Prologue

“Never let others turn off your light. The only guarantee that you have of being happy is yourself.”

In a crowded public transport terminal, a young woman goes from vehicle to vehicle, requesting that she be taken to a neighboring city. Because of her ungainly body and tangled hair … among other facades, at first glance, it shows that she is a homeless person. Insistently looks everywhere, nervous, as if she were looking for or escaping from someone.

“Mr. please, you can take me until—”

“I don’t carry strangers!”

“Mrs. excuses me, do I need to arrive until—”

“I regret it, I am hurried!”

“Mr. please, I need to arrive at La Ciudadela or the nearest place that you can take me. I beg you,” she spoke joining their hands in a sign of supplication.

“Is your day of luck, I don’t go to La Ciudadela, but I if very near that route,” the gentleman responded.

“It can help me … although I don’t have money?” Her voice was heard lower as if she didn’t want to be heard.

“Don’t worry, I didn’t think you had it anyway,” he replied confidently, looking her from head to toe, everything in she indicated misery, “but you’ll have to go with the load. If you don’t have problems with that, then yes, I can take you.”

“No problem!”

She shrieked with emotion, spoke without stopping to think, at least for a second, before answering. Knew that this could be the only opportunity of the day, for that reason, she immediately got into the truck and mixed with the rest of the load of vegetables that the stranger was carrying. She had to endure a trip, rudimentary and very exhausting, for almost four hours and, although she didn’t arrive at La Ciudadela, as planned, the truck driver left her close enough to continue the trip the next day.

Being at her unscheduled destination, she prepared to find a place to rest because it would soon get dark. Although the driver gave her a sandwich and some juice, she was still hungry and thirsty.

My God, now … What will I do? Where will I go?

As darkness came and uncertainty increased. In the distance, she spotted a church and immediately went to meet him, looking for accommodation for that night, but when arrived, the place was closed and, although she looked everywhere, didn’t find any person, for that reason complaining about of her bad luck. She continued walking until she reached a public square. Well, today I am forced to spend it here, it will not be the first and not the last time I will sleep in the street. I am sure that tomorrow will be different.

She tried to cheer up, settled behind some bushes and there was quiet until, late at night, other people arrived claiming her zone. A woman, totally drunk and upset, pulled her hard, finishing tearing her worn clothes, to get her out of the place.

“What the hell are you doing ragged?! How dare you invade my property?! Move your ass and get lost!!”

“What? This is a public square! Let me!”

The young woman responded with all her senses wrapped in the fog caused by the dream, the physical pain that invaded her whole body, and the great fatigue that dominated her. Discomforts that she had to ignore to be able to free herself from that problem, more when seeing at other two women dangerously approaching her. Quickly was capable to control the situation and pushed the drunk woman who went to fall on top of the other pair of strangers, which allowed her to run and escape from there. She had lived so many months on the streets that she had already learned to defend herself, but it was the first time she was far from her town, after all, she was just a homeless, lonely, and lost peasant in the middle of a big city.

She ran nonstop, as quickly as possible, until no longer saw anyone nearby and knew would be safe. Continued walking, catching her breath, going along the bright avenues, as a way to stay awake, convincing herself that there was little left until dawn.

When she heard the siren of a police vehicle, fear seized her, so she started running again, deflecting through several streets until went far enough.

She was so tired, with her heart in her mouth and shortness of breath, that it took a minute to regain calm and massage her aching body a little. At that moment something caught her attention … a very radiant and elegant place. At first, she thought it was a theater, the entire city was large and with many attractive buildings and places, at least enough to realize this while still running, but this place, in short, stood out among all.

Bar Mon … Monblan … Bar Mon'tblank. What a mania of the rich to use such strange names! She read while observing around and looking for a way to enter, but again her search was unsuccessful, there was no one there because the place was already closed.

She observed all the details of that incredible place and noticed that, on the one hand, product of the same architectural design of the building, there was an outstanding wall behind which she could sit thinking about everything that happened in her life. In particular, that it had just happened. She had never felt so depressed and desperate before. She didn’t want to continue living like that, didn’t understand. Why had she never had luck in her life? Why was everything always so complicated for her?

