Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

The days passed quickly. Of course, organized crime didn't end overnight. It is impossible, even more so in Rio de Janeiro. But there was hope for better days. Schools re-opened. People started to go back to walking the streets in their so-called normality. Little by little, life returned.

And in Lake, life also returned. For a change, Enzo laid down on Vini's couch and turned on the TV, while placing some bets on Argentinean football league. One of the news channels was broadcasting the aftermath of Silva's operation in Rocinha. The numbers were not precise, but it was estimated that at least 7 were killed and many others were injured. Despite what the journalists were saying, the operation was a success.

- The dealer as know as Crazy Rooster was killed in a federal police operation. - The journalist began to cry. - Sorry, but it is too much emotion. Our children can leave home again!

- Ah, for fuck's sake! - Enzo complained one more time. - Shut up, you insufferable journalist!

- Is she crying all over again? - Vini asked.

- Man, now she just needs to say that she feels sorry for the criminal! All right, you like chaos to have something to talk about! We know it!

While he was doing the dishes, Vini received a call from an unknown number. He thought it was unusual, but took the call anyway.

- Hello?

- Vinicius?

- Yes, that's him.

- I don't have much time. It's Silva. I just wanted to say "see you shortly". And thankyou for helping me kill Crazy Rooster.

- Oh, no problem. It was a pleasure. Painfully.

- Say that I said hi to Enzo. And to your country name friend.

- I will. Hey, how do I find you? You know, when things get nasty?

Silva started to laugh.

- I'll find you. That's my job.

Makes sense.

- See you soon. - Silva said, ending the call.

Vini returned to the living room and brought Enzo a cigar.

- Silva called. He sent a hello.

- Ah, nice. Tell him I sent him another one. Nice fella.

- No argument there.

Then it was Enzo's cell phone's turn to ring. The number was not registered in his contacts, so he had no idea who was calling. Unless...

- It's the girl I set up a date with.

Vini had no memory.

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- You lost me.

- The girl from the first chapter.

- Are you serious? I thought you'd already gone out with her.

- How could I go out with her if I was with Russia? What about Italy?

- That never stopped you before.

- Hey, Vinicius Valverde, I may be what you think I am, but I have my principles.

- I know. After 378 Word pages, everybody knows what your principles are.

Then, Vini noticed that Enzo didn't answer the call.

- You're not going to answer it?

- No. - Enzo hung up the phone. - What's the point? I'm going out with her, we're going to get some drinks, then I'm going to go to her place, spend the night there, and then come home.

- Again, this has never stopped you before.

- Whatever. - Enzo blew the smoke up from his cigar. - So let me get this straight. You jumped from about twenty feet up to stop Crazy Rooster?

- Yes, sir.

- It was a very stupid plan, Vini.

- You could have told me on the spot!

- How was I supposed to tell you? Oh, I remembered, because while I was being shot with Silva, you were banging Belgium in the hospital.

- No, I wasn't!

- Of course you were!

- No, I wasn't!

- You were!

- All right, I was. Now, shut up.

- By the way, what about Suzane?

- On a cruise. Can you believe it? After all, she had the last laugh. She and her husband are free out there, wasting dirty money. Life is definitely not fair.

- Did she at least send a card?

- Yes, she did. It's in the fridge. Speaking of trips, are you going to Buzios with Italy?

- Honestly? I have no idea. I don't even know what I'll be doing in two minutes. Maybe check the statistics of the Argentinean second division championship. 40 teams, Vini! It's a beauty!

- Here we go. When you lose, you complain about the championship and that you "will never bet on these amateur leagues again".

- I have never said that in my earthly life!

But as it turned out, despite the mundane conversations of the two, there was one more small problem to be solved. Vini soon understood what it was, hoped that Enzo would also say something, but nothing happened. Of course Vini was going to remind him later that day.

- So, that's it? - Vini asked, looking at the beautiful view from the lake to the beach.

- Are you kidding? - Enzo laughed. - It is not the end, it is just the beginning.