Episode 5

Diana

I don't know at what point I found myself in the middle of a children's argument and subsequently lost my job. I've gotten used to those stuck-up rich kids talking and doing mean things, even though I find it very wrong, but I need my job. My dad earns some change doing mechanic gigs, he's great at what he does, but after what happened the shop owner only calls him sometimes.

The few tears that fell were unavoidable as I imagined how difficult it would be to find a new job, or not seeing my friend, Mag, and especially my friend, Joaninha, anymore.

Thinking about her reminds me of her Uncle Warren and ugh... insufferable guy. He doesn't seem like a stuck-up rich guy, but he's still a well of arrogance. He looked at me as if I were hypnotized by his amazing beauty.

I must confess, he is the most handsome man I have ever seen, and from the lipstick stain on his face, a complete scoundrel too. After my moment of slipping up and realizing what I had done, I wiped the man's face as if it were any other glass.

But it wasn't. It was the most perfect face I had ever seen. He looks like a handmade work of art with the smallest details designed exclusively for him. That full, reddish mouth as if he were wearing lip tint, his tanned skin looked like sin, and his dark blue eyes as intense as the sky in a rain forecast were certainly the most beautiful I had ever seen.

I shudder in the back seat of the passenger seat. Yes, like a fool here I am in the seat of his luxury car. When I sat down, I was afraid that my already worn jeans would stain the place, it seems so perfect. As soon as the comfort of the chorus welcomed me, I tried not to moan in satisfaction. Unlike the subway seat, this is paradise.

"Auntie, will you be able to visit my house and see my room and my sister's?" Joaninha asks excitedly and I widen my eyes, staring at "my driver." Yes, I nicknamed him that in my mind, what's wrong with that? I blush completely embarrassed.

"I can't, honey," I say after hearing a growl from the man in the front seat. He seems to appreciate my answer as it's clear he can't wait to get rid of me. I confess that the feeling is entirely mutual.

I intend that as soon as we leave Joaninha at her house, I'll ask him to drop me off at a closer station, as it's clear that he's not too keen on going to my poor neighborhood, but I'm not ashamed of my origins.

I still dream of going to college, changing my life and getting my family out of poverty, because it's horrible to live counting every penny. Ah, a year ago, when I wasn't working, we even ran the risk of going hungry, and I wouldn't let my brother go through that. I started handing out resumes and went to agencies that hired people to do faxes, so I could get some change and help with expenses. That way, college was left behind.

As soon as we arrived at a well-known upscale neighborhood, I wasn't impressed. Despite living in la-la land, I have my feet on the ground. It was because of people like this that my mother traded us in. She's probably living in one of those mansions.

"Bye, Princess Diana, see you on Monday," Joaninha says when the car is parked. I try not to look too much so as not to look greedy, so I just keep my attention on hugging the child beside me.

"See you, my love," I say and swallow the cry knowing that I won't see her on Monday, or the next day. I look ahead and the man looks at me, asking me not to say anything. "Don't forget to always respect people, be obedient."

"And always be happy," she says and I smile, giving her another tight hug. Then the door is opened by a scowling man who assesses me with a fierce look, then gestures to "my driver." "Hi, little Gerard."

I take in the smile in the sweet voice Joaninha directs at the huge man who looks like a wardrobe, and she seems to have these two big guys in the palm of her hand.

Unlike me, the only thing I have in the palm of my hand is debt.

"Come to the front seat," says the man, Warner. I easily forget people's names. I watch Joaninha disappear from my sight and turn my attention back to the man in front.

"I'm fine here, Mr. Warner, and besides, you can drop me off at the nearest station," I say, crossing my arms as well. If he doesn't like me, too bad. I didn't take to his mean, handsome face either. In fairy tales, he would definitely be Shrek.

"Are you kidding me?" he mutters more to himself and releases the seat belt, turning backwards. The intensity with which he looks at me makes me stay alert. My body tenses and my hairs stand on end. "I never break a promise, I said I would take you home, so I will take you, and come to the front now."

We stared at each other as if we were in a duel and whoever looked away first would lose. Something in his intense blue gaze urged me not to look away, and inside me there was an absurd desire to let myself get wet in the storm that he would surely cause in my life.

We are awakened by the ringing of his cell phone. Without any urgency, he looks away from mine and looks at his device, then letting out a few expletives and completely forgetting about me.

The way he drives to wherever I'm sure is not my address says that whoever called is urgent and I can't wait for the car to stop so I can get out and go my own way. He is so lost in thought that I am afraid to get his attention if he gets scared and this causes an irreparable accident.