Chapter 8

* Flashback *

11 years ago

The little girl looked out the car window, watching house after house go by, wishing to her luck that the car would turn around, she did not want to be there, she was very well in her room alone, with her toys, but alone, she did not need anyone, only herself. They had already abandoned her many times, so much so that she thought she did not deserve and did not have her place in this world. She promised herself never to depend on anyone, if it weren't for her alone, not to love anyone because somehow she would only see them for a few weeks, then she would never see them again. Wishing that when she closed her eyes she was not in that place and when she opens them to be in her bedroom or in the room she occupied every time they returned her. He felt the car slow down, that meant one thing, they had already arrived, taking a look out the car window, he realized that they were in front of a house, very beautiful by the way, it was not like the others that always used to live or visit, those huge and extravagant, this one was somewhat smaller than the others, but for the girl it seemed much better than the others, it looked more welcoming, a home, a real home

Francisco: well, it seems that we have arrived - I unbuckle his seat belt - are you sure this is the right direction? - I ask the woman next door

Margaret: yes, Francis - she unfastened hers, she settled in her seat staring at her husband, giving him a nod towards the girl

The man looked at her for a moment without understanding, returning a gesture of confusion to his wife, she repeated the same gesture, he understood but refused to be, he shook his head assuming his wife understood that he would not do it, she returned to repeat the gesture but this time with a challenging look, he sighed knowing that he had no other alternative, he sighed lowering his gaze and turning to find the little girl who was looking with some curiosity out the window

Francisco: small - I get the girl's attention - mm .. - He scratched the back of his neck nervous - well, ahm ... do you remember that we told you that we were coming to visit some old friends - the girl nodded - well it is here - the girl turned her eyes to the house, while the woman covered herself face with his hand shaking his head

Veronica: if I already noticed - he returned his sight to the man - and...

The man sighed, looked at his wife, asking her for help, telling her with a glance that she would please be in charge of talking to the girl, the woman gave a sigh denying

Margaret: you see honey, we came to visit some old friends from school - I speak softly and tenderly, the girl just looked at her with no expression on her face, no confusion or discomfort, nothing - and we wanted to introduce you to some new friends - she He smiled, the little girl frowned upon hearing that - they are about your age if I remember correctly, maybe you could have fun with them for a while, and they could become very good friends

Verónica: I don't think so - she crossed her arms, averting her gaze - nobody likes me - she said something with her head down

Margaret: how are you sure honey? If you still don't know them - he slid his hand from the girl's hair to her cheek to stop at her chin, making her look up - lift your head, little princess, your crown falls off - I hit her with her finger on the nose , while giving him a smile

Veronica: I don't know - he shrugged - everyone dislikes me

Francisco: that's not true, I don't like you - he pointed out himself - on the contrary, I think you're a super incredible girl - I give you a smile - and I don't think I'm the only one who thinks that way

Margaret: that's right, we are not everyone, but there are many people who like you a lot, you also don't know if they will like you or not - he smiled - they could be great friends, who knows - he shrugged - you just have what to risk - the girl just shrugged her shoulders hesitating with her eyes - ok? - Just nodded - alright let's get down

The man as well as the woman opened the doors of the car, they left looking around. Throughout the street there were children playing, teenagers chatting on benches or leaning in trees, adults walking with their pets or playing with their children. They were somewhat surprised to see all those people interacting on the street, where they normally lived they did not see many people outside their houses, it was rare to see someone walking through the streets. The woman remained observing the interaction that those people had, while her husband opened the door to remove the girl, he approached to unbuckle his seat belt. The girl crawled to the end of the seat to get out of the car

Francisco: wait little girl - he stopped the girl, before she got off, remaining at the end of the seat leaving her little feet in the air - your shoelaces were untied - he knelt before the girl - are you ready to go in? - I ask her, inclining her head towards the house, the girl only frantically shook her head, the river lowered her head and began to tie her ropes - I'll tell you something - I look at the girl, who was looking at him attentively - when I met mom, from the first moment I captivated - I look down smiling - I fell madly in love with her - I look at the girl, who was looking at him with some curiosity - I decided to conquer her, and I tell you something, it was not very easy for us to say - I look down at the first knot - I had many people after her, but I did not mean to give up, so I took courage and one day I decided to talk to her and ask her out - I look at the girl - I was very nervous, my hands were sweating, my heart was beating a thousand, it seemed That it was coming out of my chest - I look down laughing, tying the other shoe - I was afraid of rejection, of "no", that when I approached her I would act like a fool, that I would paralyze or stutter - I look at the girl - you know, I was not ready , I was afraid, but I was brave and faced it , I went to her and asked her out, do I tell you what happened? - The girl nodded - she rejected me - the little girl looked at him confused, frowning, he gave a little laugh - that's right, when I invited her, she said no - I put my head down finishing tying the second knot - but I didn't I gave up, I kept insisting - I look up - I kept fighting until the end and look at me now, I married her - she got up helping the little girl down - the key, little princess, is never to give up, you don't know what the destiny - I leave the girl on the ground, catching up with her - don't give up, keep fighting, fear never goes away, that's for sure, just be brave and face it

Veronica: easy to say - head down

Francisco: - he let out a little laugh - of course it's easy to say what to do, but only the bravest and boldest can do it - I caress his cheek with sweetness - and I know you are - he smiled, receiving a small and shy smile of the girl

