C13 Less Words and More Thinking

After days of waiting for Iara's call, she decides to investigate hotlines of communication and spends her time studying technology. Iara sent an SMS informing that everyone was fine and had spread across Europe to cover investigations, and that Mayara should be careful and focus on studying. But despite having family and being happy, she wanted to continue with her mission. Celina was very fun-loving but still angry with everything, even though her sister tried to reassure and relativize everything.

Guilherme and Richard arranged all of Makeda's documentation. She was going to be in a different class, in the 9th grade at San Martín, and the twins spent the day shopping, doing hair, nails, etc. She had good taste. Mayara had good taste and loved the school uniform; it looked very sexy on her. She looked at herself in the mirror, getting pink highlights in her hair while her sister applied highlights. Celina reached a thought when she looked at Mayara in that moment of reflection: life wasn't easy for either of them in that split second after discovering they were related by DNA. Fortunately, both were already adults with distinct tastes and personalities that made them diverse from each other and from their biological family.

Cassandra refused to speak to Celina at that moment because of her granddaughter's bold step regarding the decision she made. Celina retorted, "One day the past knocks on the door, Cassandra. Don't ignore it, just deal with the facts of your own guilt. Money to take care of Mayara would never have been lacking. Your sins are many." And Cassandra only responded with silence. The days were passing slowly, one sunk step at a time. Mayara called Iara and got no answer. This bothered her and left her without an answer. How would she know the next steps? When did this become a serious problem? It was crazy for her to admit that her grandmother was a person without emotion or love, but that wouldn't discourage her. Part of her was grateful for everything.

Mayara knew there were missing details from her story and she would need more time to investigate carefully. She was a young woman in a hurry to see the world. Her new home was huge, surely full of many secrets. She knew there wasn't much to do. Her few clues indicated she should investigate the Halleys. Celina had mentioned that her father had studied with Arthur's father at some point. It was like that, all the rich people knew each other in a way; it was even funny to say... it was diverse. So, there was a line of investigation ready for Mayara to follow. After days, Iara sent an SMS saying she missed her. Mayara gathered the letters she had with the mysterious notes. They were pieces of a puzzle. Her letter contained alleged confidential information about her past, a supposed name, address, and hints of where her mother might be. She didn't tell Celina about this. She always kept everything hidden among her old belongings. She felt like she didn't belong there. It was a level of life she didn't consider herself worthy of. "This is an altered reality, it's not possible," it was unreal, illusory for the young woman. She decided to explore her new room more. A little more cheerful and festive, she would say. There were hundreds of clothes and shoes ready to be used. A teddy bear backpack, a laptop, a cell phone, all state-of-the-art. That was incredible. Celina came close to seeing what she really liked in terms of style. But it was complicated for her.

The news that Celina Halley had an unknown sister quickly spread through the halls of San Martín, where gossip groups divided into factions. As she walked through the corridors of the new school/prison, she thought about what her new life would be like. In the distance, was the most dangerous group, forbidden to associate with. Celina had already fought or argued with them personally, and didn't like the "royalty" of Mauania. It was when Mayara felt a shiver as her sister spoke horrors about the group.

According to Celina, the group was basically the most popular, rebellious, and daring in the school, led by a very bad boy. They were known as the "gaviões" (hawks), and were composed of boys, like a fraternity. Girlfriends weren't part of it, but they always joined the group to mark territory. Celina bid farewell to her twin sister and left her to her own devices, wishing her good luck.

She was lost, trying to dodge the lingering desire. but she saw him. and her face are shocked .It was Arthur in flesh, bone, and dreams. Far from being her friend or anything like that. He was handsome, as he was beautiful. Violet-gray eyes, his hair was indeed shiny, like voluminous gold, full and messy, he was strong, muscular, athletic, elegant, and seductive. He looked like a Texan cowboy. Wearing the school uniform but with style, a leather belt matching the black biker jacket, a brown clay-colored scarf tied around his neck, the cowboy hat was beautiful, designer, almost falling off, and the leather shoes had spurs. He laughed. She wanted to get out of there. Her friends, Sidney, Marcos, Sergio, and Nasser himself, also had their styles and were handsome, but none stood out like Arthur, and he was quite tall. He laughed and looked around, as if searching for something.

Finally, the group leaves, leaving Mayara grateful for the "favor" and happy to go down the stairs to find her notebooks when she saw a figure holding the hat and smiling at her, still without looking.

"Hi, my sunshine. Long time..."

"Hi," she said timidly. She stopped, frozen. Sunshine? She was brunette!

"I know you're scared, confused, and nervous. Even without looking, I felt your presence, Mayara," his voice was deep, mature, and full of longing, bitter. "Oh, Mayara, how I miss you..."

