Free Make-Believe Marriage by Dill Ferreira

Antônio offered before choosing a table.
    - No way. We stay here. -
Amanda replied putting her arm through his. - Now I could understand why Breno
disappeared this week. - The comment left Antonio more at easy. In those days
he had been away he was curious to know if Amanda's ex-husband was disturbing
her.
    The waiter took them to a
table nearby Breno and his companion’s and to Amanda's luck, Antônio arranged
so she kept her back to him.
    - Today you choose what we
will eat. - Antônio said taking her hands on the table. - Today is one of those
days when we have to perform very well; as you told me Breno does not believe
in our relationship – he said with a glare in his eyes.
    - Okay, but let’s not
overdo it. - She was nervous about what could happen if caresses continued to
increase.
    - It will be as you allow
it to be. - She did not understand the meaning of those words, but preferred
not to get into it. The waiter came and took down their orders.
    After Amanda chose the
food they both seemed tense. She knew the cause of their anxiety, soon they
would need to exchange caresses and she did not know if she was ready for this;
as for Antônio, there was an unknown expression on his face. “He was up to
something," Amanda thought, concerned.
    Amanda realized that the
waiter had been called to Breno’s table and found that he had just arrived too.
She preferred they were already on their way out, but to her chagrin, she
confirmed otherwise. A wine was soon served at the table of Amanda’s former
husband and the waiter approached suggesting a bottle for Amanda and Antônio
    - Courtesy from the
gentleman on the back - said the young man serving both after pointing to Breno
who greeted them with a nod. Amanda saw Antônio do the same in the way of thanks.
     - He has good taste for
wine - declared Antônio tasting the drink.
    - It is one of his few
qualities - said Amanda.
    - So a toast to the few
qualities of the father of your child, because if he had many, you would not be
here with me. - The joke made her laugh relieving the tense atmosphere that
hovered on the atmosphere. They touched their glasses lightly.
    - How were the days here
alone? - he asked curious to know how she’d been.
    - No news! I worked, I
spoke a few times with my son, with my parents and worked some more. - Her
comment made them smile together. - And Breno did not come by to torment me as
usual. See? My lonely days were very peaceful. And you?
    - I worked and worked. I
went out a few times to see the movement of the city with the help of my
client's assistant. - That last information seemed to call her attention more. Antônio
noticed it.
    - Really? Then you got to
know a little of the city?– she asked.
    - Yes the girl was very
kind to me. She left her job to accompany me to some places. - He was beginning
to like that game, but would not go far, she would think that he would seek
pleasure away from the house while they were married.
    - I'm glad you found
someone to tour you around. - "Red light," he thought. She was
beginning to get bored with the conversation, it was time to stop.
    - Her husband was our
driver and was also very kind. A really lovely couple. - Amanda's face changed
and from there on she talked and smiled more giving him the certainty that at
first she felt jealous, perhaps more as a woman than as a friend.
    I love you! - said Antônio
suddenly taking Amanda to almost choke with wine.
    - What? - She asked
surprised. Antônio picked up his hand and brought it to his lips leaning her
body a little.
    - Her ex-husband is
watching me a lot. - Antônio said quietly. - He seems attentive to my lips and probably
understands what I am saying - he explained to undo the amazement on her face.
    - I never knew that he had
learned to read lips. - She commented still surprised.
    - I swear he's trying to
Amanda. - Antônio stood up again getting back on the same position, erect and protective.
    - If you feel we need to
fake, all right. She