Chapter 73. Unwanted Surprises

Liam

When the doorbell rang and Cecilia suggested the possibility of a surprise guest, I just laughed. I believed more in the possibility that it could be Frederico, maybe in a desperate attempt to take my mother back home. If I were in his place, I would certainly do something like that. But upon opening the door, my face displayed genuine surprise when I found Caíque on the other side. This was not a good time for my cousin to disturb my peace.

"What do you want here, Caíque?" I asked, trying to contain the irritation that was starting to bubble up inside me.

"Just being polite in accepting an invitation extended to me," Caíque asserted calmly.

I could hardly believe this absurdity. I gave him a skeptical look and intended to clearly state that he was not welcome in my apartment when my mother, always outgoing and sometimes completely oblivious to reality, appeared in the hallway.

"Caíque! How nice of you to come!" exclaimed Valentina, as if he were a