The great secret of the Savaios

Then I burst out laughing, like I've just heard the best joke. I was in the middle of a giggle fit and every time I tried to stop, I started laughing harder.

Vidia was staring at me like she was afraid I'd gone crazy, but the two men in that room were still serious. At no point did they deny what Vidia had said. So I stopped laughing and started staring at them in complete confusion.

"Is this some kind of prank?" I ask them, wishing from the bottom of my soul that this was all just a bad joke.

There's a knock on the door and an employee comes in with a tray. There was water and a medicine box. Vídia points at me and the employee walks towards me. I take that medicine as if I believed my life depended on it.

I took one out and put it in my mouth, took out the second and third. When I was going to take the fourth off the pack, Vidia takes the medicine from me. I take those pills, wishing they would erase these moments from my life.

"You can't tell anyone about this!" Fernando speaks, breaking the silence and receiving a scolding look from Vidia.

"Lia, are you feeling anything?" Vidia asks in a sweet voice.

"No". I answer.

"True?" Vidia asks again, moving closer.

"Yes, no leg, no hand, nothing." I reply making it clearer and making Vidia even more distressed.

"Take a deep breath. Do you think you need to see a doctor?" Vidia asks, Fernando was closer now, watching me.

"I think so, on the way you take advantage and drop me off at the airport". I say starting to get dizzy.

"She's going to pass out." I recognize Fernando's voice, as I can no longer see clearly.

"Of course she won't." Vidia speaks.

"She's making the same face you did." Fernando counters.

The last thing I hear is Vidia's voice screaming at me in despair.

[***]

I wake up with a jump, gasping. I look around and I'm in my room. To my heart's relief everything seems normal and it's only after noticing this that I can breathe. I run my hands through my hair and massage my head.

I was feeling dizzy and that's when I remembered everything. Filipe new godfather, going out for a walk, following the screams, I saw a man being tortured and then Vidia telling me that her boyfriend was a mobster. But worst of all, the man I'd kissed the night before was also a mobster.

I took a deep breath, trying to make sure this wasn't just a nightmare. A very bad nightmare and one I would gladly forget. I hear a knock on the door and I am startled. I authorize entry and see one of the employees enter my room.

"Dance class starts in 30 minutes." She informs and leaves.

I stand there, paralyzed. I slowly got up and headed to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror and I was extremely pale, as if I had seen a ghost. But it was actually much worse than that. I got ready, put on some makeup, blush and left the room.

I went downstairs feeling less suffocated, which didn't last long. I entered one of the rooms that had been improvised to serve as a dance hall. There were all the suspects in this story.

Filipe who was in a corner talking on the cell phone, Fernando and Vídia who were already dancing. Vidia's attention shifted to mine as soon as I entered. I went to the same place as the other bridesmaids and saw Vidia running towards me.

"How are you feeling?" Vidia asks worriedly.

"I'm the one who should ask you that, after all you're the one marrying a thug". I speak whispering and making her pull me to a corner.

"I'll explain everything to you, detail by detail. But please keep this a secret."

Vidia's look was one of despair and what could I do? My only option was to wait for him to give me a good reason to be marrying a mobster.

"Everybody come to the center of the hall, please." A lady dressed in typical ballerina clothes calls us.

We walk towards her, after Vidia makes me promise not to say anything. The room is huge and has enough space for everyone to rehearse. We were 8 godmothers and 9 godfathers. Thanks to the new addition, we were at an odd number, that is, someone would remain without training.

"Each man take his partner and prepare to learn the waltz." The dance teacher talks excitedly.

Some men fight over a few godmothers, as if they're going to do more than dance.

"The number is odd". One of the godmothers who doesn't have a date speaks.

"No problem, the man left can stay with me". The teacher speaks without losing heart.

I walk towards the teacher, making sure the most interesting person to dance with today is her. But before I can reach her, a hand pulls me back, preventing me from continuing. I look back and see Filipe, holding my hand and pulling me to him. Needless to say, everyone was looking at us.

"I believe we are a pair, as we are the main groomsmen." Filipe says showing that smug smile once again.

I pull my hand from his and stand beside her, not challenging him.

"Now, position yourself." The teacher says.

I turn to Filipe to face each other, I approach slowly wanting to have control over the distance we should stay. But Filipe, without any warning, pulls me by the waist.

Our bodies nearly come together unnecessarily, which is more than enough for his scent to flood my nostrils.

Philip was sin itself and he was not ashamed to confirm it by his expressions and actions. I remain serious, which makes Filipe flash me a big smile. Filipe stares at me with a smile and I roll my eyes.

I place one of my hands on his shoulder and join our hands. The music fills the room and we both start to dance. I am surprised to see that Filipe dances very well and elegantly guides me around the room.