Chapter Two.

Penelope narrating:

I will never let my mother convince me of anything again, ok I have said this a million times in my life, but now I was serious, this was not a good idea. Everyone looks at me like I am a traction, and whispers, I couldn't even get close to the coffin there are so many people here.

— Oh my God, I need an autograph. — A smiling girl holding a broom stopped me, ran her hands through her matte green uniform, and gave me the shaking pen. — I'm sorry for your loss, Miss Penelope. Would you?

She squeezed my hand, I took the paper blinking widely, there was a watery scent in the air, writing in the notebook she had pushed at me with huge green but loving eyes, I tried to smile at her.

— I love you, you look so beautiful! — I quickly bent down and picked it up, giving her the notebook, her face red with embarrassment.

— Thank you, what is your name? — I ran my hand through my long hair, undoing the curl, and held my purse, trying to focus on the conversation and avoid the evil glances.

— Thank you very much. I have seen all your movies, my favorite is 'The Coldest Winter Without You. And even though I don't understand the saga, I watched all seven and...

— It's okay, nobody understands it very well...— A thick voice reverberated joining us, I looked back and there he was.

Sebastian Montorini, I hadn't seen him since the day that... Well, I hadn't seen him for a long time, we were the main couple, and I hated him and not even that funeral would change that.

— Oh my God! Mr. Motorini!!!

The woman exclaimed looking at him over my shoulder, she seemed petrified to see him, but her white teeth showed even more as her smile grew wider, but she said nothing more and walked backwards, staring at us.

— I can never get used to this. — he exclaimed, then huffed, lowering his head.

I looked at the tip of his tapered nose and broadly wanted to pull it, wanted to hit him even though three years had passed.

With my heart beating like a thousand samba schools, I turned and caught sight of Esme who waved, he held my arm gently and didn't even let me take my first steps.

— Please... Just talk to me, I know that unlike many here you are truly sorry for her death...

He sobbed, turning my face so that I could look him in the eye, eye to eye, the charm was no longer there, I now had only anger, but he was right.

— If I know you, if you're here it's because you've forgiven us...

— Please, Sebastian! I don't want to talk to you. — I said, releasing my arms from his cold hands. — Don't act like you know me, you don't know who I've become anymore.

I shook my head, angry with myself for saying that, that day was not about us, we had stayed on the step and it was too late to talk about it, I took a deep breath, looking into his brown eyes, his arms still hanging along his body, he looked helpless, downcast, the posture of a man who had just lost someone he loved.

I took two steps back, my thin black heels sliding on the scratched porcelain floor, so much my legs trembled. I felt nothing for him, it was just the memories coming back, maybe I should get the hell out of there.

— I'm sorry, it was all so sudden.

He scratched the tip of his nose, a lady in a hat passed between us from such a distance, I moved closer to hear him, trying to force a gentle look, he continued to speak.

— I am sorry for her death. — I swallowed dryly to continue speaking. — You loved her, and no matter what anyone says, I cannot imagine your pain.

— If the longing I already feel consumed me, I probably wouldn't be here anymore. I'm sorry. — He put his hands together, blinking widely. — You know, she still hoped for your forgiveness, she said that one day you would forgive us and be in our lives again!

He shook his head, running his hands through his brown hair. There was so much pain in his eyes, even though we were standing near trees and the open doors leaving all that huge open air space in the cemetery I felt suffocated, I ran my hand over my throat as we stared at each other in awkward silence.

— Sorry, I'll be right with the other people.

He walked too far away, I looked around for my mother, I wouldn't go to the reception after the priest's words I would go home. When my eyes caught sight of Nick, I went to him walking with difficulty on the grass.

— Hi Dad!

I blinked a lot, he looked at me with the best possible reaction, but his smile was sad and downcast, understandable, I met Nick Taylor when he played my father in the saga, for years he really was my father.

For a girl who grew up without a father, having that father figure made me delighted, suddenly he became someone in the family, always coming to my recitals and performances, science fairs, it was great to have someone there for me besides my mother and grandmother.

Nick was simply the nicest guy in the world, without a doubt the best father I could have.

— Hello dear, so nice of you to come. I knew Hilda would convince you to come. — He adjusted the lapels of his leather jacket.

— I knew I had a finger in all this insistence. — I exclaimed, closing my face. — Have you even seen Mom anywhere?

— I saw her talking to the Gerolds, but don't try to change the subject, I saw her talking to Sebastian! I hope that wasn't rude. — Nick put his hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head, "I didn't, though, I'm going home. — I chased away some mosquitoes near us with my hands in the air. — This is all too much for me.

— Honey, I understand, but... Maybe because a part of you still resents what happened in the past. — He held my mother, and I sighed, trying to hold back the tears. - But, this is not about you anymore, you have to forgive, keeping this hatred inside will only make you rot.

A tear fell from my left eye, there was no use hiding it anymore, I was in pain, it had shaken me, Nick looked me in the eye and smoothed my hair.

— Your future needs you, your past doesn't. It's time to make peace with it.

Slowly he guided me to the coffin, people looked at me but I didn't care, my steps slowed, until I looked at her, my heart seemed to have stopped, Samantha looked so fragile, yet still beautiful.

I let out a deep breath, and another until I couldn't anymore.

I forgive you my friend. I can't deny that having you in my life was good, you hurt me so much more, I am sad that nothing can save you. You marked my life in a way I can't explain, I hope you are in a better place, I know that out there you won't feel pain anymore.''

I spoke softly, and it was terribly sad to know that she would never hear, I turned around hugging Nick, that strong hug.

Soon after, Sabrina, one of Samantha's sisters, asked all of us to sit down, the farewell ceremony was beautiful, I cried even more when the song '' Cigarette Daydreams by Cage The Elephant'' was her favorite song, I remember us dancing in the dressing rooms whenever we could.

I decided to go to the reception, I was near my mom when the detective arrived, Sebastian acted weird, he asked me not to go, but the detective asked all of us from the main cast to go.