"Arthur, I didn't expect to see you again... you look very different..."

"Arthur... I'm surprised to see you here... I didn't expect this."

He turned and looked at her, greeting her formally with his hat. She held back tears, not wanting to show the love she had hidden so secretly. He was forbidden love...

Arthur assessed the situation, how Mayara had turned into such a beautiful woman... More than he had imagined. He was breaking out in a cold sweat. His brown scarf was loosened. Facing those green eyes wasn't in his plans. But it was necessary since he was going to get revenge. She couldn't end it here... The heat was too much...

Arthur didn't feel well, it was too hot. Mayara knew that.

"I need to go, Mayara Angelina. I'm glad to see you again."

"Of course. You're not looking well at all. I'll see you later."

"Since this morning, I haven't been well," he felt dizzy. Her perfume was intoxicating, reminding him of the old days at Santa Helena. "I have a headache... and now that you're here, I'm happier. Welcome to San Martín... have fun here. Be happy," it was Arthur's wish, and his biggest problem. He looked at her, trying to hold back... the girl was beautiful. She looked at him with pure innocence.

Mayara sighed. Because of this caste system, she could never... The system sent shivers down her spine. Looking in the mirror, she remembered the abuses. Mayara left thoughtfully. Why had Arthur acted that way? According to rumors, he was a womanizer and a conqueror, a reputation that belonged to the Gareway family and the men of the Halley family. The Halleys were one of the 12 most influential families in the region, and that bothered many people.

Celina had explained how the system worked in the country; the State Governor was a benevolent dictator who helped society. The mafia defeated the national forces, and the country became chaotic, so the new elite took over, and the situation worsened for the starving population. Mayara suffered. She had experienced it up close! She had starved! Her face contorted at the sight of Governor Juarez's public image. That figure was familiar, 20 years commanding the state, 20 years of oppression, controlling and terrorizing the lives of his citizens. She knew who he was. She had a personal grudge against him, but that filthy fifty-year-old... Governor Juarez was rich, many questioned why, no one knew TZ.

Mayara looked deep into the image. A well-intentioned governor my foot. That place was filled with power-hungry lunatics. The governor was a man with graying hair and brown eyes that exuded pure evil.

Soon the news that Celina Halley had a twin sister spread like wildfire.

Mayara liked the uniform. It consisted of a skirt, a tank top, and a dark blue cardigan with the school emblem. She completed the look with black tights and mid-calf boots. Her twin opted for a cream-colored stiletto, brighter. It was worth noting that the classroom ended in 'E,' the class for newcomers. She introduced Mayara to the elite group of friends. Ironically, a frightening coincidence, Arthur was walking around with his gang nearby. As he passed, girls sighed and boys turned their heads.

The cliques divided into groups, which subdivided into closed subgroups or factions, and Arthur's gang was the most popular of all. He was kissing Annah, which visibly disturbed Mayara.

"What's wrong, Maya? Stay away from that group. They only cause trouble and problems."

"Celina, I know who they are, and I know how not to get involved."

"See you in class."

Mayara watched as the girls threw themselves at the boys, causing laughter. In Arthur and Celina's world, this was common and accepted by everyone. She sat on the benches and observed the group move around. The girls threw themselves at them, and it was terrible. Mayara was interested in theater and dance, much to Celina's displeasure. The first class was classical music. Celina cheered for her sister's performance, amazed by her talent. Mayara had a beautiful, versatile voice, another weapon of destruction. Indeed, she had a wonderful gift.

Arthur spent the entire morning studying and sweating through training for interclass games. When the training game ended, he wanted to be alone on the court, kneeling, feeling exhausted. And he asked not to be disturbed. He wanted to think. Sergio and Nasser insisted, but he didn't care. Music didn't mean much to him; he considered the arts useless. The girl who had been his maid for four long years was studying at the same school as him. He couldn't believe it! The noise coming from the music hall by the water mirror was unbearable and offensive to him. Arabic music, Indian music, or whatever it was, was loud. Seeing that there would be no way to resolve certain issues that troubled him so much, Arthur decided to check what was going on.

Mayara was in dance class, and the teacher immediately fell in love with her. She was put to dance to Arabian music, as she had spent six months in the East, trying not to be ridiculed by the rich like John Ohara. She had learned to dance. She was trained.

Arthur couldn't contain himself anymore. The questions in his confused mind drove him crazy. Mayara had marked his life intensely. She was the missing link to a part of his past that he wanted so much to erase from his mind, so painful that he couldn't move. It was the music, the sounds, the screams, and the sound of tapping that awakened him from his infinite trance. The applause was loud. A figure in light green twirled and danced sensually, with harmonious movements to the music. It was her! Mayara, the one who stirred up so many boys... So many eyes... All enchanted by her natural talent for art.

