Chapter 56: Chapter 56

ATLAS:

As soon as I park, how surprised I am to see three cars, which by the way are very well known to me, parked in front of the castle.

He got out of the car going to open the door for my princess, but I barely reach the other side and it opens revealing blonde hair and curious blue eyes staring at the cars present there.

— We don't have visitors?— ironic question laughing when realizing that consequently our plan to take a bath is ruined for now.

— Unfortunately— I mumble, already facing the family, aka Aunt Maria and Pietro, followed by the Collinses and my parents with an enthusiastic Henrique, coming out.

Bunch of fucking empaths!

— MEL— soon my princess is reached quickly, but carefully, by Henrique in a hug that is soon reciprocated.

— I missed you so much my little angel— he replies kissing, EXAGGERATEDLY, all over his face.

— You ate the little seed, Mel— started jumping excitedly around and making everyone laugh at her innocence.

— Now you're officially uncle— she exclaims placing his little hand on top of her belly.

— I'm going to tell someone almost my age clinical, conversely, protege, and tell everybody that I'm going to be an uncle— he says smiling and keeps looking at both me and my female with teary eyes as if he had won the best gift.

I can already see that we will have a drooling uncle around here— I think happy to know that my little brother will undoubtedly help me protect his nephew.

— Yes little stick, you're going to need to teach him a lot dear— dear, even my nicknames she's using.

— Okay, now enough of this long hug— I growl sullenly, but I pick him up, giving him a tight hug and smelling the puppy scent that exudes from him.

— I missed you, brat— I say softly so that only he can hear, after all, I'm not much for showing that kind of affection, especially in public.

— Me too bro, me too— he replies tightening his arms around my neck even more making me smile with the gesture.

Everyone approaches starting to congratulate us, and they go on a spree with the news. I don't pretend to be asked and proudly say that I will be a father, in fact, everyone already knows, but I feel the need to keep repeating.

MY PUP!

— It's about time you gave me grandchildren— Dona Kath says smiling pulling Mel toward her in a hug and caressing my princess's belly.

— I'll say the same, I can't wait to see him running around— Elisabeth joins the hug, bending down and planting a kiss on Mel's belly.

— I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS HUG TOO— the feisty old woman, also known as Aunt Maria, screams running to join the trio.

I put Hick back on the ground, ruffling his hair in a typical big brother act.

— In a little while I'm crushed— my female says laughing, but it's inevitable not to get worried imagining that she's uncomfortable.

I open space between them trying to be as gentle as possible, something that is difficult for a male who is used to being rough most of the time, and I pick her up in my arms listening to everyone's protest in the process.

— I'm not made of Atlas China, put me on the floor— complains squinting in my direction.

Upset I put her on the floor making sure to keep an arm around her waist keeping her close to me.

— I don't know what these men have in mind to have all this overprotection with their companions— the old woman says looking curious.

— I ask myself that every day Maria— my mother replies looking at my father with one of her eyebrows arched and a wry smile on her face.

— We only want the best for the one we love— Christian, who until then had been quiet, decides to speak, generating a certain discomfort in Elisabeth who automatically becomes a little crestfallen.

As if he was anticipating the heavy weather that had settled in, Henrique reappears from inside the castle, which he had not even realized he had entered, in an immense euphoria.

— Guys, Glólia said that the food is already ready and because of the smell I can feel my little belly sick with hunger— he says while theatrically passing his hand on his stomach as if he were hungry.

We all laugh, except Christian, who maintains a sad face, which unfortunately only lit up for a little while as he was congratulating us on the puppy, showing his happiness at becoming a grandmother.

I hold Mel's hand and we walk towards the dining room, where a table full of different types of food is set.

I sit at the end of the table, with my partner and our family at my side, taking their seats.

We started our meal in comfortable silence, just enjoying our food, no whining.

However, we all stopped eating when we saw Mel take a piece of toast, put guava paste on top, slices of salami, and finally cucumber, taking that disgusting mess to her mouth where she took a generous bite and continued eating as if it were the most delicious thing in the world.

When he realizes that everyone is looking in his direction, he stops eating and looks at us as if we were crazy.

— What? Do you want it?— innocent question and we all promptly denied it making her finally understand— oh what? I'm pregnant— she finishes as if it's obvious going back to enjoying her mess.

I shake my head, imagining that everything will probably be thrown up and she'll never want to put it in her mouth again.

— We wanted to talk about something with you— I say introducing a subject— we found a leech, her name is Louise Bernard and she was very close to Albert— I look at Mel who wipes her mouth with her napkin before taking the floor.

— We managed to find out a few things about their mastermind, but we know that he had a personal reason to cause so much harm— he finishes and I feel one of his hands hold mine in a caress underneath the table.

— And what would that reason be?— Elisabeth asks confused.

We explained what we had discovered, emphasizing that we didn't know if it was true, but it was our only clue.

Something that didn't go unnoticed by me was Christian's behavior upon hearing about the female's delusion and her catastrophic decision to take her own life.

He started to stare off into space as if he were having some kind of memory as if what we were telling them reminded him of some memory.

I feel that Mel had the same impression because she looked at me with a look of distrust and at the same time sadness when realizing that her father could be somehow involved in this situation.

We didn't mention that according to the leech someone in the Collins family is directly linked to the female's death, after all, we don't want to make any kind of accusations.

But after this strange behavior by Christians, we have every reason to have a private conversation with him.

I just hope he doesn't sink further— I think with imagined regret his partner and daughter's reaction if he is involved.

We ended our meal in a neutral and suspenseful atmosphere, probably everyone was trying to find a possible solution to this enigma.

— I keep asking myself who this woman is, her story seems sad, but I don't know, I feel that there's a core in this anguish— Tia Maria suddenly says and I have to agree, there's something behind this whole story.

We are all in the living room now, my princess is sitting next to me with her head resting on my chest, while I make her one of those strokings that she loves so much.

He took off the boot he was wearing and left his feet free, I have to remember to massage them later, as they are swollen and painful.

— Or maybe it's just a girl who was hurt too much by an inconsequential man and put an end to the pain— Pietro says, drawing attention to himself— I lost a wife, I know how painful it is not to have the one we love— ends seeming to be hurt at the memory of his companion.

Maria strokes her back, giving her comfort, and who knows, security.

These two were born for each other.

— Well, let's change the subject, we need to think about good things and forget about the problems— my female gets up— let's put up the Christmas tree— exclaims showing enthusiasm, I know how much she loves this time of year.

— That's right dear— Elisabeth brightens up, jumping up— I didn't know that she also liked Christmas so much, just like I do— she says excitedly when realizing that her daughter had inherited the same taste for Christmas atmosphere.

— The best time of the year— he replies smiling— Dad, can you help me get the decorations?— he asks like someone who doesn't want anything and now I understand his intention.

She wanted answers, but she wouldn't make it clear, she didn't want to arouse suspicion.

(our female is really smart)— a very proud Klaus is present.

That's why she's supreme— I answer feeling an enormous desire to take her away from everyone and make her mine.

Later, later...

— Of course daughter, it's good to be doing these things with you, we lost your childhood so unfortunately... — He swallows hard, not being able to finish his sentence.

I can see that Mel was moved and bad with herself for being kind of deceiving her father when he only seems to want more time by her side.

— I will help, there are not many things so we both managed to bring everything— I say getting into the game and wanting to change the melancholic focus of the subject a little.

— Let's go then— is all my female says before starting up the stairs, followed by Christian.

It's today that we'll have answers— I think determined to get some information.