Make-Believe Marriage (19 page)

For Amanda's joy, the
social worker really went to visit her home the following week. Both she and
her son had gone through some questioning including about Tony. The social
worker asked questions and looked satisfied with the results she had obtained. After
the visit Amanda called Tony informing him.

- She would not tell me
openly that I will have custody, but gave me evidence that this will be her
conclusion – she said cheerful.

- I was sure of that
Amanda. - His words gave her even more courage. - How about celebrating by
traveling with me? - He invited.

- When you get home we
will talk about it – she said lovingly. That weekend the child would stay with
his father which could make the trip possible.

The following days were a
relief to her. Everything returned to normal and sometimes she and Tony exchanged
caresses. They were beginning to understand each other as man and woman giving
a new direction to Amanda’s uncertainties. One night, after taking Amanda’s son
to his room in Tony's arms, they talked until early dawn about plans that a few
weeks ago she was not even thinking about. When they did not make love, they
slept embraced as every harmonious couple should do.

As they had planned, they
took the plane on Saturday morning. It was a small aircraft that a friend of
Tony’s had loaned him. Due to the agitation of the week, as soon as Amanda
settled down, she fell asleep. During the travel time Tony watched her
constantly. His life was empty and grey before she appeared. All his time was
devoted to work, there was no room for trifles. Now he counted every hour of the
day he passed away wishing he could go home and see her, smell her. Falling in
love with her when she sought his eyes during meals or when they watched a
movie together. He could not imagine how good it was getting home and finding a
smiling child greeting him. Stuck in his thoughts, Tony did not notice when she
woke up.

- Do we still have a long
way to go? - she wondered stretching.

No. We'll be there soon. You
seem to be very tired or is it my impression? - He wanted to know, so he would
not insist on staying long at the party, that evening.

- After sleeping so much I
cannot say I'm tired. - She joked.

- I'm glad that we will go
off a little from our destination. I want you to see something that I consider
one of the most beautiful images. - Amanda saw the enthusiasm of a child in his
eyes. Soon afterwards, Tony invited her to the window, so she would see what he
wanted to show her.

- Look Amanda – he said,
pointing ahead. - There is what I wanted to show you. The famous Rio-Niterói bridge.
Isn’t it gorgeous!? – he exclaimed enthusiastically.

- It is really wonderful,
but it is sort of scary to see so much water around a concrete road. - She said
while flying over the bridge. - Seeing live like that, it is even longer than
it is perceived in the books and on the internet - he said.

- It is true, seeing it like
that is that you realize its extent. This bridge is 13.29 km long. - Amanda was
startled by the information. - Its construction was not that simple, although
it seems that everything went well because it is right there, majestic. It
started in 1969 and it should have been completed in three years, but there
were several setbacks, such as changes in the construction company, and the
bridge was only inaugurated on March 4, 1974 and is among the largest bridges
in the world. - "He sounded like a tour guide," Amanda thought
smiling to hear Antônio's explanation.

- It seems that it floats
cutting through all this expanse of water. - She added impressed at what she
saw.

- Guanabara Bay
collaborates a lot for all this beauty. And to think they even discussed about
the possible construction of an underground tunnel. There are people who
certainly would prefer that. Many say they avoid going from one city to another
for fear of driving through this great extension of a bridge over the water and
it may fall. - He amused himself by making the comment.

- I think I’d feel the
same. Imagine a car down there, the only thing you see for a long way on the
sides is a multitude of water. - She confessed. - But it's still very
beautiful. - Amanda saw boats passing under the bridge coming and going with
their cargoes from various places.

- It is man's wisdom
working on his behalf - he finished.

- Said the best tour guide
I've ever had. - She remarked smiling.

- It does me good to see
you smiling so. - He said looking at her intently.

- Thank you! I will try to
smile more often. - Amanda commented accepting his hand over hers.

As they prepared to go to
the party he concluded that she was doing what she had said. Her smile was
radiant. Tony hoped his presence was part of the joy she seemed to feel. Amanda
positively changed each new week. She was more willing and open to their
relationship. It was obvious that she did not feel the same as him, but it
appeared that it would be a matter of time, and he was hoping to see.

- I'll call from the front
desk and ask them to call a car to take us. - Tony left the room letting her
more comfortable to get ready. Taking advantage of her husband's absence she
perfumed her lap and the other parts of the body where he might want to touch
her after the party. That night Amanda was willing to reset the time and that
he respected with great affection. Evidence said that the custody of the child
was guaranteed; now, she could take better care of her love life, their
relationship.

Tony was in the room when
she came in.

- You look beautiful - He
paid her a compliment looking at her from head to toe. How not to be a little
jealous of that beautiful woman?

Amanda wore a beautiful
black silk dress going just below the knee, with high-heeled silver sandals,
matching her accessories. The hair fall over her shoulders like silk, smooth on
top and with large curls on the ends. There was a fine beauty parlor in the
building and Amanda used it to look better.

- Thank you! - She said. -You're
not so bad yourself – she said laughing. The blue suit with salmon tie gave him
the appearance of a god. -You didn't have to save words for him and Amanda did
not.

- Thanks for the kindness.
He joked offering his arm. – Let’s go now my wife. - He said narrowing her in
his arms and went on together as any couple in love.

