it's real. You're here with me