I loved the childhood

very special for me. In my last job, I took care of the seven-year-old boy until he was pre-adolescent, when the family dismissed me because they no longer needed me. During brief periods of inactivity I stayed in cheap boarding houses, but even if they were cheap, I needed work to pay for them. So, I practically accepted any job, even if it was far or even if it was difficult. - Okay, let's go in, Maria Eduarda - he said, turning his back on me and returning to the mansion. - I'm Samuel, the butler.

The house had a butler! I was speechless, not only because it was the first time I had met a butler, but it was the first time I had entered such a mansion. For starters, the place was old. It had the look of a rustic castle, with several portraits on the wall. The entrance hall was high, and right above our heads, a bright chandelier gave enough light for me to see a huge staircase in the background that led to a richly decorated second floor. I followed the butler deeper. We entered a spacious room with a fireplace, but it all happened very quickly and I couldn't get a good look at her. Soon the butler guided me to a hallway. There were small benches in this hallway, and Samuel told me to sit on one of them. - Wait, I'll announce it to Mr. Figueiredo. He disappeared, heading towards one of the rooms. I imagined it was an office. I lost my breath for a few moments, I didn't know anything about the house, nor about this Figueiredo guy, and I thought I should have prepared myself better for this interview. Frankly, I didn't fit in with this place. Not with my loud orange gypsy skirt and my comfortable black pajamas. As the place was very far away, I had to take several buses to get there and walk a bit more, so I dressed as comfortably as I could. I even wanted to put on jeans, but I didn't have any clean ones. Plus, I thought it was just another lower middle class family needing a babysitter while the parents work. Not that it was a place in a castle! Nobody commented anything special on SINE. I hear footsteps. I turn my face to Samuel and he extends his hand towards the door, a clear indication for me to enter. I straightened my skirt as best I could, as well as my hair, which was disheveled and frizzy from the wind I caught outside. I took a deep breath and started walking towards the door. I entered. That's when my eyes noticed a man in his early thirties, with brown hair and blue eyes, sitting behind a huge wooden desk. He got up. It was tall. But, not a giant. He was discreetly handsome, but nothing that made him stand out as a model or actor. - Good morning, I'm Otávio - he extended his hand to me with simple politeness and I hurried to accept it. - Maria Eduarda Fiuza, Mr. Figueiredo. - Only Otávio, please - he asked, smiling at my greeting. His teeth were so white and straight that I smiled in return just because that was how my body reacted. It was as if his smile awakened something very strong and beautiful in me, which I wasn't used to feeling. - Did you bring your CV? "Yes, sir," I say, rushing the paper through his fingers. He smiled again. My heart missed beats and I know I blushed. - Please sit down - he indicated a chair in front of the desk. When he sat behind the desk, he reclined in the armchair, reading the paper. - He has a lot of experience, apparently. - Yes sir. I have been taking care of children for years. - And do you have any qualifications in the area? Pedagogy or maybe something in health? Nursing technician or something? How can I explain to him that I never studied because I was too stupid to learn anything? - No sir. Just experience. I was mortified with shame. He would definitely send me away saying he would evaluate it. - Experience is everything, Miss Fiuza - he smiled again. Miss Fiuza. Nobody ever called me that. - We are from a secular family. My ancestors inherited these lands from the Portuguese government shortly after colonization and, regardless of past crises, we remained firm and productive. We have a noble title that was granted to my great-great-grandfather. He was a count, and today I am. But, titles do not hold inheritances and fortunes. It's hard work that does it. I manage several family businesses, I hardly have time for my children. He dropped the paper on the table. One of his fingers went up to his face, and he supported his face with his thumb and forefinger. Thoughtfully, it was as if I would define it. - I have two children. Igor and Isis. They are adorable children, you will like them. It's not because they are my children, but they really are intelligent and full of life. Sure, a little messy, but nothing that would take anyone seriously. I nodded. - How old? - Isis is five and Igor is seven. -Are you at school? - They were, but with the divorce... Anyway, it was very stressful for them, and they ended up missing a lot of days. As the year is almost over, I agreed with the management that they will restart everything next year. Since they were so small, I knew this wouldn't be a problem. Otávio stood up. I started to do the same, imagining that the interview was over, but he motioned for me to stay put. So, he went to the door, and called for the butler. They talked quietly, and the older man soon left. - I asked to call the children - he told me. - I want you to meet them. I believe that not even a minute passed before the door opened and I saw two small miniatures entering the place. My heart raced at the beauty I saw in the two little creatures. I loved children. I loved them because they never pretended to be something they weren't.

Eduarda. She's going to be your new nanny. It all happened very quickly, I knew at that moment that the count needed someone urgently. Either way, it wouldn't be like me to question a boss's decision. So I was so happy to get the job, but I had to suppress it in front of the other adult in the office. However, when she was alone with the kids, she would make it clear that she was super excited to be around them. - How do you say, Igor? - Otávio spoke to his son. - It's a pleasure to meet you - the boy said, looking at me, and I smiled because he sounded like a little prince talking like that.