Memories quickly flooded her mind. Tragic, sad, and painful, the vast majority of them.

Why is the world so full of us?

Yes, the world was full of them, of the rejected, the excluded, of those who belonged nowhere. Those for whom to savor a simple bite of food was an odyssey, a duel of titans in which only the fastest, the strongest, or those whose ideas and determination were convincing enough, could opt for such a coveted and necessary prize. To whom society called vagrants for the simple fact of longing for or wishing for what they did not have.

What was our sin? Don't we deserve clean clothes, a served table, a warm and safe roof to protect us? Has the world become so exclusive that the most basic rights are now a privilege that only a few can aspire to? I refuse! I forbid myself to think that the desire for a better life is only a vile mirage in the vast and absurd desert called reality. I'm a strong woman! I must be … I think I am. I have survived, right? I've managed to get here! Some merit I must have.

Completely furious and disillusioned, she couldn’t help crying silently while she waited for dawn, not realizing that fatigue had overcome her and she had fallen asleep. The wall prevented being seen from the main street, so she was safe and would not be disturbed.

**«»**

At dawn, she woke up with the bustle of people and vehicle traffic. Stretched, a little, her battered limbs before preparing himself mentally to travel the streets in search of some food, a place where she could clean herself and transport to her final destination … La Ciudadela.

You are as striking day as night.

She thought, taking a last look at the place that housed her dream, before leaving.

In previous days she had spoken, by phone, with whom would be ‘her passport towards a new life’. Then, with her soul torn and full of fears, she had to get as far away as possible from the town where she grew up, it was no longer safe for her to continue there.

Along the way, she got the biggest and busiest mall she had ever seen in her miserable life, she was shocked in her town nothing was like that. She was very skilled, being for so many months living in the streets had turned her into a strong woman and prepared to face the worst or at least thought so. She managed to sneak into a bathroom without being detected by the security guards, was able to wash your face, and get a little fixed, as far as could, since her clothes were not exactly the latest fashion.

Asking for money in the streets, she collected some coins to buy something to eat and while she had breakfast, she continued thinking about the melodious name of that place … Bar Mon'tblank.

She had a strange feeling that should return, although she didn’t really know what for.

To return? No way! That place must be full of security and I don't think they'll let me in. Not even for charity!

She smiled at her sarcasm.

It is also not as if that place is combined with my lifestyle, she continued to mock herself, but as time went by, and not finding a new transport, the idea became more and more consistent.

She decided to heed her intuition, but first had to do something with your clothes. If wanted to be well received she had to find a way to get attention. She was determined, so she was wandering around several stores for, a good or bad way, get decent clothes or something she could wear, but with such security, in no store was she allowed entering.

Indeed, nothing was like her town.

While walking she began to observe houses, in one of them there was a lass, who looks more or less her age, although not her complexion, but saw no better opportunity.

It's now or never!

She thought, as she approached quickly and spoke in a friendly manner, outlining her best smile.

“Hello! I was wondering if by chance you would have some clothes that you no longer wear and can give me.”

“I have nothing, I’m sorry,” replied the stranger who had already entered and was trying to close the door of her house.

“Hears! Please wait, excuse me for insisting, but really, I need some clothes, it doesn’t have to be new, something that doesn’t fit you or that you don’t use anymore, look at me! Anything would be better than this,” she said as she showed her broken and discolored clothes.

The stranger felt some pity for her, so ended up giving some shirts and a pair of sneakers that although they were not in their best condition, compared to what was wearing, there was a notable difference. Although continued with her dirty and faded jeans, but she must be positive.

Something is something … worse is having nothing.

Immediately, she focused on her goal and began to walk of return, when arrived, it was already shortly afternoon.

I'm in luck!

Smiled when saw a woman, who had many boxes on top, go up the stairs, then fight to open the door and enter. A situation that the young woman took to approach cautiously and push the same door that the previous woman had left open, managing to enter. That place that had caught her attention so much was a very trendy nightclub in the city … the Bar Mon’tblank. It was not usual to have staff there at that time, but they were doing administrative and maintenance work.

