Bruna:

My name is Bruna Almeida, I'm 26 years old, and my life isn't a bed of roses. I've been fighting since I finished high school. First, I had to fight to pass the entrance exam and get into a public Architecture college. When I finally succeeded, I ended up getting involved with an older student I fell in love with. Two years after entering college, I became pregnant with my greatest treasure: my little Melissa, 5 years old, who is my world.

If it weren't for Carol, my best friend, who works at night at the mall and helps me take care of her, I don't know what I would do. I met Carol in college. She has a degree in Marketing, but unfortunately, a degree doesn't guarantee employment. We've already finished college, but neither of us works in the field. I'm a cleaner, while Carol is a salesperson. She became my daughter's godmother, and together we take turns taking care of her.

"Oh, I'm so glad it's your day off today, Carol, because I got called for an interview. Will you stay with Mel?"

"Of course, Bru! Melmel is a sweetheart."

"Isn't she, princess? Let's have a movie afternoon! What are we going to watch today?"

"Moana, Godmom!"

The two stayed at home while I prepared for the interview. I had already researched everything about the company—the renowned Colatto Construction Company. Getting this job in my field would mean a lot to me: with a better salary, I could put my daughter in a private school.

My only concern was that I had some requirements. I can't work at night because that's Carol's working hours, and there's no one to stay with Melissa. My parents live in another state, so traveling would also be difficult. It's complicated being a single mother and not having support. Sometimes I find myself thinking about when my daughter will start asking about her father. I don't want to lie to her, but I also don't want to hurt her by telling her everything that happened.

Flash on:

"Du, I'm pregnant. What now?"

"I knew it. You're no different than I imagined. You're just like all the others. You only stayed with me because you found out I'm rich and will inherit my father's companies. You got pregnant to scam me. But I'm not going to take responsibility for that child. I'll give you money to get an abortion and some more for you to live far away from me."

"You're offending me, Eduardo! Who do you think I am?"

"A gold digger, like many I've been with. But you... you managed to fool me. But you're not cut out to be Eduardo Alvarenga's wife. I would never introduce you to my parents. Get rid of that damned child and never look for me again."

"You bastard! I would never have an abortion. And you know what? Forget you ever met me. You're right, this child isn't even yours. Since you're not going to stay with me... we're done here!"

"I knew it! You're worthless."

Flash off...

Of course, I let him believe that Melissa wasn't his daughter. It's better for him to think I was a gold digger than to try to force me to have an abortion. But of course, I didn't do that. Mel is my best choice. I love her with all my heart.

The taxi stopped in front of the company. I was nervous. Very nervous. But, to my surprise, there weren't many people in the reception area—only two. This meant that the interview had already started. I handed my resume to the secretary. One of the candidates came out nervous, and the other was called in. Just two minutes later, she also came out with the same look of tension. The next one went in, and five minutes later, the secretary called me:

"Miss Bruna Almeida?"

I entered. I handed my resume to the CEO. He analyzed it in silence, then looked up and stared at me. I stood still, waiting for him to say something.

"So, your name is Bruna Almeida. You graduated two years ago... Why haven't you gotten a job in your field yet?"

"It's difficult to find positions for architects, Mr. Colatto. I've been looking since I graduated. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten anything yet, so I'm working in other areas. But I'm here today, looking for an opportunity."

"I need an architect—or female architect—to complete my team. I have a lot of work piled up, and it's hard to find a serious professional. You've already earned points for being very professional. I want someone responsible, who takes work seriously. I need total dedication."

"Of course, sir. I will have total dedication to the job. However... I have some restrictions. I can't travel or work beyond commercial hours."

"And what prevents this total availability?"

"I have a daughter, Mr. Colatto. She needs my attention. I have no one to leave her with at night or on weekends."

