My Sister's Boyfriend

- Of course it does! I exclaimed, looking at him again. I tried to remain calm. "It means I love him and I'd rather be with him than with you."

"Of course, of course. You lie, as always and I pretend to believe it. Just answer me, are you going to marry him because it's easier?

-No! I'm going to get married because he's good, too good even for me. I'm going to get married because he's a good man, because... Because I love him! And also... Because that's right for both of us, Igor. "We never existed, did you forget Malu?"

"I was wrong. I was silly, absolutely childish. It was always us, even when we were apart. But I was right to leave, I thought I'd forget like that. And I did it, it's over. It was good, great actually. I spoke in a way that seemed to be convincing me more than Igor, who remained impassive. "It made me mature and I think now I'm ready to join my family once and for all, and have my own life. Things will settle down. There's no point in fighting now over things that have already passed. By the way, your child is beautiful, charming, and adores you.

-I know. We smiled sadly at each other. "At least friends?"

"I don't think that's a good idea. He drummed his fingers on the table, biting his lip. I swallowed. "Good evening, Igor.

"Good night," I turned, walking out of the kitchen. "Malu?"

-Yes? I stopped, turning slightly. And seeing Igor's eyes there, he walked close to me and I felt his scent flood me. My legs wobbled, but I held on, trying to remember that it was in the past. He raised his hand and tucked a lock of my hair behind his ear. Staring at me.

"It's still us and you know it. He whispered and looked at me for a few seconds. Then he walked away, going to the sink and filling a glass of water. She drank slowly as I recovered, confused and lost. He looked me up and down and smiled, so sad... "I really like that white blouse of yours.

The next few days went smoothly and a pleasant routine settled into my work. The planetarium was a pleasant and fun place to work, calm and at the same time agitated. One of the great advantages of my new job was the flexible schedule. Now I could walk along the beach early in the morning, have coffee at a kiosk near the beach, and then go to work. It made me happier and more willing.

Although Igor stressed me out, even with his ever-present professional courtesy, as he and Pablo monitored us, I was able to control myself. He always ran away from his contacts and advances, from provocative conversations, which usually were nothing more than a brief 'hi' and an excited 'need something?', which I would soon answer monosyllabically and leave him, practically running away, but at the same time discreetly and coldly. And even when he didn't come closer, I could feel his gaze on me. But in spite of everything, Igor was professional, he only talked to me in his spare moments, or to give me instructions, which used to always be toasted with a beautiful smile; that made me angry, but at the same time kind of... There's no way to explain it.

I promised myself that I would never let him affect me like that again. Let me be dominated by... past and lose your temper. I was no longer a 16-year-old, I had matured to my current 21 years. And I couldn't forget that.

As for Eduardo and I, we had become friends. Even with all my hesitation about children, always seen by me as annoying little things and other worse adjectives, Eduardo surprised me. He was a restless and hyperactive boy, I often didn't keep up with his pace, with some concentration problems, but affectionate and kind. I regretted not having seen him grow up, in spite of everything. We had even arranged to go out to the mall one of these days.

I enjoyed my moment of rest that morning waiting for Victor's phone call, he always called me in the morning and seemed more resigned to my days here. We were even arranging a visit from me for the next long weekend. But to my surprise, it was Cecilia who called me.

- Malu, I really need your help! She spoke urgently before I could even greet her, startling me a little.

"What's wrong?"

"I need you to pick up Eduardo from school.

-How?

"I'm at work, I can't talk to Igor, Alexandre is working, and his mother went to the doctor. Did you see Igor around?

"As far as I know, he had to go I don't know where, in a meeting with I don't know who, about new equipment. - unfortunately, my routine was very similar to Igor's. Mainly because Pablo and Edith, inseparable gossip buddies now, always made sure to keep me informed.

- Do me this favor, Malu!

"I can't.