JESSICA

My name is Jessica Reyes, I am the daughter of single mother Leonor Reyes. I never knew anything about my father, and even when I was ten years old, I dared to ask my mom, but all I received were punches and insults. She hates me, says I'm just like the trash that is my father. So, she's usually never home. Since I was very young, I've been alone in the house. I'm her personal servant, doing everything in the house, washing her clothes and cleaning every corner of the small house she rents for both of us. I never questioned anything, in fact, we don't even talk. But one day, she started being home all the time, drinking heavily. I didn't know why, but I didn't dare to ask. As the days went by, I realized the reason for her staying at home: her belly grew, she was pregnant.

I know she goes out with a lot of men and every night she did it, until her pregnancy started to show. I couldn't question anything at my sixteen and a half years, and I was terrified of my mother. Despite being pregnant, she continued drinking, and I don't know why she did it. It harms the baby. I dared to question it, and she slapped me, so I kept my distance. One night, I was awakened by her screams of pain. That was a week before my seventeenth birthday, and I went to see her in her room.

"Take me to the hospital, this demon wants to come out," she yelled at me, and I helped her.

At the hospital, after two hours, a doctor came out to tell me that I have a sister who, despite being underweight, is healthy. They took me to the room where my mom and the baby are. After making sure both are fine, they leave the three of us there, and I didn't dare say anything until the baby started crying desperately. She was hungry, and my mother didn't even look at her.

"Aren't you going to feed her? Is she hungry?" I asked.

"No, there's milk prepared for her in the bag. Give it to her if her crying bothers you so much," she answered without giving it any importance.

I approached the bag, took the bottle and the milk, read the instructions, and went to get some water. When I returned, the baby was still crying. I quickly prepared the bottle and clumsily took her in my arms, putting the bottle in her mouth. She ate eagerly. She was a beautiful baby.

When she finished her bottle, I didn't know what to do, but I remembered that in movies, they pat the baby on the back to make them burp, so I did that, and she fell asleep.

A nurse came to ask for the baby's name, and my mother didn't even have one in mind. So, I chose Luna, a name that I really liked. Luna Reyes would be her name.

My mom believes I don't know, but she also hates my sister, and I don't know why. She hates me because she says I came to ruin her teenage years. She had me at fifteen, and now she's thirty-three years old. She should be different with Luna, should show her some affection, but she doesn't. The next day, my mother signed herself out of the hospital and we went home.

She never once took Luna in her arms. On the first day, as usual, I went to school and when I came back, Luna was red from crying so much. I searched the whole house, and mom wasn't there. I took Luna and comforted her, then gave her the bottle. Eventually, she fell asleep. I waited for my mom all night, but she never arrived.

A week passed, and there was no trace of my mother. After much thought, I dared to enter her room, but it was empty. Her clothes were gone, as were the furniture. There was only a piece of paper on the floor. I picked it up and read:

"I never could stand you, you always reminded me of your father, the rapist because that's what your father was, a despicable rapist. That's why I can't stand seeing you, and now I can't stand that brat who won't stop crying. She's the daughter of another piece of shit man, just like you. I'm leaving and never coming back to see you. Oh, and remember, the rent is due in two weeks, so find a job because I won't pay it, and you can put the brat up for adoption."

That was the note that the woman who gave me life left for me. I didn't know what to do. I only have a week left to pay the rent, and where will I get money from and what will I do with Luna? She's only a week old, and she's my sister. I can't leave her alone in an orphanage.

I searched the whole house, and there was nothing of value. There were only two cans of powdered milk for Luna and some cookies for me. There was nothing else. I looked at Luna sleeping so innocently, and I didn't know what to do but cry. In that moment, I didn't know if I was her sister or her mother.

Last week, I was starving and had managed to get some money but it wasn't much, so it only covered Luna's milk and diapers, as well as some cookies for myself. The landlady came and gave me until evening to leave the house if I didn't pay, so I had no choice but to pack my few clothes and Luna's few clothes along with some blankets. Everything fit in a small bag, and Luna's milk and diapers were wrapped well in a blanket. I put on a jacket and left with my daughter.

