The Project of Tomorrow

Chapter 9

Alejandro: sofí - I call the girl's attention - you can take her to meet the children, while your uncles and I talk

Sofía: yes of course - I take the girl's hand - come Vero, I am going to introduce you to my little sister and my cousins, but first we will go for a juice - she smiled - come on - I pull her by the hand, walking towards the kitchen

Alejandro: just don't give him your sister's juices - he warned him

Sofía: - she turned to see him - calm down - she smiled - I'll just take the hidden ones - she shrugged - come on, let's see - I pull the girl's hand back to take her way to the kitchen

The adults smiled shaking their heads, Alejandro turned to go back to the grill, finding Alfred in front of her

Alejandro: hey, what are you doing? Alfred, that's my job - he said, putting his apron back on - it does disappear

Alfred: sir, last time I ended up burning the meat, and in the end he had to order pizza - he stood next to him

Alejandro: that's a lie - he defended himself, listening to small laughs - he just cooked more than necessary - he lowered his gaze - he was also watching the girls - he wanted to justify himself

Alfred: yes of course - I speak in a whisper

Alejandro: but this time it won't happen - He approached Alfred taking his hands on his shoulders - because your friend of mine will take care of them, while I take care of the grill

Alfred: sir, wouldn't you be better off taking care of the children, while I take care of the grill, I am the most qualified for this

Francisco: I don't doubt that - whisper

Alejandro: Shut up Fran, no Alfred, you say that because you haven't seen my culinary skills yet, you'll see when I'm done, you have nothing to fear

Alfred: actually yes, the lady will kill me if she finds out that I let him cook, and this time I will be fired

Alejandro: calm, that will not happen - he turned his back on him returning to the grill

Alfred: - took a few steps - I think I'd better ask for the grill for delivery, maybe I'll avoid being fired - I speak something low walking towards the house

Francisco: ja haha see that you do not have faith butler - talk getting to the side of the

Alejandro: if you can believe it - he said indignantly

Margaret: yes, yes - she spoke with a funny tone in her voice

The three adults burst into laughter, a couple of minutes passed when their laughter finally died down. Nothing in them had changed, no matter how long they had been separated, they were still the same, although they had not lost contact, they had not seen each other for several years.

Margaret walked to the picnic table in front of the grill, followed by Francisco who sat next to his wife

Alejandro: How are things going? - He asked referring to the girl

Francisco: it's only been two weeks and ... - he sighed

Alejandro: he is adapting, you must bear with him - I speak turning the meat on the grill

Francisco: we are having it, it is just something ... complicated, it is a bit distant, and it still takes a lot to talk to us

Alejandro: at the beginning it will always be complicated - I look at you - and little by little he will have more confidence with you

Margaret: yes, she's starting to loosen up a bit, but she's still having a hard time making friends, she's a bit shy and insecure

Alejandro: it is natural in every child, he is starting something new, and meeting new people he is still very young

Margaret: she is very small and has been through a lot - under my eyes - what hurts me the most, is knowing that at such a young age, she has been abandoned many times, I would not want the same thing to happen again, I want her to feel safe with us, that he sees us as his parents, maybe not now, but at least as friends

Alejandro: I understand you my dear, it is the fear that you feel, that fear that all parents have of failing their children, but you have nothing to fear, you - I look at you both - are the parents that that little girl needs, you have gone through Much both she and you, there are wounds that must heal, the three of them will help each other heal together, also they are not alone they have us

Francisco: that makes me feel more at ease, knowing that I can grow up close to such incredible people as you and your family

Alejandro: I know, Fran, I'm amazing, I know

Margaret: ego? Where? - The three of them let out small laughs - Alejandro - caught the man's attention - I have a small question that has been surrounding my head since I arrived

Alejandro: Well say it, I'm all ears s

Margaret: Why did you move to a neighborhood like this? I mean being an important businessman, having a very good economic and social position, I assumed that you would live in one of the most private areas of the city. Why here?

Alejandro: ah uff Well this is the second time that, we actually moved - I speak turning his attention to the grill - we actually lived in the most prestigious and private place in the whole city, nice to live there - he looked up - great, the girls had a huge garden but, did you see all those people out there - I point to the exit - the children, the neighbors, all that interaction in the street, there was nothing like that in such prestigious places. The first days we moved were very quiet, no one knew who we were, they saw us and ignored us, but when they found out our last name, everyone hit us like gum, they invited us to their parties, birthdays, events, any excuse to stick to us, talk about how incredible we were in business, the exaggerated compliments they made us, it was very funny to see how their children beat ours, the girls did not like it and ... - I look at the meats on the grill - Well We got tired of it and decided to change places, you remember the Hernandez’s, Fran - she looked at the man who was looking at her somewhat doubtfully and then felt with a smile - they recommended this neighborhood to us, they have lived here for quite some time, it is a very quiet place And surely also, most ignore our last name, sometimes forget it, I do not know if they do it intentionally or something like that, but they treat us like normal people, one or the other approaches us for convenience, but we are already They are accustomed, here the girls are happier, they go out to the streets and have fun, it is the perfect place to grow up, I don't want them to be like those self-centered children who because they have everything they think they can do whatever they want, here they have a little humble, they even have several friends, It is also closer to the school and the company

Margaret: it is difficult to find a neighborhood with good neighbors, I would like to live in a place like that

Alejandro: And ... why don't them?