Once inside, she was dazzled by the beauty of the place. It looked bigger on the inside than on the outside, it was extremely spacious and elegant, everything was decorated with very fine details. The polished wood and carved glass stood out everywhere, wherever she looked there were luxury and comfort, Bar Mon’tblank was an important place, so she felt she was facing a great opportunity.

Picked up and fixed her hair, the best she could. Armed herself with courage … A lot of courage! While thinking about what I should do to get what I wanted, a job. She was so focused on her plans that did not realize that someone was approaching, he was the owner of the bar, Carlos Mon’tblank, who was not known precisely for his gifts of patience and kindness. On the contrary, he was a man demanding, impatient, angry, and a ruthless controller. Things in his life were done his way or not. He was extremely inflexible. 

Of course, an intruder in his domains was not contemplated in his agenda and Carlos Mon’tblank was a ‘fierce enemy of the unexpected.’

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” Even though this strong male voice, and not quite friendly, confused her, tried to stand firm in her position and do what had to do.

“My name is Sara. I am looking for a job and believe me when I tell you that I will be the best employee that you and this beautiful place can have. Please help me! I will work on anything!” She spoke in a firm voice and all the confidence that didn’t even know she had, raising and extending her hand, trying to shake it with her future boss, the same hand that had to come down discreetly when saw that the man in front of her did not make the slightest attempt to take it, on the contrary, he remained silent, watching her, frowning as if she was a stain dirty on his fine glassware.   

“To work? Here?” He smiled cynically, “How old are you?”

He asked as looked with some disdain at all the colorless and deteriorated clothes of that girl.

“20 years old.”

“What do you say your name is?”

“Sara Gonzalez, sir.”

He continued to observe the characteristics of that young woman while negatively shaking his head.

“The staff is complete. I don’t need anyone else.”

“I will work on anything! I will brush the floors! I will clean the kitchen! I will wash the bathrooms!” She insisted, was determined to fight until the end.

“Don’t insist. I don’t need staff,” he said to settle the matter, fire the lassie, and return to his job.

“I am a good worker, I can do whatever it takes, I will work on whatever you want.” Before the penetrating gaze of that man, she noticed that the effusiveness in her voice began to diminish, but cleared her throat and forced herself to continue. “I know that my appearance is a complete disaster, but … I can fix that!” She adjusted the shirt with determination. “Here the important thing is that I am efficient, decent, and responsible. I will work on whatever you want, sir … I need a job.”

She looked at that man with expectation, but in his eyes didn’t show any consideration. As he had repeated a lot of times, Carlos didn’t need anyone, didn’t take the hiring of his employees lightly and although at the bar he had to deal with more than one homeless person asking for alms, it was the first time one of them was so valiant or so unhinged, as to ask he for a job. He took some bills from his pocket and wanted to give them to somehow relieve the situation of the insistent girl, but she rejected them. Sara was determined to get a chance and nothing less than that.

Carlos wanted her to give up your request since he considered that she was not suitable to work in his business, but the insistence of that young woman bothered him so much that he decided to raise the level of his demands. I was sure that, pressing a little, she would run away from there and, therefore, wouldn’t have to deal with this ragged girl.

“You just told me that you are ‘efficient, decent and responsible’.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How decent? There may be a vacancy, but I doubt you have wood to work on this.”

“I can work on anything! Just hire me and you won’t regret it,” said the young woman, who with every minute showed more confidence in herself, even when she didn’t feel it.

“I need an exotic dancer for tonight’s show,” he said with a suggestive look and a malicious smile.

“Do you know to dance?”

Sara froze … first, because she already knew what that job offers represented, but even more because of the shameless and cynical way that man looked at her as if he wanted to see through her worn clothes, with his shocking and, somehow, blue-eyes terrorize. She would never show it but felt intimidated, her heart began to beat very fast, even so, had no choice but to calm down, breathe deeply and nod with the movement of her head.

Surprised that even this girl had not run away from him, continued with his game.

“Then girl? I do not have all day! I am a very busy man. Do you know or don’t know how to dance?”

Clearing her throat, Sara answered:

“Yes, I know how to dance, I already told her that I am willing to work on anything because I need the job.”

Carlos did not like to waste time, he had many things to do and did not intend to hire this girl, there was not even an exotic dance show, but the truth is that this pun was so interesting that he wanted to continue.

