CHAPTER 5

AMELIA

There are two things that can make my day better, spending time with my mother and volunteering, I'm going for the second option because it's been impossible to stay with my mother since she decided to enter the world of politics and participate with her father in events. wife of the year. A smile forms on my lips when I see the porch of the watercolor house, where almost twenty children of both genders and ages live, where I have been volunteering since I was sixteen. I got to know the place when I was twelve, visiting the neighborhood where my mother grew up. It was love at first sight and I found a safe haven.

The taxi parks in front of the institution and I say thank you, pay the fare and hurriedly jump out of the car. I miss my little ones so much. I take one last look behind me to check that Julius and Caesar, my bodyguards, are following me. I roll my eyes to see that yes, in the beginning, I could even lose and live like a normal and free girl, but they found out and started following me from afar, without much interference, but never going unnoticed.

I turn my attention to the mansion and knock on the iron gate, catching the attention of John, the security guard. He cracks a smile when he sees me and runs towards me.

“Girl, I thought you weren't coming anymore.” he says, opening the lock and letting me through.

I smile gratefully.

"Good morning Joao. I always eat." I wink at him and head to the four waiting stairs.

My body is shaking for today, I can't help but smile when I open the door and find Vivi and Dieguinho fighting over a cookie, both are only three years old and they are at war for anything. As they are the youngest in the house, they are spoiled by everyone, but my heart sinks when I see them like this, fighting for food.

In those moments I see how privileged I was, having all the best to eat and wear. And it's not that I don't like going into a store and not having to worry about prices, I just never cared because I think it's the most natural thing in the world to always have what you want, but here I discovered how much I lived in a world of fantasy.

"Hey, your perks." I speak, catching the attention of the two beings, they scream and run towards me.

I get down to their level and hug them tight.

Wow!!!4 I missed that.

I inhale the natural baby scent and plant a kiss on each of their heads.

“Auntie, Diiiiego wants my cookie.'' Vivi speaks in her childish voice, a little tearful, holding my face with both little hands so that I give her all my attention.

“ Lies, the cookie is mine! Vivi is a liar.’’ Diego speaks, brutally snatching the cookie from the girl's hand and stuffing it into his mouth.

He looks angry when he does that, it's even funny for the face he makes for her.

My girl pouts, still looking at the boy in disbelief at what he just did and screams. Crying like a desperate man, while Diego looks at her scared, almost regretting what he did.

He covers his ears.

"You're a crybaby, Vi." It says.

"It is not me!"

She starts crying and I am forced to take action.

"Hey Girl. You can't cry over a piece of cookie, you're a strong girl remember? I say, wiping the tears from my round face, pushing the feeling of worthlessness to the back of my consciousness.

She sniffles, processing my words and stopping her tears.

" I do not like him." she says, pointing to a silent Diego still on the other side.

He was always more observant, quiet.

Just when I think about opening my mouth to intercede, my son steps forward and kisses Vivian's red hair.

"You're my friend, aren't you?" he asks, cupping her face in both hands, all cute, full of personality.

A silence hangs over the two of them and I watch everything carefully. They seem to connect just by looking.

" You are bad." She mumbles, low.

“I am not bad, you are my vivi.”

" It is not me." she says sullenly.

"Sorry, I'll buy you lots of cookies later."

" Same?" Big green eyes sparkle with anticipation.

"Really, do you still like me?" “It makes my heart break.

They were fighting over food.

"Yes!"

The scene is so cute that I alternate between smiling and crying. The two embrace and then run away.

I get up and go to the other girls who are also volunteers there, my job is to interact with the children and bring them fun activities. But Simone, who has a degree in mathematics, teaches older children three times a week.

I spend most of my day there, intercepted on the way out by Diego who asks me to buy a bunch of chocolate chip cookies. Smart kid. I smiled at him and I assure you that yes, I had already thought about that and other things too. I need to find one of those people who help financially in needy institutions, maybe one of my father's best friends.

The corrupt swim in easy money, that money belongs to the people. I kiss her forehead, ruffle her hair, and say goodbye to the rest of the kids. I hail a cab and head home, taking off my clothes and throwing them across the room. I love these little creatures, but they tire me.

My cell phone beeps on the bed and a message appears. I frown, as the number is unknown. An involuntary smile washes over me as I read the contents. The tequila masquerade.

Heavens, I had to put up with an incessant rant from Mr. Augusto about how a lady should behave in places. Mom didn't say anything while he was talking, she seemed lost looking at me, only after we were alone did she start crying and laughing, babbling about the size of her baby and asking about this mysterious guy. It was a strange conversation in many ways.

“I saw you there, smiling at each other as if you were close.” She said. My cheeks heated up and I blamed it on the alcohol, she smiled and nodded but kept smiling.

When she finished a list of questions, she got serious and told me never to miss a party again, clarifying that anyone should be sober enough to find their way home on their own.

I shake my head, pushing the memories away and returning to the present.

I frown and search my room, looking directly at the table that is where Germana places my incoming orders, sigh, surprised to see a small black velvet box. Curious, I drop my phone on the bed and run to the box, opening it to find a pair of emerald earrings along with a handwritten note. They are small and delicate, nothing too flashy as I like.

How does he know my preferences?

I read the note, there's only one sentence written on it.

"I only thought of you when I saw them."

I take the phone back, still taken aback by the gesture and choice of gift. It takes me a few minutes to think of a thank you response, but then I remember I don't even know his name.

Me: "So what should I call him? Mr. Masquerade is the only option in play. I hate the earrings, they accentuate my eye color too much" PS: Hangover who? I don't even drink with strangers. smiley emoji*

To send.