Helena approaches the boys standing on the sidewalk right in the place she had reserved for bike rental and two-wheeled tourism. She was distracted when she watched one boy turn towards her, and what her surprise was when she came across Bruno's face.
The blonde feels her face burn, is sure that her face had turned into pepper. "Control yourself, Helena." thinks as she gets closer to them. The situation only worsens when Bruno smiles towards her, saying:
— Hi, girlfriend.
— Girlfriend? - Asks Lucas, understanding nothing.
— Hello, Bruno. - Helena replies without grace, straightening her hair behind her ear, disguising her shyness. — How are you?
—Girlfriend? - Reinforces Lucas, facing his friend.
—I'm fine, and you? How are you after your birthday? By the way, how old were you?
—Girlfriend? - Repeat Lucas being ignored.
— Twenty-two years. - Helena answers.
— I also did... do ... I mean, I'm also twenty-two years old. - Stutters Bruno.
—Cool…- Release Helena, awkward.
—Cool…- Repeat Bruno facing.
— So, Bruno, aren't you going to introduce your new girlfriend? - Asks Lucas, calling the attention of both.
— How rude of me. Lucas, this is Helena. Yesterday, she was my girlfriend for five minutes on her birthday. Helena, this is Lucas, one of my best friends and works here with me in the store.
— Pleasure. - Helena speaking, smiling towards Lucas.
— Pleasure is all mine. - Says Lucas before making two kisses on each cheek of the young woman, who is surprised. — Local custom.
— Okay… – Release Helena without grace. She turns towards Bruno and continues: — What a coincidence you work here. I have a reservation here…
— Great, follow me. - Bruno speaks, giving passage to Helena, who enters the store. He will already follow her when Lucas holds her arm. — What was it?
— Have you forgotten your promise?
— No, I didn't forget.
— You seem to have forgotten, especially the way you're looking at this girl. Are you going to break the promise?
— Well, I actually met her yesterday. - Explains Bruno with a sly smile. — So technically it doesn't count.
— I know… very smart you. - Says Lucas, narrowing his eyes to the friend.
— Hey, I wouldn't imagine she'd come today… let's just say it was a blow of fate…
— Blow of fate? You're fucking.
— Relax, Lucas. Yesterday, she met Suzana. She's probably not interested in me at all. - Finish Bruno before entering the store.
He approaches the balcony accompanied by Lucas and watches Helena now talking to Jonathan. It was incredible the magnetism that Helena had on him, especially when she smiled even though it was not in her direction.
— I located your package. - Jonathan speaks, bringing Bruno back to reality. — Package of seven days … rent two bikes. Are you waiting for someone to arrive, or do you wish me to release just one bike, Lady Albuquerque?
Jonathan's Speech destabilizes Bruno: Helena was married? What do you mean? She had no way of being married, no ring at all, or did he not notice? He strives to see the left hand of the young woman, who is completely red:
— I'm not Lady Albuquerque. -corrects Helena, nervously facing Bruno without understanding why she did it. — I mean, I was supposed to be Lady Albuquerque but... Ahmmm ... I'm not. - continues, Helena, showing her left hand without alliance. — Anyway, could I exchange this package I made for a honeymoon that did not happen?
— Of course. - Bruno speaks, relieved. — Jonathan sees a better package for her … to compensate…
—Look, we can offer a package with a tour guide, and then we add a difference…
— I know, but then I'll pay more? Is that it? - Helena asks, serious. The humiliation of the young woman having to be there alone was not enough, she would still have to pay for it.
— No, actually Jonathan can grant the free guide service. I will provide the service for you myself. -Ends Bruno facing Helena.
— Okay. -This is Jonathan, not surprised at all. Offering a discount was Bruno's way of saying he was interested in the client, so the fact that he stopped charging , could only mean that he was very interested in the young woman.
— Thank you. - Thanks Helena, nervous before the smile if Bruno.
—Welcome. - Replies Bruno admiring Helena. He leans on the counter and continues: —Would you like to start the tour? What time?
—Now, if possible. - Says Helena, offering her best smile next.