-It's my pleasure, darling - I smile. - It's a pleasure to meet you, too - I observe the little girl who is hiding. - You're Isis, aren't you? You don't need to be afraid of me. She didn't come out from behind her father. - Isis is not at all... - My new boss didn't finish the sentence. - Anyway, I don't want to scare you, but Isis is a naughty little girl. - I couldn't hide my smile. - My children and I live in the house, as well as Samuel, the butler, and Arlete, the maid. There are day laborers who come to help maintain the house during the week. But residents, it's just us. It's you now. I read in your CV that it's okay to live at work. - I don't have. - Well... I'll ask Arlete to bring us a coffee. Before we sign the trial contract, I need you to know some details... I didn't care about details. I would have a job with a good salary and a house to live in. I was happy for everything that was happening, even if it was happening too quickly and I could barely breathe in the face of the news. - Children, go play. Dad needs to talk to Maria Eduarda. They left almost immediately, which made me realize that the children obeyed without question or complaint. It was a surprise because I didn't know children like that. - As you can see, things here are simple, despite the sumptuous house. My life is my children, and I try to keep everything in order, raise them the same way I was raised. I nodded. - So, before you agree to work for me, you need to know that... Someone knocked on the door. Soon, a lady appeared, carrying a tray with two cups and a porcelain teapot. I quickly got up to help her put everything on the table. Otávio Figueiredo's gaze weighed on me. My heart accelerated. - I'm Arlete - the woman told me, as soon as she had her hands free. I squeezed her fingers, saying my own name. Then, she left. When I returned to my new boss again, my heart raced. His gaze burned. What did it mean? Chapter 2 When the employment agency told me they would refer someone for an interview, I expected a young lady in her mid-forties, with a serious face and modest clothes. But when this girl walked into my office, I lost my breath a little. Maybe because she reminded me of Analy, my ex-wife, when I met her. It's been almost ten years, but the experience of falling in love with her extravagant and free way still made my heart race. It all happened in Argentina. In Buenos Aires. I was having dinner with a friend and business partner, when the waitress appeared with her beautiful and spontaneous smile. We exchanged phone numbers and, during the time I was in Argentina on vacation, we went out and stayed a few times. When I returned to Brazil, I was already in love. So he brought her to me. I asked her to marry me. And I believed it would be eternal, until I realized that my beautiful wife was too free to be tied down to a man who needed to work to maintain his lifestyle. The mansion too far from the city to be busy, but too close to be considered a farm, massacred her. Analy liked people, she liked parties. Little by little, she wasted away. When I asked her if she wanted a divorce, she almost thanked me. And, since then, I've tried to maintain serenity because of Igor and Isis. They were just children and were already living away from their mother. However, I cannot deny that when I saw Maria Eduarda Fiuza entering my room, something stuck in my flesh. Which in itself was crazy. The fact that she reminds me of a younger Analy should only crown my initiative in asking that young woman with flowing hair out. But I still asked to see her CV. I treated her well. Even with the justification for his lack of qualifications dancing in my mouth, I gave him the job. Why? She attracted me. How Analy once attracted me. But there was something that differentiated them. Analy was waitressing that night just as an extra for her fashion course. She came from a good family and had a good surname in Argentina. When my grandfather found out about her, he asked her a series of questions about her lineage and was only satisfied after finding out everything he could about her. My grandfather died five years earlier, but I remember swearing to him that I would never dishonor the Figueiredos by staying with anyone. Either way... I don't need to see Maria Eduarda's CV to know that she is poor. Your skin, your uncut hair, your dusty sandals and your old skirt show this to me. And she has always worked, since she has a lot of experience and little education. On paper it is clear that she did not even finish high school. I look up at her. The coffee in front of me is served. She drinks from her own cup as if she is very embarrassed to be in front of me. Right. She attracts me. But, I would never stay with her. - Good, Maria Eduarda. As I already told you, her resume is great and I'm sure she has taken care of and educated many children, but I need you to know that my children are different. Igor will be the next count. Having a title brings a lot of honor, but also a lot of responsibility. My grandfather taught me that we cannot let ourselves be guided by sentimentality, we need to be firm and fair. I knew she had no idea what I was talking about. "Okay," she said, despite everything. - I don't want you to shower him with pampering and treat him like a little king. You need to be strict with him. - But he's seven years old. - He's already at the age where he knows how to behave. I don't want you to be too affectionate with Igor. On the contrary, I want you to be tough and always demand the best from him. She nodded. She knew she didn't agree, but apparently she needed the job. - Another thing. If you have a boyfriend or husband, you can only see him on days off and outside of work. I don't want strange men around my children. She blushed. - I don't have... My heart accelerated. Single, I knew it was because she put it on her CV, and she was glad she didn't have a boyfriend. However, this joy was uncomfortable, because it shouldn't change me. She finished her coffee. There was a thin trace of the liquid on her lips and I felt the urge to lick it. I looked away, returning to the paper. I needed a nanny because I had a lot of work to do, and I didn't have

. - Send me your address, I'll ask one of my company's drivers to pick up your things to bring to the house. Arlete will prepare a room. - I am very grateful, Mr.

