After the trip of Regina and Marcelo, finally Helena can play intensely in the walks with Bruno who convinced her to do not only the bike rides but also the schooner by crystal clear beaches, white sand and roses, great waves and rocks and the exuberance of the forest coming down from the mountain. He made sure to take pictures of Helena enjoying the sun touching her skin , or laughing when she found out what Bruno was taking pictures of her. Helena also met some islands, practiced diving and snorkeling. In addition to knowing some waterfalls under the guidance of Bruno that made her sigh, such as Cachoeira do Saco Bravo which is a small waterfall with a delicious well for bathing embedded in the rocky shore in the region of Ponta da Juatinga, from where it is possible to see the sea so closely that the feeling it generates is of an endless pool. However, none of the tours compared to visiting Bruno’s parents, who always insisted that they have lunch with them, have afternoon coffee, even Loreta always repeating the same kind lines to Helena. The blonde loved being close to them while waiting for Bruno to get ready to take her on one of the walks of those few days she still had left.

On the last day of Helena in the city, Bruno decided to take her to visit the Historic Center of Parati, where the blonde was enchanted by the charm and colors of these old buildings, but not only for that. She couldn’t help but notice the care Bruno had for her, whether it was to cross the street, holding her hand to help her, or as they walked along the sidewalk, always putting her close to the buildings while he stood to the side of the street. They walked calmly through the cobblestone streets, enjoying the colonial constructions with colorful doors and windows.

— Why are you doing this? - asks Helena as she walked hand in hand with Bruno towards the Church of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, which is in the historic center.

— That what? - Asks Bruno without understanding.

— This. - Reinforces Helena, gesturing with the free hand, pointing at her and then at her. — You know, you always find a way to get me on this side of the sidewalk. Why?

—Ah, that. Well, my father taught me that we should always protect the woman, wherever it is. So, if by any chance someone comes from the street... I protect her.

—However, if a dog comes from the house and attacks me? - Asks Helena, stopping in front of Bruno. — How will you protect me?

— It’s quite simple. - Bruno replies before pulling Helena into his arms. — I pull you like this. - Then tilts her towards the floor and smiles. 

—And then? - Ask Helena, biting her lips sensually.

— Then I approach my face slowly... – Bruno speaks, approaching the young woman, watching Helena close her eyes, waiting for a kiss. — And then I check to make sure you’re okay.

— That’s it? - Asks Helena, opening her eyes, surprised that she did not receive the expected kiss. — What if I need more care?

— What more care do you need? - Asks Bruno, prompting Helena to ask for a kiss.

— I don’t know... mouth-to-mouth breathing, maybe. - suggests Helena winking at Bruno. 

— But mouth-to-mouth breathing is when you drown... – Bruno argues.

—You want to see me beg for your kiss, right? - Asks Helena, narrowing her eyes.

— Was it that obvious? - Asks Bruno. 

—Okay... Kiss me. - Ask Helena.

—Hum... no. - Replies Bruno, lifting Helena back, who faces him, shocked by his attitude. 

— Oh, I can’t believe it! Did you deny a kiss to me? - Asks Helena, shocked at the boy’s attitude.

—It’s… yes. You didn’t know how to ask, right? Actually, you ordered me to kiss you. - Explains Bruno before walking down the street again.

— You’re kidding, aren’t you? - Asks Helena walking behind him, still surprised.

— No... To win a kiss from me, you’ll have to beg. - Bruno speaks, tiptoeing.

—Ah, it is? So okay. - Says Helena, walking again.

The blonde passes by him adjusting the shirt gypsy style that it wore, leaving his shoulders more exposed and forming a generous neckline that attracts attention from some boys on the street, something that bothers Bruno. The boy tries to resist, but after a few compliments directed at Helena, he decides to step up, pull her towards her and kiss her willingly. She walks away from the kiss, smiling cunningly at the boy who stares at her, saying:

— You mean you don’t like begging for a kiss?

— I have never begged, young man, and it is not now that I intend to begin. - Says Helena, smiling.

—You fascinate me, Helena, almost Albuquerque. - Praises Bruno adjusting the wires of Helena affectionately that still remain awkward with this gesture of Bruno. He stares at her, admiring her beauty, and then releases her words that he did not have much time to process: — Today I and my friends go to a place… I wonder if you want to go with me?

— Are you asking me out with your friends? - Helena asks, surprised. 

And it’s no wonder, because since the day your mother left, they never brought it up again about what they were. Meeting friends only indicated that they were taking a direction, or rather, Bruno was taking a direction for something more serious. What Helena thought was good, despite so little time.

— Yes, do you want to go? I mean, it’s a casual thing… It’s the very traditional Cachaça festival here in the region… Everyone goes, and it would be good for you to also know, since you are a tourist, and you liked Maria Izabel’s cachaça... There will be other stills. It would be nice to take other types of caps ... Like it’s your last night, and then it would be enjoyable to take some memories of us… I mean, from the city. - Bruno explains hurriedly, noting Helena’s face light up with the proposal.

After Helena’s mother left, and he returned home, Bruno felt he was playing too fast in something that would only last for those days. Like, those moments with Helena were incredible, but I was pretty sure it wouldn’t come to anything, because she had to go back to São Paulo. So why feed a feeling that had an expiration date? The way, it was perfect for both, and that’s how Bruno wanted to keep it. And ready, all the steps that Bruno had taken forward, he ended up turning back, something that Helena had been noticing that the boy was constantly doing. The days with him were all like this, with Bruno being a perfect gentleman, showing feeling and then returning to casual style and without pretension. Deep down, it confused Helena, who for some reason already felt that she liked him. Or maybe it was a just lack on my part, thinks Helena, then turns to Bruno and says:

—Okay. I would love to. It should be a lot of fun. 

