EDUARDO
It's past one in the afternoon by the time the driver picks me up at the helipad and takes me back to the mansion. I thought I'd have to spend the day helping Alexandre, but he asked for a week to study the files. In the meantime, I can take the opportunity to relax by Malia's side.
As I enter the house, I hear the sound of splashing water followed by Malia's laughter.
— Seriously, Alfredo, until I was eleven, my brothers had me convinced I'd turn into a mermaid if I stayed in the water long enough. Every single day I wanted to swim; I drove my parents crazy because I wanted to be just like Ariel or Barbie and get pink hair as fast as possible — I hear Malia say, followed by a chuckle.
— I believe your brothers had their reasons for such a prank — I hear Alfredo's voice. As I reach the living room, where the walls are all glass, I see Malia in the pool while Alfredo waits by the edge with a towel in hand.
— What reasons could they have other than mocking their young, naive sister? — Malia says, placing a hand over her heart in mock offense.
— Naive? — I ask, making my presence known. — I wouldn't be so sure about that.
Malia looks in my direction and breaks into a brilliant smile.
— You're back! — she says, walking toward the steps inside the pool and climbing out. The sight arrests me—water cascading down her nearly bare body, save for the black bikini she's wearing. It hugs her curves perfectly, looking as if it were custom-made for her.
— I finished up much faster than I expected — I say, watching her walk toward me.
— I went to the bakery earlier and bought something for us to eat together — she says. When she gets close, I can't help myself; I wrap my arms around her waist, not caring that she's soaking wet. — I'm going to get you wet!
— Did you eat lunch? — I ask, taking a damp strand of hair and tucking it behind her ear.
— Yes, Alfredo ordered Gyros — she answers shyly, and I smile.
— So, what did you get at the bakery? — I ask to distract her.
— If I remember correctly, it's called bougatsa — she says, furrowing her brow as she tries to recall the name. — I was waiting for you to get here so we could eat together.
— Let's go then — I say, turning toward the kitchen and taking her with me.
— Wait, I'm soaking! — she says, pulling away to go to Alfredo. — Thank you — she tells him as she takes the towel. She dries herself off, slips a white beach cover-up over her bikini, and joins me.
In the kitchen, she grabs a bag from the fridge and pulls out five small cardboard boxes.
— I bought sweet and savory ones. Which do you want to try first? Savory has meat, chicken, and cheese. Sweet has cream and... cream with some kind of chocolate — she says, reading the names on the packaging.
— I'll try the cheese one.
— Me too. I'll just heat it up so the cheese melts — she says, taking one of the packages to the microwave.
She warms them up, plates them, and returns. We sit at the kitchen island, looking at each other in anticipation before taking a bite. The cheese melts in the mouth, blending with the pastry. It's like a savory cheese snack, but the dough is different—not something we're used to, but delicious.
— Mmm, this is great — Malia says, taking a bite and letting the cheese stretch between the pastry and her mouth.
— You look like a child eating — I say, reaching out to wipe a crumb from the corner of her mouth.
Malia just shrugs and keeps eating. I do the same, but I use my attention to observe her. She smiles between bites, and when she finishes her "Happy Meal," she lets out a satisfied sigh.
— I spoke with the lawyer — I say, wanting to broaden that smile. — He's going to study the case and file the custody request for Sofia immediately.
— What? Are you serious? — she asks, startled by the sudden change of subject.
— Yes. I don't know exactly how long it will take, but soon she'll be with us. With you — I say. It doesn't take long for a tear to escape her eyes.
I'm caught off guard when Malia leaps into my arms, wrapping hers around my neck.
— Thank you, thank you, thank you... — she starts sobbing her gratitude.
— Hey, calm down. Let's do this: go back to the pool, I'll go change, and we'll get in together. Alright? — I ask, making her look at me.
I wipe away her tears, and she simply nods.
— Things are going to get back on track now that we're married, Malia. And this is only the first day