[Fanfiction] INTIMACY - Chapter 10

Chapter 10

On the way home, Clara was wondering what to do. Helena was right, she had to talk to Cadu as soon as possible. After all, they were still together, they were friends, they had respect for each other, and he deserved to know what was going on. But she was so scared. It was amazing how Marina made her forget the rest of the world, and all the complications of their situation. She wasn’t afraid around her. But the moment the photographer was out of her sight, her mind became more populous than recommended.

It wouldn’t be easy to open up with Cadu, with all her family. After all, it would be a huge change in her life: to break the marriage of ten years and assume a relationship with a woman. Like it or not, it involved the whole family, not just her, Cadu and Ivan. She feared rejection by her son and the rest of the family. She had Helena’s support, of course, but Helena was different. Suddenly, Clara felt like a teenager afraid of the consequences of her actions.

She didn’t speak during the short trip, which surprised Ivan, but he saw his mom concerned face and chose to stay quiet.

- Ivan, son, I need you to stay here in aunt Helena, so mommy can talk alone with your dad.  

- Hmm, you guys are going to fight.  

- Baby, o-of course not. We're just gonna talk.  

- But you two have been fighting a lot lately – He was sad.

- I know, my love. But it will pass. - She put her hand on his shoulder. – Hey, Marina sent you a kiss. - She kissed his cheek.

Ivan smiled.        

Clara found Cadu at the door.

- Why.. wait, are you leaving?

- Hi, Clara. – He gave her a peck. - Veronica called, I have to go there to solve some things about the bistro. - He rubbed his hands, excited. – I’m in a hurry. Where is Ivan?

- Helena’s.

- Okay. See you later, love. - He left.        

- Cadu .. - Clara was left talking alone.      

Clara picked up Ivan.    

- Where is dad?  

- He had to go to the bistro.    

- Still working? - He pouted.    

- Well, kid. Important thing, apparently. - She kissed his head. - Where is your homework? Bring it, we can’t be delayed with your studies.      

After studying, the two dined alone and Clara put him to sleep.

- Love you, my puppy.  

- Love you too, mom.    

Clara went to bed. She wasn’t sleepy, she just stared at the ceiling exhausted from worrying. The phone rang. It was Marina, and once again it was as if her mind was empty.    

- Did I wake you up?      

- Nope. I thought you weren’t going to call anymore. – She said playfully.  

- And can I go too long without talking to you, Clarinha?

Clara smiled.      

- I called to wish you a good night and say that I'm already missing you. – She used a cute voice.        

- Me too. So much. – She sighed. - Good night, Marina.

The moment Marina’s voice faded away, the voices of her head came back. Marina missed her. Of course. It was night and she was going to sleep alone again. Like Clara, who was now alone. That would be a long night.

Cadu returned late at night, making a lot of noise. He changed and jumped into bed. Clara clenched her jaw, irritated. Damn, she had just fallen asleep. Was consideration too much to ask?        

- Clara. - He called softly, with his hand on her waist. - Are you awake?

- No. - Clara mumbled, and moved away.  

Cadu laughed. -Babe, my bistro is doing the greatest success. You should be there, you should be watching. Your husband is now a businessman. - He kissed her neck.      

- Congratulations. – She said sleepy.

Cadu kissed her neck again and took his hand from her waist to her ass.

- Cadu! - Clara tried to pull away again.    

- Ah, Clara, come on! – He spoke in her ear, kissing it. – You’re already awake anyway. - He moved his hand to her belly.    

Clara held his hand and spoke up. – Cadu, drop it.

He then turned away complaining loudly and lay back as far as possible.  


***


The other day Clara called Marina.

- Good morning, beautiful. – She answered enthusiastically.    

- Hi, Marina, are you okay?    

- Hi, yeah. What happened? - Marina was disappointed with her flat tone.  

Clara told her she couldn’t go to work because Cadu had some exams to do, and apologized.

- Sure, sure. Whatever you need. - She hung up.  

- Let me guess. - Vanessa said – She’s not coming because her puppy got lice?

- No, Vanessa. Nothing like that. – She got serious. -  It’s Cadu, he’ll do some tests to see if the treatment is working.      

- Of course.  Cadu. How long will you accept being the second option? That doesn’t suit you, Marina!      

- Vanessa, honestly, don’t you have anything better to do right now? – She got mad. - Cadu is still her husband, they have a life together. And even if that weren’t the case, they are friends, he’s the father of her child. She’s right to be there for him. He needs her, come on.

- Hey, hey. Alright, sorry.         - She lifted her hands.  

Marina missed Clara all day, because she hadn’t called or sent a text message, not even once. Marina was apprehensive, afraid that something bad was happening, either with Cadu or between them. She was scared Clara was having second thoughts. She thought about calling, but decided it was best to wait for her. She waited, and nothing.  

The truth was that Clara’s head was crowded, she wanted to talk to Cadu, but didn’t know how,  and she couldn’t get 'time' alone with her husband. He seemed to know  what was coming. He was always busy, running away. He spent all day doing exams and now they were getting ready for an important dinner with Laerte and Veronica.

Cadu didn’t stop talking in the restaurant.  

- Ah, Marina. Come dine with us. You’ve been like this all day. Let’s clear this head, what’s the harm about that? - Vanessa and Giselle insisted.

- Alright, Okay, go. – Marina said waving her hand so they would leave the room.

- I'm ready. – She checked the phone and sighed again. Nothing.    

Marina let Vanessa choose the restaurant and then the table. They sat down, and as if there were an energy attracting her attention, Marina looked at a table on the other side and saw Clara with her family. Clara, as if she could feel the photographer’s gaze, caught her eyes. Clara smiled when she saw her, she thought of standing up to go talk to her, but Cadu, who was in a conversation with Veronica, holding her hand brought her back to reality. Her husband wouldn’t be happy if she did so. She waved to her. Marina greeted her too, but not with the same smile. Damn, she could have texted her at least. Not to mention that she envied Cadu for being able to hold her hand in front of everyone at anytime. She sighed looking at her table again. This day had just gotten worse.      

She tried not to keep looking at Clara’s table, she didn’t want her husband to notice and didn’t want to torture herself seeing the couple together. By far, they seemed happy together. However, she couldn’t help it. She kept looking at Clara, almost as an instinct.

Clara and her company stood up to leave. It wouldn’t be possible not to pass near Marina’s table. The walk seemed longer than it was, as she struggled on what to do. She had to talk to her, of course, she couldn’t just ignore Marina, specially after all that had happened. But she didn’t have to think any longer to make a decision.      

- Marina! - Ivan, said excited.

Marina turned smiling. - Hey, handsome! I missed you.  Oh, my God! Look at you. You’re so much taller! – They hugged.    

- It hasn’t been that long, Marina. - Cadu said clearly annoyed by her presence.

- I know. – She said serious. - But when we stay away from someone, the littlest change is drastic, isn’t it? – She turned to Ivan.  

- Well you could invite us to swim again, right?  

- Ivan! - Clara complained. – That’s not polite, son. Marina will think that you only like her because of her pool. Sorry, Marina. - She looked at her with those eyes Marina knew so well.    

- It’s okay.  Of course, you can go there whenever you want, you’re always welcome. – She took his hands.
- So, let’s go? - Cadu pulled Ivan. - Good night.  

- Good night. - Clara said taking longer than she should to turn away. She didn’t want to lose Marina just yet again.