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Chapter 8 Packing The Bags

  • Days after that mess at the gym and days before the trip, Samantha stayed at Helena's house to help her pack. She wanted to stay at her friend's house so they could go to the airport together. And also to avoid the disapproving look of your parents. Yes, they and the entire high society of São Paulo already knew about his struggle at the academy.
  • — I already checked your passport. It's up to date, so you won't have any problems boarding. And I already talked to Day, she was very happy to know that you are going with me instead of Luiz...
  • — Thank you, I'm also happy to see you again. Wow, I haven't seen her in a while. And it's been even longer since the three of us have seen each other. — Samantha commented, trying to remember the last time she was with her friends. If her memory is any good, it was at her wedding that she invited them to be her bridesmaids. She also recalled that at the time, she even postponed the honeymoon trip just to spend more time with them as she didn't know when they would see each other again.
  • — Truth.
  • — Did you tell her why Luiz doesn't go anymore?
  • Helena took a deep breath and replied with some ill will:
  • — Well, I had to tell... she started to ask me and at the time, I couldn't think of any answer.
  • — Got it... I still can't believe that bitch called you, to say she was with that imbecile! Man, it's a lot of nonsense for just one person. — She commented indignantly, after knowing what Nubia did.
  • — Yes, she called me. It's recorded on my cell phone. Just listen. — And she showed the recording of her discussion to her friend:
  • — There's a lot wrong in this story, starting with the connection at dawn. Did she call you herself or did he? And another, if she knew he had others, why does she still stay with him?
  • Really Samantha was very observant. At the time, Helena didn't think about that detail, if Nubia saw his call to her cell phone or if it was all her setup from the beginning. As for the second question…she chose not to think.
  • — Good question. As for the connection, I have no idea... and now it doesn't matter anymore.
  • Seeing that her friend was sad, Samantha tried to say that Nubia's "revelation" was nothing more than a lie on her part, that it was just provocation, lack of what to do, etc. :
  • — But you did very well Le. As you said yourself, she is now the horned one.
  • — Well, now she's going to feel the pain of being betrayed, although I don't want that pain for anyone, not for her or for him, although they both deserve it. — Helena even wanted to laugh, but her sadness wouldn't let her. Imagining that besides Nubia, Luiz cheated on her with more “other women”, as she put it, left her heartbroken.
  • — Friend, I know this is none of my business, but do you still love him? — I wanted to meet Samantha, after her outburst. She knew Helena's problem wasn't with the betrayal itself, but with the mean way he did it. She, in turn, looked at her friend, at the floor, at the ceiling, in every possible direction and poured out a "yes", full of bitterness.
  • — I know, I'm an imbecile...
  • — No, you are not to continue liking him. It takes a long time to forget a love, so don't worry. In the meantime, keep packing.
  • — And that will help me to forget Luiz?
  • — That I don't know, but at least it helps you focus on the most important thing.
  • *
  • In the midst of organizing the trip, Helena took advantage of the impetus to get rid of Luiz's belongings. Samantha only saw her appear in the room, with two cardboard boxes and placing them on the bed.
  • — Why these boxes?
  • — I'm going to pack Luiz's things. Alright Sam, you can ask.
  • — Ask what?
  • — What am I going to do with his things?
  • — Well, I was going to, but I thought you didn't want to talk about it anymore...
  • — I'll leave it on the sidewalk of the building, in case he wants his things back. But also if you don't want to, it will make some homeless person very happy, because it's full of new things I bought for the trip.
  • Samantha looked scared when she said that she would leave Luiz's things on the street:
  • — Are you really going to do that?
  • — I'm going.
  • — But you don't have his documentation in one of the boxes?
  • — Yea.
  • — And even then you will still do it?
  • Helena only gave a sideways glance:
  • — His documentation is no longer my problem. In fact, it never was. I'm still doing a lot of boxing everything because I really wanted to set everything on fire!