Francisco: How?

Alejandro: Yes, because they don't, they can move to a few streets here - he said something excited about his idea - So we could be closer

Margaret: Ahmmm ....

Francisco: yes we could

Margaret: I don't know Francisco

Francisco: love think about it, it would be better for the girl, she would no longer be alone all the time, they would have Alejandro's daughters to be with her, look, they seem to be getting along well - she said looking at the kitchen through the window, where she I could see the girls having a juice

Alejandro: and ... not just girls

Margaret: right? Who else

Alejandro: ah ... Hehe , I didn't tell you but there are well-known people in this neighborhood - the couple looked at him somewhat confused - they are familiar with the Hansen’s, Miller, Styles, Horan , Tomlinson and the Hamilton’s

Francisco: Are you talking about your partners?! - I ask confused

Alejandro: Yes, they, but they are not only my partners, they are also my friends, I have known them since, what? Always, you have known them for many years - he said referring to the couple - they live a few streets from here, they have more time than us in fact

Margaret: woo - she said surprised - I thought they lived somewhere else

Francisco: I too - agreed with his wife

Alejandro: haha no, it's over in a few hours they will be here

Francisco and Margaret: Really? - They spoke at the same time

Alejandro: that's right, they had something urgent to solve at the company, but they are coming soon - he shrugged

Margaret: and ... where is Sinu? - Said noticing the absence of the woman

Alejandro: he is finishing solving some things in his study - he shrugged

Francisco: that means they left you hair as a babysitter - he said with a mocking tone in his voice

Alejandro: They didn't leave me as a chef, it was Alfred who left him as a babysitter

In the kitchen//

Sofia: did you like the juice? - He asked looking at the girl who was enjoying her juice

Verónica: - She left the drink Looking at the girl in front, giving her a huge smile - yes, it's very tasty, thanks

Sofía: it's nothing, they're my sister's favorite juices, but don't tell anyone - she said, smiling at him, receiving a nod of her head, she looked at the little girl in front of her for a moment, a doubt arose - uhh Vero What are you old

Veronica: - frowned confused - I'm 5 - showed her hand with her five little fingers - but I'm going to turn 6 - she said adding another finger

Sofia: wow, I'm 8, my little sister is going to be 4 - she said smiling - I would have liked to see my aunt with her belly

Veronica: - under her head - you wouldn't have seen her

Sofia: I look at her confused - why not?

Veronica: well, I didn't come from her - I look away

Sofia: - she was thoughtful drinking her juice analyzing what the girl said - so ..., they chose you - she said it excitedly

Veronica: I am adopted - I look at her - I am a collection that they return every 2 weeks why they do not want her, a homeless girl without a family - I look down avoiding them to see her tears fall

Sofia: it is not true - he approached her a little - you are not a collection, you are a chosen one - the girl looked at her confused - you know, most people would like to choose their parents or children, not everyone has the happiness to choose who to love as their parents, if they already chose you before and you did not stay with them, it was because you did not belong there, at least you have the happiness to return them - he shrugged - not like me, although I do not complain You can choose again which parents you want, and ... You chose very well, why let me tell you that my uncles are fantastic, and not only did you get parents, but also cousins ​​and brothers, why from today we will always be together, as a family, and I will never leave you alone you understood - he said staring at the girl - and ... Let it be clear that you can no longer change me eh! - He said laughing a little, infecting the girl

Alejandro: children to eat! - The scream was heard, gaining the attention of the girls, who quickly turned to look at the window

Sofía: come let's eat - I take the girl's hand, leading her to the patio - Alfred, what have you got there? - He asked when he collided with the man who was carrying a box of food in his hands

Alfred: the way to avoid my dismissal - I look at the girl, then at the box as if it were her salvation

Sofia: Dad burned the food again, right? - letting out a little laugh

Alfred: I'm not sure, maybe not all, but most of it - I speak while walking again

Both Alfred and Sofía, who was holding Veronica’s hand, walked to the picnic table, Verónica separated from Sofía running into Margaret's arms who received her with open arms, next to her a couple of children who looked at the food strangely

Alejandro: Sofí call the other children please - he said putting some burned sausages and meats on the table

Sophia: yes dad - she said looking at the food on the table - father - caught the attention of the man who was ordering the table - is that edible? - He pointed to the food, a great laugh was heard from the man still sitting at the table, followed by small laughter - I think I'll go see the children

After an excellent afternoon with the family, the Iglesias made the decision to change their home thinking about their daughter, believing that it would be the best for her, although it really would be? Maybe yes, maybe no, who knows. Veronica was still shy and closed, but that was changing little by little, being Sofía who broke the little girl's barrier, with her bad jokes and all those jokes and weird faces that she made to amuse her. Over time he loved her and considered her as a sister, however over the years they all grew, but even so nothing between them changed, the jokes, mischief remained the same as 4 or 5 year old children

