WARNING: THIS CHAPTER MAY HAVE A TRIGGER, A SUICIDE ATTEMPT. IT WILL BE A BRIEF SCENE. WITHOUT ANY DETAILS.
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Pietro was walking a little bewildered by the hot sun when his cell phone notified and he read it was the most visited gossip site in all of Europe, and the world.
It was dirt on him, and on some of his accomplishments, even his relationship with Cybele. He clenched his fists, clenched his jaw hard, he knew exactly who had done this, he got into his car. And drove to Amanda's house.
- How dare you come here and shout in front of my intercom! - she says angrily, holding up her fur coat.
- You wouldn't let me in if I kept quiet. I know how you hate scandals. - He takes the cell phone from his jeans pocket and angrily says, "It was you, and there's no point in denying it.
Her face closed hard and she nodded coldly. - Yes, it was me... Someone had to put an end to your reputation as a good guy, as a beloved man, I went out there and showed her who you are.
- No, I'm here for me, Amanda. Because as far as I know, Cybele is your friend, why expose her like that? - He slid the fingers of his left hand over the cell phone screen and began to read parts of the article. - They were all fooled by him, they were all dumb enough to believe it, one even had a child with him... A hammer to have Pietro as the baby's father, by the way...'' In addition you describe the night of the nightclub, and how Cybele.
She widened her eyes. - What? I didn't say that! - She took the cell phone from his hand, reading the article, and put one hand over her mouth, covering it completely. - Pietro, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean that about her.
She swallowed dryly. He was fighting back tears, frowning and raising an eyebrow:
- They are sensationalists! And you know it. I already said I was wrong, and I feel like a monster about it. But please, if you can't make it up to me, at least leave me alone.
Your jaw dropped. - Pietro, I'm really sorry. - She bowed her head.
He turned and stepped into the elevator, stepping out of Amanda's penthouse. Pietro has a pain in his chest from reading all that, paparazzi surrounded him and he hides his face with his forearm. it was difficult but he managed to get to his car, dodging the reporters' questions.
He rested his head on the steering wheel and felt married. He swallowed and honked the horn to ask the car in front of him to pass, he rubbed his hand over his face and stopped at the traffic light, looked to the side and saw a bar.
Pietro went in and drank a little. But I drove home, determined to end his life.
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He thought his quota of mistakes was over, after all, what else could he do? What situation would he submit to that would make him regret it.
In his mind, he had been through it all, there was nothing left to happen. Little does he know that life takes us by surprise, suddenly.
He arrives at his house, and dismisses the servants, goes up the stairs with a strong pain in his chest and then his eyes swim in tears.
He thought or ending that pain, that life.
He was silent and that was his greatest cry. He stared at the headlines about him: "Handsome but worthless, know more about Pietro Ricci" "A good guy unmasked, see what Pietro Ricci's ex has to say about him. That hurt.
He threw his cell phone against the wall, the device multiplying into debris as it bumped into the cold wall.
He looked at his large living room and went to the bookcase of expensive bottles that was in the living room, overcome with rage he threw everything on the floor, broke two vases and took a deep breath with his eyes shining from crying.
He felt like a burden to others, a weight. His son would be better off without him as a father, he thought. A feeling of not belonging invaded him as he stared at the huge chandelier above him.
He walked to the stairs and when he was on the second to last step, he heard the doorbell ring, his eyes narrowed, and he ignored it and climbed the last step but the bell rang insistently.
He smoothed the sleeve of his shirt and ran his hands over his face wiping his face.
But even though you don't see it, God is working.
It was Iris who was passing by to drop off carrot cake, which her mother made sure she took to thank her for the lawyer.
She turned around convinced that no one was home. Until the door opened.
She looked up and smiled. - Hi, Pietro! My mother told me to deliver you... - She tilted her head, looking around the room, wide-eyed, and noticing Pietro's condition. - Is everything alright? What's going on?
