POV: third person written by the authorNataliaIt’s been more than six hours since Luke had left for Brasília, putting the responsibility of foreseeing the beta gonsales on Natalia’s shoulders. She knew how almost impossible that mission would be, in a company where male command predominated. Gonzalo never considered handing over the management of his company to a woman, much less one so inexperienced.Natalia thought about it a lot, so much so that she even lost her appetite. The problem was that outside; it was already dark and if she wanted to save the family company, she would have less than twelve hours to decide.She got up from the sofa once more, because anxiety was on the point of driving her crazy, when she saw that man enter the mansion. Watched the slow steps walk towards her. Hector Fagundes, her grandfather, Gonzalo’s father, hadn’t been to that house to visit her for many years. When he looked at her, the man gave her a smile and his eyes filled with tears. Despite the
POV: third person written by the authorClaudioClaudio watched Luke carrying Aurora in his arms, under a heavy rain, still unable to believe that it was actually happening. The tears mixed with the raindrops, and no one could tell if her face was soaked by the weather or the pain.The distant voice, at least he had this impression, that Rebeca was running away, generated a great doubt in him: catch the woman who tried to murder his daughter, or stay at Aurora’s side, begging God not to take her only one. Daughter. It was at that time that the maternal feeling, which had been hidden for a long time, surfaced within him. The police had an obligation to capture Rebeca, so he would stay there, holding Aurora’s hand until the last moment.They took her, unconscious, in the police car. Speeding through the empty city streets, Luke watched his heartbeat every ten seconds. By a miracle, Aurora made it to the hospital alive. They took her straight to the operating room, and Claudio almost col
Luke— They set Aurora’s house on fire. – I was leaning against a hospital counter, waiting for the receptionist to come back with information about empty ICU beds, when Naldo dropped that bombshell on me.— That’s not possible! – I exclaimed, completely dumbfounded. But I knew it was possible.— I spoke with Claudio, – he continued. – He was desperate on the phone, saying that Rebeca entered the house and set fire to it, until she left with severe burns.— Does that woman have no limits? - really the nightmare that Aurora lived, it seemed to never end – and how is Claudio doing? I asked him to go home.— He said he’s fine - Naldo, he was completely ecstatic, but he forgot to give me more information – I need to go back. Claudio needs my help.I agreed with Naldo and let him go towards Aurora’s house, if there was still a house, without knowing the rest of the story. For a moment, I wished she would die, for all the harm she was causing me and Aurora. The thought of her in a hospital
FinalPOV: LukeToday is the thirty-seventh day since Aurora was shot and nearly perished. Every day I come here and spend most of the time with her, telling her about how things in her life have changed, even if she is not awake, they are happening. I read books; I convert. The most important fact was when Rebeca was arrested, still in the hospital. She finally got the punishment she deserved. He spent the rest of his life in severe pain, even though he was free. We know Brazilian laws well.It was already late at night. I should have gone to Luke’s house to rest, but for some reason I couldn’t explain, I decided to sleep there, in the hospital with her. Sitting in the armchair, I read a book and ended up falling asleep. That’s when I heard a cry of “Mom” and when I opened my eyes, Aurora was sitting wide-eyed, panting. My eyes widened too, in surprise, but most of all, happiness. Aurora is back. I got up in a hurry and sat next to her. I don’t remember what I said or if I said anythi
Luke Fagundes I was driving down a busy avenue in Rio de Janeiro, watching the car in front of me, so I wouldn’t let it out of my sight. Sweat was running down my forehead. I looked at the clock on the dashboard, and it was only eight in the morning. I accelerated when I realized that the car in front had established a great distance. Inside that car is Gonzalo Fagundes, my father. The night before, I saw my mother come home from the church with a heavy face. Maybe it was fate. I was at home that day, which was very rare, since I was always wandering the streets of Rio de Janeiro, spending my father’s fortune. I went to the bedroom and, with the door ajar, I saw my mother take an envelope from one of the drawers, open it and take what I supposed to be a letter. A tear rolled down her face, as if she were reading it for the first time. Closing her eyes, she shoved the paper back into the envelope and placed it in the third drawer of her dresser. He got up and walked towards the bathro
AuroraIt's a rainy afternoon, when the neighbor next door knocks on the gate, letting me know that there was someone on the phone wanting to talk to me urgently. I hurry and run out into the rain, imagining the worst. When I answer, I hear that familiar voice on the other end of the line: it's my father. I roll my eyes inevitably. A long sigh before saying anything.“Hi, dad”“Your mother is in the hospital”He says this without me feeling any emotion in his voice.“I need you to come over here, Aurora, to help me take care of her”“Is it serious?”“I don't know, maybe”“Don't know?”My voice comes out angrier than it should.“Are you coming or not?”“And how do I do with my work? Or do you think only you work here?”“Put him down”I'm amazed at my father's arrogance, in not caring one bit about my life.“He left home because he wanted to, so don't blame me for your failures.”He could only be kidding, I think.“If you are willing to support me while I am taking care of my mother, I
Luke FagundesA lump formed in my throat as the plane took off towards Brasília, but I didn't cry. I will never cry because my father decided to be a son of a bitch with me. I got used to your disdain, your lack of empathy. Likewise, I might even be going to hell, but I would come back stronger than before and ready for my revenge.An hour later, the plane landed on the runway. I went down and came across an unknown man, standing waiting for me. Gonzalo thought of everything, every detail, to make sure that the punishment would be strictly imposed against me. The man, in silence, directed me to a car, stopped a few meters away. I was pushed unceremoniously into the backseat. Half an hour later he stopped on a street, without asphalt, with mud puddles and boys running barefoot. The place stank worse than the building where he was hiding with his mistress. The man opened the door and pulled me out.— Your aunt is waiting for you, – he said, pushing me into the middle of the street, cau
AuroraThe betrayal I woke up scared. My mother is sitting up in bed, her eyes closed, moaning softly in pain. I jump to my feet, and I know my eyes are wide. I'm worried, visibly lost, not knowing what to do.— Mom, is everything okay?— I'm in a lot of pain, Aurora – I can see that she's crying – it's almost unbearable.— What do I do? — I look away, lost in the room. I look at the clock, and it's almost six – wait just a minute, Mom, I'm going to call for help.I hurried down the hall, not knowing exactly where to look. Furthermore, I remember how well she was yesterday, smiling, happy. She didn't even look sick, and now, she's lying there crying in pain. I spot a nurse a few feet away and run towards her.— My mother is in a lot of pain – I can hardly pronounce these words – please help her.— Calm down – she's kind, drops what she's doing to talk to me – what's your mother's name and what room is she in?— Desiree, room 08,– I try to calm down, but I can't.The nurse goes th