Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro

The next day Enzo and Vini were demonstrating completely opposite concerns. While the first one was choosing his clothes to go out with Ana, Vini was still hammering the idea that a ghost wanted to dominate his soul. But in between, the two were still able to talk about other topics just for the purpose of distraction.

- Hey, Vini, look. People are buying emotional assistance animals. A woman had to be removed from a United flight because of her peacock.

- In parts. What the fuck are emotional assistance animals?

- It's like an animal that you buy to deal with your depression, anxiety, crisis, you name it.

- But is this animal more expensive than the others? I mean, what is the difference from a normal cat to an emotional assistance animal?

- I don't know, Vini.

- Another thing. A fucking peacock? I was imagining a hamster or a cat. And who is the asshole that brings a peacock to an airport? What is wrong with people? Other than the blatant.

- Don't you find it interesting?

- Of all the words that popped into my head, interesting must be in the last place.

- Which animal would you choose?

- I already have a pet that supports me. He lives upstairs and eats my food. And unbelievably my aunt and sisters-in-law.

- Very good, you wanna know which?

- Ha, ha. Very funny. And no, I don't want to know.

But there was still one subject that the two of them needed to discuss.

- Are you having dinner with Belgium tonight?

- Yes, I am. Which means no interruptions, no cell phone calls, no unwanted visits, or anything of the sort.

- Relax, Vini, I'm also going out with Ana, remember?

- First, when you say "relax, Vini", it is the same as saying "get even more uptight, Vini". Second, I'm serious, try not to show up here, especially since your name is not very well liked in the Europe family, if you know what I mean.

Oh, Enzo felt betrayed.

- How so? - he asked. - What did I do wrong?

- Let me point out. You started dating Italy, made her fall in love, and then started sleeping with her sister, Russia.

- I still don't see the reason for the boycott.

- Then you got tired of both of them and spent a night with Luana, the crazy motorcycle girl.

- She was nice, but remind me to never get on a 1000-cylinder BMW again.

- Don't change the subject, dumbass. Finally, you ended up with Russia and then Italy on our trip to Buzios.

- Well, using those terms makes me sound like the bad guy.

- I'm sorry. I will reiterate my entire argument. To begin with, you are an ass.

- And...?

- No, that's all there is here. You are an imbecile.

- While you were talking bullshit, you could have been setting the table and I could have been at Ana's house.

- Are you going to meet there?

- Don't be ridiculous. Her father is taking us to the Park.

- Our Park?

- Yes, Vini, dammit it! Which park would that be?

- But... If you're already here... And she there... - Vini realized it would be a waste of time. - Forget it.

Eventually, Enzo made his way to Ana's house, and then returned to the Park right in front of Lake. But as it turned out, Enzo's plan didn't prove to be very clever, as he would catch a ride with his new father-in-law on the very first date. Or second, in this instance.

- Have a good time. - he said, smiling. - Enzo, take care of her. Otherwise I'll fucking kill you!

- I will. - Enzo answered, a little embarrassed.

The Porsche of Ana's father sped down Dulcídio Cardoso Street until the LED taillights on the back of the SUV became just little red dots. Ana looked around and didn't recognize the surroundings at first.

- Are you sure I've been here before?

- Positive. I brought you. It was under that lamp that we...

- What?

Enzo's silence said it all.

- Really? No way! I would have remembered.

- Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like you do.

- Well, it is no big deal. Because it will be very good to refresh memories.

Ana held Enzo's hand during the winding path covered with Portuguese stones. A dog came out of the woods with a tennis ball in its mouth, running towards its owner. Everything seemed calm and peaceful. Enzo didn't want to say it out loud, but this moment was one of the best of his life.

- Ana, this moment is one of the best of my life.

Well, he didn't want to say it, but he did it anyway.

- Oh, darling. - Ana got emotional. - I am very happy to have met you again so many years later. It feels like a dream.

- Isn't it? Like a Nancy Meyers movie.

But as it turned out, the dream soon turned into a catastrophy film as he would also be reunited with a well-known figure from his recent past.

- Oh, hell no. - Enzo soon expressed regret when he saw the approaching figure.

- Hello there, clown. - said Pacifier, smiling.

- Pacifier. What a great shame to see you here.

- What are you doing here, in my region?

Enzo laughed.

- Your region? Your father now owns the international traffic of the rich young people from Barra da Tijuca.

- Well, yes.

Uh-oh.

- And who is your cute friend? - Pacifier asked, checking her out.

- Just a friend.

- Holding hands in the Park, she doesn't look anything like the whores you usually hang out with.

- Whores? You go out? - Ana started to wonder.

- Ignore that asshole Pacifier. He's a jerk.

And he's right, but one fact doesn't nullify the other.

- Anyway, Enzo, I come in peace.

- Obviously. Like the ETs in War of the Worlds. Oh, I came in peace, to then vaporize the humans to dust and suck the blood.

Pacifier and Ana didn't understand that comment.

- What? I like alien movies.

- My name' Ana. - she said, offering her hand. - I'm a friend of Enzo.

- Strange. - Pacifier was surprised, of course. - I've never seen you before... Ana.

- I came recently to Rio.

- Anyway, as I said, I came in peace. I was going to your house anyway. - Pacifier took two golden envelopes from his Adidas backpack.

- What are these? - Enzo asked.

- Check it out.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Enzo opened the envelope. It was an invitation. An invitation to Pacifier's birthday party at a private club on Fantasy Island, about five minutes from Lake.

- I didn't know there was a woman here, if I had known I would have made another invitation. You can take her if you like.

- How generous. - Enzo teased.

