Chapter 1
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"Sir, the maid we hired was found to be pregnant, she had already been dismissed."
"What are you saying? The baby that girl is carrying in her womb is mine! Find her!"
Martina
Tomorrow, at the age of 19, I'm going on a trip that will change my life.
"Mar, I can't believe tomorrow is your trip. Those will be sad days for me," Elena enters my room and sits on my bed with dismay. I approach and take her hands.
"I know, little sister, but I'm doing it for all of us. I know that if I leave, things will be better," I give her a sad smile.
It's very difficult to leave them; it's the first time I'll be far from them and so far away, I sigh.
Tomorrow, I will go to the United States in search of a better future. My aunt has been living there for several years and is happy that I'm going.
I'm excited about the trip, but at the same time, I know I will miss my family a lot.
"Just take good care of them," I say, talking about my parents.
"Yes, they will be safe," she makes a promising gesture, and I smile.
"Let's see if over there you feel like giving a chance to some good guy," Elena comments, rolling her eyes. "You've turned down all your suitors for no reason."
"None are worthy," I say playfully, shrugging my shoulders.
She bursts into laughter.
"Surely there will be someone worthy of you over there," she tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "Someone who appreciates your Latin beauty," she says, smiling.
"Someone who, when touching me, sweeps me off my feet," I lie down looking at the window, and Elena laughs.
"Aunt, do you want a rocket?" My nephew, little Manuel, bursts into my room like a bolt of lightning; my sister opens her eyes.
"Yes, little guy," I hug him and kiss his cheek. "I want a super rocket." Elena looks at me reproachfully, and I let out a small laugh.
"I'll bring you one when I return from the trip," I say, caressing his cheek.
"I want one that's white," he responds, hugging me.
"White it will be," I hold him close, trying to memorize this hug.
"Rest, tomorrow you have to get up early," my sister hugs me and kisses my cheek. "Come on, Manu, your aunt needs to rest," she extends her hand to him. My little one hugs me again and leaves hand in hand with Elena.
I settle into my bed, feeling the sadness of knowing I won't sleep in it for a long time. I sigh and cover my head.
***
We are at the airport, my family has come to see me off.
I hug my mom, who hasn't stopped crying, just like my sister. I'm trying to be strong and not start crying my eyes out, but it's hard to see them like this, and a tear or two escapes me.
I hug my dad, who hasn't said much, but his eyes reflect what this moment means to him.
I hug my little one and kiss his cheek.
"Don't grow too much while I'm gone," I sniff.
"Okay," he replies, shrugging.
I smile, hug my sister, and walk to board the flight.
"I love you guys," I say and blow them a kiss.
It's really hard to leave them.
Already on the plane, I try not to think too much about them and the melancholy that overwhelms me.
After several hours of flight, I arrived at my destination.
My aunt Lina must be waiting for me. I come out with my bags and look among the many people for my aunt.
"Mar!" I hear shouts. I look in the direction they come from, and there is my aunt with Amelie, 16, and Marcus, 11, my cousins. They smile and wave their hands.
I walk over to them and hug them. I no longer feel so alone.
"Daughter, how is everyone?" my aunt asks as she lets go of me.
"Fine, all things considered," I replied, taking my suitcase.
"Well, they'll get over it. Let's go so you can rest," she hugs me over the shoulder, and we head to her car.
I could get lost in the city, it's... different.
"Mom, can we have burgers for dinner?" Marcus suggests.
"No, young man, what will I do with the dinner I prepared for Mar?" Marcus rolls his eyes and leans back in his seat.
"You're putting on weight, you need to lay off that food if you want to make the soccer team," Amelie points her finger at Marcus and speaks playfully.
Marcus pushes her hand aside, frowning.
"You're the one who can't fit into your cheerleader outfit anymore," the boy responds angrily, crossing his arms.
Amelie opens her mouth indignantly and blurts out,
"Mom!"
"Kids, please, don't freak out your cousin. Amelie, you're perfect, and yes, that food isn't healthy, Marc," Marcus rolls his eyes and continues with his arms crossed.
I smile.
We arrive at my aunt's house. It's the kind of house you see in movies about an average family living here.
They take me to the room I will share with Amelie. After dropping off my bags, we head down for dinner.
A few minutes later, my aunt's husband arrives.
"Hello, you must be Martina, I'm Daniel," he smiles kindly and extends his hand. My aunt is 45, and he's the same age.
"Yes, that's me," I say, shaking his hand. I smile, returning his greeting.
We sit down for dinner, and I listen to them talk about everything that happened at school and work. My aunt works making uniforms for several hotels; she has a small workshop at home.
