Chapter 25

Carla

I'm super late, again.

My daughter took a while to go to sleep last night, and I didn't sleep either, of course.

She's only 3, just started going to school recently and is still getting used to it as she stays all afternoon without her mum.

Unfortunately, I need the money to support both of us as her dad has unfortunately moved to LA. He got a good job there and every month he sends me a good amount of money, but I don't want to depend on him; I want to grow up, for me and for my daughter.

My ex-boyfriend, Daniel, was perfect with me, he loved me a lot and loves his daughter; every two months he spends a weekend with us, because he doesn't want his daughter to forget her father. Daniel is always calling to see how we are doing.

It was a pity that we didn't work out; he likes to travel and work abroad, I like to stay here. My place is here in Carlinda, that's why we didn't work out. Even though I love him I opted for separation, but we are friends and we still love each other. However, we decided to try to forget each other, but never separate because of our daughter.

It will work out fine. I want our daughter to see us as friends.

I run and grab my daughter's backpack from the Strawberry Shortcake, put on panties, nappies, pairs of clothes, fruit and a sandwich for her.

I get the juice from the fridge and put it in the backpack.

I finish getting ready quickly, take my daughter to her bed and change her pajamas for a floral dress. I comb her hair and perfume both of us.

I leave her on my lap, ask for an Uber and put the destination to her school.

I wait for the Uber to arrive and leave the flat.

We get in the car and go to my daughter's school.

As soon as we arrive I take her to her room, she looks at the children and says in a thin, crying voice.

“ Mum, I don't want to school. I not.”

I look at her, bend down, caress her face and say.

“ Mama is going to work to earn money to buy daddy for us. You have to stay here and play with your little friends, mommy will be right back. Okay? Go see your friends and play a lot.

I say smiling at her, but my daughter looks at me a bit sad.”

“Go on, love, play.”

She smiles at me and goes into the room.

I hand her backpack to the teacher and leave quickly, going to the school gate.

It's sad to leave her there, my heart is tightening, but I need to look for a job, the money from my ex and my mum was helping me, I did some odd jobs too, but I urgently need to have my own job, because then I'll be confident and I won't depend on anyone.

I walk around the city centre looking for a good job. I am already 25 years old, I have taken design courses and I am sure that some company needs these services.

I take my CV and hand it to several companies. Especially in a fashion company called (Emporio Glamour ). I really hope that this one will call me, it would be great.

After a long walk I get home and stretch on the sofa; my hair is all sweaty and my back too.

I get up and drink a nice cold water.

I have to clean the flat and tidy my daughter's room. I just want to rest a bit before I start.