Chapter 4 Are you really going to ditch me tonight

"Jess, I can't believe you waited for me to return to Brazil to tell me this bombshell."

Fernanda had returned from her trip last night. My friend came back two days before Valentina's graduation. She brought presents for my daughter and the latest news from her latest adventure in England. Valentina was playing in the backyard while the two of us talked and drank the chocolate my friend had brought from France. It was Saturday, and the graduation was scheduled for Monday afternoon at her school. I had booked our tickets for the following weekend. Two weeks had passed since Pedro's call. A few days later, it was Sofia who called me, begging me to return, saying that my aunt had improved after Pedro told her that I had decided to come back.

"Nanda, you know that returning means remembering everything, encountering people I don't want to see. I have to pretend not to care when I arrive in that community with a child by my side."

"Hey, girl! Don't speak like that about my niece, do you hear me? What's wrong with you arriving in Estrela Guia with Valentina by your side? As far as I know, you don't owe anyone anything. It won't hurt to stay until things are resolved. Your aunt is going to die soon, so there's no need to panic."

Hearing Fernanda talk about my aunt's life should make me upset, but it doesn't. I would return only to hear what she had to say. I didn't want to live with a guilty conscience for not being there in her last days, let alone feel responsible for something like that.

"I know you're right. But even so, I promised myself I'd never return."

"Jess, wake up! Mr. Hottie probably doesn't even visit the community anymore. Now the man is the governor of the state. Do you really think he'll waste his time visiting poor people?"

Fernanda was right again. Leonardo definitely didn't spend his time in Estrela Guia. He had more important things to do than listen to the complaints of community residents.

"How long will you stay? I would love to stay for Christmas and New Year's, but I don't think it's possible because I'm leaving next Saturday, and then the holidays come."

I had decided to go to São Paulo soon. I couldn't put my life on hold because of my aunt's illness.

"Friend, I'll stay until Carnival. You know that this time of year is the best in the country. Plus, I've recruited some girls lately who have been making a lot of money for the agency."

"Nanda, isn't it time to stop this? There will come a time when you'll get entangled with the wrong people. You've already saved more than enough money."

"I've saved, but it's not my ultimate goal," she falls silent when Valentina approaches us, running with her new doll.

"Auntie, Mommy said she's going to make my hair all curly, and my graduation dress is like a princess's."

Valentina sits on her aunt's lap, telling her what she wants for the party. She's like a mini-adult. Her speech isn't that of a six-year-old, and the intelligence she has comes from her father. That's a fact since Leonardo, as much of a jerk as he was, was an educated man, unlike me. If my daughter ever found out the whole truth, she would never forgive me, especially for denying her a different life that I provided for her. I told them I would leave the mugs in the kitchen while they continued to talk about the graduation and the party.

Leonardo

My only day off always seemed to turn into a workday. No matter how much I promised myself or my parents that I would try to take the weekend off for rest, I ended up locked in my office working. After having lunch with my parents, I returned home, locking myself amidst papers and folders that needed to be reviewed. Living in this huge palace was even lonelier than the mansion I lived in with Viviane for almost a year. My security personnel patrolled the premises, and sometimes I wished I could be alone without prying eyes. Larissa wanted to join me, claiming she would help, but I wanted time to review everything more thoroughly, away from any distractions. I felt anxious and nervous about the upcoming inauguration of the first school built in Estrela Guia. During my meeting with Pedro that week, he assured me that everything was being prepared to ensure nothing went wrong. When it came to security and organization, I knew he kept his promises. However, I felt something entirely different this time. I didn't know if it was because after nearly 10 years, I was returning to Estrela Guia as the Governor. I felt a sense of accomplishment at this moment. Knowing that in a way, I had managed to improve the lives of others, and the community continued to be a shining example for other states. We would have music, entertainment for the children, and the red ribbon would be cut to mark the beginning of the school year in a few weeks. Attached to the school, the daycare center for children under six, built in partnership with the Mayor, would also be inaugurated.

I looked at the before-and-after photos on my laptop screen. Due to a trip, my mother couldn't attend, so I would go alone. Larissa would undoubtedly find a way to be by my side. In recent days, I had been working too much and spending too little time with her. It was as if the charm and desire I felt for her were fading. After signing some documents for the next week, I put everything away and went to the kitchen to check on dinner. Regina was the head chef and housekeeper. She managed everything with an iron fist, and Joana was her assistant. After the divorce, the woman continued working for me, moving to the Governor's official residence right after I was elected.

"I hope tonight's meal is light because my mother made pasta on a Sunday," I said as I entered the kitchen, finding the two of them working on the stovetop.

"Doctor, Mrs. Regina told me that you'd probably want something light for dinner. So, I'm preparing soup to enjoy on this chilly Sunday evening."

I sat on one of the stools, serving myself some tea while waiting for dinner. I had learned to drink it with Viviane when we were married. Tea calmed me after a stressful and exhausting day.

"I'm going to be working a lot this week, so I probably won't be home for dinner every day," I informed them as I felt the hot liquid slide down my throat.

"Sir, your mother informed us that you're traveling on Thursday. So, I know that for the rest of the week, you'll probably be having dinner at home every day."

A habit I hadn't lost over the years was having dinner at my parents' house. Only when it was practically impossible did I dine alone.

"On Saturday, there's the inauguration of the school in Estrela Guia," I said after finishing my tea, placing the cup on the countertop. Joana promptly picked up the dishes and put them in the sink.

"I'm sure it will be a great event to close your second year in office with a bang. Mrs. Viviane must be happy since the community continues to prosper."

"Viviane and Pedro. Let's not forget her husband," I added, and I saw the embarrassed look on the woman's face.

"Will dinner take about 20 more minutes to be ready? You can serve it here in the kitchen. I'll just change my clothes and be back to eat. I need to get some rest early because tomorrow will be a busy day."

I excused myself, going to my room. On the way, my phone vibrated in my pocket, and I saw the message.

"Are you really going to ditch me tonight?"

I looked at the image attached to the message and simply replied with a "yes." Larissa always tried to convince me using her charms, but tonight I really wasn't in the mood for sex, and my thoughts were on the Estrela Guia event and the certainty that I would finish my second year with top marks and practically all the campaign promises I had made during the election fulfilled.