ll smelled of the floral perfume of Luísa, her f

for your Easter campaign, at least

another night of calculations, debts, and overd

idn't dare drink, with a polite smile, repeating the same phrases: "I'm from Confiteria Marti

out of place, like a chocolate lost in a jewelry display case. She scanned the room, looking for Luísa, but saw only unfamiliar heads. She clutche

ow, almost amused vo

o her fingertips. She turned slowly, as

Albuq

negotiated. The tuxedo fit him like a custom-made suit of armor. A loose bow tie, a glass of whiskey in his

know of philanthropists like you mixed with small-time bakers." Enzo smiled, leaning in

and, without taking his eyes off her. "Besides, ever since colleg

tep back. Not because it pained her to remember it,

conomics class, books weighing down her backpack. Enzo leaning against the wall, laughin

with the old machine in the student union. Amid the laughter, the forbidden kisses, the f

er go. And there they were again, as if nothing had

er chin. "I came to ask for donations for community projects. East

o you underestim

the side, but he foll

Enzo. I already made that cle

ost inaudible laugh. "Do you really thin

tomach as he leaned over

elp. I would have bought you all the Easter eggs, all the chocolate." His voice was sweet poison. "Or you could

I don't accept handou

his hands as if admitting defeat; a defeat that's

gesturing to the crowd of office workers. "Have any

on her purse tight. He not

t you were smarter. Begging for handouts from those rich people

larita..." He leaned close again, so close that Clara felt a heat rise up the back of her neck. "I know you still dream o

n kisses, so many secrets. The desire to slap him mingled with the d

t because you have money, you're wro

so close his lips alm

y you?" he murmured. "What if I

sic in the background. There, everything seemed still, just the

d, as if waking from a trance. She pulled away from Enzo and took a deep breath. "St

g the air, with that smile t

at easy, Clarin

ossing the room, ignoring the curious gla

g would be easy. Especially w

a part of her-stubborn, proud, still