Before I could even finish the act, I was pulled from behind abruptly, and as I wasn't expecting it, this made me move away from the girl who had her tongue in my mouth. Yes, I still didn't know what her name was. But I made a mental note to ask as soon as I got rid of whoever was bothering me in a sacred moment like this. But as soon as I turned around, the woman I had kissed earlier in the evening was standing with her arms crossed in front of her and staring at me with an angry face, as if I owed her a satisfaction. - Hi... - I practically shouted to be heard over the loud music. And yes, I didn't remember her name either. I put my hand on my head, scratching my hair and smiling in an attempt to win her over. - Is the water you said you were going to drink and kept me waiting all these hours in that mouth? Women with possession syndrome. You kiss once and she thinks you're already together. That was the guy in front of me. I could have sworn she was stamping her foot on the ground, just like those mothers ready to give the biggest scolding, she was so angry. - So, I didn't find you later, the hour passed, and I ended up bumping into my friend... - I pulled the woman by the waist, bringing her to my side and encouraging her to say her name. - Renata, nice to meet you. - She extended her hand to the other, who finally uncrossed her arms and accepted the greeting. - Fernanda. The pleasure is mine. Great, now I knew their names. With an even bigger smile, I also pulled Fernanda by the waist, bringing her close to me, and starting to rock them both to the sound of the music. - Well, girls, I can pay attention to both of you, if you don't mind. Have you thought about the possibility? One of my biggest dreams, for sure, is having the opportunity to pay attention to two beautiful women like those at once. And of course I wouldn't fail the mission. I was good at what I did. I saw the two of them look at each other and shrug, probably imagining the situation too. So I gave them a kiss on each cheek and we danced again. I could say it was kind of heaven to be in my shoes at that moment. My mouth felt swollen from kissing, with each song, I danced in front of one, while the other was behind me, dancing too, and whenever one was kissed, the other wanted it too. I was having fun, that was undeniable. But whenever we're in a good moment, someone comes along to get in the way, and this time it was Beto who nudged me, getting closer to speak in my ear. - What are you doing, Edu? - I'm having fun. - I raised my arms high, signaling to emphasize that this was fun. And a little alcohol too, I couldn't deny it, but I wouldn't say that. - With two women at once, cousin? What are you thinking? - At the time? Which one am I going to kiss now? - I let a laugh escape my throat. - Edu, do you want to go home? I can take you. Now? I was just starting my night. Nothing from home. I shook my head, moving to a rhythm, or rather, to no rhythm, since I couldn't understand the music that was playing, I just swayed to say that I was dancing. - I don't want to leave, I'm right here. - You're not like that. What is happening? - Just following the advice given to me: enjoying my life, because it is short. I turned my back to Beto and pulled the two women by the shoulders. I really wasn't like that, I wouldn't recognize myself. But was that what people wanted to see from me? So that would be what they would have. And the argument I would use would be this: I was enjoying life, since it was too short to spend suffering. CHAPTER TWO Things in my house have never been easy. I knew that. We never led a good life, with perks or perks, as my grandfather would say. But at the same time, I couldn't complain, because we had what we needed to survive, and we were never in need. My father always provided for the household, as he was designed to be, again, as my grandfather always said. I quickly passed by my favorite section at the market, the sweets section, so as not to be tempted, as the money I had was counted and I went to the meat area. I checked the list I was carrying and ordered a kilo of ground beef. As soon as I spent the entire purchase at the register, I received my change, checking it and couldn't resist noticing that there was enough left for a small chocolate bar. Don't judge me, everyone has their own addiction, and mine was this. I walked through the parking lot, under a cloudy sky on a Friday afternoon, towards Brasilia – yes, yellow –, which had been in my family for around forty years. I didn't complain about that car, despite having heard a lot of jokes about it, but it was the only one I had, and it took me wherever I wanted. I put the purchase in the trunk and got in, trying to tune the radio. As soon as I could hear some country music, I opened my chocolate bar and enjoyed it calmly, closing my eyes and absorbing every nuance of its flavor. As I chewed the last bit, I started the car and started driving to my house. It wasn't very far away, so it didn't take me long to stop at the garage. It was a house where I lived with my father and mother. It had also been in the family for as long as I could remember, as my father had grown up there, and after my grandparents passed away we moved there. It was simple, one floor, two bedrooms, living room, kitchen and a bathroom, but what I loved about it was the backyard, which I remembered running through while playing with my grandfather, listening to my grandmother fight with him, saying he was too old for run around with a child. I got out of the car with a smile on my face when I had this memory. Even though I was very young when they left, I still missed them a lot. Because I was involved with such pleasant memories, I didn't notice the car parked near the gate. And it would be very difficult not to notice one of those, big and probably very expensive in a neighborhood like the one I lived in. I went in carrying the grocery bags and closed the door behind me with my foot. - Dad, I'm here - I announced while taking off my dirty shoes at the entrance. I went towards the kitchen, placing all the bags on the sink. - Dad, do you want me to start preparing dinner? I washed my hands right there in the kitchen and started unpacking I