He saw her cross the air and twirl so many times, and smiled. A feeling of anger, a desire to have her all to himself, a silly jealousy, took over his mind. All he wanted was her... His anguish had no reason to be, but until the end of the class, he couldn't take his eyes off her. Observing every detail... how plump and rosy her lips were, she had a beautiful face and an innocent air, her eyes were large and jade-colored, gypsy eyes, but a seductive gypsy. Her long black hair, as dark as the night, slightly reddened by the excess of sun, and some pink highlights, straight with small curls at the ends, the only thing inherited from her mother, perhaps. Her body was sculpted and her skin was tan. He stayed hidden, disguised... she saw him well-hidden, observing. He was handsome! The description of those who were in love with him was this: Almost blond hair, violet-gray eyes, tall, strong, killer smile, and very playboy. He looked at her with a few friends. However, he hid ulterior motives... The class had indeed ended, and everyone was leaving. Mayara grabbed her bag and water bottle. Arthur followed her quietly. She noticed, and avoided looking at him at all costs.

"Why are you avoiding me, Mayara?"

"I'm in a hurry, that's all."

"I know who you are, my baby... Did you think I would forget about you? Did you know I missed you?"

"You? Knowing me? Oh, no, no, no, absolutely not! I don't want trouble with your fiancée or your father..." the pain emanating from her voice echoed in him.

"You do want it, Mayara, you do. I've never noticed your way. You like me, I know. We were good friends. I couldn't notice you because of the damn rules, even though you're more beautiful and attractive than most of the girls I've been with. You're a sweetheart, Mayara, you're the rose that was missing in my garden, more attractive than Annah herself, I want you."

"She's your fiancée! You should like her."

"Kind of you, that girl only knows how to make my life hell, only knows how to be shallow. Destiny was cruel to me, it surrounds me with the things I like the most, but I can't have them."

"I thought you liked that. Your father choosing the right woman for you, beautiful, rich, same social level..." Mayara remembered the good memories of Santa Helena, while Arthur lamented lonely, what his father forced him to do and think. She knew his reputation as a reckless womanizer and conqueror, an adventurous cowboy with a free spirit, not tied to anyone. And yet, she loved him. But it was an impossible, unimaginable love, as it would be a scandal; the nobility married among themselves for interests. Remembering an old feeling that would never be reciprocated was so dangerous... and would never, NEVER BE RECIPROCATED.

Arthur was the epitome of perfection, the ultimate prize, coveted and rich. But Mayara saw him as he truly was, a human being. However, it was more rational for her to distance herself from him; it was best for both of them. She should continue in her zone of loneliness and sadness. Who cared about her feelings? She was a stranger, an intruder. Annah had already seen her at Santa Helena. It would be the best thing. "I'll lock my feelings for him in the darkest corner." Arthur looked at her and said:

"I know what you're thinking. You can't get close and blah."

"No! Arthur! We're so different now..."

"If you can't see past the face, you can't see the heart, Mayara. I do have feelings for you. Don't be afraid, Anna won't be able to do anything. Nothing can change what we've been through together. She's so disgusting, only cares about others' lives, so shallow."

"It was good to see you, Arthur. Forgive me, my prince Arthur."

Arthur held her arms tightly, looking seriously into her eyes.

"Don't go, stay here, my friend. I can't be alone today. It's difficult now, with you here. I have to protect you. And it's not risky, as you imagine. As a prince, I have certain privileges and advantages here. For you, I'll always be Arthur. Or any other affectionate name you call me. However you want, just don't stay away from me. That's an order!"

"Arthur..."

"Yes?" He approached her and hugged her, causing shivers wherever he touched.

"I missed you too. And suffered a lot. I really like you, you're a great friend."

"I do too, just in a different way, Mayara."

Arthur grabbed her and pulled her body closer to his, as he stroked her hair, looking at her plump lips, a strong desire to kiss her grew. Their breathing accelerated, and with one arm, he lifted her inches off the ground, forcing her to look at him, and slowly placing her hands around his shoulders. She felt the tense muscles under the sweaty basketball team shirt, white and red, and her mind wondered what was going to happen.

"For a long time, Mayara, I imagined what could have happened to you, what I could have done and never did, exchanging your friendship for the comfort of anonymity and fake, idiotic friends. I won't make the same mistake three or four times."

Her heart was racing. Arthur knew it. but his desire are to search better ways.he desired to cross the lines of her heart, and that would come at a high price...