“Hey, who are you? What are you doing?”
My soul froze and, for a moment, it felt like it left my body.
“I-I... I’m... Lia.”
“Oh, okay! Hi! I’m Valdinei.”
He held out his hand as if nothing had happened.
“I’m Mrs. Lourdes’s son, and...”
Before he could finish, he misstepped, tripped, and fell on top of me. I felt the full weight of his body pressing down on mine. He was shirtless, wearing nothing but jeans, completely soaked and still dripping water. I couldn’t move.
The water running down his body fell onto my cold skin, making me shiver. The rest of his body pressed against mine. Then he looked deeply into my eyes with those lake-colored eyes and said, almost like a sigh:
“You’re beautiful...”
He spoke so softly that I could barely hear him. Instinctively, I asked:
“What?”
He seemed to wake from a trance and quickly replied:
“I mean... I’m sorry! Did I hurt you?”
He got up quickly.
“No.”
He held out his huge hand and, with his strong arm, helped me to my feet. With one tug, he pulled me upright and started brushing the dirt from my hair, smiling.
“What were you doing here?” he asked.
“I was looking for a quiet place to read.”
He smiled nostalgically.
“Your grandmother used to read to me here. I loved her stories. She was the one who taught me to read and write, right here on this little bench.”
His voice was heavy with longing.
“What are you reading?”
“It’s a romance novel, but I haven’t even started it yet.”
He smiled.
“I like romance novels.”
Valdinei is the middle brother. He’s twenty-nine years old, six feet one inch tall, with an athletic build. His dark brown hair is always perfectly groomed, and his olive-green eyes draw attention because they radiate calm and security. He has a subtle, elegant, incredibly captivating smile. He wears a short, neatly trimmed beard that accentuates his strong jaw. He usually wears jeans, boots, a belt with a buckle, and cotton shirts that fit his body perfectly. He’s always immaculate, even after a full day of work.
He’s the most polite of the brothers. Kind, patient, and helpful, he’s always willing to assist anyone in need. Highly intelligent and observant, he prefers to listen before speaking and usually gives the best advice. His calm manner inspires trust and makes anyone feel at ease.
He’s a hopeless romantic. He shows his feelings through small gestures: making coffee, opening doors, offering his jacket when it gets cold, and never forgetting important dates. When he loves someone, he makes that person feel one of a kind.
Valdinei doesn’t have to make any effort to be seductive. His calm gaze, steady voice, and gentlemanly manner naturally win people over. His charm lies in his elegance, intelligence, and the respectful way he treats people.
Then Valdinei bent down, picked a flower, brought it to his nose, breathed in its scent, and delicately placed it in my hand.
“I won’t bother you anymore. Enjoy your reading.”
He looked into my eyes again, kissed my hand, and smiled as if the two of us shared a secret. He ran a hand through his hair and walked away.
My whole body shuddered because of that look. I smiled as I watched him leave. Still smiling, I saw him glance back and smile too before disappearing into the woods.
I didn’t feel like reading anymore. That afternoon, I’d lived through a romance far better than anything a book could tell.
Then I remembered that I needed to get back for lunch. It must have been time already. I shook the dirt off my dress, put my sandals back on, picked up my book, and followed the little trail I’d come by.
I reached the house soon after. I stomped my feet on the ground to get rid of the excess dirt, went inside, and headed to the bedroom to change clothes.