Chapter 8 - The Day I Broke Every Rule
Six months later, Maria returned to work.
Not because she needed the money.
Because she wanted her independence.
I respected that.
But I changed the rules.
Every employee received paid medical leave.
Every employee could report management directly to me.
Every household worker had access to medical insurance.
And no employee could ever be fired for becoming sick.
People called it generous.
It wasn't.
It was overdue.
One evening, I found Maria in the kitchen.
She was making dinner.
“You don't have to do that.”
She smiled.
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because I want to.”
I leaned against the counter.
“Nora told me you said everyone has to be useful.”
Maria looked embarrassed.
“I shouldn't have said that.”
“You were surviving.”
“So were you.”
I looked at her.
“What do you mean?”
“You built an empire because you were afraid of being powerless.”
She was right.
“I thought money would protect me.”
“Did it?”
I looked around.
“No.”
She smiled.
“Then maybe you don't need more money.”
I laughed.
“You're dangerous.”
“Why?”
“You're the only person in this house who talks to me like I'm normal.”
She smiled.
“Someone has to.”
That evening, I took Nora to the garden.
She carried a little watering can.
“Mr. Luca?”
“Yes?”
“Why don't you have a wife?”
I nearly choked.
“That's a complicated question.”
“Why?”
“Because life is complicated.”
She considered this.
“Do you like Mama?”
I stared at her.
She smiled.
“You do.”
“Who taught you to ask questions like that?”
“Nobody.”
She watered a flower.
Then she looked up.
“You should tell her.”
I laughed.
“You're three.”
“I know.”
She continued watering the flowers.
“You're still right.”
That night, I knocked on Maria's door.
She opened it.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes.”
I hesitated.
Then I said,
“Nora asked me if I liked you.”
Maria froze.
“What did you say?”
“The truth.”
Her cheeks turned red.
“What truth?”
“That I do.”
Silence.
Then she smiled.
“I like you too.”
For the first time in years, I felt nervous.
Not afraid.
Nervous.
The good kind.
I reached for her hand.
She let me.
And neither of us knew yet that someone had been watching from the gate.
May you like
Someone who wanted revenge.
Someone who believed my happiness had cost him everything.
