D.I.L.F

Day two in Rio started with the bustling energy of the city surrounding us. The streets were alive with the sounds of traffic, conversations in Portuguese, and the smells of street food tempting us at every corner. We had spent the morning recovering from the jet lag and adjusting to the tropical heat, and now, Zolani and I were ready to dive into the local culture. We were heading out for some shopping, the kind of exploration that would take us through the vibrant streets filled with shops selling everything from handmade jewelry to bright, patterned clothing that screamed the essence of Brazil.

The entire day had a certain carefree magic to it. We strolled down Avenida Rio Branco, admiring the beautiful window displays, bargaining with street vendors, and sipping on refreshing coconut water as we wandered. The excitement of being in a new city, of exploring together, filled the air. We spent hours shopping, trying on clothes, picking out small souvenirs, and getting lost in the vibrant energy of Rio. With each store we visited, the tropical heat seemed to intensify, but it didn't matter. Rio was one of those cities that made you feel alive in every way.

By the time we were done, the sun was starting to set, casting an orange glow over the city. We decided to head to a local restaurant to grab dinner, eager to refuel after our afternoon of shopping. Zolani and I chose a seafood place by the beach, known for its fresh catches and chilled caipirinhas. As we entered, we were greeted by the sound of Brazilian music in the background, the chatter of other diners, and the scent of grilled fish.

Once we sat down and placed our orders, the conversation flowed effortlessly, the two of us catching up and talking about our plans for the next few days in Rio. The food was incredible, and the drinks were just as refreshing. But as the evening wore on, I began to feel a familiar tension in the air. Lorenzo and Romeo were being unusually quiet, exchanging looks here and there, but not engaging with us like they usually did. It was as if they were trying to hide something. I could sense the distance, and it bothered me more than I cared to admit.

I couldn't hold it in any longer. With a deep breath, I looked at Lorenzo, then at Romeo, and just blurted out what had been on my mind all day.

"Why are you guys being so secretive and weird?" I asked, my voice cutting through the quiet hum of the restaurant. Zolani shot me a quick, surprised glance, but it was clear that she was thinking the same thing. She leaned forward slightly, giving me an encouraging nod as I addressed the guys.

Lorenzo seemed momentarily caught off guard, his brow furrowing slightly as he set down his glass. "I've already told you, Zaria," he said, his tone more careful now. "It's about work. Nothing more."

I wasn't buying it. I could see it in their eyes, the way they exchanged quick, almost subtle glances. There was something they were hiding. I didn't know what it was, but I could feel it in the pit of my stomach. The cryptic conversations, the little smiles they exchanged when they thought we weren't paying attention—everything about their behavior screamed that they were keeping something from us.

I shook my head, feeling a mix of frustration and confusion. "No, that's not it," I said, my voice a little sharper than I intended. "You've been acting weird all day. I get that it's about work, but there's something else going on. And I don't like it."

Zolani, who had been silently watching the exchange, finally spoke up. "Yeah, I agree with Zaria. This is not just about work. You two have been acting strange since we got here."

Lorenzo's expression faltered for a split second, and I could tell he was trying to come up with something to placate us. But I wasn't having it anymore. I wasn't going to sit there and let them dodge our questions. It felt like they were being deliberately vague, and the secrecy was making me uncomfortable.

Before anyone could say anything else, I stood up abruptly, pushing my chair back so hard that it scraped against the floor. "I don't want to do this right now," I muttered, feeling the heat rise in my chest. "If you guys can't be honest with us, then I'm done."

Zolani, who had been silently observing, followed suit. She stood up too, her own frustration evident on her face. Without saying a word, we both grabbed our bags, ignoring the surprised looks from the guys as we made our way toward the door.

"Zaria," Lorenzo called out, but I didn't stop. "Zolani, come on," he said, but we were already walking down the street.

Once we were outside, the cool evening air hit me, but I didn't feel much relief. I could feel the tension still clinging to me, making my skin prick with frustration. Zolani walked alongside me, her steps just as quick as mine, and I could tell she was equally upset. Neither of us said a word as we hailed a cab, the silence between us heavy.

Once we were in the backseat of the cab, Zolani sighed and glanced at me. "I don't get it," she said, her voice quiet. "They're acting so sketchy. I don't like it either."

I nodded, rubbing my temples in frustration. "I don't know what's going on, but it's driving me crazy. Why can't they just tell us what's really going on? We're not kids anymore, we deserve the truth."

Zolani let out a small laugh, though it was tinged with frustration. "Yeah, but you know how these guys are. They think they can handle everything on their own, keep everything in the dark. But you're right, they're being shady. And I don't like it either."

By the time we reached our hotel, I was still seething. The frustration hadn't eased, and all I could think about was what Lorenzo and Romeo were hiding from us. What were they so afraid to tell us? I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, and I wasn't going to let it slide.

We walked into the hotel, the lobby buzzing with activity, but neither of us paid any attention to the crowds of people milling around. We made our way to our room, the door clicking closed behind us as we finally had a moment to ourselves. Zolani and I both dropped our bags and took a deep breath.

"You want to just crash in here tonight?" Zolani asked, glancing over at me. "Forget about them for a while?"

I nodded, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders just by being away from the guys. "Yeah, I'm done with them for now. We can have a girls' night. Just you and me."

Zolani grinned. "Exactly what I was thinking."

As we got comfortable, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something wasn't right. But for now, I would let it go. Tomorrow would come with new questions, new revelations, and hopefully, answers. But tonight, I was going to focus on relaxing and enjoying time with Zolani. I needed a break from the uncertainty, and I wasn't going to let the guys ruin the rest of our trip.

"Tomorrow, we're hitting the beach," I said, finally allowing myself to smile. "No more secrets. Just sun and sand."

Zolani nodded, her grin matching mine. "That's the spirit. Let's make the most of it."

And with that, we sank into the calm of our shared room, leaving the mysteries and frustrations behind—at least for the night.