CHAPTER 4

Helena approaches the guys standing on the sidewalk right where she had reserved the bike rental and two-wheeled tour. She was distracted when she notices one of the guys turning towards her, and to her surprise, it was Bruno's face she comes face to face with.

The blonde feels her face flush, and she was sure her face had turned into a tomato at that moment. "Compose yourself, Helena," she thinks as she gets closer to them. The situation only worsens when Bruno smiles at her and says, "Hey, girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Lucas questions, not understanding anything.

"Hello, Bruno," Helena responds awkwardly, tucking her hair behind her ear to disguise her shyness. "How are you?"

"Girlfriend?" Lucas repeats, emphasizing the word, being ignored.

"I'm fine, and you? How are you after your twenty-second birthday?" Helena replies.

"Girlfriend?" Lucas repeats once more, being ignored again.

"I also turned... I mean, I'm also twenty-two," Bruno stammers.

"Cool..." Helena says, feeling uncomfortable.

"Cool..." Bruno repeats, staring.

"Then, Bruno, aren't you going to introduce your new girlfriend?" Lucas asks, drawing their attention.

"How rude of me. Lucas, this is Helena; yesterday she was my girlfriend for five minutes during her birthday. Helena, this is Lucas, one of my best friends who works with me at the store."

"Pleased to meet you," Helena says, smiling at Lucas.

"The pleasure is all mine," Lucas replies before giving two kisses on each of the young woman's cheeks, surprising her. "Local custom."

"Okay..." Helena says, feeling awkward. She turns to Bruno and continues, "What a coincidence you work here. I have a reservation..."

"Great, follow me," Bruno says, making way for Helena to enter the store. He's about to follow her when Lucas grabs his arm. "What's the matter?"

"Forgot the promise you made?" Lucas asks.

"No, I haven't forgotten."

"Looks like you did, especially by the way you're looking at that girl. Are you going to break the promise?"

"Well, actually, I met her yesterday," Bruno explains with a mischievous smile. "So, technically, it doesn't count."

"I see... you're too clever," Lucas says, narrowing his eyes at his friend.

"Hey, I didn't imagine she would come today... Let's just say it was a twist of fate."

"A twist of fate? You're something else."

"Relax, Lucas. Yesterday, she met Suzana, she probably isn't interested in me at all," Bruno concludes before entering the store.

He approaches the counter with Lucas and watches Helena as she now talks to Jonathan. The magnetism Helena had on him was incredible, especially when she smiled, even if it wasn't directed at him.

"Found your package," Jonathan says, bringing Bruno back to reality. "A seven-day package... rental of two bicycles. Are you waiting for someone else to arrive, or do you want me to release only one bike, Mrs. Albuquerque?"

Jonathan's words destabilize Bruno: Helena was married? How is that possible? She didn't seem like someone who was married, not even wearing a ring, or did he not notice? In any case, he struggles to look at her left hand, which is now completely red.

"I'm not Mrs. Albuquerque," Helena corrects nervously, staring at Bruno without understanding why she said that. "I mean, I was supposed to be Mrs. Albuquerque at this moment, but... umm... I'm not." She continues, showing her left hand without a ring. "Anyway, could I exchange this package I made for a honeymoon that didn't happen?"

"Of course," Bruno says, relieved. "Jonathan, find a better package for her... to make up for it."

"Well, we can offer a package with a tour guide and add a difference..."

"I see, but will I have to pay more for that? Is that it?" Helena asks seriously. Not only did she have to deal with the humiliation of being there alone, but now she might have to pay more for it too.

"No, actually, Jonathan can provide the guide service for free. I'll personally be your guide," Bruno says, looking at Helena.

"Okay," Jonathan agrees, not at all surprised. Offering a discount was Bruno's way of expressing interest in a client, so the fact that he waived the fee meant he was very interested in the young woman.

"Thank you," Helena says nervously, facing Bruno's smile.

"You're welcome," Bruno responds, admiring Helena. He leans on the counter and continues, "What time would you like to start the tour?"

"Now, if possible," Helena says, offering her best smile.

