THE PUNISHMENT WITHOUT... 2.0 (6)

Gonzaga hopes that, upon his return, Ferrara will be told how, during his absence, he has been parading around the Lord's, showing off with his Venezuelan. Anything to not be outdone by his friend 'Cien octanos'.

It is true that Auro surpasses many of the slaves that the club members sometimes parade around with a collar and chain around their neck in the common areas of the establishment.

While some have a gym-honed body, Auro has a naturally formed body, not even chiseled by Michelangelo, a smile with nuclear-white teeth, beautiful raven hair, and almond-shaped eyes with a minty green color that leave no one indifferent.

How bad envy is, Auro comments to Fede, and makes him see that Gonzaga is trying to emulate Ferrara, trying to boast to him about how he controls Auro. But it is Auro who lets himself be controlled.

From Italy, Ferrara orders Gonzaga to keep an eye on Fede. "See what the vicious one is up to, and let me know."

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Ferrara lands at noon at Barajas, without warning Gonzaga or Fede, and that night he drops by the Lord's, on his own terms. The narrator of this story, after consulting some of the characters, is not clear (and can only make conjectures) about how Ferrara finds out about the meetings between Auro and Federico.

"He who laughs last" and, therefore, "he who laughs best" requires good cold blood. Ferrara doesn't comment on anything, not even to Gonzaga. No one at the Lord's can know. He remembers very well the words of the Duke of Ferrara in the play by Lope de Vega.

"... that there be no publicity in my affront, and that the infamy be doubled. He who punishes in public infames his honor twice."

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Fede doesn't stop to think about the sudden interest that his master shows in him upon his return. The desire to atone for his sins takes care of the rest.

Auro and Federico haven't seen each other since Ferrara's return. The Venezuelan confesses to Fede his fear that he will return to the fold and forget about him.

Federico realizes that, almost for the first time, he must face the responsibility of being the one to make a decision.