"Manuela"Since my lunch with Rick right after my birthday, a lot had happened. Months had passed, and finally, that Junqueira guy had been arrested by my police chief, who was getting more and more handsome. My relationship with Flávio was flowing naturally, without complications. Only my mother insisted on nagging me frequently.Time was passing very quickly, and I was very busy. I started seeing my mother less and less, but when I did, she always ruined my day. She kept insisting that if I didn't return to my hometown, she would come and take me by force. I had already said I wouldn't return, and she couldn't force me, but even so, I was afraid she would come and drag me back. So I stayed at Flávio's house, not caring that time was passing. We had been together for months, and it was time to think about going back home. Eventually, I would have to face my mother. I didn't really want to go back to my apartment, not after getting used to sleeping and waking up every day in Flávio's

"Flávio"Manu was back from a trip; it had been two endless days, and I needed my little girl. I spent the entire weekend without her; I was irritable and grumpy. And the shift at the police station was unbearable.The day at the police station hadn't been easy, with lots of bureaucracy and little action. I really needed my little girl and was desperate to get home. And to my delight, when I got home, she was already there. I ran to her and hugged her, lifting her off the floor. Without saying a word, I just picked her up and held her against me, kissing that delicious mouth and squeezing that body that drove me crazy.I needed to take a shower, but I also needed her. I walked to the bathroom with her clinging to me as I kissed her, and to my utter delight, she kissed me back with the same intensity."You have no idea how much I missed you!" "I'll tell you something then, I missed you too," she said in a confessional tone, and I carried her into the shower with me. "But I already show

"Manuela"I woke up very early to my phone ringing. I remembered I'd forgotten to turn off the phone my mom had the number on, and I already knew it was her calling before I looked at the screen."Hi, Mom," I answered in a sleepy voice. "Good morning!""What good morning, girl! It's six in the morning, are you waking up late now? What other bad habits have you picked up that I'm going to have to correct?" She was already in full swing and full of anger to take it out on me."Mom, I start work at nine and my job is right here, I don't need to get up so early," I explained."So what? I taught you to wake up at five in the morning every day, that's how a woman should do it, so the coffee is on the table for your husband when he wakes up.""Mom...""Mom, nothing, Manuela." I already told you I'll bring you back, and your marriage to Mr. Cândido's son is almost set."I think you'd better break this agreement, or whatever you call it. I'm not going back, and I'm not marrying Mr. Cândido's s

"Flávio"I knocked on Bonfim's office door and walked in. He was sitting behind his desk reading an investigation and looked up as soon as I entered, greeting me good-naturedly."Good morning, Flávio. What do we have for today?" Bonfim asked cheerfully. He, like me, loved his job."Chief, I need a favor," I said, knowing only he could help me. Bonfim got up, went to the coffee maker, and poured two cups of coffee, placing one in front of me."Sit down and tell me. If I can help, I'll do it with pleasure." That was all he'd done since we met; he was always helping me."My father is coming here with the mission of getting me expelled from the police force, and apparently he's even spoken to the Secretary of Security," I said immediately."And why does your father want that?" Bonfim was detail-oriented and always wanted to know the reason for things. "Because he wants me to work at his company.""Hmm. From what I understand, your family is quite powerful, my friend.""Did you do your hom

“Flávio”After my father's visit, I spent the rest of the week tense, having no idea what he was up to. I even called my brother, but she didn't know anything, though she promised to try to find out. On Saturday, I went to help Manu move."Shorty, is that all?" I asked, loading the last box from Manu's move into the car."Yes, big guy, I rented the apartment furnished, so I don't have much to bring to your house.""Our house." I grabbed her by the waist and corrected her. "It's our house now. Actually, it always has been."Manu and I spent Saturday at her apartment packing. By the end of the night, my little one had already taken over my apartment and my entire life. I was overjoyed about it.But I was still worried about my father's visit earlier in the week. After that visit, he was quiet. I hadn't talked about any of this with Manu; she was already dealing with her own crazy mother, and I didn't want her to worry about my family, nor was there any reason to.We were cuddled up on t