Author

A. C. Mabrano writes romances for romantics, poems for poetics and songs for everyone. She likes people. She likes the sun, the moon and sparkling stars. Also the sea, mountains, animals ... Ah, God is good!

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For my readers, men and women who don't give up on their dreams.

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This is a work of fiction, any resemblance to names, people, facts or situations in real life are coincidental.

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Sometimes I remember a dream I had ... As you remember a friend you have.

Paula Braga, poet, and playwriter

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Chapter 1

Luciana was running down the long corridor of the airport. Pulling her by the hand and laughing, a dark man with a mischievous smile and a passionate look. They did not want to miss the flight, so they rushed so much. But suddenly he stopped for her to catch her breath. And he kissed her lips, which only served to make her even more breathless.

“Luciana, you will be late. “

“I know, mom, I'm running... “

“Running? Lying down? “

Oh, what a reality shock. She had been dreaming again. Always with the same beautiful and charming man.

“Mom, why did you have to wake me up? “

“Girl, don't you have a school test today? If you need a ride, I'll be out in fifteen minutes.“

The jumping out of bed and running to the bathroom confirmed to Mrs. Cida that her daughter was going to need a ride.

While Luciana brushed her teeth, she reflected on how her dreams always had a background of truth. In today's case, she would run. She had an important test and was not going to risk bus delays.

She attended college for tourism and loved it. But it was difficult. She was in the junior year and had also started the mandatory internship.

“Mom, can we take Marina? I'll send a zap to arrange to pick her up.”

“Only if she is ready and waiting at the gate. Today I'm going to show some clients a house in the “Little Daysi” common area and I can't be late either. “

Her mother had joined the real estate firm Brand Business more than ten years ago and was doing a good job.

Luciana explained the details of the ride to her best friend and hurried up, trying to hold the books that didn't fit in the backpack.

...

The young women exchanged ideas about the test, while Dona Cida listened to relaxing classical music, as she would face long hours of contact with clients, who sometimes did not arrive in a good mood.

“I'm even dizzy with so much memorizing country names, their capitals and tourist destinations", Marina complains to her friend. “We will work with national tourism in Brazil. Not so much international detail should be required. “

“The teachers argue that we can change our minds one day and it is good to be able to have customers interested in the main destinations around the world. “

“That's true. In the future I may even marry a consul and live in a distant country.”

“And then what are you going to be, a consul wife? “

“Luciana, with such a rich husband, I will at least be a rich consumer at malls. “

The two friends laugh a lot and get out of the car, much more relaxed to face the tests.

...

Renato walked to the bicycle at the front of the room. He was going to lead another spinning class, covering for coach Bruno that was missing again. It was already looking like Bruno wasn't one of those people that we can count on. The students were whispering and giggling as they got on their bikes. They called Renato's classes “eye drops” moments.

In fact, the owner of the gym was six feet tall. His body was all defined and he gave the impression of strength and energy, in each movement he made. He was a jiu-jitsu champion and had already represented Brazil several times. Today he was dressed in black shorts and T-shirt, which highlighted his hair and eyes, also of that color. The boys who took a spinning class were very helpful in adjusting the girls' equipment, adjusting the height of the seat and other details of the bikes. There was a healthy flirting atmosphere at the Sweat Drop gym, but in this class, the sighs were all for Renato.

The music at last is heard and the class starts with all the excitement of a true fan club for the man. He notices, as always, and smiles, to the general delight.

...

Luciana was organizing the travel brochures that arrived that week from the inns and hotels in the Pantanal Mato-Grossense. She was doing an internship at a travel agency specializing in that destination, called Panta Trip. It was a small agency, but very organized. There worked the owner, Mr. Artur, his son Helinho and three other employees. Now the picture was completed with Luciana, who worked very hard, because she wanted to be hired, after the internship period. The boss approached her with more brochures.

