Chapter 3 If you say

couldn't let these obstacles undermine my determination. As I spoke, a flame of determination lit inside me. I wouldn't fail. I couldn't fail. I would solve that baby thing and continue running the business as usual, to prove to my father that I wasn't the useless piece of shit he thought I was. CHAPTER 7 Sofia "Sofia, my schedule has been set and I have to go pick up the kids from school. Here's the little one. He's so sweet." When I heard Lígia's voice, I looked up, coming out of the trance I was in. Lígia placed the baby carrier with Miguel on the table in front of me. I blinked.

Only then did I realize that the day had passed quickly, and it was already getting dark. "Thank you, Lígia," I murmured, feeling a mix of gratitude and exhaustion. - I don't know what we would have done without you today. Mr. Xavier's sister took us by surprise when she, uh, asked us to take care of him. Lígia smiled gently, her eyes conveying understanding and solidarity. - Don't worry, Sofia. If you need anything, let me know. And don't hesitate to call if you need help with the baby. I nodded, grateful for the offer. - Thank you again, Lígia. See you tomorrow. With a wave, Lígia walked away, leaving me alone with Miguel. I sighed deeply, feeling responsible for the little being who was now resting peacefully in his baby carrier. As I looked at Miguel, tumultuous thoughts invaded my mind. It had been two years since I started working for Lúcio Xavier, the longest period I had ever spent in the same job and in the same city. The stability I had longed for had been found, but now, faced with Miguel's unexpected arrival, that stability seemed more fragile than ever. Mainly because it was poking at my dormant demons. Demons I didn't want to awaken. But they were there. Waiting. Waiting to return, to grab me. "I'll find you, Sofia. No matter where you hide." I squeezed my eyes shut, struggling to control my breathing, feeling my pulse racing. Forget the past. Forget the past. Forget the past. But how could I forget something that was constantly hovering in the invisible air around me? As I tried to stifle the distressing thoughts that threatened to consume me, a new source of worry manifested itself. Miguel began to cry, interrupting my reverie. Wasting no time, I got up from the chair and approached the baby carrier. "Shhh, it's okay, Miguel," I whispered as I tried to calm him down, rocking him in my arms. At that moment, Lúcio opened the door to his office and appeared in my view, his imposing presence filling the room. "Sofia, what's going on?" "Miguel is just a little agitated. I'm taking care of it." Lucio pursed his lips for a moment, his eyes darting from me to the baby, and then back to me, causing me to shiver in a strange and inexplicable way. "Did you manage to talk to the social worker? What time is she coming? It's getting late." "I couldn't schedule a meeting with her today. I could only get an appointment for tomorrow morning," I replied, keeping my voice steady despite the agitation I felt inside. Lucio frowned, his lips pursing in frustration. "And what are we going to do with the baby until tomorrow?" he asked, the tension evident in his voice. I swallowed hard, pondering the best solution for the urgent situation we found ourselves in. "I think it would be best if you took him home," I finally suggested, gathering the courage to face reality. "My studio apartment is too small for me and a baby." "That's not a good idea." "Everyone thinks he's your nephew. It would be very strange if you suspected that the baby spent the night with me." Silence. The face of my boss alternated between expressions of tiredness and irritation. I didn't see him so much by the edge of collapse. But you will have to spend the night in my house too. Chapter 8 Lucius I don't know if my words were firm enough, or if Sofia was just reluctant to counteract my suggestions. My God... I had no idea how to take care of a baby. However, Sofia was like an anchor in the middle of the whirlwind, my only certainty at that time of chaos. While driving through the town streets, I kept my eyes fixed on the road, trying to block the tumultuous thoughts that threatened my concentration.Her soft, steady breathing filled the silence of the car. I quickly looked away from Sofia, wishing the worried expression had disappeared from her face. "What's wrong, will your parents be mad if you sleep with me?" Sofia's eyes widened, frightened. "Boss..." "Holy shit! No!" I blurted out inadvertently, my mind stumbling over its own words. That was not what I meant at all! No! No! Suddenly, she started laughing, bringing a momentary relief. "Sofia! I'm sorry, I didn't mean that!" I hurried to correct myself, embarrassed by the slip. "Lucio, I'm not a little girl!" she replied with her crooked smile, a gesture she always made when she was embarrassed. "I don't need permission to sleep outside, I live alone, and you know that." Little Miguel laughed sweetly, seeming to understand everything we were talking about. "Sorry to bring you into this. I really can't do it alone." She nodded, her eyes conveying a mix of understanding and empathy. "It's okay. Anything is better than spending the night in a shelter." Her voice was firm, despite the challenging circumstances we faced. "Even if it means sleeping with my boss," she murmured, holding back a laugh. An involuntary smile curved my lips as I looked at her. "Oh my, Sofia, that's not what I meant..." I realized my cheeks were turning red, but her light laugh stole any tension. "I hope you have a princess guest room in your mansion," she joked, her light and relaxed tone bringing a welcome relief to the situation. I let out a laugh, relieved by Sofia's humor at the uncomfortable situation. "I'll provide a throne and everything," I joked back, trying to keep the mood light. "But what mansion are you talking about?" CHAPTER 9 Sofia As soon as we arrived in front of Lucius's house, I discovered that he didn't live in a house. "An apartment?" - I asked, surprised, as I took the baby out of the car. - Respect my purchasing power, Sofia! - he shouted, jokingly - It's a very luxurious apartment, in case you ask me. - Hmm... If you say so... As I explored the lobby of Lúcio's supposedly luxurious building, my mind wandered about our relationship. Even though he was my boss, I knew how much he trusted me. It was as if we could go beyond the professional hierarchy and consider ourselves friends. I remembered the times we went out for drinks with other coworkers, all together, including Lúcio. He was always very friendly and treated everyone extremely well, from the waiter to his assistant. But it was different with me. It wasn't that I was better, or special, our relationship was just different. It was easy to feel his trust in me, and I felt a duty and obligation to honor it. But it wasn't just our friendship that made me agree to come spend the night with him. I looked at the baby, feeling pain in my arms from carrying the baby carrier. I had no idea babies were so heavy... I couldn't