- What do you think, darling? - Ana, naively, asked.

- I think it's an... idea.

- An idea?

- We'll talk later. But yes, I will be there, Pacifier.

- Good. Make sure you get there on time.

This Enzo himself wouldn't be able to do. But anyway, Pacifier turned around and was on his way back. Later on Enzo would deliver the other envelope that was destined for his colleague, Vini.

- Is this a fancy party? - Ana asked.

- Fancy is not exactly the term I would use for that dumbass. I would say excessively flamboyant.

- Like Elton John?

- What, are you nuts? Never compare Elton to that brainless dwarf. He probably believes that Elton John is a brand of anabolic steroids.

- But why the concern?

- I can even tell you, but after I tell you, I can't un-tell you.

- Dear, I am aware of the risks.

Back at Lake, Vini's dinner was going very well. Thanks to Enzo's stupid plot to buy three whole salmon at the supermarket, Vini was forced to serve fish to Belgium. But as it turned out, the idea proved to be quite intelligent, since Belgium was in favor of typical dishes from the sea.

- It's delicious, dear. - he complimented. - You're a great chef.

- Did you hear that, Gordon Ramsey? Kiss my ass, you fucking donkey!

Still, it could be worse.

- Vini, dear, could you please tell me what condiment you used? I thought it was a genius touch to add capers and a little pineapple sauce.

- If you knew, why did you ask?

Well...

- I'm just happy we're here. - Belgium justified. - You know, since the previous events, we don't need to go back to the subject, I feel we are closer, don't you?

No, Vini doesn't. Nevertheless.

- I think so too, sweetheart. In fact, I wanted to say that I wouldn't wish to be with anyone else but...

Then they both heard two knocks on the door. And Vini let slip the rest of the sentence, which didn't match up at all with the entire discussion.

- Enzo!

Belgium looked strange.

- Enzo?

- No, not "Enzo". I think that's him at the door, even though I gave a direct order not to show up here today.

- Maybe it's something important.

- It never is, darling. It never is.

Vini answered the door and was not very cheerful to see him.

- I remember I made it clear to not to show up here!

- I know! But then I ran into Pacifier.

- Oh, bugger. - Vini lamented. - This can't be good.

- So I remarked. But then he brought me this. - Enzo showed the envelope.

- Nice envelope. - Belgium said, waving her hand. - Who is your friend, by the way?

- Oh, that's Ana. Ana, Belgium. Belgium, Ana.

- Belgium? - Ana had to ask. - Were you born there?

- No, that's my birth name!

Ana looked at Enzo, completely confused.

- It will never stop being funny. - Enzo pointed out.

- Anyway, what does that idiot want?

- Basically, we were invited to Hell's Gate on the day of the christening of the Devil.

- Is it Pacifier's birthday? - Vini asked. - That's odd, I thought it was in October.

- No, it is not, but anyhoo, he called us. You know what we must do, right?

- Fake a terminal illness and run away to Paraguay?

- That's in case the bookies find out my address, Vini. We need very, very expensive suits and clothes.

They both stared at Belgium.

- Why are you looking at me? I have six sisters, I don't have men's clothes!

- Maybe not, but you know fashion better than any of us. We need you so that we don't show up there dressed like a lost member of the Village People, or a drug dealer.

- All right, Enzo. I'll help you guys.

- Good.

Finally, Vini and Belgium returned to their romantic dinner. Enzo went to his place. Everything looked calm, until Vini heard a curious noise from upstairs.

- Is that what I am thinking?

- Yes. That imbecile Enzo has no fucking shame at all. Get the sweeper from the kitchen, please.

Belgium went into the kitchen and picked up the longest wooden handle he could find. And finally, Vini began to bang the end of the handle on the ceiling, right on the floor of Enzo's house.

- Hey, Enzo, stop doing... What I think you're doing! There are people down here who want dinner!

- Ana is also down there too! And she wants to have dinner too! - Enzo surprisingly answered from upstairs, which infuriated his friend.

Oh, no. Vini couldn't stand it. He opened the door and took the elevator to the 11th floor. Vini didn't even have to wonder, because he knew that Enzo didn't even bother to lock the door. If Vini were a hired killer, Enzo would already be talking to the angels. But if his front door wasn't locked, his bedroom one was closed as a wine bottle.

- Who is it? - Enzo asked as a joke.

- Enzo, open this damn door!

- It's okay. You can come in.

And when he did, well, the image he had pictured was quite different. But in the end, Enzo and Ana were just lying under the covers.

- Enzo, I know that you have found your first love again, and I'm very happy for you, really, but your happiness is kind of getting in the way of my happiness, and I recognize that saying this to a half-naked couple is quite embarrassing, but I'm trying to be as conscientious and fair as possible.

- Vini. - Enzo replied. - I'm completely naked.

- Yeah, coming here was a total waste of time.

- Honey, excuse us. - said Ana. - Enzo got a little excited and we ended up making a little noise. We promise we'll be quiet.

- Oh, oh, oh. What's this "we" business? I don't promise a thing. In fact, my plan was to clear the nine-year backlog in one night. And, Vini, the beatings actually helped me a lot.

Well, it could be worse.

- I appreciate the insights. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my salmon.

- Salmon? - Enzo complained. - You said it was a bad idea.

- Enzo, you bought more than 300 reais worth of salmon.

- Really? - Ana was impressed.

- Enzo bought it, I paid for it, unfortunately. - Vini clarified.

- But I brought them home from the supermarket.

- Oh, that's great. You weren't a complete good-for-nothing.

Finally, Vini returned to his dinner, while Enzo finished what he had started, but in silence.