After a long shower and drinking plenty of water, Tadeus goes down to the kitchen, where he receives the 'breakfast' Gustaph has prepared for him — Thank you, I feel like my soul has returned to my body — Tadeus says after devouring his food.
— You won't see me for a while. I have to do a job for your father.
— Are you going to Greece? — Tadeus asks and Pine nods. For Tadeus, knowing that Edwin has managed to get someone else to do his dirty work brings him a measure of peace of mind.
Despite Gustaph's insistence, Tadeus decides to stay as a guest until accompanying his friend to the airport — You've got to be very careful. Don't say anything that might anger them. You have to get back alive.
— Don't worry, remember what I told you — Gustaph says, placing his hands on Tadeus' shoulders — Cut contact. Perhaps the reason we haven't gotten any information is because that man insists on keeping you there and is trying to hold his meetings somewhere else.
— I still think he must have another, more hidden place to conduct his business — Tadeus remarks.
"Attention, please: Passengers on flight 705 to Greece, please proceed to gate 4 for boarding."
— That's my call. I'll be back in three... four weeks at most — Gustaph says. He kisses Tadeus on each cheek, they hug, and the senator goes his way.
<><><><><>
On the other side of the city, Charles takes Yenedith to her favorite restaurant where he accompanies her to dinner — You have to eat everything — he says, seeing her plate half-eaten.
— Why are you scolding me? — Yenedith says with a smile, and puts a heaping spoonful of beef with mushrooms into her mouth.
— Very good, keep eating, that's good! — he says in a mocking tone.
Yenedith laughs for several seconds, but doesn't say anything until she finishes eating — Do you think he's right, that maybe she'll never wake up?
— We can't guess. It's a very complex situation because the mind remains a great mystery in medicine — Charles replies — Sometimes hope is the best option, but if I'm honest, in cases of coma like these, it's important to keep our feet on the ground.
— I just can't help feeling that she deserves another chance. That her last moments are filled with pain, with helplessness…
— We don't know that — Charles says, taking both of her hands on the table. Yenedith smiles at this gesture, but pulls her arms away — I'm sorry.
— Thank you — Yenedith replies immediately — I never thanked you for what you did at Gem's house and for telling her parents what happened.
— You don't have to thank me for that — he replies — She's your friend, and I know that everything that happened affected you deeply.
Yenedith nods, and they leave the restaurant to walk around the park — Do you have any siblings? — Yen asks. Charles shakes his head, and she says — I don't want you to think we can't be friends just because I'm kind of your boss.
— I understand — Charles says with a smile. He decides to take her hand as they continue walking — Would you like to come to the pizzeria?
— Hey, you're not thinking of introducing me to your family so soon, are you?" Yenedith replies, stopping her walk — We haven't even kissed yet.
At that moment, Charles smiles with a sigh, somewhat surprised by what he just heard, so he places his right hand behind her neck and kisses her lips carefully, as if this weren't the first time.
<><><> JUNE <><><>
Tadeus is in his apartment getting ready for work as usual. He puts on his shoes, his jacket to complete the black suit he's wearing, and grabs his leather briefcase. Checking his cell phone, he sees five missed calls from different days. Although his first thought is to block the number, he decides against it.
However, that week he decides not to answer Alexander Strauss' calls and to focus on the office. His friend Gustaph's absence seems to be more noticeable than he expected that week, so he tries to connect a little more with his coworkers. He meets with them for lunch and after each news broadcast, even though he has work to do. He begins to think that it's not missing Gustaph that's bothering him, but rather the subtle threat from his father.
The last workday of the week arrives. Tadeus is leaving the news channel's office building when he sees Alexander watching him from inside his car across the street. He thinks about ignoring him, but he's been doing that for two weeks now. When he gets into the car, Alexander orders the driver to take them to his house — You're avoiding me, Tadeus — he says — Why?
Tadeus feels a rush of heat in his chest that spreads to his face with each rapid heartbeat — I was on a business trip. Gustaph had some things to take care of, and I went with him — he says.
— You told me you weren't a manwhore — Alexander remarks.
— I went as a friend — Tadeus says coldly — I thought about calling you, but…
— I thought things would change between us. It seems you're not very interested in having a relationship with me.
— You hired me to give you advice, and we ended up sleeping together, just like you wanted. We both played a role, and I don't think it's necessary to keep seeing each other.
— Is that what you think? — Alexander asks — You don't want to see me anymore?
— You just want to keep playing at having a relationship until you get tired of me.
— I assure you, you're not just whimsey — Alexander says.
— Okay — Tadeus replies with a neutral expression.
Alexander looks into his eyes for a few seconds and then returns his gaze to the window. The mere thought that another man heard his moans makes him clench his fist tightly, resting his chin on it.
When they arrive at the enormous house, at the top of the stairs there's a spacious hallway furnished like a living room. Around the walls are the doors to four bedrooms and a balcony.
Alexander sighs heavily and puts his hands to his head, trying to think. He's never felt this way before, as if his heart were burning. He knows nothing but to confess his feelings, but Tadeus is like a wall of ice that hurts him.
— Are these last few days really just a transaction for you? — Alexander asks. His expression falls with disappointment at not getting an immediate answer.
— It's not that — Tadeus says softly, sighing as if he were tired.
Alexander takes this as a clear sign of his emotional detachment and says — I told you how I feel. Don't you care?
— Yes, I care.
— If I ask you to stay...
— I would stay.
— Would you like it? — Alexander asks, looking into Tadeus' eyes, his gaze uncertain.
— Yes — he says, intending to lie, but he finds within himself that this answer isn't entirely false.
Tadeus decides to stay the night, but he feels uneasy and doesn't speak to him. He doesn't know what to say without further compromising himself, being so close to achieving the goal for which he's continuing this whole charade. He also has to grapple with his moral dilemma: sleeping with someone for money, for extortion, or for mere pleasure and desire. Either way, the answer remains tied to his guilt for keeping his true intentions hidden all this time.
— Let's get in the jacuzzi — Alexander suggests.