Chapter 2

Luciana had everything planned. She was going to take advantage of every minute of her time to be more prepared for the trip to Pantanal. It was a dream come true, she wasn't going to waste it. Many people, even working in the tourism field, spent their entire lives behind a desk, dealing with reservations, documents, complaints. Few had the opportunity to travel to a dream destination like this.

She thought that the best way to be in good shape, as Helinho had suggested, would be to exercise at a gym. There was one, near the agency, which was great, because if she came home after school and work, she would throw herself on the couch and watch movies with her mother. She would be in no mood to leave home again.

So, she packed the appropriate clothes in a small backpack she got from Marina and felt ready for the fight. In fact, the gym had an excellent training program for various martial arts modalities. Students were encouraged to compete in various tournaments and won medals and trophies. There was also a variety of swimming, aerobics, dance and step classes. But Luciana was going to start with the treadmill, the bicycle, the abdominals, that is, the basics. Her goal was to move more, since she spent a lot of time sitting, at college and at the agency. And she wanted to change that.

At the gym, vibrant music, colorful clothes and bright lights contributed to setting her walking pace. The treadmills and bicycles were located on the side of the room for lifting practice. They also served as warming up for this modality of exercise. The coach was a nice woman called Neuraci, who offered to help her with weight lifting training, if she wanted to. Luciana told her that for now, she would be using only treadmill. So, there she was, exercising for about twenty minutes when she noticed a group of very excited, almost euphoric girls. They followed a strong and handsome man, as if they were his own private harem. Luciana was beginning to think it was funny, when they walked very close to her, on the way to the aerobics room, upstairs. She received a smile from the man, of course, and was struck by the extraordinary brightness of the eyes of who was, without a doubt, the man of her dreams.

...

Neuraci was surprised that Luciana had stumbled and fumbled so much to get off the treadmill, as she was at a slow pace, suitable for beginners. The coach tried to help, but she didn't even reach the girl who hurried away, as if she were running away from something. "This one won't come back", That's what Neuraci thought, so used to dropouts.

The truth is that Luciana lost track of everything. She was running down the sidewalk towards the bus stop. What a fright to see in person, the one who filled her dreams and thoughts for some time now.

She had never imagined that he even existed. She always dreamed that they were taking long, relaxing walks. They held hands many times and he looked at her tenderly. She had dreamed of his passionate hugs and kisses. And she thought it was too perfect to be part of the real world.

Now he had materialized and she had run off. Her heart raced so much, she thought she was going to pass out for the first time in her life... She sat on a bench waiting for the bus and tried to order her thoughts. Very well, so he existed and they had met. But what did that mean? That they were meant for each other? Had she had a warning of their meeting, in dreams, to be more prepared? Only nobody is prepared for such an emotion.

And he smiled at her, just as he did so often in the dreams. It was good to be gone. Tomorrow she would be more focused and confident.

...

On the next day she dragged Marina to try a class at the gym, since her friend was her confidant. She needed her help, her support, in this situation so stressful for her. How many times they had talked about those beautiful dreams and wished there was someone like that, who completed and understood each other like Luciana and this mysterious and fascinating man.

“Really, Luciana, was he the guy of your dreams? “

“I would recognize this man even in my sleep.”

They both laugh at the joke, but Marina notices that her friend is nervous. They have been on the treadmill for almost an hour and he still hadn`t appeared. With the excuse of visiting the gym, to decide whether she was going to enroll, Marina had asked Neuraci for a tour of all the rooms. Luciana went with her to try to find the guy. They heard Neuraci explain about the advantages of swimming, they heard that the pool was thermal. After that they went up to the gym room with its giant mirrors and nothing of the guy appear. Finally, in the large room reserved for martial arts training, Neuraci spoke with pride.

“We have several medalists in karate and judo. But our pride is Renato, Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion. He's the owner of the gym. His sister, Sueli, teaches abs and Axé dance classes. You're signed up to start your abs next week, Luciana. “

“Yeah, I'm starting slowly, because I'm very sedentary. “

“Soon you get used to it and will then start the spinning and step classes, which are the most difficult ones “. Neuraci is an encouraging person.

The friends thank the coach and return to the treadmills.

“Lu, I can only take another ten minutes of walking. After that I will need an ambulance to take me out of here”, but the friend doesn't answer her. She stares at the entrance of the gym, where, leaning over the counter, leaving his car keys in a drawer, is the most beautiful man Marina has ever seen. She pokes her friend, who looks at her in panic. She had no idea how to help Luciana in this situation. But the young man goes straight to Neuraci, without noticing them.

“Neuraci, I just got your message. Did Bruno skip his class again, without explanation? “

“Yes. And it's because there is no explanation. He's just irresponsible. Nothing unusual happened to him.”

“We will have to consider hiring someone less complicated”, Renato concludes and hurries up to the classroom, every two steps at a time, as Luciana notices, mesmerized.

Marina, with a sudden inspiration, leaves her friend on the treadmill and goes into action. She approaches the counter and talks calmly to the receptionist. She gets a class schedule and writes down all her doubts on the back.

...

Later in Luciana's room, they exchange information. Marina had decided to sleep there. They had a lot to talk about and the phone wouldn't be enough.

“So, your dream man is the jiu-jitsu champion, owner of the Sweat Drop gym. Renato.”

“I finally know his name. Renato is such a beautiful name. “

“Good subject to discuss with the future mother-in-law. Now, let's be practical. He teaches jiu-jitsu, obviously. Even for beginner classes. You can enroll the class. “

“No, my friend, that is not my style at all. No fights for me, thanks. “

“Lu, such a handsome man, he is worth the sacrifice. And if he appeared in your dreams, he might have wanted to tell you that you were going to be the new champion of jiu-jitsu. “

“And for that, he had to kiss me so very much? “

“Oh, how romantic. Was it really so intense?“

“Yes. But it was just a dream, maybe it's all just silly. “

“Well, but now you have met. You need to give it a chance. “

“Other than martial arts, which are my options? “

“Well, according to the receptionist, Arlete, the exercise that burns the most calories is spinning. Renato took over some classes from a teacher who is absent too much. He also teaches some kind of aerobic class, with a lot of music and some punching and kicking movements. It tones you up in the most efficient way, because it involves some weight lifting exercises. And it gives balance and breath, according to our new friend, Arlete.”

“Kicks and punches?”

“Just up in the air. Like a dance. It is not against opponents. It is a style called Corpus Body. Renato's classes are crowded. You have to arrive early, but you don't have to make an appointment. For spinning you have to reserve, because there are only 20 bikes.”

And they continue to study the options until late that night.