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 as it has become impossible to stay with mom since she decided to embark on the world of politics and participate with dad in the events. wife of the year. A smile forms on my lips as I see the balcony of the watercolor home, home to almost twenty children of both sexes and different ages, where I've been volunteering since I was sixteen. I discovered 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 thank him, paying for the fare and jumping out of the car in a hurry. 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, at first, I could even lose and live like a normal and free girl, but they found out and started to follow me from afar, without much interference, but never going unnoticed.

I turn my attention to the big house and knock on the iron gate, catching the attention of John, the security guard. He breaks into a smile when he sees me and hurries towards me.

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

I smile gratefully.

“Good morning, John. I always come.” I blink at him and head for the four stairs that await me.

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 live in a war for anything. As they are the youngest in the household, they are pampered 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 like I don't like walking 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, always having what you want, but here I found out how much I lived in a fantasy world.

“Hey, your perks.” I speak, gaining the attention of the two beings, they squeal and run to me.

I lower myself to their level and hug them tight.

Wow!!!

I missed that! I inhale their natural baby scent and give each one a kiss on the head.

“ Auntie, Diiiego w-wants my cookie. ’’ Vivi speaks in her childish voice, a little tearful, holding my face with both her little hands so that I can give her my full attention.

“ Lie, the cookie is mine! Vivi is a liar.” Diego speaks, pulling the cookie out of the girl's hand brutally, then stuffing it all in his mouth.

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

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

He covers his ears.

“You're such a crybaby, Vi.” It says.

"I am not!"

She increases the crying and I am forced to take action.

“ Hey, girl. You can't cry for 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 ceasing to cry.

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

He was always more observant, quiet.

When I think about opening my mouth to intercede, my boy steps forward and kisses Vivian's red hair.

"You're my friend, aren't you?" he asks, holding her face with 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 grumbles, low.

“I'm not bad, you are my vivi.”

“ I am not.” She says sullenly.

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

“ Same?” The large, greenish eyes gleam with anticipation.

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

They were fighting over food.

“Yea!”

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

I get up and go towards the other girls who are also volunteers at the place, my job is to interact with the children and bring them playful activities. But Simone, a math major, teaches older children three times a week.

I spend a good part of my day there, intercepted on the way out by Diego who asks me to buy a bunch of chocolate chip cookies. Smart kid.

Smile 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, perhaps one of my father's most excellent friends.

Corrupt people swim in easy money, this money belongs to the people.

I kiss her forehead, ruffle her hair, and say goodbye to the rest of the kids. I take a cab and head home, stripping off my clothes and tossing it across my room. I love those little creatures, but they wear me out.

My cell phone beeps on the bed and a message pops up. I frown, as the number is unknown. An involuntary smile seizes me as I read the contents. The tequila masquerade. Heavens, I had to put up with an incessant speech from Senhor Augusto on how a lady should behave in places. Mom didn't say anything while he was talking, she seemed lost as she looked at me, only after we were alone did she start crying and laughing, babbling how big her baby was and asking about this mysterious guy. It was a strange conversation in many ways.

I saw you there, smiling at each other like you were close.

She said. My cheeks heated up and I blamed it on the alcohol, she smirked 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 desk that is where Germana puts my incoming orders, I sigh, surprised to see a small black velvet box. Curious, I drop my cell phone on the bed and run to the box, open it and 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, it has only one sentence written on it.

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

I take the phone back, still surprised by his gesture and gift choice. It takes me a couple of minutes to think of a thank you reply, but I remember that I don't even know his name.

Amelia: "So, what should I call him? Mr. Masquerade is the only thing that comes to my mind. I hated the earrings, they accentuate the color of my eyes too much" PS: Hangover who? I don't even drink with strangers. smiling emoji*

To send.