The Tide of Fortune

Chapter 7 A Birthday Party

Reginaldo visits his father-in-law at the hotel. Antonio is wearing a serious and intimidating expression.

"Reggie, how nice of you to come. Today before lunch Laura came saying she wants to divorce you. What have you done to hurt my daughter?"

Reginaldo is upset at how quickly Antonio blames him for this.

"I didn't do anything, sir."

Antonio adds wryly, "Exactly, that's the problem. You don't do anything."

"Selling popsicles on the beach is a worthy profession."

"I wouldn't use the word 'profession', young man."

Reginaldo uses the same sarcastic tone, "You never offered me a job here at the hotel. What else can I do?"

"A man always gets his way, Reggie. Anyway, explain to me why my daughter wants to divorce you?"

Reginaldo decides not to talk about her lover when he sees that Antonio is unwilling to believe him.

"Well... that's what happens when there is a marriage by force. There is no love."

Antonio rages, "And what happened at the nightclub? You admit that you simply acted like an animal by raping my little princess—"

"I did NOT rape anyone!" Reginaldo retorts equally furious.

"So you admit that there was love in the sexual intercourse?"

Reginaldo petulantly replies, "Of course not, it was purely an alcohol-driven act."

"Then you raped my daughter, end of discussion! If there is a divorce, I will report you to the police! That was the deal, so convince my daughter to get this idea of divorce out of her head."

Reginaldo is uncomfortable, his fists clenched.

"Aren't you going to tell me anything, useless?" Antonio teases him.

"I came here to borrow some money. I have a friend in need—"

Antonio's vicious laugh sounds like whiplash on Reginaldo's back, "That's absurd. How do you have the nerve to borrow money from me, knowing clearly that you're not going to pay me back?"

Reginaldo pleads in desperation, "It's just that this friend has known me since I was a bachelor—"

Antonio gestures, quite insensitive, "I don't care! If you want to borrow money, quit the popsicle business and get some decent job."

"Are you finally going to recommend me for some position here at the hotel?"

Antonio mockingly replies, "What are your qualifications? A hotel management degree? Post-graduation? Masters Degree? Some course at SENAC?"

It was obvious that Reginaldo had none of these. Antonio continues with a cruel smile before an embarrassed silence.

Reginaldo simply gets up and leaves, slamming the door shut.

Later, Reginaldo strolls through the splendor and exotic beauty of the beach. The waves crash on the sand and seagulls flap their wings in the orange sky. A few bathers gather their things to leave.

Reginaldo is swimming toward the sand. The activity calms him down after the fruitless argument he had with his father-in-law.

When Reginaldo gets out of the water, he checks that no one is around since he was swimming naked. He grabs his clothes and towel.

In the evening, Reginaldo enters the house drying his hair with the towel.

He feels his cell phone vibrating and decides to answer it. Suddenly, Reginaldo's eyes widen.

There is a message from an unknown number = 'Hello, Mr. Fabray! R$100,000.00 has been successfully deposited into your checking account.'

Reginaldo narrows his eyes. Where did this money come from?

As he starts walking up the stairs, he hears laughter from Laura and Eduardo coming from the kitchen. Reginaldo tiptoes over there.

Eduardo and Laura are brazenly eating the food that Laura despised at lunchtime.

Laura speaks with her mouth full, "I must admit that my husband cooks deliciously!"

"Stop complimenting the bum!" Eduardo demands somberly.

Laura teases him with debauchery, "I love it when you get jealous. That way you get smart and value the woman you claim to love."

"'Claims to love' my nose! I LOVE you, Laura. Will we have to repeat the record?"

"Repetition is always good for emphasis." Laura swallows her food, "So, are we going to the Mendonca's daughter's party?"

Reginaldo notices that Laura is already dressed up for the party.

"No..." Eduardo twitches his nose, "I'd rather stay home and work on my book. I was supposed to do that yesterday."

"Sorry for messing up your plans, but yesterday was fun. Dad insists I go with Reggie."

Eduardo is amazed, "But then everyone will know..."

Laura interrupts him with hatred, "Yes, but he decided that way because I announced to him that I wanted to get a divorce. He disagreed."

"Laura, don't obey your father. Let's go to the party together! I'm just going home to change my clothes and come back here so we can appear together in the social columns!"

Reginaldo gets angry and leaves before they both see him.