[Fanfiction] THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT - Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - The way you look tonight

Fifteen minutes had passed and her eyes were still fixed at the same place. Upon her work desk, next to the computer, in a delicate white small vase with black tribals designed by a thin brush - your favorite, by the way - had been placed those small yellow flowers, and her attention, her eyes were fully fixed on them, her attention was all of them, or more than this...all of her.

The last few months had been like that, since she had met the woman whose her life, at least that was what she believed, belonged.

"Nonsense," was what she heard daily from her friends, but only she was able to know the truth. Only she knew how much that love burned and ached inside.

- Marina ... are you coming to bed? - The voice broke her reverie, her most secret thoughts. The chestnut eyes strayed for a single moment of those flowers to the top of the stairs, where the voice had come. She would recognize that voice even without to face the redhead who stood impatiently with shaggy orange hair and a light green nightgown.

- Not yet, you can go, if you want ... - replied the girl, turning her attention to those flowers. This would be a hint for anyone to understand what she wanted to be alone, she needed to be alone. But not for Vanessa. The redhead descended impatiently the stairs and crossed her arms just below her breasts. She was about to have it out, and if there was something that Marina couldn't stand with, certainly this was on the top of the list.

- She will make you sick! Actually ... she already has done, isn’t she? - Vanessa pressed Marina with that question and moved closer to the girl who still sat, dejected.

- This is not of your business! - Marina exclaimed, trying to drop the subject. Why is so hard to have privacy in your own home?

- What is the matter, Marina? ... I know you. I know you better than anyone, and you know it. - Vanessa arched an eyebrow and gave no loophole for that Marina could defend herself. - Tell me the truth ... you haven’t been to you appointment with the dermatologist, have you? You're sick ... and it has been a while. It's incredible, that girl can contaminate everyone around her.  She’s toxic! First her husband, now you ... who will be the next? That little brat of her child? - Vanessa dumped everything that was stuck for weeks without worrying about what she was saying.

- STOP! Stop, Vanessa! - Marina shouted, getting up and imposing herself. She felt the blood rushing through her head. Until this moment she had believed that it was just a figure of speech, "blood rushing through her head," but now she felt her face boiling with rage, her head throbbing and knew exactly where that phrase had appeared. - Get out, get out of my face! - She pointed to the street. She was acting on impulse, she knows it, but, unfortunately, Vanessa was right about one thing: she knew her better than most people and exactly because of that the redhead turned her back and walked up the stairs, getting out of her face, but not of her home.

She left the body falls again on that chair where she was sitting before, and her eyes turned to face the clumsy and unpretentious yellow flowers. She held the small bouquet, taking it up next to her nose and inhaled. Marina could have sworn that they still contained the scent of Clara.

- I can't live with the presence of absence of her love ... - whispered the phrase which, once, she said to Clara. The tears filled her eyes so intensely that it was impossible to control them. Everything related to Clara was intense. She is “the” woman, Marina knew it, and the most intense love she had ever met in her entire life.

Do not be fooled. Marina wasn’t the kind of romantic woman, actually, the opposite. And she knew it, Vanessa knew it and all the other people who lived around her knew it too. As a renowned photographer, this young woman has been to the hottest places in the world. She had known the most famous models and even spend time with some of them. Not that she had never established a relationship. She had tried once or twice, but the fact of staying, every day, in a different place in the world, hindered the presence of a nearby partner. Most of her relationships had ended because she moved to another city or because of jealous, but, as she was dedicated to work and put it in the first place, you could tell she had never understood the phrase "love is pain" because she had never indeed suffered for love ... until Clara. Ah, Clara!

Marina hadn’t felt not so many things before Clara. She had not felt what was the real magic behind a smile, she didn't know the will to stop her nomadic life, the desire to settle in a place. She didn't know what was to expect ... yes, because, until then, Marina was the most impulsive and impatient person on earth ... and she didn't know what it was to feel the heart race, the feathers shaing and the body wanting, but, yet, for love, for respect to that woman, to resist and not kiss her. 

