Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(70)

“Can we move on?”

“Okay, fine, I’m sorry…” Rafaela sighs and crosses her arms, leaning back on the sofa.

“Ah, finally! You guys are here,” exclaims Paulo, staring at us. “Look, Globo TV would like to interview us. Are you guys available? It’s just for ten minutes.”

“Sure.” Thank you, Paulo. I’m glad to leave this infernal view of the dance floor, barely tolerable.





Petra Van Gatt





Following our very sensual dance, Luiz seems as confident as ever. Or is it because of the many drinks during dinner, followed by the cacha?a shots at the bar with his brother? Nevertheless, he takes my hand, and we go outside to join Miguel, who’s already throwing his own private party with his friends and Claudia near the fountain. They’ve stolen a couple of bottles from the bar and are enjoying some Brazilian R&B far from the media and the older guests.

I observe the beautiful gardens and the park surrounding me. Then I look at the facade of the palazzo and the giant cliff behind. “It’s so beautiful outside. And the view of Christ the Redeemer is incredible.”

“Have you ever been there?” asks Luiz.

I shake my head.

“Would you like to go now?”

“Now? Isn’t it dangerous? Don’t you have to go up a steep road through the jungle to reach the top?”

“It’s alright. We’ll bring Miguel, Claudia, Norberto, and his girlfriend. It’ll be fun. At this time, it’ll be empty.”

I swallow hard. After all, the road is in the middle of the wild Tijuca National Park up in the mountains, probably with little to no lights or guardrails to protect us from falling off. I look around, but don’t see Dad, Alex, or Rafaela. They are probably inside. And Alex will be spending the rest of the evening—and night—with her anyway. I shouldn’t have had high hopes. Tonight he will be with her, not me. “Sure, let’s go. Why not?”

Luiz beams with joy, yelling and waving at his squad. “Hey, folks! We’re going to Corcovado to show Petra the view. Let’s take the bottles.”

They all respond by whistling and cheering.

“Looks like everyone’s keen to join.”

“Are we all going in the same car?” I ask.

“Yep, you don’t mind squeezing in a bit, right? Here, this bottle is for us.” He gives me a Yaguara Branca.

I open it. The smell of the fermented spirit is so strong, but I take a sip anyway. I frown. Yuck! It burns as I swallow.

“Let’s move on, people,” yells Miguel excitedly, arms up in the air with a bottle in each hand. “Let’s visit our dear buddy up there! Oh yeah! Now we are talking. We’re gonna throw a hell of a party with Christ!”

Everyone bursts into laughter while Miguel continues shaking his hips and spinning around.

“Cool down, Miguel,” snaps Claudia, dragging him to the car.

“Don’t tell me he’s gonna drive?” I’m nervous, but Luiz seems quite amused with his brother’s behavior.

“Miguel knows the road very well. Don’t worry, we’ll be fine.”

“Don’t you think we should at least let your father know we are leaving? It’s his own wedding, after all.”

“Hey, gar?on,” shouts Luiz, seeing a waiter nearby. “Tell Rafaela we are leaving for Corcovado. She’s at my table.”

I gasp in horror. “Why Rafaela?”

“I like her; she’s cool. She always got my back. Don’t worry. C’mon, let’s go.”





Alexander Van Dieren





I glance at the dance floor, but she’s not there anymore. Luiz isn’t either. I look at our table—empty. Only Rafaela is there chatting with a friend. My heart tightens, picturing Petra and Luiz somewhere doing God knows what.

“Where’s Petra?”

Rafaela sighs and takes a sip from her glass. “She left with Luiz and his friends.”

My heart skips a beat. “Left? What do you mean ‘left’?”

“I think they went to Corcovado Mountain. Luiz wants to show her the view from Christ the Redeemer. How romantic, right?”

“What? Are you kidding? That road is perilous! There are no lights, and it’s in the middle of nowhere. Those guys are totally wasted! Why did you let them go?”

“Luiz and Miguel are adults,” she snaps.

“Not Petra.”

“Relax. She’ll be alright.”

“Who is driving?”

“Miguel, I think.”

“Oh shit!” I know the narrow, steep road to Christ the Redeemer requires maximum concentration. Not only does the road twist and curve with the altitude, but there are no lights whatsoever and no guardrails. A simple distraction could be fatal.

“It’s alright, don’t worry. They know the road.”

“Rafaela, Miguel is drunk! I could hear him yelling from the gardens. He’s been drinking nonstop since dinner. The road to reach the top is dangerous. How can you ask me not to worry?”

Rafaela shakes her head, exhaling loudly. “You’re way too protective of her. Those guys know how to handle alcohol. Let her have some fun. She and Luiz seem to be very—”