The woman who remained on the sidelines of the whole little conversation, observing them like one more spectator, decided that it was time to enter the scene. He approached slowly without wanting to attract much attention, avoiding scaring them, he reached them smiling at them, taking a few steps beside him

Margaret: let's go my loves - she spoke softly, her husband looked at her smiling, getting up, took the girl's hand, and his wife his other hand, they walked towards the entrance, stopping a few steps from the door - do you want to ring the bell, honey? - She said to the girl, who looked at her doubtfully, she thought for a moment, nodding her head

The girl approached the entrance, staying right in front of the small button, she returned her eyes to the two adults who immediately smiled at her, trying to give the little one some security

She let out a small sigh, she knew that she had to do it, she had no alternative, running was not part of the plan, she had to take risks, be brave, she took courage and raised her little hand ringing the bell, the sound was heard, the little girl immediately returned to the adults getting between her legs, it was only a moment before the door opened showing a somewhat older man

Xx: good morning - best regards - how can I help you?

Margaret: good morning, does the hair family live here?

Xx: if so, what do you offer them?

Francisco: hello - he approached the man a little extending his hand - I am Francisco Iglesias - he introduced himself shaking his hand - my wife Margaret and our daughter, we came to see Alejandro Cabello

Xx : oh of course forward, I am Alfred by the way, the butler - he stood to one side of the door letting people pass - the man is in the back garden - I close the door - follow me, it's this way - he went ahead for a walk - do you want something to drink?

Margaret: we are fine thank you, excuse me but how long have you been working with the family? - I ask following the man - I'm sorry I haven't seen him before

Alfred: don't worry - I look at her giving her a slight smile - only a few years, 3 almost 4 already - she replied following a corridor that passed through the kitchen

Francisco: I see - under the thoughtful gaze - it is almost the same time that they moved

Alfred: that's right - he opened the sliding door that led to the backyard - go ahead - made a gesture with his head indicating them to move forward, the woman walked hand in hand with the girl while the man went after them, he closed the door again advancing after the guests - Mr. Alejandro - I call the attention of the man who was in front of the grill - his visit cava to arrive

Alejandro: oh but look who we have here - he took off his apron - if it's Francesito Iglesias - he walked away from the grill

Francisco: but if it is lejandro - he approached - as is your hair - he hugged it - wait the last name can fall, hahaha - they separated receiving a little playful push from Alejandro

Alejandro: Margaret dear - he approached the woman giving her a hug - tell me how you could stay with him - they separated - if I was a better match

Francisco: if you stopped being slow you would probably have been with her - he put his arm around Alejandro's shoulders - I would have stayed with Sinu

Alejandro: that never my friend, that never - gave him a pat on the cheek - is it her?! - I ask looking at the woman pointing to the girl

Margaret: that's right - she smiled - she's not beautiful

Alejandro: - leaned down to the girl's height - hello little princess, I'm uncle Alejandro - extended his hand

Verónica: - I look at him for a moment, then I look at the woman who was holding his hand looking for some approval, which she received immediately - nice to meet you Uncle Alejandro - she extended her little hand in response to the greeting

Alejandro: - he looked at the girl surprised, she was not expected to be so polite - the taste is mine, little princess - he smiled at the girl, got up - Margaret, tell me, you taught her to be polite, because I don't think Fran has been there, since it does not even say the days - he laughed receiving a blow on the shoulder, I look at the girl - I want to introduce you to someone, little one - he diverted his gaze throughout the yard, looking for his daughter, who was just heading inside the home with a juice in her hands - I hope it's not one of your sister's juices, Sofí

Sofía: - stopped her way directing her gaze to her father - ah ... it's not ... from ... well ... - she stuttered nervously scratching her neck

Alejandro: Sofía, you know that if your little sister sees you drinking her juices, troll burns - she crossed her arms - we don't want to be installing cameras in the kitchen to see who takes her juices - under her arms - we have enough with what we learned there to count and record them

Sofía: but these are not registered - she defended herself - I took them out before I count them - she said it proudly

Alejandro: - shook his head releasing a small laugh - come and say hello to the guys better

Sofia: UNCLE CISCO!! - The man ran, throwing himself into his arms

Francisco: hello tadpole - I hug her - you are already very big eh- he moved away from the girl - the last time I saw you were very small like a tadpole

Sofía: what an exaggerated man - frowned - if she was only 4 years old, she wasn't so little

Francisco: oh to me you were - he put his hand on his head ruffling his hair, the girl took her hand off his head fixing her hair - greets the aunt - tilted his head to the left, in the position of his wife

Sofía: hello aunt ret - I walk towards the woman who leaned down to her height, wrapped her arms around her neck in an affectionate hug

Margaret: hello dear, you are bigger and more beautiful than the last time I saw you - I caress her cheek smiling at her, the girl smiled with a slight blush on her cheeks she looked away noticing a girl behind her aunt, she frowned Observing the girl, the woman noticed, she turned to see the little girl who was looking at the ground with a certain shyness - come honey - she called the girl who looked up, something doubtful way towards her, she took her hand - sofí, she is your cousin veronica

Sofía: hello vero - he extended his hand - I'm Sofia, but you can call me sofí - he shrugged

Veronica: - I look at the outstretched hand, something doubtful extended hers corresponding the greeting - hello sofí