No doubt, this was by far the hardest thing she had done. The brunette could still feel the presence of Clara next to her body, her smell, the silk of her hair, the soft skin of her face and her amber eyes staring at her with curiosity and desire. Desire this, that Marina had to find strength where she believed no longer exists, in order to deny, deny everything that, deep in your soul, she would like to reciprocate. She would have liked to hug Clara once again strong, kissing every inch of her face and to promise all the love Clara sought. But the opposite of what she always did, following your impulses, Marina sought her reason and even facing Clara with that look, even feeling the magic that existed between the two in that proximity, she managed to say, while they embraced for the last time:

- I'm with you. This is what you can't forget! - She said still hugging Clara and, when they withdrew slightly, just enough to envisage themself, one more time Marina was challenged to deny everything her heart said to do. They looked at each other. Half a step would be sufficient and she knew that her lips would meet the Clara's lips, as she had repeatedly dreamed. But instead, she held the hand of blue nail of Clara next to her face and gave it a tender kiss, but loaded with more intense feelings and they were forced to say goodbye.

Again, to see Clara turn around and walk out that door, once again seemed to be unbearable. Marina thought it would not stand it. Thought she would not be strong enough to stand up after the departure of her beloved, but there she was, staring at those flowers, recalling everything and thinking if she was an idiot, if she had lost the greater chance that they could have had. She didn't want to compete with a sick husband, actually, she couldn’t. She knew that was totally unfair to him, to her and especially to Clara, but she knew, deep in her soul, that was what happened.

The phone vibrated on the table, taking her from all that trance relived in her mind. Seeing the image of Clara shows up in the phone display, indicating that she was who is calling, startled her.

- Clarinha? -Marina asked, worried.

- Marina ... - There was a sigh before Clara remained on the phone, but Marina had recognized the crying in her voice.

- Clarinha, what happened? Please ... you're scaring me ... - The photographer asked, anguished on the phone, holding it close to her ear, as if doing this  she could listen to her better.

- Marina ... can you come here, please? - Clara asked one more time. Now Marina noticed the trembling voice, and get worried increasingly .

- But what happened? Are you okay? - Tried again.

- Just ... - Before Clara could continue, Marina had already gotten up and grabbed the car keys.

- Where are you? I'm going!

- At the exit of Santa Teresa.

Marina ran from the house shouting for her to stay safe, she was on the way, and then she hung up to allow her whole attention was concentrated on getting ASAP where Clara was. It was late at night, around one-thirty in the morning, and she didn't need to be an expert in Rio de Janeiro to know that Santa Teresa was not a safe place for any girl or woman. The worst hypotheses passed through her mind, but she tried to stay focused.

- Clara! - Marina exclaimed upon seeing the taxi just at the exit of Santa Teresa. Clara sat in the back seat, but with the legs out of the taxi, idly, while the taxi driver, an elderly bearded gentleman, seemed to talk to her. Marina dropped the car onto the shoulder and ran toward them. As she approached, she could hear the sobs of the brunette.

- Oh, lady, I'm glad you came, I can't convince her to get out of here ... we're almost an hour in here and, well, you know that this is not the best place of this city ... But she insisted that she would only leave here after speaking with Marina ... Do you know who she is? ... - the driver scratched his neck, looking really worried, checking out the surroundings frequently.

- Marina! - Clara exclaimed and, for the first time, seemed to be willing to leave. She stood up, meeting the brunette. They embraced once more. Marina wished, in that embrace, protect Clara from everything she was going through at the time. If she could, surely she would protect her.

- Okay ... I'll take it from here ... thank you for being with her ... and for the patience you had to wait here. - Marina opened her little purse that she picked up last minute at leaving home and handed two notes of one hundred dollars to the taxi driver, which seemed quite satisfied and then said goodbye.

Meanwhile, the two women walked toward the car. Marina had opened the passenger door for Clara, but she hesitated to enter, wanting to talk before.

- I couldn't, couldn't have gone without seeing you again ...

- Clara, I'm here ... it's okay ... - The brunette took the Clara's hand, kissing it again, wanting to show that she would be with her. - Laughing or crying, do you remember? - Marina repeated what she had said to Clara before she left.