He lowered his head to hide his red eyes. - Yes, it is! Thanks for the cake, you can go now. - He reached out for the cake, taking his hands away from the door.
- Pietro, I'm sorry but you don't look well! - He said firmly and retracted the cake in his hands backwards. - I know we're not that close, but...
He can't stand it and has a crying fit right in front of her, he leans against the wall beside the door, Iris drops the cake and approaches him, he shouts at her to get out.
- Hey, it's going to be okay! I know how you feel.
-No, you don't! I am.... - He sobs, and falls to the floor. - Please go away, leave me alone- He lifts his head and says with his eyes full of tears.
-No! -She shakes her head. - Unless you have an alien in your house, I'm not leaving here. - She sits down next to him and closes the door.
He looks at her in silence, Pietro was terrible at sharing what he felt. Iris' jaw drops at the sight of so much glass around the room, and the destroyed coffee table.
-I know that some mistakes consume us... And it's hard with everyone around you judging you. It's more when you finally reach personal forgiveness that things calm down inside you. - The blonde stared at him and kept saying to quote the silence. - I'm not putting my hand on your head, much less know what's going on here, but you need to forgive yourself.
He took a deep breath and drew in the air. - And how do you do this? When will I stop feeling this weight in my chest? - He lowered his shoulders, feeling physically and psychologically tired.
- The way I see it, that's when there's no longer any desire to look back, because my self has finally forgiven itself. - She spreads her legs and swings them over the floor, sitting down next to him.
- I'm an idiot, you don't have to stay. - He shook his head and closed his eyes.
-I said I'm not going! - She pushed her hair away from her face and crossed her arms.
He spread his legs and crossed them over the cold floor. Silence settled over them. A few minutes later he confessed.
- I tried to kill myself, Iris! The night I found out about my uncle... And I would try again now - He looked up, held back his tears, taking a deep breath - That's why I stayed three months away, distant. I needed a detox, but I blame myself for having needed so much time. And now with all this I give Amanda away, I loved her. She is my long time friend, the only one to be honest. - He spoke with a lot of gesturing, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.
She looked at him and her eyes were wet, she ran the fingers of her right hand over the wrist of her left hand, removing the powder and foundation. Revealing mark and a scar.
- I told you I understood you! - She showed her scar. - I tried when my father died, I didn't want to live in a world where he didn't exist. But thanks to God, and my grandmother I am here. My family has helped me the most, and you are a part of it. - She stared at him-I'm sorry for you, Pietro. But you're not alone, and there's that sweetest thing waiting for you at home-she stepped closer to him, and laid her head on his shoulder.
He cracked a smile, and taking a deep, nodding breath, he brought his palms to the floor.
- Do you need a friend? Great! I need a friend too! Let's go together, okay? Whenever you need to talk I'll be here, we can support each other, in a friendship! - She twisted her mouth, and gave him a crooked smile, holding out her hand.
-Close! - He shook her hand. - Can I ask you a question? - She frowned and stood up.
- Sure, go ahead! - She leaned over and picked up the cake that was packed beside her.
- Why did you talk about aliens? It was so senseless! - He stared at her.
- No, it wasn't nonsense. I'm scared to death of those things, beings from another planet. I don't even like to think about it. - She took the lid off the cake.
He shook his head and scratched the back of his neck, his stomach rumbling as he looked at the cake. And what was that on your lower lip? - He pointed to her face.
-His habit of peeling the skin off his mouth. No big deal. - The blonde smiled.
- You're the first person I've ever met who does that kind of thing! Wow, you're really hurt.
- That shows how special I am, good start! - She takes the cake in her hands and raises her legs to stand.
- Or weird! - He laughs in a corner, and lifts his head. She pushed and lifted, rubbing her palms together.
- Well, at least you're smiling with this stranger. - She took the hem of her dress in her left hand and bowed, ironically. - Come, you taste this cake, and well, then fix all this here," he pointed with his thumb behind her.
Pietro takes a deep breath and walks with Iris to the kitchen.
