Aurora stepped into her apartment with her black stilettos in hand. She shut the door behind her and sighed as Amanda, the babysitter, appeared in the hallway with a warm smile.
"Good afternoon, Amanda. How was your day?" she asked, dropping her bag beside her on the couch.
"It was great. He's doing better... but he drew you and a dad again," Amanda said gently.
Aurora's heart tightened. Ever since Davi, her five-year-old son, started school, the questions had been endless. Why do the other kids have dads and I don't? That made the 27-year-old revisit the version of herself at 22—the girl who ran away with a broken heart and a growing belly.
She never truly knew if running was the right decision. But back then, it felt like the only one.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," Amanda said softly, sitting beside her. "You're doing your best. You're a supermom. And it wasn't your fault."
"But will he think the same when he finds out he has a father out there who never even knew he existed?"
"I hope so," Amanda replied, placing a hand on Aurora's shoulder as tears welled in her eyes. "But unless you go looking for him, someday you'll have to face that moment—whatever comes of it."
Aurora nodded slowly, letting her tears fall. Facing the man who had shattered her heart wasn't something she ever wanted. Maybe someday, she would tell her son the truth—and let him decide for himself.
After Amanda left, Aurora locked the door and walked to Davi's room. He was sleeping soundly among planet-themed pillows. She kissed his cheek and gently ran her fingers through his soft, brown hair.
After a quick shower, she started making dinner. The aroma filled the apartment when Davi came running in.
"Mommy!" he cried out happily.
"Hey, my love!" she said, picking him up and kissing him all over. "How was your day?"
"Good!"
"I'm so glad!" She set him down and returned to stirring the pot. "Mommy's making stroganoff tonight. Do you want to take a bath now or later?"
"Now!"
"Alright then, go to the bathroom and I'll be right there!"
He ran off, and she called after him to be careful. She finished cooking, then went to find him already naked and playing in the shower.
The bath turned into playtime. After dinner, they played together, and she tucked him into bed. Once the apartment was quiet, she tidied up and went to sleep.
At six in the morning, the alarm rang. Aurora turned it off and rubbed her face, groaning in frustration. She lay there for a few minutes, listing her day's tasks in her head. Then she got up, showered, made breakfast, packed Davi's lunchbox, and woke him up with the usual difficulty.
After breakfast and brushing teeth, they left the apartment. On the bus, Davi turned to her.
"Mommy, aren't you going to buy a car?"
"Maybe someday," she said, laughing.
She dropped him off at school and walked four blocks to her workplace—a tall, 26-story mirrored-glass building: Grupo Estelaris, a luxury real estate company.
Aurora had been working there for four years. She started as an intern in the customer service department, became a full-time employee six months later, and was promoted to manager within a year. She often said life had been kind to her—despite the rough start with odd jobs and online courses while pregnant, she had found support in a kind neighbor who had become her best friend.
She passed through the revolving door, greeted the security guard, scanned her badge, and took the elevator to the 12th floor. At her office, she turned on her computer, unlocked the system for her team, and started working through emails.
She had just forwarded a complaint and answered two emails when her boss, Hugo, appeared at the door with a folder in hand.
"Good morning," he said.
"Morning! Everything okay?"
"Everything's fine. But I need to talk to you."
She noticed the folder and frowned.
"Is something wrong?"
"Something big happened. You've been promoted," he announced with a smile.
"What? Promoted?"
"Mr. Leandro, the majority shareholder, is back in the country. He's taking over operations here. Marcos is still the director, but now he answers to Leandro. And Leandro chose you to be his personal assistant."
"He chose me? Why?"
"I don't know the details. There was a meeting with all department heads yesterday, and I spoke very highly of you."
Aurora blinked in disbelief. Her eyes shimmered with tears.
"Hugo… oh my God…"
"Here are the details of your new position," he said, handing her the folder.
She opened it and skimmed the first page: higher salary, food and transport benefits, dental plan, annual bonus, and a list of her responsibilities:
Managing the CEO's schedule;
Attending meetings and events;
Liaising with clients and the press;
Planning business trips;
Providing strategic daily support.
"This is… unbelievable…"
"And it starts today. You can decline, of course… but I'd strongly advise against it," he teased.
"Thank you, Hugo. I'll never forget what I learned here."
"You've got a friend on the 12th floor forever. Now go pack your things—your new badge is in that folder. It gives you access to the executive elevator."
She smiled, emotional, and hugged him. After he left, she read more of the details carefully. It felt surreal. Though she'd taken courses in executive support, personal organization, and advanced Excel, she never expected to be picked for something so high-level.
She packed her belongings: a photo of her and Davi, her books, pencil case, planner, and a pouch with daily essentials. She placed everything in an organizer box and took the exclusive elevator to the top floor.
Her heart was pounding when the doors opened on the 26th floor. A receptionist smiled at her.
"Good morning!"
"Morning. I'm looking for Sandra."
"That's her over there," she pointed. "Welcome to the executive floor!"
Aurora thanked her and approached Sandra, who greeted her politely, though a little stiff.
"Welcome. I'll show you your office and the floor layout."
They walked through a corridor lined with frosted glass doors and modern panels. Sandra explained:
Two meeting rooms (one small, one large);
The director's office;
The vice-president's office;
A breakroom with a kitchenette;
And the president's office — her new boss.
Sandra stopped at a sleek glass-walled office.
"This is your office. Through that door is Mr. Leandro's. He's already here. You should introduce yourself."
"Thank you."
Sandra gave her one last look and walked away. Aurora straightened her blouse, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door of the man who was about to change everything.