—You will love. - Bruno declares.

***

The Cachaça Festival is full, indicating that it is one of the most celebrated events in the city. They set dozens of stalls up on the outskirts of the Mother Church for tasting of candies produced in the region. On the improvised stage varied shows and when Helena arrived, you can see the presentation of groups of Parati Riders in typical costumes. She cheers on the presentation as Bruno admires her, sitting at one of the wooden tables of the festival with a silly smile. 

— Dude, take a napkin. - This is Jonathan delivering a paper to Bruno. — You’re drooling.

—Very funny. - Bruno replies by slapping his friend in the hand.

—Seriously... Soon Helena will leave Parati weighing 44.09 lb (20 kg), so much that you are drying the girl. - Comments Gabriel entering the joke.

—What surprises me is that in these five days you wished her like this and did not take the girl to bed. - Release Lucas.

— What’s the problem? - Asks Bruno, irritated with Lucas' speech.

— None, but this isn’t the Bruno I know. The Bruno I know would have... you know... – Start explaining Jonathan in Lucas' place. He then looks at his phone ringing and says: — You know what, forget it. I’ll go get Raquel.

—No, I don’t know. What would I have done? - Asks Bruno facing Lucas.

—Fucked her. - Says Lucas. —Why didn’t you? Missed the opportunity?

No, he had not missed the opportunity. Bruno had every opportunity and everywhere. They kissed and things got hot, but the boy preferred to stop there. Something in it said it was not right and needed to be special, even though Helena did not demonstrate not wanting to continue. However, she also did not question the boy’s motives, because maybe Bruno had some reason not to move forward and in the end the days passed, and the two did not sleep together once.

— It’s none of your business. - Bruno finally replies by taking a sip of lemon cachaça. — And we’re done talking about it. 

— Okay, the speaker is no longer here. - Says Lucas, passing his hand over his lips as if he were passing a zipper.

—She is coming back. - Comments Gabriel watching Helena approaching the table, adjusting the shorts of her navy blue jumpsuit.

—Hello boys! - Helena speaking, approaching and sitting next to Bruno who pulled the chair for the blonde. — Wow, the staff is very excited here! The clothes are beautiful, by the way, everything is here, right?

—Beautiful is you. - Praises Bruno making Helena blush. — You are very hot in this outfit.

—Thank you. - Thanks Helena facing Bruno.

—Gabriel, are we going to give a circle? - Proposes Lucas to Gabriel. The end of the trail would be to stay there on the candle table for the couple who were not a couple. 

— Let's go. - Says Gabriel, standing up with his friend. — We will…

—Go there. - Bruno speaks to friends who leave practically running.

— I did something? - Asks Helena, feeling uncomfortable at the abrupt departure of the boys.

 —No... they who are fools. They do not want to keep a candle admiring me, having the great luck of being well accompanied by you. - Bruno explains, approaching the face of Helena, who can already feel the boy’s warm and intoxicating breath. He then stops in the middle of the way and asks: — Have you watched the movie Derailed?

—Why the question? - Asks Helena, curious.

—Nothing. - Bruno replies by putting a glass of cachaça in front of Helena. Then he passes his arm through the back of her chair, bringing her closer and says: — In this movie the protagonist teaches how to kiss a woman without touching her lips.

— Really? It’s not possible! - Comments Helena, incredulous, before turning the glass of cachaça in one sip. She grimaces and then says: — You’re bluffing...

- Hey, I bet you it’s possible. - Bruno says, shrugging his shoulders briefly. — Want to bet?

— But what would be the type of bet? - Asks Helena, narrowing her eyes. — I anticipate that I do not bet anything involving money.

— Okay, but if I win, you’ll have to come back on your next vacation here in Parati and pay for the full package of the store for seven days at least. - Bruno explains calmly.

— Wow, ok. - Accept Helena. — However, if you lose... you will have to visit me in São Paulo for seven days.

—You hit hard, young lady. - Bruno comments, surprised by Helena’s proposal. 

— Take it or leave it. - Says Helena, raising her hand towards the boy.

— Okay. - Accept Bruno's shaking hands with Helena. — Ready?

—Ok, let’s go. - Helena responds by settling in the chair to be face to face with Bruno.

Bruno faces Helena, who tries not to smile by being looking at him for so long. The boy slowly approaches Helena’s face and then her lip goes to the blonde’s, kissing him delicately. Then he walks away a little with a wide smile and says:

— I have to say... it was worth losing.

—Does this mean you will go to São Paulo? 

— As it turns out, yes.

—And that we can become a "Us"?

—I think we can start talking about "Us". - Bruno reveals.

—I also have something to say... - Helena speaks, analyzing Bruno’s face carefully.

—What? - Asks Bruno, curious.

—I watched the movie. - Reveals Helena before laughing at Bruno’s surprised face.

— Ahahahaaha - Bruno laughs with the cunning of the blonde. — You are very smart.

— You’re the smart one! - Hit Helena laughing. — Ahahahahahah

— Uau, the conversation should be good. - Comments a female voice approaching the table.