- How delicious is this, I've never eaten this before. - He speaks while chewing, with the corner of his mouth.
Her hand dropped the fork on the table, and with a napkin in her hands she leaned over. And it's a Brazilian recipe, so good!
He stretched out his hands and wiped the corner of his mouth, removing the subject. - Yes, thank you, Iris. - Her eyes lit up.
She looked up at him and raised her cheeks. - You're welcome! - She looks around, leaning against the sink. - We need nicknames for friends, right? I know, I can call you Friend.
- Gee, that wouldn't be so original. He narrows his eyes and bites into his fourth piece of cake. "Gee, I don't know if you have a funny face to call me, but I'll think of something nice.
- That's because I'm so beautiful! - she said, holding back her laughter.
- Oh, cocky! That's right. - I laughed.
- Oh, I'm beautiful, Pietro. - He lifted his right shoulder, and leaned over the table in front of him, breaking another piece of cake. - Don't feel shy about confessing...
- You may be cute, but you're not my type. - He said, staring at her and not noticing the chocolate falling on her blouse.
She looks at him with her mouth open. - Let me guess, black girls?
- Yes, all of them actually... Except blondes, they always break my heart. - He put his head down and straightened his blouse, noticing the dirt on his blouse.
She held back her laughter. - I promise not to break it.
- I believe you! - He laughed.
- I have to go, but eat the cake! Carrot helps, and eat banana too.
- Okay, Mom! He laughs, call me when you get home!
- Yes, I will tell my cousin what happened, can I? She can be an extra help and I know you might be reluctant and ... - She put her hands together.
He interrupted her, and his gaze seemed full of hope. The girl noticed.
- Iris it's okay, if you say she's worried you can say so. Not only do I want to, but you made me see that I need to, to help. - He stood up and ran his hand over his shirt, brushing the dirt off.
He said goodbye after promising to take care of himself, Iris was afraid to leave him alone, so she asked him to take her to the train station.
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The trip there was a good dispute about who could sing best, and of course Iris won. But her heart was tight with fear.
- There, delivered! - He took a deep breath and leaned his head on the car seat.
-Okay, now call me, we'll stay on the cell phone until your friend gets home, and if you hang up I swear I'll beat you up! - She pressed her lips together. And her chest heaving as she drew in a breath.
The plan was her idea, so that she could be sure he wouldn't be alone and wouldn't do anything stupid, Pietro insisted that he was fine. But he had just had a terrible crisis, she would not rest.
- Oh, I see you're thick skinned! - He laughs, and picks up his phone from the car object door. He added the blonde's number and called her. - Hello and the best singer in all of Greece?
She answered the phone. - Well, I try! - She shook her head and her cheeks turned red.
She opened the car door, and said goodbye. She got on the train, still talking to him. Thank God the plan had worked.
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The evening Cybele was sitting in her room, she was thrilled to have breast fed for the first time, she was holding her baby in her arms. Iris came in with her room she had wet hair, she had just gotten out of the shower and washed her hair.
She told Cybele everything, and soon she was speechless at what she heard. After all, Pietro was the father of her son, a person dear to her, although he was stubborn.
- Wow, cousin! You practically saved his life. - She crossed her legs, swaying in her rocking chair. - I'm really worried, I'm going to talk to him tomorrow at the inauguration!
- I think it was the right time, the right moment! But I read what Amanda said about him, and that about you.
- Tell me about it, she's already called me a thousand times... Apollo didn't want to show me, but Alexia did. - She smiled as she bowed her head and looked at her sleeping son.
Atena knocks on the door and slowly enters. Crazy to see her nephew, she greets her cousin and her stomach flips immediately as she feels the fullness of the iris shampoo.
She puts her hands to her nose, covering them and says with some difficulty: "Wow, Iris! What's that smell? It makes me want to vomit. - She stepped back.
Iris took her hair, and smelled it. - Teninha, and just my shampoo, it's lemon and orange. - She turned her face toward her.
