Life and death

He picks up his cell phone and dials one of the best numbers there.

"Be quick."

"I met her, no chance of reconciliation, but I think we can get something out of it. Turn her into an obedient little bitch."

He only found a low sigh. His anger began to boil, brooding over their last encounter. Something he couldn't remember came back to haunt him.

"We don't do anything risky. We don't know who's behind her."

Caio clicked his tongue.

"That's exactly what I'm going to find out. Either we let her go or I get an informant."

"A slave, better said. You know that's like poison to the mind. If someone realizes she's being controlled..."

"You worry too much, dad. Vitor himself said that finding someone with connections to the underworld without an introduction is rare."

"Like finding a needle in a haystack. I know, I was there. Now, it's this behavior of yours that's giving me the creeps. What happened?"

Caio didn't answer. Looking out the car window and taking a deep breath, he knew exactly what had enchanted him in that conversation.

"I think she found someone powerful. Earlier, she called us puppies. There's no way she could say that if she's not feeling better. And she's weak... No bodyguards, just a couple of employees. I looked through the information about her, nothing real, except her biggest shareholder."

The cell phone went silent. Caio could hear those old gears in his father's mind. They moved patiently but reached the same clicking sound.

"Okay. Do it."

That was all he needed to hear.

...

..

.

Staggering, Diana was carried to the door. The sky was a turquoise blue, with small flakes of light. The wind was gentle and ruffled her hair, covering Ema's face.

The young woman waited for the car to pick them up, alone with that luggage, since Carla stayed to go to the bathroom.

Even she was sleepy after talking and spending a lot of money for hours on end.

They had been drinking, shopping, going to restaurants, the movies and even an amusement park, all to end up where they started in the morning.

At the entrance to a bar. Or exit, this time, they were no longer in the mood for so much drinking.

The night was soft as if it were comforting her friend's wounded heart.

After years, she finally put into words the hatred she felt for the scoundrel.

"Come on, don't go to sleep yet."

"I'm not a child! I'm just... going to rest my eyes for a while, that's all."

"Yeah, sure. I'll drop you on the floor if you drool on my shoulder."

"Hehehe. You smell good. What shampoo do you use?"

Ema squinted at the koala clinging to her neck. Leaving a reminder to give her a bath, the young woman smiled.

"Smells like beer."

Diana finally opened her eyes, round and bright, almost softened by sleep, tears, and laughter.

"What?!" she asked, her brows furrowed in concentration.

"Smells like cherries. What? Did the drink affect your hearing?"

Her boss was making the cutest pout she had ever seen, and Ema couldn't resist pinching her nose.

"Hugh, you two are annoying. Can I borrow that shampoo later... Did the shopping arrive okay? I want to wear those clothes, but..."

Her expression became melancholy again. As always, Ema just stroked her hair, almost like a docile puppy.

"I don't know. It seems so empty to choose clothes... The body and the mind are the same, aren't they? Does it make a difference?"

Ema laughed lightly. Over her friend's head, she waved at Carla.

"You drink and start thinking about that? What are you? A nun?"

"The car is already coming. What are you talking about?" Carla took one of her arms over her shoulder.

With her eyes half closed, Diana seemed to be thinking deeply before saying,

"I don't know, I think I'm tired of seeing myself in the mirror."

"Low self-esteem?" Carla looked at Ema.

"Don't worry, you looked beautiful in all of them."

"Ah... Because no one understands me. I mean. If I got fat, shaved my hair and wore rags, would anyone look at me with unconditional love? Would they hug me the same way? If I got old, would I still be able to have sex?"

"Now she's talking nonsense."

Carla sighed. Not even she, as the oldest, had those answers.

"Let's just go home for now. Little witch. Then you can start your spiritual journey," Ema said, walking toward the sedan and parking it.

Even Diana couldn't help but laugh at the sweet, emotionless tone.

..

.

"Huh, we should try that again."

Diana had her eyes closed as she was carried to the apartment.

"No way..." Carla's voice was already dry from exhaustion. "My handsome boss promised me a raise for taking care of you, next time I want a new car."

"But you don't even drive..."

"Wait! Who's going to get a raise?", Ema suddenly came back to her senses from her little world. "I suffered too, you know?"

"What do you want a raise for?! You already have me! Your walking wallet...", Diana increased the weight on her shoulders.

"Quiet Ana...", Diana froze like a deer in the headlights. The effect of the alcohol wore off. Carla turned to Ema. "You're going to get a raise too. Isn't that great?"

"Wait! What are you doing?!", the older secretary froze when she received a wet kiss almost on the corner of her lips.

"Since when does she call me Ana?!"

"I think you asked her that? I just don't remember when."

"Huh, why that kiss?"

"I was just happy. Why? Do you want another one, my prince?", Carla looked like a cornered rabbit, ready to jump away.

In silence, they decided to just keep going. That hallway had no end.

"... Come to think of it, Carla. You're like a real prince," Ema commented.

"I want to sleep with the prince and not the other way around."

"I can be your prince," Diana smiled at her.

"No... You're closer to the frog."

They laughed. Their smiles continued for several reasons, but disappeared for only one.

Blood.

When they opened the apartment door, the first thing they saw were blood stains on the floor.