Daniel:

My name is Daniel Colatto, I am 28 years old. Despite being an heir, my life has never been easy. I received the Colatto construction company on the verge of bankruptcy after my father's former partner pulled a scam and used low-quality materials in the construction of a resort, which caused the main structure to collapse.

I fought for years to rebuild the company, and today it is the largest construction company in the country. There is no shortage of work, and that is all my life is about: work.

I don't have time for distractions. My only occupation is to be the best at what I do and beat all the competition. I once had a girlfriend, but we broke up because I never had time for the relationship. My focus has always been — and always will be — work. That's why I decided I won't have a family until I reach the peak of my career.

Children? I hate kids. They only create work, hinder the progress of life, and prevent us from moving forward.

Currently, we have five architects working at the company, but I still need one more. The demand is extremely high and we can't waste time. That's why I started a selection process that is leaving me extremely stressed.

The men want to show themselves as superior, as if they are doing me a favor by applying for a position at Colatto. As for the women... they seem more interested in a seduction parade than in a job interview. Most are dismissed as soon as they enter, either because of the way they dress or because of their attempt to insinuate themselves.

Dora, my secretary, tells me that it's the last candidate of the day. When the woman enters, I already prepare to dismiss her. But, to my surprise, she is dressed appropriately, hands over her resume professionally, and maintains her posture. There is only one problem — and, for me, the main one: she has a daughter. This already makes me sound the alert.

"A daughter?" I ask.

"Yes, Mr. Colatto. Her name is Melissa and she is 5 years old," she replies, firmly.

"That will interfere with your work. Children get sick, they can't be left alone. How do you intend to dedicate yourself 100% if you have a daughter?"

"I have a friend who lives with me, she is Melissa's godmother and takes care of her during the day. She is responsible for everything. My daughter will not be an impediment, except at night or on weekends, when my friend will not be able to take care of her."

"I can't waste any more time looking for other candidates. I'll give you this opportunity. But, I'll tell you in advance: since you won't be able to go to nighttime events or take trips, I want total dedication during business hours. Regarding your daughter, the company offers babysitting assistance, and you can put her in a private school."

"I will dedicate myself body and soul to the company. I thank you for the opportunity. Working at Colatto, the largest construction company in the country, is an honor."

"Leave your documents with Dora. You start tomorrow."

I said goodbye to the candidate already thinking that this child will be an impediment, but since I can't afford to continue with endless interviews, I accepted. As long as the daughter doesn't interfere, I don't see why not hire her.

After the exhausting interviews, I decide to stop by my best friend Miguel Duran's nightclub.

"Hey, brother, how are things?" he asks.

"I finally hired an architect. Now I hope to have more time to show up here."

"And the girlfriend? It's time to get into a relationship and fulfill Dona Lucia's request. Your mother wants a grandson!"

"Never. I won't have children, nor do I want commitment. I need to distract myself, yes, but only with something fleeting. And not even now, I'm swamped with work. I just stopped by to say hello."

"That's why I opened this nightclub. I combined work with pleasure," he says, laughing. "I can work and have fun in the same place."

"I'm leaving. I have some projects to review."

After the quick visit to the nightclub, I decide to sleep at my parents' house. It's been months since I visited them. I regret it as soon as I enter: as always, they start pressuring me to get a girlfriend and have children — something I will never do.

They live in the countryside, on a kind of honeymoon since my father abandoned the construction company and started running a small export company. After suffering a heart attack because of the scam he suffered, my mother demanded that I take over Colatto and he stay with a lighter job.

Even after hiring this Bruna, I'll leave her on probation. I want to see if this daughter really doesn't interfere. I'll have to keep someone on standby to cover the times when she can't be available — which, for me, is already conceding more than I like.

But since she was the only decent professional who showed up at the interviews, I preferred to hire her right away than continue wasting time analyzing resumes.

As Americans say: time is money — and that's something we can't waste.

Bruna:

I arrive home thrilled and tell Carol and Mel the news.

"Congratulations, my friend! You deserve it!"

