Chapter 1 1

Ginger.

Since the day had dawned, it had been sunny. I had been staring out the dining room window as the children played at the carnival and had fun outside their homes. I had thought about going to the beach, but my mood had soured and I didn't want to be surrounded by more people. It was enough to have the company of Stella, my best friend, who had been living with me since I was nineteen.

We met in Las Vegas, we were both at the same party, separated at different tables, and with different people. At some point during the night, we decided to go to the bathroom and met there. Stella was fixing her makeup, I offered to help her and she quickly agreed. We stayed talking while she finished and on the same day, after leaving the party, we got a tattoo together. We decided to do it on our wrists, it's a heart with a red thread, maybe we did it because of the drunkenness of the moment or because we thought it was a good idea, I don't know, but at that time it seemed like one of the best things we could do.

I closed my eyes and remained still in my place. I didn't want to move from here, I felt bad, discouraging, and without any motivation. Since my parents went on their trip, I had felt empty. I spent a lot of time with them, I loved being with them, going out to dinner, cooking with mom, telling her about what happened during my day, laughing at Stella's foolishness, who they considered another daughter, and talking about guys.

My father wasn't a fan of listening to me talk about men, he said that none of them deserved me and that even though they were all the same, there were some that could be better or different. I pretended to be strong when they announced that they were going to Buenos Aires, I cheered them on and mentioned that it was one of the best ideas they had had in years. Mom got emotional when she saw that I agreed, she hugged me, cried, and swore that she was going to miss me. I would miss her too, much more than she probably thinks.

"Are you still sitting there? You should get up and find something to do," Stella says, coming out of her room. She has a towel wrapped around her tiny body and her hair loose.

"I don't want to, I'm fine here."

"And what's interesting about looking out the window?"

"The children are playing," I say neutrally. My tone of voice is monotone, I've been told many times throughout my life, it hurt to hear it at first, I took it as something bad or something that shouldn't be that way. I listened to how other girls had a feminine voice and how cute it sounded when they spoke, and I locked myself in my room and stood in front of the mirror just to practice what to say or how to speak. I wanted the boys at school to like me, it was stupid and I never told my parents because of shame, but I still feel insecure about it sometimes.

"That's not enough, come on, get up. You'll feel better if we go out or make a plan with Maria, I'm sure we'll do well if we drink a little."

"Don't you feel bad that they're gone?" I put my gaze on her and she makes a face.

"We've always been alone, I know we used to go there frequently, but you should be used to it, Ginger."

"It's just that I feel like something could happen to them there and I won't be there to help them. I won't be able to be there if they need something and that worries me. I want to be the one who helps them when they need it because I really love my parents and I'm really grateful for everything they've done for me."

Stella approaches me and holds my face with both hands, she always does it to clear my mind, she taps my cheeks and smiles from ear to ear.

"They'll be okay, you just have to make sure to write to them every day so you'll be at ease and they'll be happy that you can communicate with them."

I make a face of disgust and she lets go of me.

"Distance doesn't have to be an impediment to love and take care of someone, remember that."

"I will," I assure her.

I get up from the chair and put it back in its place. I review the work I have and check all the emails I have received from work. After highlighting the important emails and reviewing what some clients have asked for, I decide to continue with the company project. I am a graphic designer at Moore Enterprises and I have never attended in person. Everything I have done so far has been online and I feel much more comfortable that way. Some say that the boss is an imposing man, someone who doesn't let others into his life easily, and there are rumors that he is homosexual. I have never been a fan of gossip and I am not the type of person who will stay where everyone is commenting and laughing at others, but sometimes I like to investigate the company I work for.

I have to make several promotional flyers. There will be an event in a few days and the marketing department must promote what will be taking place. The concept has been left to my discretion. It was not something like "You have to make a flyer with the image of a beach and a pet," it was more like "We trust you, we know that whatever you do will be good."

After six o'clock, I made a sandwich with the ingredients left in the fridge. I watched Stella laugh at her phone and then she made a sign to let me know she was going to take my computer. When she did, she stopped laughing and frowned.

"What's up?"

"You've received an email from the vice president."

"Open it, it must be important. They rarely send me such personal emails."

"Dear Miss Ginger, it is a pleasure to inform you that you are cordially invited to the event on Saturday. Regards, Mr. Gabriel Moore."