Page 235 of Seasons of Love
"Do you want to stay for dinner?" Vítor asked. "It's nearly ready and there's enough."
I heard the plea in Vítor's voice and wondered what had happened between them.
"Are you serious? I guess lying runs in the family, then, if you think I'm stupid enough to think there's nothing going on between you and him."
"I think I should go and leave you alone to talk," I said as I left toward the bedroom. When I got there, I picked up my overnight bag and started packing the few things I'd brought with me. I could take a taxi to the station and get on the next train to Lisbon.
The raised voices I'd heard when I was packing had calmed down by the time I turned into the corridor leading to the living room. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't stop myself from listening.
"I saw how you looked at him, Dad."
"What do you mean?"
"You had the same look."
There was a silent moment, and I wondered if they knew I was listening to their conversation.
"When you looked at Papa, it was like the world around you kept moving while you remained at your own pace. No one could touch you or come between you."
"No, Mateus, it's not like that."
Suddenly I felt like I couldn't breathe.
"Dad, don't be the second liar in the family. It'll only hurt those that love you. Lying to yourself is still lying."
"You know he was doing what he thought was best, right?"
"I know, but it hurts that I didn't have a chance to talk to him about it when he was alive. He made a selfish decision, and we're the ones paying for it."
I heard movement but wasn't fast enough to move. When Vítor's eyes connected with mine, he looked hurt and confused.
I looked down and tried to walk past them toward the door, but Mateus stopped me.
"If you break his heart it'll be the last heart you break."
He turned to Vítor and hugged him. I saw Vítor was surprised by the gesture, but he recovered quickly and hugged his son back.
"I love you, Dad."
"I love you, too, son. Don't ever forget that."
Vítor waited until Mateus had left before he turned and walked to me, his expression completely unreadable.
A shiver went through my spine as he stood as close as he could without touching me. His eyes pinned me in place with their strength, kindness, and determination, a bewitching combination I was powerless to resist.
15
VÍTOR
In any other situation, I would have wanted some time to get my head around what had just happened, but from Tiago's expression and the fact he was holding his overnight bag, I knew I had to make this count. There was no room for misunderstandings or deliberations.
"How much did you hear?" I'd suspected he'd heard most of it. Even when he'd been packing in the bedroom, we hadn't exactly been quiet. In fact, Mateus had been quite vocal initially about what he thought he saw.
I couldn't exactly blame him for his reaction, but I was still his father, so he heard me out and allowed me to set the record straight. That was when he'd turned the earth on its axis by calling out the feelings I had for Tiago.
"Er…" Tiago stuttered, "Mateus said…"
I smiled because I suspected he couldn't get the words out because he was scared they were the truth.
