Make-Believe Marriage (20 page)

Chapter
XII

When they were returning
home Tony realized how different Amanda was. She smiled easily and gave him plenty
of affection. She was reborn for love and soon would blossom altogether. He
increasingly believed that fact.

Tony saw the city in the
distance and his heart was fearful. He did not know how Amanda would react when
she returned to normal life. His insecurity softened as he looked at her and
there were the same sweet and fiery eyes he had seen in the hotel.

On the way to Aeroporto
General Leite de Castro to the neighborhood where they lived, Amanda watched
him several times behind the wheel, Tony looked tense, something was bothering
him. Could she be the cause or would he be reviewing his actions and planned to
make changes in his life that maybe not included her as before. As soon as they
arrived she let herself be carried away for the peace of returning home and
left the fears aside.

- Mom, Tony - said the boy
to see them coming.

- How are you big boy? -
Tony kissed him on the face lifting him in his arms. Amanda hugged the two of
them and also kissed the child.

- Did you have fun with
your father? – asked Amanda.

- Yes, he took me to the
farm and I saw many animals. - "Breno had discovered how to please the
little one" thought Amanda. - Dad asked you to call him when you arrived. -
Amanda looked discreetly at Tony, he seemed not to care about the news,
something positive for their relationship. Mainly because Breno could prepare
something if he knew he would be jealous of her with her ex-husband.

- I'll call later. I need
to take a shower now. - She said helping Tony take the luggage into the house.

They were gathered in the
living room after dinner, Amanda and Tony talked about the trip, the little
Lucas was already asleep on the couch.

- I'll take the boy to
bed. He's uncomfortable there. - Tony got up and picked up the child taking him
to the bedroom. When he returned Amanda was on the phone with Breno.

- Yes he gave me the
message. - She was saying as he came in. - It may be tomorrow, I'll be waiting.
- She hung up the phone and went to sit beside her husband.

- Any problem? - Tony
asked sitting down again.

- I don’t think so. Breno
wants to talk to me personally tomorrow. - She said looking embarrassed at him.
It was still hard for her to accept that she had put him in that story with her
ex-husband that seemed endless.

- If you need anything,
tell me. - Amanda heard snuggling against him and Tony held her bringing her to
him.

- The more I think of the
good you have done and does for Lucas and me, I feel less deserving of all
this. - Amanda spoke feeling the embrace getting tighter and smiled inwardly.

- At no time have I ever
wished to give up what I committed to and I have received back at even greater
proportion than expected. Now I know that doing good does have a guaranteed
return. - He spoke hoarsely. Amanda could see the excitement in his voice.

- Even if I thank him
every day of my life, yet I will be in debt with him. - She thought stroking
his chest. - I like you very much Tony. I have been surprising myself how good
this feeling has done me good. - Tony touched her lips to silent her. He did
not need to hear a lot. He saw her progress and that was enough.

- Let’s go to our room. -
He invited. Amanda accepted with outstretched hands and went to her love nest.

In the bedroom he
undressed her displaying the beloved body he so desired. Amanda wanted to do
the same and pulled his shirt. When she knelt down to take his trousers she
brushed her lips on his soft skin causing a slight groan from him. After
removing the piece, she returned to the position and covered his penis with her
mouth feeling all the excitement of the gentle and sweet man whom she had the
good fortune to come into her life. Tony stroke her hair amazed with the
attitude of that woman. His beautiful Goddess had not put limits on their
lovemaking. He was bewitched forever.

Amanda woke up to the
sound of the shower. Nothing like getting awaken to the sound of love nearby. Soon
Tony came out with a beautiful face.

- I'm glad you woke up. -
He said. - I would wake you, but I felt pity on you. You looked like an angel
sleeping.

- Angels do not need to
work and I need to go to the store today. I have been leaving everything up to
Carol, soon she will make me hire another assistant or ask for a raise. - The
second option was already going through my head for weeks.

- So get up and take a
bath, there is still time for us to have breakfast together.

Tony gave her a light kiss
and left her alone in the room. Like a lazy cat Amanda went to take her bath. They
had breakfast and went to work together leaving instructions not to wake up
their son, so that he could rest to go to school in the afternoon. The night
before, the child took long to fall asleep due to the chit-chat with his mom
and Tony. When Amanda went into the store her employee greeted her with a huge
smile.

- No need to tell me
anything. I see it in your eyes. - Amanda heard Carol talk, hugging her and
smiling.

- Thanks for pulling my
ears. - Amanda thanked picking up her friend’s hand in hers.

- Even if I had not done
it, it would happen. You were made for each other - said Carol radiant with
what she saw.

– You helped a lot. I
won’t ever forget it. – Amanda told her about the trip without too many
details. – I want to take the opportunity and inform that next month, I’ll give
you a well deserved raise.

– Finally. Amen! – said
the girl, smiling.

After the news was told,
both started the week’s work after the analyses of the clothes at hand. Carol
had chosen the new collection and Amanda thought it would be fair not to give
her opinion. She knew what she was doing quite well, and this had always been
clear for the employer and friend.

As Breno had not shown up
at the store for them to talk, Amanda didn’t care thinking that it would
certainly be another one of his foolishness. Later, Tony called her saying he
would be going home earlier and invited her to come along. Amanda arrived at
the agreed time, meeting him at the pool, taking a dip.

– This way, we are going
to starve. None of us wants to work anymore. – She kidded coming close to the
edge of the pool.

- Put on a bikini and come
over here – She obeyed and came back ready. When she threw herself into the
water, he came near her with quick strokes, grabbing her by the waist.

