8 - ADAM
I hide my hard-on, playing dumb as I leave the dance floor.
Lara’s drawing all the attention. What’s gotten into her?
She’s at the drinks table, downing them one after another.
She dances off, pushing people onto the floor.
Along the way, she snatches glasses as they pass, drinking more.
She grabs some guy’s tie—I don’t know him—catches him off guard, yanks hard, and kisses him on the mouth.
He doesn’t even have time to react. She moves on, grabbing other people.
Shit, she’s giving pecks to my mother, my aunts—doesn’t spare anyone.
Soon her face is smeared with lipstick. She dances like a maniac.
Gropes asses. Throws her shoes in the air.
One nearly hits her own father on the head—he laughs at the table while his wife scolds him.
Lara, not satisfied, keeps going, takes a cigarette from another man, takes a drag and coughs, laughing.
Tosses the lit butt onto the lawn. I see feet stomping out what could’ve been a fire.
I start toward her. Hands hold me back. I see Olavo and David, one on each side.
Lara licks Paula’s mother’s face. She screams.
Nicolas and Natanael stop Lara before she can continue her rampage.
Nicácio and Louise take the microphone, asking for everyone’s attention for a moment. They apologize for their daughter, assure everyone the incident is under control, and announce that the party will continue. They raise their glasses.
“A toast to the happy couple!”
I hear glasses clinking while I watch from across the room as the twin brothers lead Lara away—she’s giving pecks even to them—and they disappear with her into the house.
Laura appears out of nowhere and hugs me.
“My God, honey, I’m so sorry about my sister. I had no idea the big city had changed her so much.”
I look at my shocked parents. David is talking to a couple—must be the German representatives.
We’re screwed!
I know I should be worried about smoothing things over, should go talk to them too. But my eyes catch the twins leaving the house. Where’s Lara? Deliberately, I guide Laura over to my parents. She tries to calm them down—I don’t really catch what she’s saying. I don’t care, that’s the truth.
I play it cool and head inside. Some guests are leaving. Someone grabs my arm. Olavo.
“David’s worried about you. What do you think you’re doing, man? Come on, come with me. The Germans need to talk to you.”
“No, Olavo. I need to find her.”
He looks at me as if he understands. How could he?
“Only if you’re going to end this circus and then get back out there to lock down the deal, Adam.”
I give my word. The same word I’ve broken countless times since I met her. I’m not proud of it. He tells me she’s in the office. We see the key on the outside. They locked her in. That’s awful.
I ask Olavo to keep watch. Two knocks, then two more, and I’ll know someone’s coming.