He approached her, with a penetrating look and frowning a little.

“Are you aware that you must dance for all my clients at half-light and with very little clothes?” He began to walk around her, like a wolf that stalks its prey. “I don’t think you’re prepared, I see you shy and insecure,” said this last sentence, getting too close, but not touching her, since he was not a degenerate. Speaking to her in a low voice, looking to scare her.

Just now, Sara was something … pretty scared of the way that man treated her and how close he was, so close that she could feel his hot breathing brushing her neck, but she had always been stubborn and insistent, never showed weakness to anyone. No matter how scared she was and this attitude was precisely what had helped her survive, endure and, as far as possible, overcome all the misfortunes of her life.

She was very aware that, if she wanted to leave the sad life in the streets, in the squares, days without eating, without being able to sleep, asking for alms, being harassed by other homeless people or in the worst case, being persecuted by the police, she would have to be willing to do everything, even if it meant selling her soul or her body.

She only longed to enjoy, like any normal person, the most basic pleasures of life, such as a plate of hot food, a refreshing bath, or a simple hour of pleasant sleep, without the fear of anyone approaching to harm her. Basic things, did not demand luxuries.

“What happens? Suddenly you ran out of voice? Well, as I told you, I’m a very busy man, it’s the only thing I can offer you, so if you don’t dare, you can leave and don’t waste my time,” he said conclusively.

“I accept the job!” She spoke in a clear and firm voice.

Carlos, who had already turned his back on her believing she would leave, did not expect that answer.

“All right, all right. Let’s see what you can do.”

He took her to the entertainment area and when she went on stage, she went to the bar, where she had a drink of whiskey. I had met insistent people, but this girl took the prize!

Well, Sara. It's now or never. Don't spoil it!

She told herself, as let go of her hair and fixed herself. Felt a whole-body tremble, she was almost about to panic but again took a deep breath, armed herself with courage, and continued. She was trying to mentally assemble some choreography, certainly, knew how to dance, although not in an exotic way. Alex, one of her brothers in the orphanage where she grew up, had taught her. Took advantage of that learning and added other movements that had seen on some occasions, every time she managed to sneak into a disc in looking for money to eat.

Carlos fixed his attention for a few minutes on his cell phone and in his drink, giving her time to organize. As he looked up and watched the young girl standing on the stage, he urged her to start.

“Well, show me.” This time spoke in a relaxed voice, he had begun to feel uncomfortable, and even guilty for what he was doing, something that was not very common in him but he needed her to give up.

Sara had no choice but to dance. A somewhat awkward and shy start, but she was willing to stop feeling like a small wild animal and claiming her rights to be and live like a normal person.

From the beginning, it was evident to Carlos that she did not belong to that world, he saw her more like a lost or disoriented young lady, anything but an exotic dancer and, although he did not have a position to offer, the insistence and tenacity of that girl captured his attention. No longer felt guilty, now he just wanted to know how much she would fight to get that job, so he continued to press her. He got up from his seat and stood in front of the stage, with his arms crossed, while watching each of her movements that, although a little clumsy, did not cease to cause some intrigue in him.

“You still seem shy and insecure, that will scare away customers … and I’ve only asked you to dance.” He played with the words as climbed the stage and positioned himself right in front of her.

Sara, for a moment, felt overwhelmed by the demands of that man, get to that place to clean floors or wash the bathrooms, but be on a stage dancing, that never figured in her plans. She began to feel that she was paddling against the current, so she stopped, let go of the contained air, and focused her gaze on the ground, feeling defeated and miserable, suppressing the terrible desire she felt for running away and crying.

He would never admit it, but seeing her as a scared little lamb caused him some tenderness, but he also found it amusing, so he couldn’t help laughing out loud.

“You see? This is not your thing. Girl, you better go home and think about another type of work,” he spoke politely.

“I don’t have a house,” Sara said, totally down.

“Well. You will have come from somewhere.”

“I have no one, sir!”