The other brunette nodded and finally got into the car. Marina ran to the other side, also entered the vehicle and started it.

- I wish I could ... I wish I could disappear, you know? Disappear with you, go to a place where there are only the two of us ... where ...

Clara paused when Marina finally managed to face her while alternating your eyes off the road for her and vice versa.

- Where? - The photographer asked.

-  To a place where we can be free, where there were no judgment, no hypocrisy ... where love is above all.

Marina smirked, and as she directed with her left hand, she sought, with the right, the hand of Clare, stroking, with her fingertips, the light curves that had the girl's hand.

- Think that you are. Think that we all are ... for one night, there is nothing of that. For one night, love is above all. - Marina answered, and both managed to once again exchange glances.

- Marina, please ... let's run away!

The photographer was surprised at the suggestion of Clara.

- But Clara, Cadu ... Ivan ... - She tried to be sensible, although her desire was to immediately ask the destination. She would go to another city, another country ... to the moon with Clara.

- No... forever ... but for today ... please let ... - The eyes of both were found in the rearview mirror and Marina bit her lower lip, thinking of a quick route. - ... I need ... - Clara insisted, knowing that this would soften the heart of Marina.

Marina turned the steering wheel, making the outline and, for the first time since the whole event in the school of Ivan, she saw Clara seem relieved.

- Where are we going? - She asked to the brunette.

- Surprise ... - Marina teased, smiling a mischievous way, while driving toward the BR-040.

- Marina ...  are we really going? - She nodded laughing, and Clara grabbed the shoulder of the photographer shaking it gently but insistently. - Where to?

Marina smiled at Clara, and she knew that no further information would take of the photographer. When she saw signs for the Tom Jobim International Airport, Clara began to get worried and even more anxious.

- Marina, ... are  we going to the airport? No, right? Are we getting out of Brazil? Calm down, I can't ... and also ... no .. I can't ...

Marina had fun laughing, which made Clara censoring her with the look, and finally she spoke.

- Relax, ok? It's all I ask you. You want an escape from the world ... I have a solution, but you have to trust me. Do you trust me?

- I... I trust you. - Clara sighed, trying to relax on the bench. - I traveled by helicopter with you, of course I trust you ... with my  eyes closed. - She added, and Marina kept driving, satisfied.

As they went away from the city of Rio de Janeiro, Clara realized that increasingly the road was filled with rainforest on all sides, when she saw a sign on the road, another idea came to her in mind.

- Petrópolis. Is it Petrópolis ... isn’t it?

Marina nodded, glad she agreed.

- We have a small house there. For a while know, nobody has been there, but I guess we can spend the night and ...

- It's perfect! - Clara sighed beside her and took her hand under the back of the hand of Marina, who held the shift of the car. That touch made the photographer shivered.

Just over an hour later, they were in front of the cottage of Marina's family, thanks to not a heavy  traffic. Due to the advance of time, the road was quiet. So they left the car, Clara's skin shivered from the cold and the serene of the night. Obviously the green low-cut shirt without back was not the best costume for a night in the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro. But that didn't seem to bother her. What mattered was that she was there with the woman who she admired so much.

Both went quickly to the two-story house. It was nothing like the luxurious home of Angra dos Reis, but it was very gracious and everything around remembered Marina. (click to view)

The photographer opened the house door, motioning for Clara to enter first.

- Make yourself at home, the house is yours...

Clara smiled, to return the favor. Marina turned on the light, and soon she realizes, as she imagined, that nobody had been there for months. The furniture was mostly covered by cloths, the smell of the house was closed denounced how empty that place had been in the last few months.

- Sorry for the ... - Marina began, but Clara turned to face her. She was delighted with every detail of the house, even though part was covered.

- It's perfect ... - She held the hands of Marina, who just smiled.

Clara sneezed shortly thereafter, and the brunette didn't know whether it was by chilliness or dust, possibly both.

- Now you better go take a shower to avoid the chill ... and I'll try to organize this house. - Marina grimaced certainly was not used to do jobs like this.

- Oh, no, I'll help you ...

Marina denied, and still holding one hand of Clara, she forwarded her to the bathroom.