When they arrived they
were taken to a table that was reserved for two. Everything seemed to have been
thoroughly organized. After having a drink that was served, Amanda got up to go
to the toilet to retouch her makeup. She would have to be vigilant, all the
women present were highly beautiful, and she didn't want to look badly in the
presence of her husband. When she returned, she saw a beautiful blonde talking
to Tony. For the first time, she felt a little jealous of him.

- Julia, this is my wife I
told you about – he introduced her, so Amanda came over holding his arm.

- Nice to meet you,
Amanda. I was already sure that this boy would grow old a confirmed bachelor. -
she joked. - When I heard he had gotten married I hardly believed it. Amanda
liked the woman when she noticed there was only a nice friendship between them.

- I thought it would be a
waste to let him grow old alone. -Amanda said and the two laughed together. Tony
narrowed her in his arms and nothing else mattered to Amanda but that contact.

– I’m really happy for
you. If you will excuse me, I need to get back to my husband who returned from
his call. – The beautiful woman left after saying goodbye to them.

– Why did you have to
squeeze my arm when you returned and saw her here? – he asked curious.

– I didn’t squeeze it.
Maybe I was cold. – She defended herself.

– Do you want something to
drink to warm you up? – He could not believe what she had said.

Amanda accepted the drink.
She was not used to alcoholic beverages, but knew of its importance in making
people less shy and she wanted to be less timid that evening. Her idea was to
show him how much she yearned for him and how big was the desire she felt to be
loved by him. For several times, when they had offered them drinks, she
accepted making Tony worried about how much alcohol she was taking in.

– Amanda maybe you should
stop drinking. I believe you are long past your limit. – he said touching her
hand on the table tenderly.

– Let me finish this and
we’ll stop. – she said embarrassed.

– Do you want to dance a
little before we leave? – invited Tony.

– Sure. – she nodded
stretching her hand.

The dance floor was
crowded. Like them, a lot of couples stood up to go dancing to the happy rhythm
of the 70’s. Tony grabbed her by the waist and swept her from one side to the
other, while they danced cheerfully to the sound of “Macho Man”, by group
Village People. For a few minutes, fun took over both of them, but Amanda
started feeling dizzy. When Tony noticed her sudden change, he couldn’t help
getting worried.

– What happened Amanda? – he
asked, holding her by the waist.

– I think the drinks went
to my head. – She answered embracing him by the neck.

– Let’s sit down for a
while. – Tony grabbed her hand and led her to the table.

– Do you want to go to the
hotel? It’s late already and not too many things will happen as of now, except
for a bunch of dizzy people like you. – She laughed at his remark and agreed on
leaving.

Tony helped her get in the
car and asked the driver to take them back to the hotel. When they arrived
there, she looked better.

– Alcohol seems to have
leveled down, where it belongs – he scolded.

– I think so too. – Amanda
looked at him all sweet. – Take me to the bathroom! – she begged throwing
herself into his arms.

Tony helped her get undressed
and was excited at what he’d seen. Amanda was wearing red underwear, with lace,
and seemed like the Goddess of Passion right there in front of him. Although
the vision was magnificent, he was determined not to give in, helping all the
way. Amanda went to the bathroom and he sat there for a few minutes until getting
a drink that would soothe him a little. When Amanda returned from her bath, she
hydrated and put on the clothes she had separated for the trip. When she
appeared in the room, Tony looked at her astounded.

– Feel better? – He asked
observing her naked skin under the fine cloth. Amanda came slowly and stood
before him dropping her see-through nightgown on the floor. Tony put the drink
on the table and got up.

– One should not torture
anyone at that level if you are not willing to reward the prisoner. – She heard
him say, laughingly, bending toward him. Tony pulled her into his arms, kissing
her hard. He wished to have endless days and nights. He would have his reward
now.

– Make me yours, love. – She
pleaded feeling the hot mouth on her breasts. – Make me happy like only you
can. – she asked trembling.

You drive me crazy you
know? - He confessed touching the naked body in front of him. The soft and
fragrant skin quickly excited him and made him hunger for her.

- I intend to continue
this punishment for a long time to come. - She said digging her nails into his
hair. Tony made her experience positions she had never heard of. Every move
they shared, she discovered new sensations, new pleasures. Everything was so
natural between them that Amanda could not imagine living without it from then
on.

- Never in my life have I
felt so much pleasure. - Her statement encouraged him even more. Tony hugged
her strongly to make sure that everything was indeed real. Having Amanda in his
arms so completely and beautiful still bewildered him.

- Let's try many things together,
dear, I promise. - He put her on his lap and made love slowly. The touch of
manly hands covering her waist and thighs left her in complete ecstasy. Delighted
she skirted his back coming and going to the back of his neck pulling him to
her. Insatiable, they made love until exploding together in a moan of pleasure.

Amanda woke up the next
day with light kisses on the cheek. - smiling she hid herself under the sheets.
Tony had taken her to bed without noticing after falling asleep.

- Have I ever told you how
beautiful you are ?! - He asked just for the kicks of it.

- Not that I remember. -
Amanda replied, hugging him.

- I thought you were
beautiful since the first time I saw you at the school gate. - he confessed.

- And then you designed a
preposterous plan to conquer me, right? - she joked.

- Perhaps I have really
done that without realizing it. Did I do my planning well? - he asked.

- Perfectly fine. - She
touched his cheek caressing the most beautiful and true face she had ever seen.
“He was achieving his goal, she was falling in love with him," she thought
cheerfully.

- Let’s go to the bathroom
and outline new body strategies. - She invited smiling maliciously.

- Right now. - Tony caught
her in his arms and they went together.