She was still sad, but at the same time very upset by the mocking attitude of that man, so decided to continue dancing and immediate action took off the shirt, exposing her little ones, but not despicable, breasts. This time, she danced in a slow and sensual way, while playing with the shirt had just taken off, staring into the eyes of a surprised Carlos who watched in detail her entire body, her beautiful and firm breasts, her skin that, although somewhat tanned by the sun kept looking smooth and silky.

‘The wonders of youth.’

While she was not very tall and was somewhat skinny, her body had very harmonious forms that would attract the attention of any man and he was no exception.

Another thing that distracted him, was a series of bruises that were scattered around her body, noticed a pair in her arms, followed by her abdomen, where most were concentrated and finally another pair in the lower part of her back. Hits? That was safe since it didn’t look like any skin disease or allergy, but … Who hit her? Why?

Both continued in a kind of trance, each one in his own until the dance ended.

Sara had left Carlos speechless and without arguments, he did not imagine that she would have enough courage to do something like that. The young woman’s determination had changed his cynical attitude to a more serious and thoughtful one.

“Put on the shirt!” He ordered, turning his back and returning to the bar, incredulous at what had just happened, immediate action he served a new drink in the most complete silence.

“Do I have a job? When I start?” She asked anxiously and crossing her fingers secretly.

While making the decision, he continued to watch her and drink whiskey for a few seconds … for her, the seconds longest and most distressing in her entire history. She felt that this waiting was ending with her strength, this was the closest had been to get a job, she was not going to give up, was going to continue insisting, her despair was so great that the idea of kneeling and begging him, began to form in her mind.

“Come back this afternoon at 6 o’clock.” He took a big drink from his glass and continued talking while pointing with his index finger. “I warn you; I detest the unpunctuality!”

“Thank you, thank you very much, sir!” She shouted without being able to hold back the tears, although this time they were of happiness … the purest and most exciting happiness, but soon she realized that it was a long time before 6 and she had nowhere to go. “Can I stay? It’s better if I try a little more, I want to make it perfect and not let it down.”

“What do you want to stay for? We are not yet open to the public! Go away and come back at the time you indicated,” he replied annoyed so Sara did not want to continue challenging her luck, she obeyed and once outside, she did not know what to do, just sat at the end of the stairs sighing, dreaming and looking down the avenue. Still shivering, unable to believe everything that had happened inside that place. Did I have a job? Yes, I had it!!

**«»**

After some time and while talking to the technician who had finished performing the maintenance of the refrigeration system in the building, Carlos came out and realized that Sara was still there.

“This must be a joke! Do you plan to stay here for the remaining two hours?”

“Sir, I have nowhere to go … please let me stay, I assure you that I will not bother you, will remain silent in some corner, I will become your best employee. I give you my word!”

“Hell! Are you always so insistent?” He spoke very annoying, this girl was starting to get him out of control, he gave her the order to enter, and once installed, he began an almost judicial interrogation.

“What are you doing? Where you come from? Who the hell are you!?”

“I told him, my name is Sara Gonzalez, I don’t have a house or a family, I’m an orphan and I grew up in an orphanage. I live in the streets, in the squares, or where the night catches me. That is the reason why I need this job, I don’t want to continue living like this anymore. I am determined to change my life.”

“Change your life? Silly girl! Do you think you’re going to change your life as an exotic dancer?!”

“If that job helps me get a safe place to sleep and a piece of bread to eat, for me it will be a great change, sir,” she said firmly, avoiding being intimidated by Carlos’s arrogant and irritating attitude.

Faced with this response, he felt some pity for her, something that did not happen very often, since Carlos was characterized by being a man with a very strong, dominant character, very sure of himself and, little or nothing sentimental.

How was it possible that this stranger was breaking his barriers, just like that?

“This happens to me for dealing with beginners! Girl, this is a bar, not a school, much less a daycare,” he said annoyed. Sara remained motionless, without a word and with her eyes fixed on the floor awaiting the final decision.

“Renata. Renata! Where the hell are you?!”

“Yes, Carlos,” replied the woman that Sara had seen coming in with the boxes.

“Take her to the room next to the locker room,” he ordered and then looked at Sara. “You will stay there! If I see you snooping around the bar. Goodbye opportunity! Understood?” She nodded, “Remember 6 pm. Punctual!”

“Thank you, sir. It will be so! Thank you!”