- You'll be smelling good as only you know how to be, while I manage here ... - She winked, and Clara just smiling sheepishly. The brunette stepped into the bathroom, and for a moment, Marina hesitated, wanted to go, if invited, but it was obviously not conducive, not when she wanted to make Clara comfortable.

- Okay ... I… - Clara also looked embarrassed, and Marina rushed.

- Soap and shampoo should be under the sink in the cabinet ... and I'm looking for a towel and clothes.

- Clothing? But your clothes would never fit me ...

Marina interrupted, pulling her hand of Clara to her lips. She kissed it again, and the mark of her red lipstick remained lightly on her skin.

- You told me you trust me! - Concluded Marina in a whispered.

- Ok .. ok ... I said!

- I'll be right back!

They parted at that "goodbye" that would be soon. Clara leaned against the bathroom door and started to undress for the shower while Marina went to the second floor in search of something in her bedroom closet in that house. She found a black dress that she believed would be perfect for Clara and a couple of towels face and bath.

- Clara ... - She knocked on the door before entering. She took a deep breath, she still heard the sound of the shower, which indicated that the brunette was still in the bath. Tried to prevent her imagination began to fly.

- Hi .. you can come  ... - Said Marina and the brunette was watched herself holding the door handle tightly, hesitating to enter. Often even, she didn't understand what had happened to her, in other times she would have entered that bathroom without a piece of her clothes, but Clara ... Clara was Clara, was inexplicable.

The brunette entered the bathroom, leaving the pieces on top of the sink counter, trying to avoid the gaze toward the shower.

- Marina ... - She heard calling, and her heart raced. Would she be strong enough to face her there? She looked up toward the shower stall, the various bands in shades of green along the glass box from shoulder height prevented her seeing Clara completely, which left her relieved and disappointed at the same time.

- Yes, Clarinha? - She stared at the amber eyes now wet. It was amazing how Clara was even more beautiful with the water running down her body with her hair all wet, eyelashes, eyebrows, the water droplets down her face ... she had noticed it long ago, since Clara had taken the invitation for a lunch at her home with Cadu.

- Thanks for everything ... for accepting this madness ...

-  I who thank! - Marina smiled. - Now you will make yourself comfortable ... while I'll going to fix things out there! - She blinked, leaving Clara alone.

She tried to take the rags that covered the furniture of the living room, her favorite room in the house once which had a fireplace and a cozy sofa. She dusted what was visible to eyes and went down to the small private cellar which was in the basement.

A Poggio di Sotto. Is there anything better for this occasion?! Marina took two glasses in crystalline glass and a corkscrew in the kitchen. For appetizer, she had to resort to something frozen, and so opted to put a frozen pizza in the oven.

When she heard the noise coming from the hallway where Clara has showered, she ran toward her.

- Marina ... what's that smell? - Clara wondered, who was lost in the hallway, in doubt which direction to go. Although the photographer insisted that house was small, by the standards of Clara, the house was big enough to get lost.

- Here ... - Marina waved at the corner of the hall and Clara smiled, feeling her face flush with the dress that was on her body. It was much bolder than she used costuming, but at the same time extremely stylish.

- I said it would be gorgeous on you, huh? ... - Marina went to meet Clara, stretching one of the wine glasses that were in her hand to her.

- Ah, Marina ... I mean, it's kind of tight for me ... right?  I'm already a mother ... the 'things' do not ...

Marina raised her finger towards Clara.

- Don't you dare speak of your body like this! It fell tailor in your body. It's even prettier ...

Clara lifted a hand, accepting not speak, but that didn't stop her thinking. Clara grabbed the Marina's arm that was extended to her, and tasted a sip of wine.

- Hmm, it's delicious...

And both continued toward the living room.

- Enjoy the wine, because I don't know if the food will be so delicious.

- Are you cooking? How? - Clara was confused. - I never thought...

- No... of course not! - Marina laughed, amused. - It's frozen food ... and only...

Clara just laughing too, never imagined that Marina was the kind of person who would accept eating frozen food, but she didn't think that Marina was so many other things before she know her. She surprised her in every way, even more.

- The other day ... I dreamed about you...