Cybele looked at the two of them, still rocking in the rocking chair. - she said in a low tone.
Iris analyzed the situation and thought about it, saying with an enthusiastic smile - She widened her eyes and put her hands on her waist. - This is pregnancy sickness for sure!
- What? Of course not, I think it's just my exhausted body from an Iris shift! And I even had to go home to take a shower, but it was worth it to see this cute thing. - She leans in front of Cybele, still holding her nose, and stares at her nephew, smiling broadly. Speaking softly - Ci, he's beautiful!
- On that, I must agree! Also right, he pulled the mother! - Answered in a low tone and looking at him, and smiling. - I just can't give you the arm, he's almost asleep!
-No, it's no problem, Ci! -She took her fingers out of her nose and took a deep breath. -I just came to see this cute thing, Sebastian's downstairs.
- I'm sorry about the stolen cell phone." Iris said with her chin dropped, and put her hand to her mouth, yawning.
She frowned. - Cell phone robbery? - Athena asked, tucking her hair back behind her ear.
- Yes, you did! Today me and mom found it at the police station, he said he was there because it had been stolen! - She crossed her arms.
- Oh yes! - Athena nodded, she hated lying to her family. She wanted to tell them everything, but she knew she couldn't.
Alexia enters Cybele's room without asking permission at that moment.
- Oh, so they're having a little meeting without me! And with a new member.
-But of course not, no one is having a meeting without you. By the way, how is your relationship going? - Athena wanted to change the subject.
- It's going well. Oh, but you should have seen the jealous scene Paolo made! - He laughed and threw himself on the bed. And I keep telling you.
And the four of them stood there talking.
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Narrated by Apollo:
That night.
- Thank you for staying to sleep, I love sleeping with you! - Cybele says lying in bed, watching me brush my teeth in the bathroom. - Let's just say I never want to have to sleep away from you again! - She closes her eyes, with her head on the pillow.
I feel my ear itch, scratch it, and watch her close her eyes. I wipe my mouth with the towel. I turn off the bathroom light and walk over to her. I reach over and lay down behind her.
I tuck one of my legs between hers, and with the other I wrap your waist.
One arm caresses your neck, and the other rests on your head caressingly.
And I think that if I had more arms and more legs to give, they would all be around you.
- Let's say I won the lottery, because I couldn't win a better present than you. - I say low in your ear.
- What did I do to deserve you in? - I said with a sleepy voice, how I love your sleepy voice, your sly speech, of someone who just wants to sleep. And how she sleeps.
- Do you want to talk? - I ask low, while I feel the strands of her hair in my hands, I love the smell of Cybele's hair.
- Will you put up with me talking in my head? - she says, turning in front of me and looking into my eyes. - Mostly about the color of the flowers, I don't know if I want white, or pink? - She raised her eyebrows.
- Of course you do! And I prefer... Roses. - I frowned, and kissed her on the cheek. - Is Pietro okay? After what you told me about what Iris witnessed, I was worried.
She raises her cheeks, -You're an angel there. - She leans forward and gives me a kiss. - And no, you won't take my calls.
-No way! I just want him to be okay, because he is Rafael's father, and I hope we can live in peace with him. Maybe even... Colleagues. - I raise my left shoulder.
-Yes! -But Iris said he's fine, they talked before going to bed. I like that they are friends. - She stroked my hair and brought her face closer, kissing me.
She brought her hands to the inside of my shirt, and I shivered slightly.
- You didn't ask me to sleep here to abuse me, did you? - I frowned.
- No, you fool! - He patted my shoulder. - But, really? You think roses, I was thinking of something new like blue flowers.
- Gee, yes! It would be different, I like it... - I say with a smile on my face.
She smiles, and we spend the night talking. Cybele is anxious, and passes this on to me. As we kiss, I think about how the feeling of her lips together with mine was everything, and I sit as if I will never write a poem as beautiful as that touch. How much that love.
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You are important, if you feel what Pietro felt. Ask for help, depression is no cool thing.