The party was lively, all the guests had arrived, Ben was enjoying the party, Alan had taken care to invite those who were part of their daily lives.
Marcus approaches Alan, who is in a corner, sipping his drink.
- It's good to see you happy, cousin.
- And I wasn't?
- Not when I was with Cauã. - Alan frowns at him, he still can't believe that everyone knew he was in an abusive relationship and didn't do anything about it.
- And you knew and did nothing?
- As the saying goes, you can't pick a fight between husbands.
- That's not the saying.
- I took the liberty of adapting it.
- You know what - Alan pauses with his left arm outstretched, asking for silence - You and everyone else who knew and didn't lift a finger to warn me, or even try to open my eyes, are a bunch of hypocrites who unfortunately only want to know about other people's lives in order to gossip and talk badly.
- You...
Alan interrupts him by saying:
- I already know what my dear cousin is going to say, that I'm saying this because I'm on the victim's side and not on the outside.
- If you couldn't see for yourself what I could do. However, I'm glad you managed to get out of this and put that criminal where he belongs, in jail.
- And how's life?
- Good.
- Have you become monosyllabic?
- No, it's just...
- Have you found love? Is that it?
- No - Marcus says too quickly - More or less.
He whispers.
- Hmmm, I know.
- What is it, little cousin of my heart?
- Stop flattering me that you don't want to tell me the truth...
- It's not that, actually there is someone, but there's nothing between us.
- Not yet.
- I don't even know if there ever will be.
- Why Marcus? You've never been like this when it comes to love.
- It's complicated.
- Is he married?
- No. You're crazy.
- Not at all.
Alan starts laughing at what Marcus had just called him.
- What are you laughing at, you lunatic?
- At you - Alan says and then takes a sip of his drink - all full of fingers to say he's dating.
Marcus told Alan he was going to the bathroom, but he was sure it was to get away from the interrogation the teacher was giving him.
Alan looked around contentedly, his party was taking place, and thank God everything had gone according to plan.
On seeing B. and Jo Ann together, the professor suspects that they are talking about him. His suspicions are confirmed when they approach and change the subject.
- Were you talking about me? Love. - Al asks B. with a flea behind his ear, he's pretty sure they were talking about him.
- No, love.
- How cute of you to lie to Alan! - Denounces Jo.
- You're the one who told me not to talk to him. - Benjamin says indignantly at Jo Ann's attitude.
- I was testing you, you idiot - admits Alan's crazy friend/sister - Now tell him what I told you.
- Now I'm not talking either. - Ben says, leaving Jo Ann's side and hugging his lover.
- You make a great couple.
- Come on Jo Ann, spit it out - Now it's Alan's turn to be impatient.
- I have good news and bad news.
- I want the bad news first... - Alan said, shrinking into Ben's embrace for fear of what he might hear.
- Unfortunately, Cauã is out of jail. To tell you what happened, he was released after a "crazy" man paid his bail.
Alan trembles with fear in Benjamin's arms.
- Did you see why he didn't want to tell you?
- And what were you going to do, hire a bunch of security guards to watch him without telling him why he needed security guards?
- Jo Ann, you haven't told me everything, so spit it out. - Alan spoke so quietly that she almost didn't hear. As far as he could tell, no one knew about this news. - How did you know about it?
- I have my sources.
- Come on, Jo Ann, speak up if I don't call your source right now.
- Calm down. - You don't have to threaten me, Alan.
- No way. - Alan says indignantly, still in B's embrace. - We're talking about the person who tried to kill me. How am I supposed to calm down, Jo Ann?
- HE THREATENED TO FIND YOU DEAD OR ALIVE. - She screams as fast as she can
Al was shocked at first, unable to believe what she had just heard from her best friend. She certainly wouldn't joke about something serious like that. After the initial shock wore off, he hugged B. tighter.
Benjamin realized that Al, his love was trembling with fear.
- Calm down, my darling, everything's going to be all right. You'll see. - B. said, trying to calm Alan down.
- B. is right, Alan. - Jo Ann said, stroking Al's back - You'll see, it'll all work out.