Clara eventually confessed what made Marina immediately stop while she was walking in front of the fireplace that had been lit.

- How so? What was your dream about? - Asked the anxious brunette.

- Calm down ... it was not ... nothing ... I mean, calm down ... - Clara found herself embarrassed now that she left escape the dreaminess that she had once.

- Tell me .... come on! - Marina asked with a look that begged for the dream Clara.

- ... It was kind of nonsense, like ... - In thinking of reverie, the brunette felt her skin shiver. It had been so genuine, so real, that, in the dream, she had been able to feel all the sensations, the smell, the body, the touch of the brunette. - Ok...ok ... ok ... I will tell. - Clara sighed, defeated by the insistence of Marina, who celebrated. - We ... well... we dance to the music of 'The way you look tonight', by Rod Stewart ... - Clara hesitated to face Marina by shame, but the look of the two just met.

Marina smiled. She was radiant. The happiness didn't fit into her chest. This would be, if not the greatest, one of the greatest proofs that Clara corresponded to the feeling that had grown on her.

- Someday, when I'm awfully low ... - Marina began risking the beginning of the song.

- No, Marina no ... no ... - Clara capped her face with empty hand, which has not handled the cup.

The brunette took the cup of the hand of Clara and of her and leaned on the center table of the room, returning to sing.

- When the world is cold ... I will feel a glow, just thinking of you, and the way you look tonight...

- Marina ... come on ... the fun is over... just enough ... - Clara was even redder, which made Marina to smile even more. She reached for Clara, asking if she would grant her that dance.

- Oh, but your lovely, with your smile so warm and your cheeks so soft. There is nothing for me but to love you, just the way you look tonight ... - She continued singing, and when the Clara's hands touched hers, Marina pulled Clara slightly closer. The bodies of the two found themselves, as if they knew that way. Both trembled, and both smiled. Marina lightly settled her hand on Clara's waist, to lead her. - With each word your tenderness grows ... - They started to risking delicate steps across the room, in that swing that Marina whispered and drove. - Tearing my fear apart ... and that laugh that wrinkles your nose, Touches my foolish heart... - Marina pointed to her own heart, when referring to the latter part sung, and they both laughed. They continued to spin slowly around the room lit only by that fireplace. Clara seemed more comfortable, not psychologically, but also physically. Marina could feel her muscles lighter, less tense, besides her hands walking along some lines of the body of the photographer who was swing no more followed the rhythm of the music, but those two that together created their own song. - Lovely, never never change. Keep that breathless charm, will not you please arrange it, because I, I love you just the way you look tonight. - Marina further decreased tone of singing, actually, whispering into the ear of Clara, who turned to the end of the song to be able to face her.

Her eyes kept filling with tears. Marina took a hand in the eyes of her beloved, lightly wiping the tears running down, leaving trails in that beautiful face.

- Clarinha ... what happened? - Marina asked in whisper.

- Please tell me this is not wrong ... - Clara whispered confessing what afflicted her so much.

Gradually the two were stopping the swing of the bodies, but they didn't depart, and continued standing there, together. Marina held Clara's face, and gently slid her hand along the skin of the brunette, She went down with a fingertip on the left side of the neck of Clare, and stopped near where the heart was located, but this time gently removed her hand, preventing she bothered her with a premature touch.

- What do you feel here? What does your heart tell you?

Clara stared Marina and both maintained the exchange of glances.

- That is impossible to love anyone like I love you.

Marina felt her own eyes fill with tears by these sincere words that Clara had confessed.

- How can love be wrong? Love is the noblest feeling in the world. - Marina whispered, approaching her face from Clara, lightly kissing the corner of her mouth first, feeling the taste of her skin, mixed with the sweet taste of colorless lipstick. After that, she found the Clara's lips. She felt its softness, texture and, little by little, she was taking liberty to kiss her with even more desire. The brunette stepped towards Marina, further decreasing the space that was there, surrendering herself to that kiss, which became more intense, more real and warm every moment.

Thousands of things existed beyond Clara and Marina, thousands stories, including these special two. But, at that time, there was only the promise that Marina had made to Clara: that night the love was above all.