PARIS, 2018
Oh, Ângelo. I've always known.
Was it so blatantly obvious, Catarina?
Well, no... Sometimes I tried to get you to know some of my female friends a little better — if you know what I mean. Even Shéron tried, and got no response from you. So yes, I always suspected.
You're the first person I'm telling this. My father would never accept it. After I saw what happened between you and your parents, I realized I should start doing things my own way. But now you're talking about marrying me... That's a terrible decision. If I do that, it'll make it even harder for me to be free with my sexuality.
Ângelo, have you ever had sex in your life? With a guy?
I must say I haven't.
Well then... with a girl?
I've never had sex.
Oh my gosh! Ângelo, if I had known before… If you help me, I'm going to help you.
How are you going to do that?
The marriage, Ângelo — it's just a facade. Don't worry about it. It'll be easier than you expect.
NEW YORK, 2004
In the stable.
This one — I named her after my mom. It's Catarina.
I love it. And not just because it's my name. It's very precious. I'm glad you did that.
You knew.
What?
I did everything wrong.
What are you talking about?
At school, with you, with my mother... I was a stupid child. I didn't think. We were — me and my mother — safe in Bern.
I remember telling you this: your father is not a great man.
He's worse. He's a narcissist. We're so young, and we can already talk about things like this. You know, this is a kind of trauma.
I'll always be with you. Even though you didn't care about me at the beginning. I always saw how caring you were, even in silence.
I didn't think you noticed.
I saw it. The girls made my life hell. And you saw it. What we did with Romeo and Juliet — that was the best thing we ever did! Don't worry so much.
Even though you were right, my father treated my mother even worse. I thought, if he saw how she looked and how hard she tried to be a good mom and wife, he would save her with the best medicine — but he didn't care.
We can't change the past… Don't cry, my friend… But you can cry with me.
I hope someday you can do the same for me.
NEW YORK, 2005
Outside the country house.
And now, the fireworks!
Oh! How beautiful! C'mon Catarina, come here — let me hold you!
In her kiss
I Love you! My guardian savior.
Inside the house, watching the fireworks
Mom, that's so nice! Look at it! That one — red, blue, yellow — I mean, gold!
Felipe, stay here, okay?
I'm just going to take some things outside, and then I'll come pick you up. It'll be quick. I prepared your dinner. Eat, drink your soda. Alright?
Alright, mom. I'll stay here.
Sound of the key turning in the lock
*
Excuse me, everyone. I'll be in my room for a little while. I ate too much. I need a moment to compose myself. Ângelo can be the host now!
In Âgenlo's thought.
I don't care. You always do this on New Year's Eve — bring a woman into your sad life. Mom, I won't forget what he did to you.
PARIS, 2018
I'm not the same, Catarina. I've become fragile. I don't know if I can be CEO.
To become one — remember who you were. The kid I loved!