“These are the last of them. Even with the facilities of the internet, some people prefer to have these brochures in hand. They like to scribble some notes and use the maps on the back. “

“I also really like the brochures. They bring detailed information. Sometimes the sites are more general. And here, the photos are beautiful. “

“Luciana, we are very happy with your work. You are dedicated and even excited about small tasks. “

“Thank you, Mr. Arthur. I feel happy here. “

“So, I want to offer you an opportunity. Every two or three months, as you know, we make an excursion to the Pantanal. Helinho and Vilma, who are trained tour guides, always accompany the group. But I would like you to go along next time. “

“But I have no training as a guide. “

“You would go more as a support “, explains Helinho who sat at the desk next to hers. “To help us make calls, distribute snacks, simple things like that. The official information part, Vilma and I can do. “

“Even myself, when I join them, I try to make friends, and that makes a lot of difference because they become loyal customers. I help in whatever I can, but without interfering with the work of our capable and young guides”, explains Mr. Artur. “You are very outgoing and talkative and you will be perfect to help them. I will not be able to go this time, as I will be taking care of the renovations of our building here. You can use the ticket reserved for agency employees. There will be one specially for you. “

“Oh, Mr. Arthur, Helinho. Thanks a lot. I can't believe it ...”, she is very happy with the opportunity.

“It is good for you to start taking walks, to condition your body, so that you can better enjoy the trip. We walk a lot there, to explore trails and caves. Ecotourism can be tiring, if you don't have the habit “, Helinho advises his colleague.

“As for college, you don't have to worry, since you won't miss classes. There will be 20 days of travel, exactly in the month of your vacation. And you will receive a bonus as payment, because this activity is extra from your internship obligations”, explains Mr. Artur.

“You don't have to, sir. For me, to be able to take a trip like this, wow! I don´t need to be paid extra. “

“It is in our budget and we value your talent. It is just the beginning for you, of a very promising career, Luciana. We support your success and are here to help you. “

Luciana is so happy. She tells her mother immediately. And she calls Marina, who screams excitedly.

...

At night, at home, the three of them are very chatty, imagining everything, planning and celebrating with a delicious pizza that Mrs. Cida ordered for the occasion.

“We will explore the Pantanal-Bonito route. Helinho explained to me that it is one of the most beautiful ecological corridors on the planet. Visitors are fascinated to explore so much beauty. And when they can, they come back often. “

“It is because of the geological diversity Mrs. Cida “, Marina completes the information. “In the Pantanal there are an incredible number of waterfalls, caves, and green paths. Not to mention the beautiful underwater flora. There are tours with dives and fluctuations to observe species of fish in these paradisiacal waters. “

“Daughter, I would like to go with you. When I was little, I swam very well, but I never had the opportunity to dive. I think it would be wonderful. “

“One day we will go, Mrs. Cida“, Marina is very encouraging and feels excited now because she cheers a lot for her friend's success. “Mr. Arthur is preparing Luciana to be his right hand when he graduates. “

“Oh dear friend, I hope I won't disappoint you or him.

“You, Luciana, disappoint anybody? That can never happen... “, the mother is very confident.

“Imagine Mom, the accommodation will be in a farm hotel that offers boat trips and horseback riding, already included in the price. Guests have many options for outdoor activities. Typical and delicious foods are also part of the package. Remember, Marina, when we studied trips in the ALL-INCLUSIVE format? In this case it will be like that.

“Of course, I remember. The teacher explained that in this way, people manage to have better financial control, without worrying about unpredictable extra expenses. The only people that will spend more are those who want something extra. “

“Luciana, my dear, let's improve your clothes selection, already thinking about this trip and the next ones. I'm also going to take a look at a suitcase store, close to the real estate office, in case they have any promotions.”

“Mom, I don't want you to spend that much on me. “

“You are my only daughter. I delight in your happiness.”

They embrace with a tender feeling and include Marina, who is like a second daughter to Mrs. Cida.