I stayed in the hospital for three days after the episode of the panties with pepper. Jobless, sick and unable to buy food. Lourdes said that she would be willing to help me and that I could trust her with any matter. The problem was that people around me advised me to leave my home for my own safety. Leaving Desiree’s house for Rebeca to enjoy was not right, much less fair. My mother had died without knowing about my father’s betrayals. She died without dignity, and I wouldn’t give her that grief after death.I returned home and found it strange that my father was present at that moment. His appearance was not good at all.— Are you all right? – it was as if there was no blood on his face, as if there was no life.—I’ve been feeling sick since yesterday, – he said, placing a hand on his stomach and making a pained expression.—You need to go to the hospital, – I said, because I was really worried about him.— I hate hospitals, – he muttered. – I don’t want to die like your mother, in
Luke came homeI walk out of the gonsales beta so happy I could walk home. I went to the bus stop. What an irony in life. Soon I, a man who wouldn’t go to the corner if it wasn’t driving the imported cars that I bought with Gonzalo’s fortune. Who lived a life of luxury and tranquility? I didn’t know what it was like to work to support a family, or to sleep worried that I wouldn’t have enough money to pay all the bills. There I was, returning home by bus, because after everything I’ve lived and the things I’ve seen my father do for money, I’ve learned to value simple things. I didn't want to touch Gonzalo's money anymore because it was stained with my suffering.I went down right in front of the condominium where I lived my whole life. The security guard was surprised and happy to see me.— How long have you not been here, Luke? - shook my hand – a year ago?It had really been a long time. Almost a year in prison, living things I never imagined and returning home with a full luggage, e
AuroraI still didn’t understand what was happening when I woke up in the hospital bed. I had an IV drip and my head was spinning. Lourdes was at my side, regulating the medication. I woke up wanting this to be a nightmare, but it wasn’t.I watched Naldo approach.— What a scare you gave me, Aurora. – He really had a worried look on his face. – Are you okay?— I am – I lied – what happened?— After the doctor said that your father is in the ICU, you fainted.— Will I need to stay here too? – I asked.— No, – replied Lourdes, – it’s just while you take the medication.I closed my eyes and felt my phone vibrate silently. I didn’t want to answer it, but it could be important. Not only that, but I looked at the screen and my heart almost stopped for the second time that night. It was Luke.“Luke?”, my voice came out loud, and I watched Naldo’s eyes widen in surprise.“Hi, Aurora”, he said, and a smile of relief came to my lips, but I didn’t even notice that I had fallen silent.“I’m fine”
LukeI stayed with the cell phone in my hands, trying to understand why the call had ended so quickly. Naldo just said he needed to hang up. While I celebrated my freedom, Aurora continued to face her own chaos. I wished I was there to help her, but there wasn’t much I could do right now. I still needed to put my life in order, and the first step was to declare my financial independence and not depend on Gonzalo for absolutely anything anymore.The lunch that Helena would have to celebrate my return turned into a dinner, because she insisted on Gonzalo’s presence. Something told me this wasn’t going to end well.I went downstairs. Natalia was still sitting on the sofa with a book in her hands.— What’s today’s reading? – I sat next to her and spied on what she read so much.— History of Brazil, – he replied without taking his attention off the book. – I have exams this week, I need to prepare.— That’s great, – he said thoughtfully. – I’m thinking of going to college too.It was at th
AuroraIt was four o’clock in the morning, and we were changing the lock on the main gate. Then we pass inside and change all the doors. I spent the rest of my money to do that, but I would make sure that Rebeca wouldn’t step inside my house anymore.It was already dawn outside. The sun revealed itself slowly and the icy wind made me shiver. I knew that in a few hours, Rebeca would be back, and the mess would be on. Naldo hurried and went to the bakery to buy our breakfast. I confess that if Naldo wasn’t by my side during these difficult times, I wouldn’t have made it. Many judged him for being a man in his late forties who still lived with his mother, but he was a hardworking man and helped take care of his elderly mother, who depended exclusively on him. He was an admirable, friendly, and caring man. He goes to great lengths to help me.A few minutes after Naldo entered, we heard someone trying to open the gate. It was Rebecca. She tried several times without success. I laughed at t
LukeI woke up to a loud noise coming from downstairs. I went downstairs still sleepy and Helena was with some strange people around her, while she gave specific orders of what each one should do. Not only that, but I watched closely as it excited my mother about throwing a party for me. Even if I thought it was totally unnecessary and didn’t have the heart to participate in it, I did it just because of her.After giving the orders, Helena turned her attention to me.— Are you well? She asked, and I went down the next few steps, giving her a hug.That was the best part of being back home.— Are you referring to the punch I took from Gonzalo yesterday? – he said, as we walked towards the kitchen. – I am fine.— You have to stop teasing your father, Luke – she said, even though I didn’t agree with her conclusion – I don’t want him sending you to another country again.— That won’t happen. – I sat down and got a loaf of bread. I filled a cup with coffee – and it’s not my fault; you know
AuroraI gave the evidence to the delegate, but he said that it could take a while. Leaving the police station with a feeling that I would have to live with Rebeca’s shadow for a long time to come. I walked to the hospital in silence, thoughtful. I should keep my thoughts positive. Not only that, but I should stay strong and keep fighting.As soon as I entered the hospital, my cell phone rang. It was a message from Luke, and there were several other missed calls. I even risked calling him, but Lourdes’ presence and the news she had given me made me give up.I ran down the hall desperately, a smile on my face. The doctor authorized me to enter the ICU. I could hardly believe my eyes.— Dad, – I said, panting, and I ran towards him and hugged him.I was never so happy to see Claudio awake.— Hi, Aurora, – he said with difficulty. – What happened?I pulled away, looking into his eyes, and Lourdes shook her head, indicating that I shouldn’t tell him about what had happened to him, not at
Luke FagundesThat night took a long time to pass. At least I had that impression. I didn’t connect with those things anymore. While I had a glass of juice and my old friends, at least for a long time I called them, laughed at me, the rest of them got drunk, sinking into a fake fun. How many times did I do that, get drunk and smile to hide how unhappy my life was?What made the night almost unbearable was the fact that Tayná stayed by my side, insinuating how much she would like to stay with me that night. The Luke of the past wouldn’t pass up that chance. He would have already dragged the girl to his room and had fun. But I had no interest in hanging out with her or anyone else at that party. People pretend to be happy I’m back, but I doubt they helped look for me when I was supposedly missing.Soon they all left, and I could finally breathe in peace.— Didn’t you like the party, Luke? – Helena sat next to me on the sofa – he looked bored, as if he had a weight on his back.— I only