Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro
And that was it. On that same day, Ana's father booked a flight back home via an Army aircraft. Of course, transporting civilians in government aircraft was not strictly speaking correct, but considering the crimes that had been committed, who could blame them? And after a few long hours of flying, Ana, Belgium, Vini and Enzo finally returned to the Brazilian land, in one piece, relatively unscathed. But don't think that this is the end of the story, because Ana's father had to respond to several lawsuits. He ended up being condemned to a 25-year sentence months later, but not before passing the property on to his daughter's name during this period of freedom. But don't be sad for Ana's old man. One year later he was set free. The laws in Brazil are funny.
Back to the present time, Vini invited Enzo to the pool of Lake. Not that an invitation was necessary, Enzo would go whenever he was in the mood. Anyway, Enzo showed up at the pool around eight o'clock at night, with a barbecue grill, cigars and some charcoal. Although the pool was closed at that time, Vini managed to find a small loophole in the rules. As long as there was no noise or disturbance, they could stay there. And so they did. In a few minutes, Vini roasted the sausages and salted the meat. The banquet of a king. Meanwhile, Enzo was lighting his cigar and doing the same with Vini's one. Once he had finished his hard work, Enzo sat down in one of the many chairs, while enjoying the light end-of-the-day breeze.
- Now that's living. - Enzo said.
- That's for certain. - Vini agreed.
- I still can't believe it all happened. It was so exciting.
- Well, at least we' ve learned an important lesson, haven't we?
- Alien appearances have decreased with the increase in technology.
- No, Enzo.
- Never drive an electric car in a Middle Eastern country.
- Don't either.
- Never trust a sheik.
- Have you seriously learned nothing?
- Think with me, Vini. Why do you think that these UFO videos always happen with a horrible camera in an isolated place thirty years ago? You will not find a video of 20-year-old Marla filming a UFO on her IPhone 12 in her mansion in the Hamptons. It's always a farmer with a strange accent and a horrible camera in northern Idaho.
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- Sometimes I wonder why I talk such things with you.
- I'm not the one who encourages it.
- Do you want some sausage? - Vini has forgotten the issue.
- Yes, I will. - Enzo shook his head. - Thank you, Vini.
But there was still one more thing to take care of.
- And how are you doing with Ana? - Vini remembered.
- I don't know. - Enzo didn't care much. - Her father is going to jail, I don't think she'll even stay in the neighborhood anymore. I think we'll part ways.
- So, the girl is kidnapped, traumatized for life and the father is arrested and then to make matters worse you end it?
- What is your point?
- No point, except that you are a great boyfriend!
- Still, It's not every day that your father-in-law is involved in human trafficking.
Enzo snapped his fingers to prove Vini's point.
- But that's okay. We'll find someone else.
Vini didn't understand.
- We? What's it to me? I'm happy with Belgium.
- Oh, yeah. I forgot.
- Dumbass. - Vini started to laugh.
As Enzo was blowing the cigar smoke up in the air, he couldn't help but notice a curious detail.
- Where are these cigars from?
- Mexico.
Oh, no.
- You're kidding, right? Why don't you do anything I ask?
- And you do the things I ask?
- Don't change the subject! I gave you 100 bucks to buy Cubans. Cubans!
- Those were cheaper. And I didn't know which one to choose. The attendant told me they are good too.
- You know, these ones are probably made on the cartel's ranches by women who get paid a dollar a day.
- Stand quiet and smoke that cigar!
Old habits never change. Still, it could be worse.