"Great, I like your enthusiasm," Bruno praises, turning to Jonathan. "Let's keep my schedule for today closed for her, okay?"

"Alright... Don Juan," Jonathan replies to his friend.

"Then, let's choose your bike?" Bruno suggests.

"Sure," Helena responds, following Bruno.

***

After choosing the ideal bike, Bruno gives Helena a lesson with safety instructions for cycling around Parati. Even though the streets are generally flat, there are some steep slopes. Bruno secures the locks on the bikes, while Helena adjusts her helmet on her head. When Bruno approaches to help her, his touch makes her hold her breath. She tries to understand why a touch from Bruno sends shivers down her spine, and the situation worsens when she notices he always leaves a silly smile on his face. He tightens the buckle of Helena's helmet under her chin, and she tries to control herself from biting her lips in front of him, repeating the mantra "he has a girlfriend" in her mind.

"Now you're ready," Bruno comments, staring at Helena. He steps back and then mounts his bike. "Ready for the best ride of your life?"

"Without a doubt," Helena replies, settling onto her bike.

The two ride off towards the tour Bruno prepared. Within minutes, they take the asphalt road and gain speed, ensuring safety and guidance all the way. Bruno accompanies Helena throughout, signaling where they would go and when to stop. They descend on trails, dirt paths, and rocky terrain, just as Helena had imagined. Then they take a short and narrow paved street leading to a small chapel, which also marks the beginning of another short trail, and then they pedal another fifty meters until they reach a beach.

"The first stop is Corumbê Beach," Bruno announces, stopping his bike with Helena following, amazed by the landscape. "This first stop allows you to take a swim and enjoy the scenery at your own pace."

Helena gets off her bike, securing it to one of the trees along with her helmet, and walks towards the beach, which is beautiful and has very calm waters. Right at the entrance, there's a cozy bar and also a pool formed by water dammed from some nearby waterfall. She sets her feet in the sand while gazing at the sea and the anchored boats, grateful for the privileged view. Bruno comes right behind her, admiring the way Helena walks on the sand and then runs towards the sea, splashing the salty water upwards like a child seeing the ocean for the first time. The young woman's hair dances to the rhythm of the wind as she sits down, still gazing out towards the sea. The guy then approaches and sits next to Helena, who looks at him with a big smile.

"What's up?" She asks when she notices him studying every corner of her face, making the blonde girl shy.

"Nothing..." Bruno whispers, then clears his throat to fix his voice. "I mean, it's been a long time since I've seen someone react like you did."

"Did I do wrong by acting like that? Was it bad?"

"No, not at all. It was... beautiful to watch," Bruno responds, being sincere, something rare for him as he usually preferred to hide his opinions to impress his clients. He then reaches his hand towards the young woman's face, who looks at him, startled, and then he moves the blonde strands that were close to Helena's rosy lips, guiding them towards her ear. "Who are you, Helena?"

"What do you mean? Who am I?" Helena asks, feeling embarrassed.

"Well, I know you almost got married, but I don't know why it didn't happen," Bruno explains.

"Do you ask about the life of all your clients?" Helena questions quickly. "What does your girlfriend think?"

"Ex-girlfriend," Bruno corrects, receiving a surprised look from Helena. "And I only ask about those I find interesting to know."

"I'm not interested in that."

"I disagree, Helena almost Albuquerque."

"It's complicated..." Helena says. "And time-consuming..."

"We have plenty of time. Besides, I'm offering my services to you for free," Bruno argues. He touches Helena's shoulder with his own and continues, "Come on, girlfriend, tell me what number one did?"

"Why do you think he was the one who left me?" Helena asks.

"Because you left him? Wow, now I really need to know what happened," Bruno says, smiling.

"Fine. I'll tell you, but..." Helena begins, narrowing her eyes at Bruno. "I want a whole week of bike rental and your guide services as a bonus."

"Hmmmm... you're tough, huh?"

"I am since you're so interested in my story... that's how it's going to be," Helena decides, shrugging her shoulders. "Take it or leave it."

"Okay, a week of Nilton's Bike services," Bruno accepts, extending his hand towards Helena, who shakes it. "You can start, young lady. But I want to know everything."