Ricardo smiled.
“Yes.”
Mariana nodded.
“Then ask her.”
“Ask her what?”
“If she wants to stay.”
Ricardo laughed.
“You’re twelve.”
“I know.”
“And you’re giving me relationship advice?”
“You’re terrible at it.”
He laughed harder.
That night, Ricardo found Luía in the garden.
The lights from the house reflected in the pool.
“Luía.”
She turned.
“Yes?”
“I want to ask you something.”
She smiled.
“That sounds serious.”
“It is.”
He took a breath.
“Will you stay?”
She looked at him.
“I already work here.”
“You know what I mean.”
She was silent.
“I don’t want you to stay because of the children.”
“I’m not.”
“I don’t want you to stay because of money.”
“I’m not.”
“Then why?”
Luía smiled through tears.
“Because somewhere along the way, this stopped being a job.”
Ricardo stepped closer.
“What is it?”
She looked toward the house.
“A family.”
PAGE 10
One year later, the mansion looked completely different.