The first night on the streets, we slept huddled together in a park. I made sure Luna was warm so she wouldn't get sick. But at dawn, I searched until I found a women and children's shelter where we could stay. We had to be there before seven when they closed their doors and no one else could enter. With the little money I had left, I bought balloons. Fortunately, I went to a school where there was a boy who sold balloons and made animal shapes with them. He taught me, so I made a lot of balloons and went to the park to sell them. It was a park where many wealthy people gathered, so all my balloons sold quickly. That's how I earned money for food and milk for Luna.

So five months passed. Luna is now six months old. Her beautiful eyes are blue, her hair is blond, and her skin is very fair. She is a chubby and beautiful baby who is always smiling, although she doesn't like to be held by strangers and cries very loudly if they do. In the park, we have a little friend named Sofia Hermes. She is a very cute five-year-old girl, and an employee brings her to the park every day since she is always alone. Sofia plays with Luna while I sell the balloons. Luna adores her and always laughs when she sees her.

"Hi Jessica," Sofia greeted me.

"Hello Princess Sofia," I responded, and she smiled.

"Can you leave Luna with me on the grass? Lina will watch us, right Lina?" Sofia asked.

"That's correct, miss, as I always do," Lina replied.

Lina is an older lady who comes to the park daily with Sofia. Apparently, Sofia's parents never have time for her, so Lina brings her to the park so she can have fun. Since I started selling balloons here, Lina has always been with Luna. She knows my and Luna's story well, and that's why she also helps me with Luna while I sell the balloons.

When I finished selling the balloons, I looked for Luna and Sofia, and I found them on the grass with Lina. But as I was about to approach them, a man approached Sofia, and when he saw Luna, he took her in his arms, and Luna didn't cry. Instead, she smiled. I approached because I didn't know who that man was, even though he was quite handsome.

"Daddy, this is Jessica, Luna's mom," Sofia commented, and the man turned to look at me.

A tall man with green eyes identical to Sofia's and with blond hair, he is very handsome, like a Greek god.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Cristobal Hermes," we shook hands.

"Jessica Reyes," I responded.

"Your daughter is very sweet, and Sofia told me that you get along very well and play every day," Cristobal said.

"Yes, your daughter is very lovely and friendly," I spoke, and the man handed Luna to me, who immediately pouted. It seemed strange to me because she doesn't usually throw tantrums.

"How about both of you come to dinner with us?" Cristobal suggested.

I checked my watch, but I couldn't go. It's already six, and I had to go back to the shelter, or else Luna and I would have to sleep on the streets.

"I'm sorry, but I can't. I have to return before seven, so I better go," I responded.

"Will you come tomorrow?" Sofia asked.

"You know I will, Princess. See you," I said goodbye and went straight to the shelter.

I arrived just in time because if not, I would have had to go back to the park to sleep. Luna is very well-behaved and hardly cries. I appreciate it because if not, I would have been kicked out of this place for the noise. Fortunately, Luna behaves well.

In the shelter, the people are not always the same since many of the women here are only here for a short time while they go to be with their families or are passing through as immigrants and then continue on their way. I am the only constant here.

After showering together with Luna and having dinner, we fall asleep embracing each other. I can't help but think about how my mother was able to leave us like this. She wasn't the best mother to me, but she didn't abandon me. It's different with Luna because she left her behind. If she had stayed, she would see what a good girl my little Luna is.

CRISTOBAL HERMES

I am a very important businessman. I work hard day in and day out. Six years ago, I accepted an arranged marriage. I didn't see any problem with it since it is common among the wealthiest families in the country. So, I got married. A year later, my daughter Sofia was born. When Sofia was two years old, her mother died in a car accident. Since she was the one who helped me with my multiple businesses, all the work fell on me.

I didn't love my wife, and she didn't love me either. But we had mutual respect and a good friendship. When my wife died, there were many contracts that needed to be closed. So, for the last three years, I have been traveling and barely seeing my daughter. I call her every night and only see her once a month. However, now that I have resolved everything, I returned to the country and was told that my daughter is with Lina, one of the employees at the park. Lina takes her there every afternoon. Whenever I call Sofia, she tells me about that place. A few months ago, she told me she has a friend named Luna and that Luna's mom sells balloons in the park. She lets Sofia play with Luna while she works. Without further ado, I went to the park. When I arrived, I saw my daughter on the grass with a baby. I greeted my princess, and the little baby smiled at me. I couldn't help but pick her up, and the little one laughed heartily. She is so beautiful.

