When I was 17 years old, my dad let me sign up for a 100-meter competition, I had always trained on my own and outside my family no one else knew what I was practicing, surely if someone found out they would tell me "Those are not things that ladies do. "When I had the opportunity to compete it was exciting, I trained with greater intensity, when the day of the competition arrived, everyone looked at me strangely and wondered" Who let a girl compete with boys? ", there was no rule that prohibited it, the competitors looked at me with curiosity, I could feel the mocking murmurs of some, the only thing that helped me to stay in that place was the reminder of my father "As a woman you will never be welcomed in places other than a room in the home, so you'll have to work twice as hard to be respected. " I got first place in the race, when I was in second place the one in front of me stumbled near the finish, it was one of the most exciting moments of my life, it was only a competition in the city where we lived, but the event it was a sensation in the region.
The boy who stumbled in the race invited me out to celebrate my success, with the bad luck that he had I felt obliged to grant him an exit, after that appointment the word of a rumor spread that overshadowed my achievement, the boy from the career had been lost to use my victory as an excuse to go out together, I felt humiliated, especially because our date reinforced the rumor, I never knew if that was the boy's true intention, but I chose to disappear him from my life, seeing him would make me remember the humiliating feeling.
Being the future leader of the Iustitia family just because my older brother rejected the offer, it makes me remember how humiliating it is to receive something that does not come to you because of your effort, I promised that I would earn my place in everything that participated.
I leave my room ready for today's party, Eusebio, my dad is waiting inside the car along with the driver, we both travel in the back seat to the palacio Concha.
— You look beautiful —my dad tells me— although it's strange to see you so well-groomed.
— Everything is for the family. Do you know if Roberto confirmed his attendance?
— Yes, his younger brother did not confirm his attendance, the leaders of the other three families will also be there, I will take care of hosting the event, you make sure you meet Roberto, we must know what he is looking for when he becomes head of Vindicta.
— I thought mom would come too.
— She said he wasn't in the mood to play politics.
— You could have forced her, that the marriage of one of the families does not appear together could raise concerns.
— Spending the entire event pretending to be nice will also show, so this is the best option.
I look at my dad, I am amused to see a lion's head dressed in a suit— Doesn't it bother you?
— Now that we are closer to winter, it is getting better —He touches his hair— for a moment I thought about shaving all this off.
— I volunteer to help you —I also gently hold the hair that surrounds his face— not every day you can shave a lion.
— It's a deal —His joy is contagious.
We park on the outskirts of the building where the event is organized, the military is already flying over the place and patrolling the surroundings, my father descends to open the door for me, I put my arm around his and together we enter the Concha Palace.
At the end of a short hallway with red carpeting and ornaments of French architecture is a huge wooden door that is guarded by a man in a suit.
— Welcome to the Concha Palace —Looking at my father's animal face, the manager steps aside, he knows perfectly well that he is dealing with the host of the event, so he opens the door to enter the great hall.
The sides of the place have cocktail tables and fountains to draw liquids, at the other end of the door is a stage that was installed for the shows that will be offered during the meeting, which includes dances and singers. The band stops playing when they notice that we have arrived, three hundred and eighty-two people were invited, both supporters and opponents of the Animano government, excluding the opposition would bring a feeling of polarization between our races.
We greet the people who are on our way to the stage, my father shakes their hands while I slightly bow my head to pay my respects to the guests, in the crowd I try to find Roberto, but my efforts do not bear fruit.
Together we stand together with the orchestra that stopped playing, my dad is given a microphone to speak. From above, I can see the three animanos that are part of the governing table and slightly separated from the other spectators is Roberto Vindicta with a glass of wine in his hand, we both exchange glances and while my father thanks everyone for attending, explain that we are meeting to better understand our positions on the direction the country should take.
After finishing the presentation, a round of applause accompanies our descent from the stage, my father and I do not give a knowing look, I must take care of fulfilling the purpose of this meeting.
— Carolina, my dear.
It is the voice of Míriam Iturraga, her family owns a distributor of spare parts for mining, we studied together at school, we were never friends, but we had to do some school work together, I smiled gently as she took my hands.
— I was surprised that you came with your dad, I thought you would introduce us to your partner.
Now I remember why I hate these meetings and the reason why my mother does not want to attend, the other women cannot help but bring up the subject of my singleness, some have the nerve to joke about the matter saying "You will die spinster, without finding the man of your life" as if I am interested in knowing him.
I keep my kindness to your comment— Because of how rumors travel, I assure you that everyone will have found out long before I can make it public — I subtly try to find Roberto among the surrounding people, I lost him again.
— Sorry to interrupt you.
I contain my surprise when I notice who has just joined the conversation, it is Roberto Vindicta's younger brother, Rogelio.
— I need to speak privately with Miss Iustitia.
Miriam looks at us with complicity— I'll let you talk alone.
I maintain my composure in front of the guest who did not confirm his participation in the event— It must be a very important topic if you come directly to speak with me.
— Let's talk about my brother's promotion.