Chapter 14: The Night of Celebration

It was a cool November night. The sky in Brasília was clear, with the stars shining brightly, as if the universe wanted to join in Gustavo and Paola's celebration. After months of intense campaigning, exhausting debates and the pressure of assuming the highest political office in Brazil, they finally had a moment to themselves. To celebrate, to breathe, and to reconnect as a couple.

The house they were in was not the Palácio da Alvorada, where Gustavo would soon live as president. It was a more discreet house, a private refuge that they maintained to escape the constant attention of the media and their commitments. This night was just theirs, away from the spotlight and responsibilities, a space where they could just be Gustavo and Paola.

Gustavo was in the living room, sitting on the black leather sofa, leafing through a political magazine, still thinking about the next stages of his presidency. Although the night was meant to relax, he never completely switched off. The future of Brazil occupied a constant space in his mind. But this time, he felt he could finally take some time to celebrate everything they had achieved.

Paola, on the other hand, was in her bedroom, finishing getting ready. She knew how much that night meant to them both, not only as a couple, but as individuals who had walked challenging paths. As she put on a soft lipstick, she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She remembered all the support she had given Gustavo and how he had always valued her and treated her as an equal, even in the midst of all the difficulties they had faced.

She left the bedroom and, when she entered the living room, Gustavo looked at her and smiled. Paola was stunning, wearing an elegant black dress, simple but that highlighted her natural beauty.

"You look amazing," he said, standing up and approaching her. "I think I am the luckiest man in Brazil."

Paola smiled, her eyes shining with tenderness.

"And I think I am the luckiest woman in Brazil. It's not every day that you get to be married to the president of the republic." They laughed together, and Gustavo hugged her. The touch of their bodies was a mixture of relief and intimacy, as if they were both letting go of all the weight of the last few months. He held her for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of having her there, without external pressures, without commitments.

"Do you know what I want most right now?" Gustavo asked, still holding her close.

"What?" Paola asked curiously.

"I want to enjoy this night and forget, just for a few hours, that we have an entire country to take care of. I just want it to be the two of us."

Paola looked at him fondly and nodded.

"Me too, Gustavo. We need this."

Gustavo took her hand and led her to the dining table he had carefully prepared. Nothing too fancy, just a simple meal that they both enjoyed. Red wines were on the table, and the soft lighting created a cozy and romantic atmosphere. There were candles lit that perfumed the room with a light vanilla scent.

"Did you prepare all this?" — Paola asked, surprised.

— Yes. I thought we deserved something special, and I confess that cooking relaxes me. I made our favorite dish, — Gustavo replied with a modest smile.

The food was simple, but full of meaning for the couple. They sat down and began to eat, exchanging knowing looks and smiles as they talked about light moments, memories and plans for the future. The intimacy of the meal was comforting, and the connection between them was palpable, full of love and understanding.

After dinner, Gustavo got up and took the two glasses of wine, taking Paola to the balcony of the house, which offered an incredible view of the lights of Brasília at night.

— It's hard to believe everything that's happened in these last few months, isn't it? — Gustavo said, looking at the horizon, reflecting on the journey that brought them to this moment.

— Yes, it's surreal, — Paola agreed, leaning on the balcony railing and watching the distant lights of the city. — You went from a retired ex-federal police officer to the president of Brazil. It's crazy.

Gustavo laughed.

— I didn't imagine it would be possible either. But I think that, with you by my side, everything seems less scary. You give me strength, Paola. You know that, don't you?

Paola looked at him, her eyes full of love.

— I know. And you give me strength too. You know, I never thought I would date someone so involved in politics. And now I'm here, with the future president of Brazil. But what I love most about you, Gustavo, is that, even with all this power, you're still the same humble man I knew. Someone who truly cares about the country and its people.

Gustavo pulled her close, hugging her as they both gazed at the stars. The gentle wind ruffled Paola's hair, and the distant sound of the city was the only soundtrack.

"I promise you, Paola, that no matter what happens from now on, I will always be the man you knew. None of this will change me. My priority will always be Brazil, but you will always be my heart." She smiled, touching Gustavo's face gently.

"And I will be by your side every step of the way. Whatever happens, we will be together."

They kissed softly, a kiss that carried all the promises and dreams they shared. In that moment, there was no politics, debates, or the weight of leading a country. There was only love, complicity, and the certainty that, no matter what challenges they would face, they would be together.

After the kiss, Gustavo took her hand again and led her into the house. They walked to the bedroom, where the intimacy of that moment deepened even more. The night was a celebration of everything they had achieved, a physical and emotional connection that reminded them that, despite all the chaos around them, they had something unbreakable.

Lying in bed afterwards, still wrapped in the softness of the moment, Paola rested her head on Gustavo's chest, listening to the calm heartbeat of the man she loved.

"You know," she began, in a sleepy tone, "I think that, no matter what comes, we are ready."

"I think so too," Gustavo replied, kissing the top of her head. "With you by my side, I can face anything."

And so, they fell asleep, certain that the future would be challenging, but together, they were ready for whatever fate had in store for them.