Episode 3

Pedro

Aunt Marina nodded in agreement and left; she trusted me too much with Manu's care, especially since Manu was born. I was always there for her, even for the smallest issues like colic. I changed diapers, gave baths, and sometimes took her to the doctor, especially for routine check-ups since Aunt Marina had to work and couldn't dedicate herself fully to the little one. She had no one to leave Manu with before the restaurant opened, so the baby would spend almost the whole day with me, and JC was in charge of the hillside. JC is her brother, but he's got no knack for kids, ha, and Camili, that life was never for her; she was the typical rich girl without a penny, who took the first chance to bail out and abandoned the whole family. To talk to Aunt Mari, Camili has to visit her apartment, or just call her. Nowadays, Aunt Mari has Julia, a girl from the hill, helping her at the restaurant, particularly when she has to step out because of Manu.

Julia and I had a fling when we were younger; I was about 15, but it wasn't serious for me, though she's still crazy about me. JC, on the other hand, hates her. He won't even say hi to the girl when he comes here, and I've got no clue why he despises her. I asked him if he had a crush on her – because, frankly, I'd feel rotten if I was stepping on my brother's toes – but he'd always say, "No way, just can't stand that girl," rolling his eyes whenever we spoke of her.

Who knows, maybe one day I'll figure out all that hate for the girl.

After we finished eating, I told JC to get back to the lookout since we had a drug shipment to receive. Meanwhile, I went upstairs with Manu to watch some cartoons. We were there for quite a while until she fell asleep. Then I went downstairs, kissed Aunt Marina who was busy with the dishes, said goodbye to Julia as she cleaned the tables, and headed to the lookout with JC.

Julia - Auntie, he's so good with kids, isn't he?

Marina - A true godsend when it comes to my little Manu. It's no wonder she calls him dad since the loser who should be her father never stepped up. But him, he's got so much love for my little one, and I for him. I feel as if he's my eldest son.

Julia - Ahh (she sighed, watching me climb on the bike and ride up the hill).

Marina - You've got it bad for him, don’t you, girl?

Julia - Oh Auntie, yes, but he never paid me any mind. We hung out a few times when we were younger, but it was nothing. Your son always showed up to ruin it, ugh.

Marina - I've never understood Joao's grudge against you; he can't stand you. What did you do to my boy, Julia? Don't tell me you were seeing both of them at the same time.

Julia - No, Auntie, never ever. I did nothing like that. I have no idea why JC hates me; I never did anything to him. We were childhood friends, we grew up together, and suddenly he turned his back on me and hasn't said hi since.

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