—Great, I like that enthusiasm. - Praises Bruno, turning to Jonathan. — Leave my schedule today closed to her, yes?
— Okay... Don Juan. - Jonathan answers to his friend.
— So, are we going to choose your bike? - Bruno proposes.
— Of course. - Helena answers accompanying Bruno.
***
After picking the ideal bikes, Bruno gave a lesson to Helena with guidelines for cycling safely through Parati. Even though the streets are flat in a general way, the slopes that exist are steep. Bruno fixed the locks on the bikes, while Helena adjusted her helmet on the head, when the boy approached and helped her by touching her face, making her hold her breath. She sought to understand why a touch of Bruno made her shiver from head to fact aggravated to toe and that he always left a silly smile lost on her lips. He tightened the closure of the helmet under the chin of Helena, who controlled not to bite her lips in front of Bruno while repeating the mantra "he has a girlfriend" in his mind.
—Now yes, you're ready. - Bruno comments, facing Helena. He walks away and then rides his bike. — Prepared for the best ride of your life?
— No doubt. - Helena replies by settling on her bike.
The two go cycling towards the tour prepared by Bruno. In a few minutes, they took the asphalt road and continued gaining speed and with all the safety and necessary guidance. Bruno accompanied Helena at all times, signaling where they would go, the time to stop, etc. They went down on trails, dirt roads and with stones, the way Helena imagined it would be. They then take a short, narrow paved street leading to a small chapel, which also marks the beginning of another short trail, and then they pedal another fifty meters until they reach a beach.
— The first stop is Corumbê Beach. - Tell Bruno stopping his bike being accompanied by Helena who observes the landscape, admired. — This first stop allows you to take a bath and observe all this landscape without haste.
Helena gets off the bike, trapping in one tree along with her helmet, and walks towards the beach that is beautiful and has very calm waters. At the entrance there is a very cozy bar and also a pool formed by the water dammed by some waterfall that should be very close there. She puts her feet in the sand while watching the sea and the boats anchored, grateful for the privileged view. Bruno comes behind, contemplating the way Helena walked on the sand and then ran towards the sea, throwing the salt water up, like a child who sees the sea for the first time. The young woman's hair flew in the wind's rhythm, so she sits without ceasing to look towards the sea. The boy then approaches and sits next to Helena, who faces him with a huge smile.
— What was it? - She asks, noting that he analyzes every corner of her face, leaving the blonde shy.
— Nothing… – whispers Bruno who then soothes trying to fix his voice. - I mean, it's been a long time since I've seen anyone have a reaction like you.
— Was I wrong to act like this? Was it bad?
— No, imagine. It was… beautiful to watch. - Bruno replies, being sincere, something rare, because usually he preferred to hide his opinion to win his customers. He then approaches his hand on the face of the young woman who stares at him, frightened, and then removes the blonde strands that were close to Helena's rosy lips, leading them towards the ear. — Who are you, Helena?
—What do you mean? Who am I? - Helena asks without grace.
—Well, I know you almost got married, but I don't know why it didn't happen. - Explains Bruno.
— Do you ask about the lives of all your clients? - Helena asks, quickly. — What does your girlfriend think?
—Ex-girlfriend. - Corrects Bruno getting a surprised look from Helena. — And only ask those I find interesting to know.
—I'm not that interesting.
—I disagree, Helena almost Albuquerque.
— It's complicated... -Helena speaks. — And time-consuming…
— We have plenty of time. In fact, I put my free services for you. - Argues Bruno. He touches Helena's shoulder with his and continues: — Come on, girlfriend, tell me what number one did?
—Why do you think he left me? - Helena asks.
—Why? It was you who dropped it? Wow, so I really need to know what happened. - Bruno speaks, smiling.
— Okay. I'll tell you, if… – Begins Helena, narrowing her eyes to Bruno. — I get a gift all week to rent the bike and the guide.
—Hum… you're hard, huh?
—I am, since you are so interested in my story… that's how it will be. - Decides Helena, shrugging. — Take it or leave it.
— Okay, a week of Nilton's Bike services. - Accept Bruno, extending his hand towards Helena, who squeezes. — You can start, young lady. But I want to know everything.