Otávio. She got up shortly after, said goodbye and left. Her soft perfume remained in the room for a while, until it became just an invisible trace of a provocative presence. ✽✽✽ - ​​Nice girl - Arlete told me, while she served me dinner. Igor was on my right, and Isis on the other side. I was less demanding with Isis, so she ate using her fork and her hand. However, Igor fought bravely with a knife over the piece of steak. "Very nice," I said. Arlete took the knife out of Igor's hand and helped him cut. She knew I didn't like being helped, but Arlete was my babysitter when I was growing up and almost like a second mother, I didn't have the courage to tell her anything. - How old is she? "Almost thirty," I highlighted. - She dresses very poorly - I observed. - I will ask you to wear a uniform. Arlete gives me a strange smile, as if she wanted to tell me something, and I almost questioned her, but Isis caught my attention. - She looks like Princess Merida, daddy. - Merida? I didn't know anything about princesses. I tried to pull it through my mind. Sleeping Beauty was Aurora, Snow White was White. What was Cinderella's name? - From Valente - Arlete helped me. - But she's not redheaded, Isis. - Just a different color. Her hair is full of curls. I smiled because it had a bit of truth in it. - You liked her? - I liked. And you, daddy? - Me too. My response was so automatic that it scared me. - Would mom like her? - Isis asked. Once again, the similarity struck me. Both were full of life, witty. I saw little of Maria Eduarda, but the way she smiled, the way she tried not to show her cheerful personality seemed like Analy. - I think so, Isis... The answer ended the conversation. Talking about Analy, or feeling her absence, always sunk us all into a nest of pain. Chapter 3 - Will you come back? I smiled, folding the shirt and putting it in the suitcase. I turned my face and faced the brunette who lived in the boarding house, in the room next to mine. - God willing, no. I will spend many years taking care of the children. - But, will we still be friends? - She curved her face a little as she asked and my heart watered. When we are lonely, we long for friendship, or anything that resembles security. Salete and I met here at the pension, I was a day laborer at the time, and she worked on the street, making paintings and selling them on the sidewalks of the city. Like me, she was an orphan, and like me, she managed as best she could. - Of course, Salete. Because who am I going to see on my days off? Let's always talk on WhatsApp. Her smile made me focus on putting my things away again. I didn't have much. But with the contract value I received that afternoon showing my new salary, clearly living on little would be a thing of the past. I was already starting to plan to buy some things, save the money for when I moved out... God, it would be incredible to be able to rent an apartment, have my own kitchen, my own bathroom! - So, tell me... What's the house like? I stopped packing things again. This time I sat on the bed because I wanted to talk. I wanted to share all my expectations. - It's a dream house, the kind you see in movies - I said. - And the kids? - They're... well-mannered - I pointed out. - I couldn't talk to the girl properly, she seemed shy, but the boy was... - my heart accelerated at the memory. - He was so... - So what? - I can't say. His father told me that he needs to be educated strictly because he will be a count and, I believe, that is how all the men in the house are educated. I believe his father was raised like that too. "It looks sad." Her voice was low. Yes, it was sad. The boy's gaze held a need that touched my heart. I suppressed the feeling because I desperately needed this job, but it would be difficult to maintain a distant relationship with Igor. He seemed to be missing love, and I was willing to give it to him. However, he could not go against his father's wishes. - And the mother? - Salete continued. - How it is? - I didn't see her. From what I understand, they are divorced. - And the father? When it came to this question, my heart accelerated in a way I didn't want to happen. That man was beautiful in a way that really moved me. He reminded me of the models of newsstand romances that I secretly read on rainy nights, when I dream that I'm going to find great love. But great loves didn't exist, and if they did, they weren't for people like me. "He's handsome," I told her. - He was extremely polite and kind to me. But he has a firm look that is scary. - Fear in the sense of causing chills? - She gave me a silly smile that made me realize exactly where she was going. "Not that kind of chills," I laughed. - No way. He is my boss, father of the children I will take care of. And the guy is a count! Imagine the type of woman he dates! I don't even have a place to live... The memory of the look he gave me as he judged my outfit crashed over me. I know he judged, even though he didn't say anything. I ignored the feeling of humiliation, because I was used to doing this. People used to look at my super curly hair with a weight that crushed me. The truth is that I didn't have the money to get treatment to reduce my locks, so I tried to keep them tied up in a bun. I also didn't have money for fancy clothes, so I bought second-hand, at thrift stores in the city center. Even shoes, I bought the cheapest and most comfortable ones I could, because I would wear them for a long time, as I couldn't change them frequently. - I don't know, Maria Eduarda... Dream a little - she sighed. - You're going to work with a count, so like... imagine yourself as Cinderella... I laughed. - Salete, it's very risky - I denied. - I can't lose this job - she said firmly. - It's my chance to have a future. I'm almost thirty years old. Her gaze fell. - I know. Me too. Salete walked to the bed and sat down next to me. - Jonas asked me out on Friday - she told me, quoting one of the guys who worked at the bakery near the boarding house. Salete and I used to