Foreword

The walk from the bus stop to my house was tiring, even more so after spending an hour and a half in a crowded public transportation vehicle. But it was part of my routine and I could only accept it.

I came home longing to sit down and put my feet on something, because they were throbbing in my sneakers. No matter how comfortable the manufacturer insisted it was, there was no possibility of spending almost the whole day on my feet in a pleasant way. 

"Mom!" I called out, after throwing my purse onto the hard, worn out couch in the living room of the modest house where I had lived with my parents for twenty years. " Mom!” 

She didn't answer and worry soon took the place of tiredness and I practically ran out of the small house, looking for some sign of Ms. Beth, popularly known as my mother.  

 I could only breathe normally again when I saw that my mother was just sleeping peacefully in her bedroom.  

She was probably so exhausted from another day of work that she had gone to bed early and didn't wake up even when I shouted for her. 

I thought about how hard my parents had worked in their lives, and how they had always tried to give me the best that the lack of financial conditions allowed, and I promised myself, once again, that I would do anything to be able to give them a comfortable life, at least now in their old age.  I would really do anything, as long as it was not something that would harm anyone. 

I went back to the living room and checked my cell phone for messages and missed calls, since I hadn't touched it since I left work two hours ago. 

My father arrived at that moment and looked exhausted. After a day's work as a bricklayer and being almost sixty years old, that was quite understandable. 

" Hi, Dad! ” 

I approached the best father one could have and tried to hug him, who shied away, reaching out his hand to stop me from doing what I wanted to do. 

"I'm all dirty, child.”   

"I don't mind." I spoke in an affectionate tone and even against his will, I gave Mr. Francisco a tight hug and kissed his cheek. 

"Stubborn girl. Always doing what she wants." Despite the words, his tone was also affectionate. "I'm going to take a shower and we can have dinner. ” 

"Mom is already asleep." I commented, getting ready to fix us something to eat.  

"She called me to tell me she was going to sleep early." He informed me. "But our dinner is in the oven.”

" Then I'll wait for you and we'll have dinner together. ” 

My father agreed with a gesture and went to his room, while I went to read my messages. 

Mariana: Friend, I found a way for us to get a lot of money. 

Mariana: And it only affects our lives and nobody else's! 

I smiled as I read what my best friend, who was completely crazy, but whom I loved like a sister, sent me, my heart already racing. 

Virginia: A lot of money? 

Mariana: A lot! 

Virginia: Are you sure? 

Mariana: I'm talking about thousands of reais, my friend. 

I was immediately curious as to how I could win so much money like that, other than through a lottery win, but no matter what, it was too much money for me to miss this opportunity. 

I was sure that Mariana was not calling me to commit a robbery or anything of the sort.  

Virginia: Whatever it is, I'm in!