Blossom in Winter (Blossom in Winter #1)(71)

“Can you shut up?” I snarl. “I told you how much she means to me. If something happens, I’ll never forgive myself.”

I go outside to the terrace, and call Petra on her WhatsApp, but she rejects it. I decide to text. Petra, please get out of the car. Those guys are drunk and not trustworthy. The road is dangerous. Please stop. I’m picking you up.

I see her typing, and in a few seconds, she replies back. Why do you even care? Aren’t you busy? Just leave me alone.

I feel dazed by her hostility. I can’t understand why she’s so aggressive toward me. Why would she put herself in such a dangerous situation? I try to call her once more. But she again declines my call. I sigh, nervous. I should go talk to Roy, but he’s still giving an interview with the TV channel and flirting with female reporters. Unbelievable! He’s too busy to even notice his own daughter left the wedding. I see only two options: either I stay here and leave her alone with those guys, or I hit the road. My head says option number one; my heart, option number two…

Fuck it. I head to the parking lot, get my car, and leave for Corcovado Mountain, hoping I’ll convince her to stop.





Petra Van Gatt





Our car sounds like a Brazilian nightclub, blasting the soundtrack of “Banana” by Anitta, an R&B singer. Everyone’s euphorically dancing in their seats, drinking, and singing along with the song. Miguel’s no exception. He turns up the volume and puts his arms up to follow the rhythm. Claudia, seated beside him, is as excited as ever, screaming the lyrics like she owns the place and gorging herself on the cacha?a. Miguel whistles the refrain and claps on the steering wheel like a drum. Luiz is laughing and enjoying the playful atmosphere, while I’m nestled against him, my own bottle in hand, half empty.

Miguel has decided to reach the top as fast as possible, and he speeds up. He knows the road well—and hopefully all the curves coming up.

“Man! Take it easy!” says Luiz, seeing his brother getting excited on the curves.

I’m definitely not used to these types of roads, to such speed, and to being squeezed into the back seat with four people. I drink a bit more to chill, but my heart skips a beat at each tight curve, wondering if I’ll make it to the next one. Oh, boy. Here comes another one.

The road is so winding. More than I ever thought. I look down at my iPhone. Send me your live location, he’s texted. He wants to track me down. I think twice. But for the sake of my own life, I decide to share it.

Luiz notices I’m worried. He smiles and gives me a long, wet kiss on the cheek. “It’s alright, don’t worry,” he says. “We are nearly there. Ten more minutes.”

“Seu vagabundo! Você quer comer a filha do chefe do nosso pai, huh?” teases Miguel, staring at us from the rearview mirror.

Everyone bursts into laughter except me, as I don’t understand Portuguese. I feel they are making fun of me somehow. “What did Miguel say?”

“Nothing interesting,” replies Luiz. But his smile is not reassuring. I feel like it’s a lie. “He’s just saying we’ll enjoy the view.” I notice how Claudia’s shaking her head with amusement. I know he’s lying. If it was something “not interesting,” they would’ve said it in English. Miguel only spoke in Portuguese because he didn’t want me to know.

“Miguel!”

He abruptly turns right, slamming on his brakes. But it’s too late. The left front fender crashes against the granite hill, instantly stopping our car. The impact violently propels me forward. I hit my head against the front seat, before being pulled back against mine.

“Ahh!” I yell in shock, frightened, my heart racing.

The music stops too.

Everyone’s taking quick, short breaths. Fuck! Enough is enough! I look around, taking in my surroundings. I’ve got to get out of here. And fast. I glance at the rearview mirror and see headlights coming in the distance. By the noise, it sounds like a sports car.

“I need to get out.” Without thinking twice, I open my door and exit.

Luiz tries to reach my hand. “Petra, wait!”

The car approaches and stops behind us, at a safe distance from Miguel’s.

I can’t help but cry at the sight of Alex and run in his direction.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” he shouts, hugging me tight.

Oh God, it feels so good to finally be in his arms.

“Damn, Petra! You could’ve died!” He grips my shoulders and glares straight into my eyes. “You knew those guys were totally wasted! Why did you go with them? Why?”

“To hurt you!” I scream back. “So you can feel my pain seeing you with that woman! I know you don’t want her! I know it!”

“What’s up, Petra? Let’s go! It was just a small crash; it’s all good,” yells Luiz, getting out of the car quite unsteadily.

Alex lets out a sigh, angry at being interrupted. “Petra isn’t going anywhere. She’s staying here with me.”

Luiz starts walking aggressively toward us, as if ready to take me by force if needed. “No way, dude! This chick is mine!”

I feel Alex losing his temper with Luiz’s vulgarity, but he tries to remain calm. Nevertheless, he puts me behind him. “I don’t think so. You guys are drunk. You should go home.”