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Maura: good Sofí - she said taking her wallet - you stay in charge of the children - I walk towards the door - you know what to do - she stopped looking at the girl - nothing to be doing mischief inside the house

Sofia: calm aunt, I'll take care of it - she said smiling

Bobby: darling, it's time to go - he placed himself next to his wife - you stay in front Sofia, children - he caught the attention of the little ones - they listen to Sofia in everything she tells them, they understood - the children nodded with happy head

Sofía: you have heard, you have to listen to me in everything I tell you - a grumble was heard

Bobby: well kids, we're leaving - he opened the door - Take care - Look Sofia - take care of them

Maura: - on the way to the sofa - behave yourself - I look at the children - I love them - she approached one giving him a kiss on the cheek - By my love

Niall: bye mommy - he said watching her walk away - bye daddy - he said goodbye seeing him at the door

Bobby: bye champion - he smiled - bye unruly - he said letting his wife out

Sofia: bye guys - she said goodbye as soon as the door was closed

I just saw it go adults house, Sofia quickly went to the window, watching as the couple headed to his car, first up the woman who opened the door for her husband and then surround the car and get on the , spent some seconds when the car began to move away from the house, getting lost in the streets

Sofia: well, take all your things, if someone has something to do, do it now - she spoke walking towards the stairs, taking her backpack

The happy children got up from the sofa to get their backpacks, some going to the bathroom or the kitchen before leaving, except for a little girl who did not seem happy with what they were doing

Ally: I still do not agree with what we are going to do - I speak something annoying crossing my arms

Dinah: come on Ally, don't be a party pooper - I speak, sitting back, placing an arm around her neck

Ally: I'm not a party pooper, I just don't want to disobey guys

Liam: you're not disobeying anything - he said sitting next to her - we weren't supposed to mess up anything here

Sofía: Well, yes you are - I stare at her - someone is ignoring me and the guys are supposed to leave me in charge

Ally: I don't understand why you are in charge, if you are the most irresponsible person in the world - I speak somewhat annoying

Sofía: Of course not - she defended herself - I always take care of them, besides I'm the oldest of the whole group - she said proudly - they told me take care of them, if you don't have a broken arm or a bleeding nose, no problem

Ally: you are supposed to protect them not expose them, I could do better than you, being a year and a few months older than me does not mean that I can not also be in charge

Sofía: no, of course not - she agreed - but this time they left me in charge, so pineapple pe '

Ally reluctantly took her backpack ready to accompany the others who were already waiting outside, the four of them walked out of the house stopping at the entrance of this

Sofía: all are well - I pass her gaze - wait, where is Camila?

Camila: here I am - she left the house with a bag of cookies in her hand

Dinah: Chacho you got them - the way she is hugging her, taking with me a couple of cookies

Sofía: Camila, put those cookies away - I look at her with her hands on her waist - then you eat them

Camila: but I'm hungry - she said eating a cookie

Sofia: Yes, but later you will be hungrier and you will not have anything to eat

Ally: Leave her, then she can eat fruit - she said, placing herself at Camila's side, passing her arm around her neck.

Sofía: - rolled her eyes - whatever you want - downplayed it - well bring your things ? ! - He asks looking at everyone - they have nothing left - everyone without exception nodded - well, wait

Sofía returned to the house to close the door while the others waited for her on the sidewalk of the street, after making sure that the door was closed, on her way to the others, she extended her hand to Camila who took it immediately. they walked down the street planning what they would do, they had days planning it, although not everyone agreed

Sofía: Dinah, you stay with Maní - she said looking at her - Harry you with Louis, Liam you will go alone - I look at him - you know what to do - he nodded - Zayn, you do not separate from your sister, Niall, you go with Vero, Camila and Ally will come with ... - She got hit - What ?! - I look confused at Dinah, who made a gesture with her head - Oh ..., No

The small group turned their gaze in the same direction as Sofia, far from the road a well-known car could be seen approaching the group

Normani: we are worth it mother - he said

Sofía: no - I lower my head a little whispering - go with the flow - I finish saying just when the car stopped next to them

Alfred: Hello kids - I greet getting out of the car, walking towards the group

All: He..llo... - greeted somewhat nervous

Sofia: How about Alfred ? ! - Said looking casual

Alfred: Very good my girl, and you ? - I ask looking at the children

Ally: very good, thank you

Sofia: ah ... And where were you going ? - I ask scratching his neck

Alfred: you glad you asked, he would just look

Niall: a... We... ? ! - He said something nervous

Alfred: that's right - he said with a small smile

Dinah: and ... for that ? - I ask something confused

Alfred: well ... - I walk back to the car - I wanted to introduce you to someone - opened the door - Lucy girl can come down

Confused, they looked at each other, to then see a girl almost the same age as them go down. I get out of the car with a shy smile, waving to everyone

Alfred : children, I present to you Lucía vives - he said introducing the girl