  • — Isn't it better to leave it to do that when you get back?
  • — No way! The worst thing after returning from any trip is having to clean the house. And when I get back, I want to find my house clean of his presence.
  • At that moment, Samantha felt sorry for Helena. What she did for Luiz, perhaps no woman would do. She took care of her personal things, like her bank account and her diet. She always washed and ironed her clothes. She would schedule her appointments, doctor appointments, and trips with the team. When she bought the furniture for her apartment, she made a point of buying a super wardrobe, too big for her room and her budget, with him in mind.
  • — And then, Le?
  • — After what?
  • — After returning from the trip.
  • — I intend to look for another place to live. After what he did to me, I don't want anything to remind me of him anymore.
  • *
  • While organizing her bags, Samantha saw Helena analyze a particular piece of clothing: a red silk nightgown, where the top imitated a lace-lined and padded corset. On the back, satin ribbons were woven together. And the bottom was silk, loose and with small slits on the sides.
  • — Wow, it's beautiful!
  • — I know, I bought it to travel...
  • — Won't you take it?
  • — I think not. I don't have anyone else to use...
  • — Use it for yourself, you fool! She is yours. Don't stop being who you are because of an asshole, who didn't know how to value you. And who knows, you might end up meeting some hot French people along the way.
  • — I go to work, not to date. And I don't want to get involved with anyone else. — Helena continued to pack, avoiding her friend's disapproving look. She couldn't stand that look and asked: — What is it now?
  • — Are you sure this is what you want?
  • — Oh, I don't know... it's complicated! I think it's best to be alone for a while.
  • In order not to make her friend more upset with the situation, she used her own story as an example:
  • — I understand you... when a man marks our life, it is difficult to move on. I speak for myself.
  • — After you finished, have you never been interested in anyone again?
  • Samantha needed to take a deep breath to answer:
  • — No... well, I already went out with someone there, I stayed here, I had a friend with benefits there... but a serious relationship, once again? I'm not interested anymore. And I don't think I want to. That wedding, I don't know, wasn't a very pleasant experience. I don't know if it was because I got married too young or I had too many expectations... My parents are enough.
  • Helena knew how much her friend was hurt by the end of their marriage. She also felt the same way about the end of their relationship.
  • — Wow, we are two fucked in terms of love. Well, I don't know if that helps, but we have each other. — Helena said extending her hand to her friend to make a hi-five.
  • — At least that! — Samantha laughed, also extending hers to hit Helena's palm: — but changing the subject, take the nightgown anyway. Even if you don't want to, there will be handsome men, both French and tourists, wanting to date you. And get out, see? Do like in those novels you usually read, get a "travel love" even if it's just for fun.
  • — You're right Sam, as always. That idiot didn't think about me when he got involved with that Maria-Tatame.
  • Samantha didn't hold back and let out a tremendous laugh. Helena jumped back with the fright she got:
  • — What is it?
  • — You just used the same nickname they put on you!
  • She was outraged by this: — Ah, what a horror, I can't believe they called me that name! The only fighter I dated was Luiz and never again.
  • — I know, I've fought with a lot of people there at the gym because of that.
  • — Thanks. Now, that Nubia is the one who has a way of being Maria-Tatame.
  • — I slap myself in the face that she is only with Luiz out of malice, not because she likes him. As soon as she gets tired of him, she takes another guy.
  • — Or maybe it's the opposite... well, for me they can end up together or not! It won't affect anything in my life.
  • — Truth. And remember, you are beautiful, hot, smart, you can have the man you want, as many as you want and whenever you want. You deserve to be happy. And that Paris is ready to welcome Helena Petropoulos and Samantha Ferreira and Duarte!
  • — Yes and a toast to us who are beautiful, powerful and warriors, we face everything and everyone without losing the pose, with brushed hair and high heels.
  • — In my case I go with tennis. I'm already very tall, I don't need heels!
  • And the two burst into laughter.