...Maisa...
I wake up, perform my personal hygiene, take a shower, get dressed, and am greeted by the tantalizing aroma of coffee. Entering the kitchen, I find my sister preparing our morning brew, and as per our routine, we exchange a kiss and a tight hug.
Maisa: You're up early today, huh?
Luna: Yep! It's my turn to make the meals today, not like that lazy Natalia who, besides not helping at all, doesn't do a thing!
While sipping on our coffee and chatting, as per usual, Natalia strides in, this time with Diego in tow.
Natalia: Good morning! Guess who I found downstairs!
Maisa: I wasn't expecting you, Di! Why didn't you let me know you were coming?
Diego: I wanted to surprise you, sweetheart!
He plants a lingering peck on my lips before greeting Luna with a nod.
Luna: Care to join us for some coffee?
Diego: No thanks! I don't have any meetings this morning, stopped by to whisk my beautiful girlfriend... soon-to-be fiancee, off to work!
Luna: How sweet! – she quips sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
...💭 What's gotten into her lately? 💭...
Maisa: Just let me grab my purse, and we can go!
Natalia: Can I hitch a ride with you?
Diego: Sure! Do you need a lift too, Luna?
Luna: No thanks, I've got some tidying up to do, then I'll head out!
Maisa: Are you sure, little sis? I can clean up when I get back!
Luna: No, Maisa! It wouldn't be fair to leave all the work to you, unlike some people! Later, I'm going to walk; you know I enjoy it!
I agree, retrieve my bag, and the three of us set off, engaging in trivial conversation. As we approach the cafe, we notice a police car stationed outside our workplace.
Natalia: What could have happened?
Drawing nearer, my boss approaches us accompanied by a police officer.
Officer: Miss Maisa Souza?
Maisa: Yes, that's me! – I reply, a tinge of fear in my voice.
Officer: You are under arrest for theft!
Maisa: What? I haven't done anything, I have no idea what you're talking about?! – I exclaim in panic.
Natalia: What's going on? Could you please explain this to us!
Man: Every morning, I come to collect the cash from the till, only today, it was missing from the safe! I called the police, and they found everything stashed in Maisa's locker!
Maisa: What? I didn't do anything, I swear I didn't do anything! – I plead amid tears.
I'm unable to hold back my sobs.
Diego: Calm down, love!
Officer: We have to take you in for questioning!
Maisa: But I didn't do anything! I didn't!
Man: How could I have been so mistaken about you? I thought I could trust you!
Maisa: I swear, I didn't do a thing! I swear! – I assert, my hands pressed together in front of my dampened face.
I'd never done such a thing in my life, not even when we were starving; I couldn't bring myself to steal. In despair, I fell to my knees before my boss, weeping and begging him to believe me. Diego helps me to my feet.
Diego: We'll sort this out, love! Just stay calm... May we have a word? – he asks the officer and my boss.
I cling to Natalia as they converse a short distance away. The entire ordeal feels like an immense humiliation, being accused of something I didn't commit. I cry uncontrollably, onlookers casting judgmental stares. Eventually, Diego returns alone.
Maisa: Am I going to be arrested, Diego?
Diego: Luckily, I convinced your boss not to press charges, but he wants you gone from here! Stay away, or he'll press charges!
Maisa: But I didn't do anything, I swear! – I say, embracing him.
Diego: I know, my love! I believe you're innocent! But we have no proof!
Natalia: We should get her out of here!
Luna: What's all this? – she asks, approaching.
I rush into her arms upon seeing her.
Natalia: They're accusing your sister of theft! She'd be on her way to jail if it wasn't for Diego... by now she would've been detained!
Maisa: I didn't do anything, Luna! Nothing!
Luna: Of course you didn't! You're the most honest person I know! I'm going to talk to them; there must be cameras here!
Diego: I've already settled everything, Luna! The owner isn't filing a report as long as she never comes back here!
Luna: How convenient, isn't it!? – she snaps, visibly upset.
Diego: What do you mean by that?
Luna: My sister is being humiliated in front of everyone; this could turn into a massive lawsuit for these people if the truth is revealed!
Natalia: Let's drop it, Luna! Can't you see your sister is in no shape for this!
Maisa: The weakest link always bears the brunt, Luna! I want to leave; I've been humiliated enough!
Luna walks with me to Diego's car.
Maisa: Luna, I'll be okay, you go on to work!
Luna: I won't be able to focus...
Maisa: Don't worry about me, sis! You can't miss your second day!
Diego: Maisa's right, let me take care of her!
Luna heads off to work, albeit reluctantly, and Diego escorts me back to the apartment. I'm devastated.
Once inside, he says:
Diego: I told you, you should have quit this job! See what your stubbornness and pride have cost you! If I hadn't been there at that moment, you'd be in handcuffs heading to jail right now!
Maisa: Thanks for everything, Diego, but I want to be alone!
Diego: I'm not going to leave you alone, love!
Maisa: I've already told you, I want to be alone! – I insist, opening the door to let him out.
His machismo stance only exacerbates the ordeal I'm facing.
Diego: Alright, I'll come back later to talk!
He leans in for a kiss as I turn away. Once he departs, I lock the door, slump against it, and collapse to the ground, crying like a child.
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