Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

A few days later, with Vini already released from the hospital, the situation did not improve much. There were still armed clashes in various parts of the city, frightening the residents. The day that worried the authorities the most was a non-traffic jammed Wednesday in Rocinha. An intense shootout started in one of the neighborhood's hotspots. People started to run in a disorderly manner down the street. Others didn't pay much attention, perhaps used to the daily violence. A TV channel helicopter flying over the neighborhood was covering the events. The situation started to get worse when several shots were fired from the roof tops of houses towards the helicopter. Another TV news station that was also covering the shooting recorded the attack live.

- Oh my God! Shots were fired at the helicopter! It is losing control! There seems to be a problem in the tail end!

The aircraft spinned uncontrollably until it crashed into the street and exploded into a fireball.

- Unbelievable what just happened! The helicopter has crashed.

On Estrada da Gávea, a Land Rover vehicle with dark windows blocked the street. Several men got out of the vehicle and started running up the Estrada da Gávea carrying their weapons. The images were transmitted live to the whole country and the state government considered closing the borders.

Unaware of everything that was happening, Enzo, Belgium, and Italy went to the physiotherapy clinic to accompany Vini during the treatment of his knee. Italy's father and Belgium left them on the Avenida das Américas, which was very close to the entrance. Vini still felt a little pain, but felt more confident stepping his foot on the ground. Once Belgium had done the registration, it didn't take long for the situation to go from bad to worse.

- Look, Vini! Breaking news! - Enzo showed a magazine. - Jennifer Aniston and Brad Bitt got married! In 2000!

- Don't push it, Enzo! - Italy complained.

- What? If I can't make jokes about the up-to-date magazines of the medical clinics, then why did I come?

- That is a mystery that will remain a mystery. - Belgium also made light of it.

- Do you have any idea how long it will last? - Italy asked Vini.

- Maybe half an hour. No longer than that, I hope. If you want, you can go.

- No, no, no. We can wait. I mean, I can't speak for everyone.

- Enzo must be gone by now.

As it turned out, Vini was correct, for Enzo really has abandoned him. Italy as well, influenced by him. In fact, she wanted to talk about a matter that had been plaguing her for weeks.

- Enzo, darling, I wanted to know where we are in our relationship.

What?

- What?

- Where are we in our relationship? How close are we going to get?

Point?

- Point?

- Enzo, I am serious. You know that I have been waiting for you for a long time and I have given you all the space you need to decide what is best.

If Enzo noticed, then he could consider himself lucky.

- Italy, I won't lie to you...

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- I like you and I like spending time with you. I just miss certain things that a man needs.

- Like what?

Uh-oh. How could he say it without sounding rude?

- Us in bed.

Belgium grimaced.

- Is that all?

- Well... - Enzo tried quickly to think of something else. - Travel!

- You say you hate spending a long time in a means of transportation to a destined place.

- Yes, because Vini always makes our trips a living hell. He has this crumpled face and the airports think we are going to blow up the plane! The same goes for buses, taxi stands, trains, and even freaking golf carts!

Well, still, it could be worse.

- Do you think a trip can improve our relationship?

- Oh, sure! Vacations will always help in the intercourse.

- All right, then! - Italy replied, all excited. - I'll book a trip to the beach house in Búzios.

It was Enzo's turn to frown.

- Beach house?

- Yes, I have some friends who stay there when I'm not there.

- Friends?

Enzo's concern didn't make much sense, since Italy knew that he was sleeping with Russia. But at the same time, Italy felt that Enzo was slowly losing his attraction for the bizarre thing they had.

In any case, half an hour later Enzo and Italy returned to the clinic. Belgium helped Vini with the crutches and the paperwork.

- How did it go? - Enzo asked. - Did his thumb hurt?

- Very cute. - Vini smiled. - And the doctor was very good. And Mexican.

- Are the Mexicans invading Brazil too? The border is not too distant?

- Ha, ha. It never gets old.

- I am serious! I didn't know that a Mexican could be a doctor here.

- And why couldn't he? - Italy asked.

- Well, there's all the extra administrative paperwork bullshit. And the fact that he's a foreigner.

- Cut the nonsense, you fool. - Belgium complained. - You can practice medicine anywhere in the world regardless of your nationality.

Italy soon noticed that Enzo was picking on Vini. So the subject died right there, but Belgium was still in the mood to throw him off the Lake's roof. The truth was that Vini no longer felt any pain, only a discomfort. The doctor was very clear that he should not force the knee, as the recovery would be longer. Well, the doctor didn't know, but days later, agent Silva knocked on Enzo's door to inquire about the two's willingness to perform the operation.

- The helicopter crash put more pressure on us. - He said. - I feel like I have two kilos of cement on my back.

- I do understand, agent. - Vini offered a cup of coffee. - What are we going to do?

- Suzane spoke to you?

- Yes. Enzo went to the address, but there was nothing, with one caveat.

- I'm listening.

- An empty place. Perfect for an ambush. If we can trap him, this could be our chance.

- But how do we lure him in?

- I do have an idea.