Chapter 2 marketing project

the talk of the town. - I'll take care of it personally, take care of the news, we won't be the subject of any more gossip. Now, let's talk about profits, I don't know if you noticed, but now without Edgar's support, we'll certainly lose some investors, we need to focus on that to stay where no one can take us away. - I said, changing the course of the conversation. After talking about profits and future investors, we created a new marketing project. That's how we ended the meeting. 12:00 To make up for my absence as a father, I went to Ayra's school to pick her up. She was already waiting. When she saw me, she ran with a big smile on her face. "Daddy!" "What did I tell you about running?" I scolded her as I hugged her back. "Don't fight with me." "I'm not fighting, I'm just telling you not to do that. You could get hurt, daughter."

"Sorry." "Okay, let's go home." After "sitting her in the car seat," as she likes to say, I picked up her backpack from the doorman and put it in the car. We went home listening to music. Ayra talked about how her day was and how much she played with her friends. It was fun to listen to her. She got excited and said the words halfway through, never making sense. I always tried to understand what she was saying. When I couldn't, I just agreed. "Daddy, I want to go to the park." "Today is not the day." "Please." "Don't be stubborn, okay?" I stopped the car at the traffic light and looked at her, who was pouting cutely and sadly at the same time. "Daughter, what do you think about a nanny?"

"No." "Why? She'll give you attention, play with you, and take care of you." "I want daddy." "I know, daughter, but I need to work." "Auntie can play." "Auntie has her own house, she needs to work too." "Are you going to leave me?" I never thought Ayra would think that one day. Hiring a nanny was like leaving a substitute for me to take care of my daughter. Even though she was young, she was very intelligent. I heard the cars honking as I looked at my princess who was sad. I held her hand and smiled confidently. "I'll never leave you. I can't leave a piece of me behind. You're my life." "You're my life." She repeated my words in a cute voice. "I love you!" I started driving again before anyone had a heart attack from honking so much. When we arrived, Ayra ran to her room to take a shower. While I was waiting in the living room, I saw Ivy arriving. "Hey! Why didn't you say you were going to pick her up? I just came back." "Do you think I'm a bad father?" I asked, seeing Ayra's diary full of messages. Ivy took the diary from my hands and sat next to me. "You're not a bad father. You've always done everything you could to make sure she has everything she needs. You try hard and make her happy."

"I haven't been able to be as present as I used to be. I haven't read your diary or taught her a single activity. She feels that way too, Ivy." "You're right. You've been absent, but I understand. You've been having hard days at work. She'll understand when she's older." "I give my all and it seems like it's not enough." "You demand a lot from yourself, Miguel. She's happy and loves you. What this house lacks is a female presence. That's why she misses you so much. She only has you. When the nanny is here, everything will be different." "Did you manage?" - I interviewed three, but one of them won my heart. - I want to interview her.

- Are you sure? - Yes. Send her to the company tomorrow morning, I need to trust her before she meets my daughter. - Okay, I'll talk to her. - Are you staying for lunch? - Of course. - Are you sure you're not pregnant? You eat for two. - I'm in a growth spurt. I laughed at his joke. - Do you think you'll grow any more than that at 25? - Hope is like a lit candle. - Then let me blow it out. - I blew in his face. - Clown! Did you read my messages? I sent the party address, all your friends will be there. - You're not going to leave me alone, are you? - No. I've already talked to the girls about staying with Ayra. You just have to pay a bonus. - Without my confirmation? - You always say no and go. When Ayra came back, we sat down at the table and had lunch, listening to her repeatedly ask to go to the park. We agreed to go on the weekend, even though she didn't like it. I spent the rest of the afternoon with my guests from Barcelona; I was sure we would do business. At night, I went home feeling tired, my peace was a lively five-year-old waiting for me in the living room. Ayra was watching, she didn't see me coming in. I left my briefcase on the floor, took off my shoes, and closed her eyes with my hands. "Can you guess who it is?"

"DADDY!" I tickled her belly, making her roll over on the couch. I was surprised by a hug, making me lay my head on her belly. She caressed my face and hair. Her sweet smell brought me peace, meaning, and made me sure I was right in raising my daughter. "How is my diamond?" "I miss you." "Didn't I miss you?" "Play with me, daddy." "Of course. What do you want to play with?" - Paint. - At this time, daughter? - Please. - Okay, let's play with your paints then. We went to the playroom, two canvases were already ready, I pretended she hadn't planned this. It was her favorite game, paints and messes. - What are we going to paint? - I asked, taking off my shirt. - A heart. I was good at drawings, buildings, houses, bridges, constructions... not with hearts or dolls. But for her I would do anything, even a deformed heart. - What do you think of mine? - I asked proudly, because I had tried really hard. She looked at me, putting her hands on her chin, thoughtful, she looked like an adult, I pulled her by the arm and hugged her, enjoying her laughter. - It's ugly, daddy. - How dare you talk about my heart? It's the most beautiful heart. - Mine. - Yours isn't so pretty either. - Yes, it is. - It's missing one little thing. I put yellow paint on what she said was a heart.

Ayra still didn't know how to do these things on her own, just scribbles. She painted the heart I drew blue and then it became a war. I heard my cell phone ring, it was Ivy calling me for the third time. "Hi, Ivy." "Auntie! Show my heart to Auntie, daddy," Ayra said, distracting me. "What are you doing? Are you home yet?" "We're making hearts with her paints." "How cute! Send me a picture. Coming back to reality, I called three times. Are you coming to the party?" "I don't know." "Your friends are already here." "I'm going to have dinner with Ayra." "Okay, you can come when you're done." "Why do you insist so much?" "Because I love you. See you later, brother." I hung up. We continued playing until dinner time. We took a bath, had dinner, did some homework, and I put her to bed. "Daddy." "Hi, daughter. - Are you playing with me again? - she said sleepily. - I promise we'll play more often.

I stayed by her side, stroking her hair until she fell asleep. When I heard her snoring, yes, my diamond snores. I went to my room and got ready quickly to go to the damn party. Before leaving, I told Ivy that I was leaving. Only then did I see the countless