"We deserve it, don't we, my love? Now I can give you everything you deserve."

"I'm going to have everything? Really everything?"

"Hey, young lady! I got a job, I didn't win the lottery, okay? When I said I would give you everything you deserve, I was talking about what I can't give you with a cleaning lady's salary: like putting you in a better school, good clothes and shoes, and some toys. It doesn't mean you're going to have everything you want, no way."

"That's not it, Mommy... I just want one thing. Can you give it to me?"

"If it's within my reach, I'll give you anything you want, princess."

"I wanted a family like my friends have. A father, a grandma, and a grandpa."

My chest tightens. I knew this time would come. I need to explain why her father abandoned us.

"My love, you have a grandma and a grandpa who live far away. Mommy has never been able to take you there, but... a father..."

"Princess of the godmother, you are so beautiful and special, you know? And the men of today don't deserve you. That's why you don't have a father yet. But one day, a brave prince will appear who will marry your mother. Then yes, you will have a father. But you have to be patient. Promise your godmother that you will wait calmly?"

"I promise, godmother. But... is he going to be handsome?"

"To deserve to marry your mother? Handsome is not enough. He will have to be the best!"

Mel leaves to watch cartoons.

"Thank you, friend. I thought I would have to tell her the truth."

"She's still too young to understand these things. When she's older, you explain. But look, there should be a law to punish these bastards who abandon pregnant women and leave this void in children's lives."

"Until today, when I look at Mel, I keep thinking: 'How could I be so deceived?' Eduardo seemed like a prince charming. He told me he loved me, that he would make me happy forever... But it was all a lie."

"Forget that jerk, friend. He doesn't even deserve you to say his name. You're too good for someone like that. I still suffer with my loss... If it weren't for that, we should be here with our children, and not with these disappeared bastards in the world. That's why I love Mel so much. She is like the child I lost, without even knowing if it was a boy or a girl."

"Enough, friend. Let's stop crying. We have reasons to celebrate! After all, now you are seeing before you: Bruna, the new architect of Construtora Colatto!"

"And you are one hell of a lucky woman! Daniel Colatto is a... hottie!"

"He's very serious and professional... and he has the biggest flaw: he doesn't like children. He thought Mel would get in the way at work. But at least he accepted that I can't work on weekends, or outside business hours, and much less travel."

"But you can't deny that he was very generous in giving you this break."

"He was in a hurry to hire someone. He must have interviewed many who didn't fit, so he ended up accepting my demands."

"The important thing is that you got a job in your area. I also really wanted to get one... I hope that in the future I can get one and we can buy a bigger house than this tiny shack."

"We will, friend. As soon as the salary starts coming in, we'll rent a bigger place."

I went to bed early, anxious to start. I chose a serious and formal look — I didn't want to attract attention, unlike the other candidates, who seemed to be going to a party.

He introduced me to the team. Only a certain Leandra didn't like me. You could feel it in her air of superiority and disdainful look.

Daniel handed me some contracts with simple client demands. I started working on the drawings immediately. I had several ideas and finished my first project on the first day. I was proud. It would be the first time presenting something directly to the renowned Daniel Colatto.

"Excuse me, Mr. Colatto..."

"You're welcome, Miss Almeida. I hope it doesn't take too long, because I have no time to waste. I have a lot of work."

Ugh, what a rude guy... But okay. I hope to surprise him.

"I finished the clients' project that you passed me. I came to present it."

"Proceed."

I turn on the overhead projector and explain, in every detail, the project plan, each item as requested. He just watches me, with a pencil in the corner of his mouth. Despite being rude, Carol was right... He's one hell of a hottie. But I didn't come here to drool over Daniel Colatto — I came to show my skills and do a good job.

I take a deep breath and end the presentation, while he continues to analyze the project with that damn pencil in the corner of his mouth... which only makes him sexier. However, now, I can only wait for his opinion.