The afternoon came, and we spent some really pleasant time together as a family. Later, we all had dinner together again, but there was still no sign of Valdemar. I guess I must have annoyed him somehow, or maybe he simply didn't like me. Even though I barely spoke to him...
But I don't care either. After all, I didn't like him, either. I hadn't even paid attention to him—only to his arrogance. He was completely rude and foul-tempered. He didn't seem like a brother to Valdimar, Valdinei, and Vanessa at all. They were so nice and funny. There was no comparison.
Night began to fall, and I went to my room to take a bath and rest. It was a beautiful night. I could see the moon through the window, reflecting off the river flowing toward the small lake. I was admiring the view when I heard the pickup truck coming from the stables. It stopped almost behind the house, practically right below my window, and someone got out. I couldn't see clearly, but I was sure it was that brute Valdemar.
I decided to lie down and rest for a while. My eyes began tracing the ceiling of that room. Every detail seemed to have been drawn with care. Little by little, my eyelids grew heavy, and soon I fell asleep.
With all the excitement of the day, I started dreaming. It was a very hot dream. An unfamiliar man entered my room. His hair was long, and he kissed me on the bed. Before things could get even more intense, I woke up startled.
"What's happening to me?"
The heat in that room was unbearable. I was completely drenched in sweat, breathing heavily. It felt like I'd just run a marathon.
"I need some water..."
My throat was dry. Or maybe I needed something really cold.
I looked at the door and decided:
"I'm going to have to go to the kitchen."
It was already past midnight. It was the middle of the night, and everyone was asleep.
I was wearing my silk nightgown, the coolest one I had.
"Oh, if I hurry, no one will see me. Everyone's asleep. I don't even need to change. I'll be quick and come right back."
I went down the stairs very slowly, one careful step at a time, trying not to make a sound. I was barefoot. The floor was so wonderfully cold I almost felt like lying down on it.
I walked through the hallway and reached the kitchen. The house was only partly lit. Moonlight came through the windows, illuminating the room just a little.
I started looking for a glass to drink some water, then remembered that Vanessa and I had put all the glasses in the cabinet above the counter.
I looked around for the little step ladder we'd used earlier, but I couldn't find it.
"I guess I'll have to climb onto the counter. I have to do it without making any noise."
I put all my strength into hoisting myself up. After all, it had been a long time since I'd climbed anything.
When I put my knee on the counter, I heard a voice behind me:
"What do you think you're doing?"
I jumped. I tried to look back, lost my balance, and was already falling when I felt two strong arms catch me with ease. In an instant, I was in his arms.
Without hiding his irritation, he began to speak:
"Are you crazy? Do you want to break your neck? Another reckless person in this house! I knew you were trouble from the moment I saw you!"
At first, I didn't even recognize that voice. But when my fright passed, I realized who it was.
The same voice that had given me such an unwarm welcome when I arrived.