Chapter 2 I remembered

tongue over his dry lips. Then he ran his rough fingertips across my face, I closed my eyes, afraid of being beaten. — It would be a shame to touch that porcelain face, you know? But I'm sure you'll be a good girl and be able to pay us back — he said, squeezing my cheeks, and threw me onto the sofa. - Pay what? — I asked, since I didn't know what it was about. The other, who was chubby, came closer to me, he lifted his shirt, showing me the gun on his waist. — The doll will tell me that she didn't know that her fiancé gambled, and that, most of the time, he lost and borrowed money from us to pay off his gambling debts — she said, making my eyes look bigger than they already were. — Fernando died, and I don't have to pay debts that aren't mine — I said, but I regretted it, because they started laughing. — The debt is in your name, you bitch. Do you think that just because your addict fiancé died we will forgive you? One week is the deadline for you to get the amount of fifty thousand reais, you better already have the amount, or you will end up in the same hole he is in now — he shouted, throwing several pieces of paper in my direction, and they left slamming the door with strength. I took the papers and noted my signature on each one of them, I owed these guys a fortune, for sure tomorrow, at a time like this, I will be dead, since I won't have the money to pay. Frederico immediately came to my mind, only he could help me, but would he do that for me after everything I said to him? I also kicked him out of the house. Without thinking twice, I picked up his card that was on the table. I got up, going back to the room to get my cell phone, I can sell this house if Frederico can't help me, for sure, it's worth ten times more than the value of the debt. I get a job, I might as well rent a place to live. I thought, opening the door. *** Half an hour later, the house doorbell rang, I adjusted my dress and went to open the door. The same moment I opened it, Frederico smiled and I noticed that his blue eyes shone brighter when he saw me, at the same moment, the color changed, it became a stronger tone. His expression changed and he didn't even wait for me to invite him in. His footsteps were hard and fast as he entered the room. He turned around, looking at my neck. - Who did this to you? — He asked in a soft voice, however, I noticed that he was trying hard to keep his tone calm. I held my wrist, embarrassed to have to tell him about the debts his brother left on my shoulders. — Would you like some water or juice? — I postponed that conversation, but he didn't accept anything. So we sat down and I started talking. — This morning I was woken up by knocking on the door. — I put my hands on my head, still feeling scared. I looked at Frederico and continued speaking. — Two bad-looking men came in here, one of them grabbed me by the neck, squeezed hard, throwing me to the ground. They wanted me to pay the debts that Fernando left, gambling debts, which he put in my name. — I picked up the paperwork on the side table and handed it to him, who immediately began analyzing it. — These are gambling debts, Fernando would often come home with papers for me to sign, he said they were the construction company's business, as we were married, he needed my signature, when I claimed I would read them calmly, he made me feel guilty for doubt him. And I signed so as not to see him irritated, since he was easily irritated. I know, I was a fool for not imposing myself. Now I'm paying for my mistakes. I understand if you don't want to help me with at least half the amount, since I was so rude to you yesterday, I apologize, I feel embarrassed for acting that way. I can sell the house and try to reach a deal with them. — Frederico got up angrily, pacing from one side to the other. — Do you believe these men will fulfill their agreement? If they said they want the full amount, it's because there's no agreement, Lara. We need to think of a solution, it's a lot for me to assimilate right now. I don't know if you know, but the company went bankrupt, Fernando ended everything, and now, with the gambling confession, I fear that he could be taking money from the company. We'll do it this way, I'll think about everything, and I'll come back tomorrow. — He finished speaking and looked at me. I got up and looked out the window, I saw the small drops of rain fall on the grass in the yard, thunder cleared the sky and I was startled. I was afraid of lightning and thunder and, also, every time it rained the energy went away. Without thinking, I invited him to stay. — Why don't you sleep here in the guest room? It's raining a lot, and I'm afraid the bandits will come back. — Frederico closed his eyes, as if he were thinking, and, finally, he replied. — It's okay, there's no need to be scared. They won't harm you, I'll be here to make sure of that. I smiled and excused myself to go see if the guest room was tidy. He said he would make some calls. As I walked down the hallway, my whole body relaxed and the tension disappeared.Frederico Barreto Standing in front of the window, I watched the sunset, I couldn't sleep during the night. My thoughts at all times were of Lara, how could Fernando do this to her? Leaving her at the mercy of these bums, making gambling debts in the name of the woman he swore to protect, love, respect. I also thought about the proposal I would make to her, I know she could refuse, but I'll take the risk. Irritated, I went in the direction where my shirt was, put it on, put on my shoes and left the room, I didn't take off my pants, I didn't feel comfortable doing that, for sure Lara would still be asleep. I remembered that I didn't even eat yesterday, and my belly growled in protest. I went into the kitchen, thinking about preparing breakfast for both of us, I opened the cupboard door, looking for a bowl to put the dough to make the pancake. I took two eggs, milk, and put them in the container, I started mixing the dough, I put water in the coffee maker and waited for the coffee to be ready, then I started preparing the pancakes