FLASHBACK
A few years earlier
MAIN VILLA
I walk into my father’s office with Maria. He’s sitting in his big chair, signing documents at his desk that towers over me.
He doesn’t even bother to lift his head to look at me. He just gives a wave of his hand to let me know I can speak.
"Do you think Maria could take me to visit her family, who lives in the countryside?"
"What the hell would you want to do there?"
"Her brothers have a big farm with chickens and cows! I could see the animals and help take care of them!"
He lifts his head and looks at us both before bursting out laughing.
Maria squeezes my hand tightly to show she supports me. Innocently, I continue:
"Did I say something funny?"
"You already look like a street rat. If you set foot in a place like that, you might turn in
