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“What?” I ask her while I chomp on the fruit currently residing in my mouth.
She shakes her head. “You can’t see it, can you?” Her lips pucker.
I tilt my head in her direction in question.
“I know my son like I know my own mind. All his life he’s been talkative with everyone he sees, but when he doesn’t talk, it’s on purpose.”
Her gaze is trying to tell me something, but I don’t understand.
Lena lets out a sigh before continuing, “He likes you, Vio. Very much, almost too much, I would say. I see the way he looks at you when you’re not aware, the way your eyes lock across a room, and how you converse with each other. I saw it from the moment I met you. It’s very obvious that you two have a connection. It doesn’t even compare to the looks he directed to his girlfriend.” She pauses, letting out a breathy chuckle. “When I met his girlfriend, I thought she was a nice girl. Polite, upkept, and she treats Xavier well. But there is no passion, no emotional bond. I didn’t care. I was happy Xavier was finally committing to someone for once in his life. Before her, he had never been in any serious relationships after what he had to go through as a child. His view on love was all over the place. His father was never in his life, but when his stepfather stepped into our family, his view of the world changed. When Paulo passed, he didn’t want to experience the pain he had experienced when he lost someone so vital. He has opened up slowly over the years, and when he committed, I finally knew that he was ready to find that passion I had with his stepfather. Finding out his girlfriend was one of the investors’ daughters, I was hesitant because I knew one day he would find someone who made him feel on top of the world. But his need to please everyone would get in the way, and here it is. Right in front of me. You.”
Her gaze is burning into my body. My breath is shaky. I don’t know what to reply. I have a million thoughts in my head.
Xavier doesn’t like me. He can’t.
I don’t call his mother out on her perspective. She clearly loves her son, but I doubt that’s the reason why he’s been ignoring me.
“I know you’re doubting my words. But just know that one day he will realize that his happiness has to be put in front of everyone else’s feelings. He’s in his thirties and still is struggling with that every single day. Give him time. He will come around and when he does, I will happily call you myfilha.” Her eyes wrinkle as she smiles.
I just stand there; I don’t know what to say.
“You don’t have to say anything, just keep my words with you.” Lena gets off the stool after practically reading my mind. “Have an amazing new year, Vio.” She walks down the hallway with her back facing me. My gaze follows her and she stops abruptly, turning around so I can see her face. “Give him hell.” She smiles wickedly before walking down the hall and away from the kitchen.
Chapter34
Violetta
After Cleo and Chanel stared at me in a state of shock while looking at my ensemble of an outfit for about thirty minutes, we all hopped into a car that took us out of the driveway and through the streets of São Paulo. We passed numerous houses and apartments while getting to the main road. The long path leads us down to a highway that takes us forty minutes to an exit. There are only streetlights contrasting the darkness encapsulating the long narrow highway, but once I see tall buildings touching the horizon is when I know we are close. When João finally exits the highway, it only takes us twenty minutes to make it to our final destination. Once I step out of the car, I turn around to see a skyscraper towering over me. The panels are all made of black glass, I see them shine against the other neighboring buildings. It’s loud on the street, and people are ready for the new year. Speakers blaring from every corner of each apartment building and every single window is glowing with light.
I shut the door behind me before meeting Cleo and Chanel next to Xavier thanking João. João nods in his direction before hopping back in the SUV and driving the car away.
“What a luxurious place,” Cleo tells Xavier with a raise of her eyebrows.
“Well, it was built by a billionaire, so I guess his taste is expensive.” Xavier’s hands are in his pockets as he surveys the building.
“Don’t mind if I do,” Cleo says before walking up the steps in haste. I follow after her, not wanting to be stuck next to a silent Xavier. Chanel can deal with that; we walk in and the whole interior is plated with gold. The front desk is a black marble countertop, with a lady taking as many calls as possible at once, while all the phones are ringing. Above the desk is a chandelier made out of black crystals glistening against the light. The ceilings in the building are extravagantly tall.
This place is nice, nice.
Noted.
Xavier walks up to the lady. She immediately recognizes him. “Olá, Sr. Valente. O Sr. Braga está feliz em vê-lo presente na festa de véspera de ano novo.”
“Bem, diga ao Sr. Braga que estou feliz por estar aqui.” He smiles in her direction and a sense of jealousy waves through me.
Oh God, what’s it going to be like when he’s with his girlfriend? The one who can look at him whenever she pleases or worse, touch him. I hope they aren’t the PDA type of couple. I don’t think I could handle it.
“Aqui estão seus cartões de admissão, pegue o primeiro elevador para subir.” The receptionist hands him four gold-plated cards and then turns toward the line of elevators on the right.
“Obrigado,” he tells her.
She blushes. I can’t blame her. Xavier has this charm that makes you feel special. It makes me feel special.
I now realize I’m not the only girl.
This whole time we’ve conversed and been around each other, the only other females around have been my sisters and his mother. Seeing him out in the wild makes me jealous beyond belief and I hate how insecure I am.
Xavier walks toward the first elevator in a row of five and presses the button. I look up at the small screen above that reads forty-five. We wait a bit as the elevator makes its way down, considering it’s coming down to the ground floor.
