Make-Believe Marriage by Dill Ferreira Page A

not meet them. Amanda recalled the occasion when she separated
from the father of her child and how hard it had been for him to lose the male
presence so quickly. If Breno had left soon after they separated, certainly the
child would have suffered less, but Breno was behind adventures regardless of
the feelings of the child, certain that when he returned Amanda would have
changed her mind and would take him back, as if nothing had happened. It would
not be so, she promised herself, when she learned of his trip without saying
goodbye to the boy who had been in tears without understanding why he had disappeared.
Breno was not a present father, but he liked to bring Lucas toys; he only knew
how to please with gifts, this was his winning tactics. As the child did not
understand, he believed to be much loved by the father who made him very sad
with his absence. To the delight of Amanda and the boy shortly afterwards Antonio
had came into their lives. A highly-valued friend that had helped her go
through the difficulties that many women experience when they separate and do
not have a profession that can support them. As if it was not enough he also
became the precious father image that her son needed in his early life. Antônio
was affectionate and knew how to cheer things up for little Lucas like no one
knew and got attached to the man as he had never been to his own father. It was
all that Amanda needed for strength and to move forward with her plans and
dreams.
    - Do not worry, he likes
Antônio so much that he will certainly love the house - said her assistant
taking her out of her own thoughts.
    – I’m happy to see how
well they get along, but I’m afraid that Breno feels threatened with his son’s
relationship and tries to manipulate him against Antônio. – She knew that this
could, in fact, happen because Breno did not like to share attention with
anybody.
    – He’s a smart kid and
will know how to separate things – said Carol to calm her down. – Actually, you
have not told me anything else about you guys. -  complained the girl who was
always informed of the events. – Didn’t you have any more of those hot moments?
– she asked maliciously.
    – We are trying to keep
the main focus. Only that matters now. - Carol looked at Amanda looking lost to
hear that. We went to a party this weekend and I think I had too much wine and
was, say, rather sexually aggressive and a kiss happened that could easily be
extended to something more, but since he is very wise he had us leave and when
we arrived at my apartment he did not want to come in - said Amanda recalling
what had happened. - But he ended up coming in not to make me uneasy. But I
could see in his eyes that he wanted to leave right away. - The friend wanted
to make a comment, but said nothing to learn more. - Deep inside, he tensed up.
I tried to find out what was actually going on, but he said nothing. I think he
regretted having entered this game. - Amanda said thoughtfully. - I asked if he
wanted to give up and that if he did, I would not blame him. That problem is
not his. - The young girl said nothing just listened to her friend’s story. - I
also said that I would not blame him for any responsibility, but he refused to
give up. I could feel that he was not well with everything just as I am not. Later
when he took my hand to say goodbye, he looked at me so differently that I
froze imagining that he would at any time tell me that he no longer wanted to
continue with this charade, but he said nothing, just took my hands to his
mouth kissing them and left. - ended Amanda, upset for putting Antônio in that
situation.
    - If I had such a man
kissing my hands, I would have given him more to kiss. Throw yourself into this
relationship and see how it goes. - "Why did she hire such a crazy
confidant," Amanda thought. - You do not want to see the truth Amanda and
that's too bad - Carol concluded ruefully.
    - I would like to have a
little bit of your madness