Chapter 7 Life Goes On?

• Heitor
• After leaving the girl in a bustling place, I hurried back to the hotel, which was only a few minutes away. I felt guilty for the time I ended up losing by being with the girl on the beach.
• To my relief, I quickly arrived and found Heloísa waiting for me, coming towards me in a hurry.
• "Where were you?" she asked anxiously. "I was getting worried."
• "Did you manage to find Catarina?" I asked, avoiding the compromising question.
• "Catarina is fine, don't worry," she told me. "Bernardo found her on the beach."
• Something in that information made me a little uncomfortable, and it surely has to do with what the girl insinuated during our strange encounter.
• "How did Bernardo know we were looking for Catarina? He wasn't here when I left..."
• "I called Bernardo and asked for his help to locate Catarina," Heloísa explained. "She seemed perfectly normal, to tell the truth. Still, I accompanied her to your suite. I was trying to warn you."
• Only at that moment did I remember that my phone was on "silent" mode, and I probably was so lost in untimely thoughts that I didn't even realize the device was "vibrating" in my pocket. I confirmed that when I took the phone and saw three missed calls from my sister.
• "I figured the phone must have been on 'vibrate' only," Heloísa seemed to read my thoughts.
• "I'll go upstairs," I informed her. "Thanks for your help, sister."
• Heloísa flashed one of her beautiful smiles and threw her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly.
• "Happy New Year, bro."
• "Happy New Year, sis."
• That hug demonstrated all the camaraderie between us as siblings and how much we love each other. It had always been like that, even though we were two opposite people; we respected each other above all.
• "I'll stay here a little longer," Heloísa said with a mischievous smile. "I have something to finish."
• I thought it best not to comment on her statement and hurried to the hotel elevator. The first thing I did upon entering the suite where Catarina and I were staying was to look for her. I needed to see how she was personally and make sure she was okay.
• Even though we weren't the most passionate couple in the world, I have a special affection for her. After all, she is my girlfriend, the woman I plan to marry and start a family with.
• Upon entering the room, which was completely dark, and realizing that everything seemed too quiet, I concluded that Catarina must be sleeping.
• "Catarina?" I called softly, just to make sure.
• As there was no response, I decided to take a shower, and when I joined her in bed, I called again. I just wanted to hear her voice and confirm that the fact that I had spent so much time with that girl on the beach hadn't caused any discomfort between my girlfriend and me.
• "Hi," Catarina replied this time.
• "Are you okay?"
• She was facing away from me, and I approached her body, seeking greater intimacy, but she remained in the same position.
• "Yes," she said without moving. "Everything is fine."
• ********❤️✨*******
• When I woke up the next day, Catarina was no longer in bed, and I found her perfectly dressed and made up, something common for her, and I didn't find it strange. She also seemed to have returned to her normal behavior and was waiting for me to go down for breakfast together.
• We were almost done with our meal when Heloísa and Bernardo appeared, and it was not surprising that each of them was accompanied by a partner.
• While my sister was with the same guy I saw her with right after the New Year's Eve countdown, Bernardo was already with a different companion. I was sure of this because they were very different from each other. The girl accompanying him now was a redhead with voluptuous curves.
• "How about we take advantage of the pool a bit?" Catarina spoke as soon as the two couples joined us at the table.
• "Sure, let's do it."
• I didn't intend to engage in conversations with people I would hardly have contact with again. It was always like that when it came to my friend and my sister. So, I accompanied Catarina to the suite, and after putting on our swimwear, we went to the pool, where we stayed until lunchtime when she decided to rest for a bit.
• But when we reached the suite, looking through the bedroom window and seeing the beauty of the beach in front of me, I remembered the girl I met the night before and wondered what could have caused so much suffering that she was there, sitting on the sand and crying on New Year's Eve. While many people were celebrating, she was in pain.
• "We could explore the city," I suggested when this idea formed in my mind. "Maybe walk on the beach and see some people..."
• "Well, that's quite interesting coming from you, Heitor," Catarina commented with a smile. "I prefer to stay here and rest."
• "In that case, I'll just take a walk on the beach," I said, feeling a certain excitement. "Do you mind staying here alone?"
• "No! Of course, I don't mind."
• I wouldn't admit it, but the need to take a stroll through the city and explore the surroundings might have had a hidden motivation, or not so hidden. The truth is, I wanted to see the girl again and make sure she was okay.
• However, two hours later, after walking quite a bit and even stopping at two bars for a drink, all in the hope of seeing the girl even if just in passing, I gave up and returned to the hotel. It was better to forget about that girl and get back to my normal life. After all, it was just a senseless encounter with an annoying and careless girl. If she was suffering, being in a practically deserted place in the middle of the night - no matter what time it was on the first day of the year - was extremely irresponsible and could have resulted in something dangerous, like what almost happened.
• Despite initially planning to stay in Gostoso for a few days, the first thing I did the next day was pack my bags and return to Rio de Janeiro. I didn't want to stay in the city any longer, and I didn't see the point in doing so when I wasn't having any fun.
• Strangely, everyone agreed without protesting, and a few hours later, our family helicopter landed on the helipad of the Alves de Bragança mansion.