"Mar, tomorrow I'll talk to a friend from an employment agency to help us find something for you while we organize everything about your stay and your studies in the country. It won't be easy, but we'll manage."
"That's fine, Aunt. I want to start already," I say with a smile, and continue eating. She caresses my hand and smiles at me.
We watch a bit of TV and then everyone goes to their rooms. I make a video call with my family.
"Mar, my Mar, how are you?" asks my mother.
"I'm fine, Mom. I'm settled in. Tomorrow we'll start looking for something to do here."
"How's everything going over there?" asks my sister.
"It's really beautiful," I say with a dreamy smile.
We talk a bit more, I say goodbye, and I go to the room where Amelie is.
I put on my pajamas and lie down on the bed next to her.
She sits cross-legged on the bed and looks at me.
"So, did you leave any boyfriends behind?" she asks curiously. I laugh.
"No," I shake my head.
"But you're so pretty with your long, straight dark hair, your light brown eyes, and you're slim but have curves in all the right places," she says, pointing to my chest and hips. I smile.
"I don't know," I shrug. "I want someone who stands out from the rest, someone who leaves me breathless," I say, sighing.
She sighs too.
"I want one of those too," she says, and we laugh.
She keeps talking for a long time about boys and school until I see the time.
"You should be sleeping, young lady," I say, pointing at her.
She makes a face and reluctantly settles into bed. I turn off the lights and fall asleep.
The next day, I get up at the same time as the kids get up for school. I help my aunt with breakfast until everyone leaves, and it's just my aunt and me. I accompany her on errands and am enchanted by the city.
In the afternoon, I help my aunt with the sewing. She calls her friend to ask him to help me find a job. I watch her while she's on the call, and when she finishes, she looks at me with a smile.
"It's all set, dear. For now, there's work available helping out in the mansions of the city's millionaires. Is that okay with you?"
"No, Aunt, of course not. I want to feel useful."
"Well, dear, those millionaires pay very well, and they always have a lot of staff working for them, so hopefully, it won't be too difficult for you."
I nod with a smile.
"Send your information to this email," she says, handing me a little note.
"In the next few days, they'll call us to get you started. Josue is a very good friend of mine, and he'll make sure everything goes faster," she smiles warmly.
"Thank you, Aunt," I caressed her hand. I feel a bit nervous but also excited.
A few days pass, and Josue makes the call.
My aunt runs to the room where I am.
"Mar, on Monday you need to report to the Lacroix mansion."
"Lacroix?" I ask, puzzled.
"Yes, they're French but have lived here for many years. They're a powerful family both here and there. He didn't give me more details. On Monday, I'll personally take you. It's a live-in position, and you'll have Sundays off."
"Okay," I reply and mentally prepare myself.
The weekend passes, and I get my things ready. My style is casual: jeans, light fabric blouses, and either sneakers or flats, as I'm quite short.
I get up very early on Monday. I dress in black dress pants, a white button-down shirt, and black flat shoes, my hair tied up in a high ponytail.
I think it's the most appropriate for my first day of work. I'm a bit nervous, but at the same time, I like the idea of starting.
We drive off in my aunt's car, and she doesn't stop giving me advice.
"If you see anything strange about these people, call me, and I'll be here immediately to take you with me."
"Of course, Aunt," I say and smile.
We arrive at a huge gate, a man in a suit talks to my aunt, then they open the electric gate, and we enter. I'm awestruck; it's gigantic and has a classic style. My aunt is just as amazed as I am.
I get out of my aunt's car and meet a blonde lady with almost white skin, her hair tied in a low bun, and her blue eyes. She wears a dark blue formal suit.
I say goodbye to my aunt and walk up to the lady who has a serious demeanor.
"Magtina?" The lady asks when I'm close to her. I suppose her accent prevents her from pronouncing my name correctly.
"Yes, nice to meet you," I nod and extend my hand nervously. She gives it a firm shake, turns around, and walks.
"Follow me." I walk behind her and my amazement increases as I see the inside of the mansion. I've only seen places like this in movies.
She gave me a tour of three living rooms, a spectacular marble kitchen, the huge pool, the ten bedrooms, the cinema room, and the dining room with a view of the backyard.
When the tour ends, we return to the rooms on the second floor. I look at the end past a hallway at a double door very far from everything, it arouses my curiosity, and I keep looking at it for a few seconds.
"That area is off-limits to the staff working in this house, that includes you," she keeps walking, and I walk after her, not before glancing in that direction once more.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Here's the first chapter, thanks to those who join me on this new adventure.
I've created an i********: for you to see the places and characters of this novel and of "esposo comprado." If you'd like to follow me it's taty_hcor.