Chapter 7

Marília began to work in the house of Vinicius even against her will, had no alternative but to give in to the imposition of that powerful man. Her anger at having her life manipulated was blinding her, she didn’t want to take it all out on the girl and do a bad job.

She arranged her bag, applied a soft lipstick on her lips and sent a message to Rafaela saying she would start at work and asked her to wish her luck: she would need it.

The young woman came to the big house and the girl ran into her arms… Marilia had to keep the smile, after all, the girl was not to blame for her father being so authoritarian with her.

Yasmin loved having a female companion and was increasingly excited to have someone to talk to. In that mansion she had a lot of luxuries, but only that, and it was missing for her to have a friend. Marilia was delighted with the beautiful things she had, and her school supplies most likely cost the value of a month of her rent.

“I don’t like doing my homework with the maids, they’re too boring.”

Marília smiled and shook her head.

“Don’t talk like that, Yasmin, because that work is not part of the service they are paid to do.”

“You came just for the money my father will give you?”

“Let’s not talk about it, just seize the day, right?”

Being in that place was strange, she liked the idea of taking care of a child, but Vinicius was someone complicated to understand and the way he used to bring her was choking on his throat.

Marília tried to make her stay with the girl the best possible, played together all day in the yard and were getting along very well. In every corner she discovered that mansion she realized the power that Vinicius had, she felt that she could never go against the will of someone like him. Her thought led her for a moment to a hypothesis… if he was really doing it for some kind of sexual interest, she didn’t immediately dismiss it. With so much power and money, Vinicius could get all the women she wanted, and she put herself in an inferior situation and the feeling was not good.

Although I found that some of the little girl’s questions were very intrusive and that she might even be guessing her thoughts.

“Now let’s go upstairs, you need a nice bath.”

“And I think you need a new hairstyle!” Suggested Yasmin, liked the new friend’s hair.

The two were in the room of the little girl, Marilia was sitting while the girl combed her long and dark hair. Both looked in the mirror, there were some pillows on the bed and several toys still in the box.

“Your hair shines and is very beautiful.”

“Yours is also beautiful, Yasmin, has the color of the sun.”

“I think my daddy likes you!”

Marilia turned to her suddenly and was surprised, obviously wondering where the girl could have taken it.

“What nonsense are these Yasmin?” She asked curious, did not imagine what could make the little girl think such nonsense, but wanted to probe and find out.

“I think so, and I also like you. I dreamed for a long time of having a nice mother and that was so!”

Marilia turned to her and the two looked into each other’s eyes.

“I think you’re mixing things up pretty, I’m not your mother and I can’t be.” Yasmin was sad to learn that Marilia did not like the girl to call her that and filled her eyes with tears at the same moment, the sad look of that girl made her melt her heart.” I’m sorry for what I said, you can call me any way you like!”

“All right, then, mom.”

Marilia hugged her, she said.

Marília

I feel sorry for this girl, even if it’s hard for me to hear it from someone I barely know. I don’t mind letting her call me that, she’s in need of love and affection. I am also alone in this world, sooner or later she will understand that friends are the most we can be of each other.

Marilia put the girl to take a good bath and got ready for dinner, she herself was very tired of that exhausting day and wanted very much to leave, to be able to rest

The routine of caring for a child was not as quiet as she thought it was, and her body asked for rest. The house was a reasonable distance from yours, and she would still have to take a bus to get back.

[…]

The night came, Vinicius returned from work and saw them together watching television. He took a bath and then joined them in the room for a moment, he never did that, and Yasmin realized that the reason for that sudden change could be the desire to be near Marilia.

She thought of asking him this, but decided to just observe the behavior of adults and have fun with him. Until one of the maids came and called his attention, cutting off his insistent gaze at the nanny’s legs;

“Sir, dinner is already served!” One of the maids announced, he looked at Yasmin and then Marília inviting them.

She then thought that her work was already completed that day and that she could finally leave. A great relief took hold of her, and even smiled.

“I have finished my work, Yasmin has already showered and done his homework.”

He denied with his head and Marilia thought she would be released to go home, after all was tired and hungry… Her functions were already up-to-date, but that negative prepared her for his next sentence.

“You will stay with us!”

Marília stood up immediately.

“Please, Vinicius, it’s already so late, and I’m very tired…”

“It’s just dinner, and obviously you’d be a lot more tired if instead of taking care of Yasmin, you were waiting tables.” He insisted and Yasmin left, pulling her by the hand to the dining room, Marilia looked at him with great fury.

Marília

I sat angry, damn that he would notice my bad mood. I did not want to be there, I have done everything I should and pay me to do. He thinks his money is worth more than anyone else’s, it’s not fair that I have to go through that.

“Eat Marilia, you said you were hungry earlier.” Yasmin was trying to help me get out of the state of revolt I was in, but she doesn’t know how hard it is for me to look at her father’s face.

“I want you to stay here at home for a few days, Yasmin will start taking the school exams and your duty is to make her do well at all!”

“For this, I do not need to live here, Vinicius. I come every day and even earlier if it is necessary to teach her the lessons of the school.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing, he’s a lot crazier than I could have imagined. How can you manipulate someone’s life like that and even change your expression?

“I have already decided, and I do not want to discuss this issue anymore!”

I couldn’t stand his arrogance and spoke louder.

“That doesn’t exist, you can’t force me to stay here!”

“Remember that we have a contract, and it determines that you should sleep at work if that is my will, and I am sure that you will not want to violate the agreement that you yourself signed. So try to accept what needs to be done and just do your professional duty to my daughter and to me.”

It made me want to swear and throw that juice all over him, but I can’t let myself get carried away. I set myself up by signing that damn contract, all I can do is hold my tongue. I made him think I agreed, but I can’t spend that much time here at his house.

Furthermore, I knew that at that moment he would not accept a deal, I waited for Yasmin to sleep and then he. I left that house, I had no reason to stay there and much less without having any clothes or prepared to stay, Vinicius will understand, and I’m sure he will not freak out about such nonsense.

I asked for a taxi to go home, it was late to go to the bus stop and stay there alone waiting for the bus.

I came home, took a shower and prepared an instant noodles. Although I had at my disposal that fine dining, I wanted nothing from that house. I ate and slept quietly in my bed, which, as simple as it is, is mine!

Vinicius will be a beast with me, but I have to impose myself and Yasmin, poor girl so sad and alone in that huge house.

It is proof that money does not bring happiness!

I slept like a baby and let tomorrow work itself out.