The baby's mother approached, and I realized she is just a teenager. How can she have a baby at such a young age? Although I think the baby will resemble her father, because the girl has gray eyes, black hair, very fair skin, and a perfect body.

In contrast, the baby has blue eyes, blonde hair, chubby cheeks, and is beautiful. The only thing they have in common is their fair skin.

I invited her to eat, but she said she had to return before seven. Sofia asked if she would come back tomorrow, and she said yes. When she left, I couldn't help but ask about her.

"Lina, tell me who that woman is and what do you know about her?" I asked while my daughter ran for an ice cream.

"It's very sad, sir. She lives in a shelter with the baby and sells balloons to eat. She is alone, and that's why she has to return to the shelter early. If she arrives after seven, she won't have a place to sleep," Lina replied.

"Tomorrow, we'll offer her a job as Sofia's full-time nanny, and in return, she will receive a good salary, a roof over her head, and food for her and her daughter," I explained.

"Really, sir? Sofia will be happy to have Luna and Jessica at home every day," Lina replied happily.

"That's all that matters, my daughter's happiness. Besides, I am not home often, so I have to make sure that when I'm not there, my daughter is happy," I replied as I watched my daughter eat her ice cream.

My mother insists that I get married again. One of our partners wants me to marry his daughter, and by marrying her, I will receive half of his fortune. The other half will be for our children. But I can't go through another arranged marriage. The first one wasn't so bad because my late wife, Sara, and I became good friends. Then our daughter was born, and although we never loved each other, we always sought the best for our daughter. I know it wouldn't be good for my daughter if I accepted another arranged marriage. She needs love and attention, not more money. That's why I want to offer Jessica a job. She and her daughter will provide the love and companionship that my daughter needs, and she won't be alone when I'm traveling.

My lawyer will present the proposal to Jessica alongside Lina tomorrow. I don't think she'll refuse since it's a great offer, and she won't have to stay in a shelter with her daughter. Every mother seeks the best for her child, and I don't think she'll be an exception.

I spent that day with my daughter, took her out to eat, and received a call from my mother insisting on marriage, but I ended the call. When it was time to sleep, I read a story to Princess Sofia and then went to rest. The next morning, I took my daughter to school and told the lawyer that I had to go to the park with Lina to make the offer to the young girl. Sofia wouldn't go to the park because my mother insisted she go for a snack, so I had no choice. When I arrived at my mother's house, our partner's daughter was there, but I didn't pay attention to her, although she's beautiful, I can't deny it, but I'm not interested in a convenience marriage. She only insinuated herself to me and she doesn't understand that if they want me to consider this marriage a little, she should approach my daughter and not try to get me into bed. But of course, I won't tell them that because if I ever get married again, that person has to love my daughter as much as I do.

During the snack, my phone rang and I smiled when I saw the message saying Jessica had already signed her contract and that they would take her to the mansion. My daughter will have someone to always accompany her, she doesn't need money with what I have, and with her mother's inheritance, she could live her whole life without doing anything, and now she'll have the company and affection of Jessica and her daughter.

"Mom, everything was delicious, but Sofia and I have to go. Come on, princess, say goodbye," I said, standing up.

"Yes, Daddy, goodbye grandma," Sofia said, bidding farewell, and despite my mother's protests and her guest, I went home. When we arrived, Sofia smiled widely upon seeing Jessica with the baby in her arms.

"Luna, Jess!" my daughter shouted and ran to hug her. The little baby laughed heartily.

"Did you like your surprise, Sofia?" I asked as I watched her.

"Yes, Daddy, very much," my daughter said happily.

"Jessica will be your nanny, she and Luna will now live here," I said, and my girl jumped with joy.

"Thank you, sir," Jessica said somewhat embarrassed.

"There's nothing to thank for. I assume they've already shown you your room," I said calmly.

"Yes, sir," Jessica replied.

"Well, I have things to do. I hope you have fun," I said, and then went to my office.

As I worked, I could hear the laughter of those three throughout the house. I really liked that. It had been too long since I heard so much joy in this house. I hope it stays like this forever.