Chapter 2 - Michael Barreto
1107 Words
If my day wasn’t one of the best, it would definitely get worse the next minute. I spotted Kelly leaning against my car in the courthouse parking lot where I had just lost an important case.
Shit! What did she want now?
I approached slowly not missing how that girl was dressed. I don’t know how she could always be ready like she was going to a fashion show. From afar I noticed the huge false nails, with a red detail on the tip and a crystal in each of them. Those nails sometimes scared me, other times....
- Hey, Kelly, I thought I told you to meet me at the office.
She opened the painted lips of a light pink in a broad smile.
- You did, but I’m in a hurry.
I imagine her hurry. Buy a new outfit or just parade around the mall with those delinquent friends she had.
- In a hurry? For what?
She crossed her arms making tantrums.
- I have commitments, Michael.
- So why don’t you take on these commitments? What I’ve done most in the last month is solve your problems
She wobbled her impatient leg. A leg totally exposed through the short white shorts and a sandal of the same color of high heel.
Someone had to stop that little girl.
- So don’t solve Michael, let me handle my problems.
I took a deep breath.
- What do you want now? What’s the hurry for?
- I need money.
I arched my eyebrow.
- Money for what? I didn’t give you a credit card?
She raised her hands laughing.
- A card with a limit that only give to buy a blouse right Michael!
- Buy a cheaper blouse.
- Are we going to talk here in the middle of the street?
I opened the car door and stared at her.
- Come in, let’s go home.
She came in mumbling.
- I need to sort things out, I just want my money.
I started the car.
- At home, we’ll talk.
- In my house, you mean it’s not?
I stopped and stared at her.
- You haven’t gotten used to Kelly yet? I’m now your tutor. I’m responsible for everything you do.
She hit her hands on the leg.
- And you had to move into my house? Hell!
I turned my attention to the street, driving slowly.
- I did. You’re a walking danger Kelly Velasco, someone needs to keep an eye on you.
She was silent until the mansion located in a luxury neighborhood. Joshua Velasco did not save when he thought of building that mansion. Now that he had died and only the only daughter left I wondered if it would be better if she sold that sumptuous house and bought an apartment. It was more her face. Keeping a house like that cost money and time.
I opened the gate and it took me longer to cross the garden from the house than to get in and out of the garage of my building.
Kelly waited for me to stop the car and walked down firmly to the entrance of the house.
Would it have been a good idea to actually move into that house? Certainly not, but I couldn’t leave that girl without an ounce of sense living alone.
I went in behind her and up the stairs. She went into the room and threw herself on the bed.
I avoided going into her room. It was a way of letting her have a little more privacy, but every now and then it was necessary. The room was typical of a rebellious teenager like her: messy and full of things scattered around the bed and the floor. The smell of perfume was annoying, but it was her typical smell. I was used to it.
- Stop sulking Kelly, just say what you want.
She crossed her legs.
- I will travel to Rio this weekend.
But you’re not going!
- Travel to Rio? For what?
- It’s Diogo’s sister’s birthday and he invited me.
- Who is Diogo?
She replied absent-minded.
- The guy I’m dating.
How?
- The guy you... what?!
She looked at me cynically.
- My boyfriend.
I put my hands around my waist.
- Since when do you have a boyfriend, Kelly?
She got up and took off her sandals.
- Now, do I need to get a husband? I’m starting the search.
That girl would kill me if I didn’t show her who was boss.
- You will not.
She stood in front of me with her arms crossed in defiance of me.
- Of course I will. I’m not asking your permission, I’m asking for my money.
I pointed my finger at her face.
- I’m not your father Kelly, who you used to play shoe and cat.
She pointed her finger imitating my gesture.
- Great, you’re not my father, you finally understood. You don’t own me.
- You’re not traveling alone with a guy I don’t know.
- You don’t have to know anyone. The boyfriend is mine and not yours.
What a desire to tighten the neck of that cheeky girl and lower that tuft of hers, even for a miserable minute.
I took a deep breath.
- Kelly, let’s stop this fight, you’re not going.
She took a few minutes silent and looked at me laughing softly.
- Okay, Dad, I’m not going.
Simple like that?
- What do you mean?
- I won’t. You said no and I won’t.
- Great.
- But can you increase my card limit? I want to buy a new phone.
- All right. Tomorrow I’ll do it.
She turned around and started taking off her shorts.
Crazy little girl!
Hey! What are you doing?
She turned with the most cynical face in the world.
- I’m taking a shower, I can’t take a shower in my clothes, right?
- Wait till I get out of the room!
She kicked the shorts off my direction and walked to the bathroom.
- Order a pizza, I’m hungry.
Jesus! I’m sure that little girl was gonna take my sanity.
I took the shorts on the floor and threw them on the bed.
I stood for a few minutes trying to sort my thoughts.
Take it easy, Michael. You’re gonna break this beast.
I knocked on the door and went towards my room. I sat on the bed and opened my phone in the delivery app. I already knew what flavor she liked. I just needed to learn how to deal with what I liked.
- Writer
