Chapter 5.

Chapter 5.

— Once upon a Monday morning...

I was absurdly passionate about the profession I chose to venture into in college and practice when I had my degree in hand in my adult life. It was a very difficult five years in which I found myself almost kicking the can down the road and returning with my tail between my legs to Philadelphia, that is, to my parents' home. My God! It would be much easier to study business administration in my old city than to go to a prestigious private university in Miami, where I got a full scholarship.

On the other hand, my ambitions and longing for new horizons, new challenges, were always greater than seeing myself stuck in the state of Pennsylvania, taking a course I never liked and, in the future, managing my parents' pet shop. No, I could never devalue or belittle their dream, for this would be an unfair and hypocritical act on my part. Besides, it was from that small building that the countless financial aids to support myself in Miami came, until I got a part-time job and the first internship in my chosen field. Opening their own business and having a life with more financial comfort were the reasons that made my parents leave their lives in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They came with countless anxieties in their luggage, little money in their pockets, a ten-year-old child on their shoulders, and a second child in their womb who had not yet shown signs of existence.

Catharina had always been a real plague of the devil.

The first years on American soil were quite difficult for everyone. I heard and saw countless nights my mother crying and being consoled by my father, as well as the other way around, for nothing was easy for any of the three of us. Fortunately, Catharina was just a baby and would never understand the things that I already managed and would go through the same sufferings that I also faced alone. In the end, each of us faced the situation differently at certain points in our lives. Job opportunities were not many, and bad English contributed to some doors being closed for my parents. In particular, going to school was a real hell for me, as I found myself being excluded and harassed by my classmates.

‘’ — Will you really give up on your dreams? I didn't raise you to give up so easily! Olivia, my love, bring me my blood pressure medicine, for Jesus Christ is calling me! In fact, I can already see the light! — Grandma Manuela had said, a long time ago, overflowing with drama in her high, shrill voice. At that time, my parents had just told me that they were thinking about the possibility of returning to Brazil on a certain call. — Don't make me give up my cats and my wife to cross the Atlantic Ocean! ‘’

This phone call was like a breath of hope for Cecília and Miguel, my parents, to continue on North American soil and pursue their dreams. Well, there were still difficulties and doors closed, but finally the fruits of so many efforts, tears, sweat, and frustrations arrived. Eight years ago, my parents' pet shop was born. So, from that moment on, the dream of my small and beloved family became a reality.

This ambition and achievement belonged to my parents, but not to me.

In the beginning of the business, in order to cut expenses with one employee and save as much as possible to reinvest in the Pet later on, I kept in my heart the dream of studying Architecture outside the state of Pennsylvania and focused on helping my parents in everything I could. And it was the best decision I made at the time. Twelve months later, at nineteen and with a more stable company, I boarded a plane and hours later landed in Miami, where I went to live with Arabella in an apartment that her parents had given her as a graduation present.

Finally, years after several setbacks and an almost endless series of problems, I managed to get into the best and most prestigious construction company in Miami, Florida. There I interned for a few months before being hired as the newest architect in the planning department, which was headed by Miss Miller. Now, however, my job was under threat because of a son, forgive Mrs. Eva for the mental language, of an unscrupulous and spoiled bitch who wouldn't take no for an answer.

— You're going to become diabetic this way, Carina. — warned a slightly worried female voice.

I lifted my head from my point of maximum concentration and looked at Lora Miller, my boss in the Planning Department of P. & G. Vacchiano Construction. She was staring at me with frowning eyebrows and a glint of concern reflected in her eyes, hidden by her prescription glasses.

— I just need to calm down, Miss Miller. — I forced a dull yellow smile, pouring more sugar into my glass of passion fruit juice. — Or I'll have a heart attack before noon. — I added, nervously.

She let out a heavy sigh and came over to me, taking the sugar and the glass of juice from my hands.

— Cah, what's going on with you this morning? — she asked and put them on the counter beside us. — You are so scattered and agitated, young lady. — I looked up to see you again. — And it is still 9:30. So please, tell me what was happening to you. — she insisted, tenderly.

I blinked my eyes countless times to wipe the tears away and not collapse in front of her, but failed miserably. For the Goddess! I had managed to escape Arabella's sharp and very perceptive eyes when our paths quickly crossed at breakfast time. Luckily for me, she was almost late for her shift and couldn't give me a ride to the construction company either.

— I will be fired, Lora. — I whispered, choking, letting out the first sob, which came from the depths of my being. By now, I had given in to despair and tears. — I… I… I…—I shut up, denying it with my head, and covered my face with my hands.

Likewise, I quickly felt his arms around me and was pulled into a tight embrace, where I surrendered my greatest affliction. There I allowed myself to collapse and cry without fear of judgment. I had full conviction that I could always count on Arabella, however, my friend already had her own problems to deal with and didn't need mine as a not good addition. Besides, we still hadn't talked about the latest events of the weekend.

— Cah, come, please! — Lora asked, gently releasing me and pulling me to a comfortable sofa in the company pantry. I sat down beside her, still teary-eyed and crying softly. — Drink up, Carina.

I accepted the glass of water and swallowed the cold liquid calmly. Lora stood beside me, silently, stroking my back.

— Calmer? — she asked. I nodded and sniffed softly. — Okay. — She sighed deeply. — Now please tell me the reason you think you are going to be fired, because as the head of your department, I have not been informed of anything exactly. — she asked seriously.

I swallowed hard and continued to stare at the extremely bright white floor of the pantry.

— I broke up with Lorenzo, Lora. — I started to tell her. — Actually, we had lunch with his parents yesterday, and he made up some crazy story about proposing right in front of them. — I grimaced in disgust at the recent memory and looked up to see her face. She had an expression of apparent relief. — I was about to put an end to our relationship, but that small-dicked cuckold was quicker. — My eyes widened as I realized my last words.

My goodness! I really haven't had any luck with my big mouth!

— How, Carina? — Lora was wide-eyed. — You said exactly what I just heard?

I felt my face burn with pure embarrassment.

— Did I? — I stammered, uncertain and flushed with embarrassment.

She threw her head back and let out a contagious laugh. I followed her, but it was pure nervousness and dread.

— Cah, you're amazing!

I frowned, looking at her as if she were a creature from another planet.

— I am? — I asked, confused.

Lora nodded, still laughing softly.

— Absolutely, girl. — She smiled even wider. — That boy is a big spoiled brat. — She rolled her eyes, irritated. — Indeed, a spoiled man. But why should you be fired? Does he know about the deserving cuckold, Cah?

I rolled my eyes and hastened to deny it.

— Actually, no. — I glanced quickly at the entrance to the pantry, but there was no one but the two of us in the comfortable, luxurious space. — I still didn't have time to tell Arabella. — I turned my attention back to Lora's face. At the mention of my best friend's name, her cheeks flushed a little. — What?

She huffed and pulled a thread from the hem of her dress.

— And how is Arabella? — she asked, looking a little disconcerted. — I haven't seen her for a while. — She took on a rosy hue in her cheeks.

Oh, was I seeing things, or was I completely right in my random morning conspiracies?

Although I didn't have an honest answer to my boss's questioning, a mischievous smile wanted to be born on my lips. Lora Miller's cheeks were flushed when she mentioned Arabella. My tongue itched, but I restrained myself as she looked at me with a certain expectation mixed with shyness.

Dear reader, was Miss Miller in love with my best friend?