– I just had to make love
to you here in the pool again, did you know that? – he said visibly aroused.

– So, that was it. I –
naïve – thought you wanted my company after half a day at work. – she pretended
to be upset. – You only want to satiate your body. – She was held on the edge
of the pool.

– Right now, you are
totally right, but as soon as I make love to you, and I am renewed, you can
give me some advice about a project. – She heard looking at him ironically.

– Since when do I know the
first thing about architecture? – She hugged him by holding him with her legs
and offering herself to lovemaking. Tony pulled her bikini to the side and
penetrated her with a moan of satisfaction.

– I have been waiting for
you to surrender and now I must catch up. Both smiled and after a quick swim,
they left the water, in fact renewed with a smile in the body and soul.

That day, they made love
two more times before going to sleep.

– Tony I have forgotten to
say that there will be a small gathering at Sheila’s house. A very dear friend
from a long time – said Amanda, when they met for lunch at home.

– We’ll be there, my love.
– Tony called her this way quite often. Amanda, however, did not do the same.
He was sure of her feelings for him and that it was quite huge, so he didn’t
mind. At the right time, this would happen.

Her friend received them
with gladness and left them with a couple of friends. The conversation became
quite pleasant and Amanda only noticed the awkward presence when she looked at
the corner and saw Breno observing them. Tony looked upset, but said nothing.

– Looks like stalling. – that
was the only comment he made as soon as he greeted them and left.

They turned their
attention to the couple at the table when a drunkard came by and dropped his
drink on Tony’s pants. Losing his patience, he stood up and told the man
everything was all right.

– I’m going to the toilet
and see what I can do – he said leaving. – Then, the couple went dancing
leaving Amanda alone. Taking advantage of the situation, Breno came by for one
more try.

– You’re alone Amanda. – She
noticed that he had something to do with that accident.

– I’m not alone Breno, my husband
will be back soon – she said drily.

– What husband? That moron
who thinks he is the best man in the world? – He seemed to have drunk more than
he should.

– You are confusing my
husband with my ex – she said sharply.

– Besides, I don’t want
and will not intend to be here listening to you talk about Tony. – She said
standing up. Breno pulled her down making her lose her balance and fall into
his arms. Taking advantage of the situation, he kissed her. Out of balance, she
struggled to get rid of him. Scared, she looked for her husband in the lounge,
without success. My God! She looked at the door and saw Tony observing them
with icy-cold eyes. Blinded by shame and imagining what he would be thinking,
Amanda went toward him, her heart beating fast.

– Let’s go home. – He said
coldly. Amanda did not insist on giving any explanations. She would do so when
they arrived home.

When Tony parked the car
in the garage, he got out of the car saying nothing, went inside the house and
into the bedroom. Amanda followed him not understanding what was going on. Tony
went up to the closet and opened the doors starting to remove his clothes.

– Tony. What are you doing?
– She asked not believing her eyes.

– I’m getting out of this
game, Amanda. I’m leaving. – His hands trembled when he picked up his clothes.
He looked very angry.

– No Tony! You cannot do
that to me – she begged coming near him.

– I can’t!? You were
kissing that bastard. All I did for you was in vain, Amanda. – He had hostility
in his tone of voice. – The love I gave you was not enough. You will never stop
seeing me as a friend and that is final. – Amanda did not want to believe that
was happening. His eyes were red. Tony was controlling himself not to let
emotion take over him.

– Don’t say that, love. It
was not in vain. – She said it tenderly. – I don’t want Breno. I want you,
Antônio. – He had to believe what she said.

– Did you just find that
out? – he asked blind with fury letting a tear drop and hurting Amanda. – I
don’t think so. – He picked up the suitcases and left the room. Amanda was in
tears.

– Wait Tony! Let’s talk,
there are a few things I need to tell you. – She would not lose the man who had
brought her back to life; she needed to say how much she loved him and wanted
to spend the rest of her life beside him. She would say it now or never more.

– Stop it Amanda. You
don’t have to say anything you don’t feel. You never said what was in your
head, no need to do it now. – She tried to reach him, but her legs trembled too
much. – I will try to understand that you couldn’t love me the way I needed to
be loved. Go on with your life and as soon as you feel better, leave the house.
No need to hurry. – He finally spoke with his voice filled with emotion.

Amanda started to go down
the stairs, running to reach him. With her eyes blurred from the tears, she
tripped and fell off the stairs.

– Amanda! – She shouted in
terror seeing her fall from behind him. Tony dropped his suitcases and went to
help her. Kneeling down quickly, he removed the hair that covered her desperate
face. – My love, are you all right? – In anguish, she picked up the hand he
offered.

– Promise me you’ll never
leave me. – She asked. – I love you and don’t want to lose you – confessed
Amanda lying close to him.

Tony was so worried
analyzing her body, searching for fractures and injuries that he seemed not to
hear what she had said.

– Don’t leave me Antônio, not
now that I found how much I love you. – She said one more time in good and loud
tone of voice. – Tears dropped from Amanda’s eyes not allowing her to see him
well.

– You, what? – He asked
not believing what he had heard.

– I love you darling, very
much. – She repeated, fearlessly.

– Did you need to bump
your head to find out that you love me? – He joked relieved.

– No. I already knew, but
when I thought I could lose you, I saw it was time to tell you. – She looked
deep into his eyes waiting for him to change his mind and did not leave her.

– Falling from the stairs?
What a great moment to reveal your feelings. – He laughed, but his voice
relayed concern in seeing her fallen.