My name is Luna, I am the youngest daughter of the Carpio family. Today I turn 19. Today, like every day, I leave my house late for work, trying not to be seen by anyone. My stepsister arrived a month ago and everything has become hell for me. It was easier to avoid my stepmother, but now I have to avoid both of them.

In the living room are my stepmother and her daughter talking as they do every day.

"Mother, I have many marriage proposals."

"I'll give Fernando a week, if he doesn't send you the proposal, you'll have to marry one of those who have already sent a proposal," my stepmother replies.

"No, I won't leave the way clear for another with Fernando. If I marry someone else, I won't be able to marry Fernando," my stepsister says.

"It won't happen, you are the most beautiful of all the powerful families. The ladies are fighting for you to be in their families."

"I know, today in the recordings the views went up since I will be the protagonist. I've just returned and people surround me, I won't waste my beauty on someone like Limber, he's a bitter man who doesn't go out and I won't stay locked up in that house, and if I did, it would only be so Luna could see how the love of her childhood proposed to me and not to her," my stepsister says.

"You always were and always will be more beautiful than her," my stepmother says.

"Thank you, Mother. With Fernando I will have everything, money and that man by my side. I want them to envy me for being next to someone like him, and if all this time he didn't marry it was because he was waiting for me," my stepsister says.

I hear them talking and it hurts because Limber has always been my neighbor. But now that he has graduated he has become very influential and is a person with a lot of money, he always does what his parents order him to do. I go down the stairs cautiously but they manage to see me.

"Luna, where are you going?" my stepmother asks.

"I'm just going out, stepmother," I reply.

"Look, Mother, at the clothes she's wearing," my stepsister says when she sees me in pants, a long-sleeved blouse and sneakers.

"Change, you're not leaving my house like that," my stepmother says, looking at me badly since according to them society ladies only wear elegant dresses.

"With which of all the clothes you've bought me?" I say to her and she gets up annoyed walking towards me.

"I tolerate you only for the love I had for your father, if it were up to me I would have kicked you out onto the street from the first day I set foot in this house," my stepmother says.

"Is that it, or because I haven't reached the required age and my father's will can't be read until I do," I say to her.

"How insolent, I have fed you, clothed you and is this how you repay me?" my stepmother says.

"We both know perfectly well that neither I want to be here nor you want me to be, so we have to continue avoiding each other as in the last year, and what food? What clothes? I work for myself, I have never depended on you even though you spend my father's money on your daughter," I say to her.

She tries to grab me but I break free from her grip.

"Mother, let her go, she's just getting in the way here," my stepsister says.

I ignore what she says and don't think twice about leaving, I walk along the sidewalk arriving at the double gate which I partially open so that I can leave. When I was a child I loved to see how the gates opened automatically, I chose them. It has been exactly a year since my father died of a heart attack, the bad thing is that he left me with those two vipers he brought home and although I say no, the truth is that I resent him for leaving me with them, although now he is in heaven next to my mother.

I walk a few blocks to catch a bus and arrive at work, late because the conversation with my stepmother delayed me. I enter the club from the back and change, putting on the uniform along with the apron and knock on the door of one of the private rooms that they indicate.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I am the waitress Lulu and I will attend to you tonight," I say.

No one here gives their real name, customers don't need to know our name, Lulu was the only name I thought of when for a moment I would say my real name and I had to improvise.

They tell me the bottles they require and I write everything down, leaving where I run into the companionship women, they only take care of keeping the clients company, when it is business they call them almost at the end as now that they will celebrate. I go to the bar and ask for the bottles, I sigh before entering and leave them on the table, I place the glasses and my colleagues dedicate themselves to serving, I leave and for the moment that's all from my part, I continue to the most common area where the tables are outdoors, first, second and third floor.

Dawn comes, the club closes and the boss calls us for the meeting, here the payment is weekly and he gives me an envelope with more money than my salary.

"Why is there more money?" I ask.

"The same client as always left it for you, he says you served him well," my boss replies.

"Lulu, why don't you change positions? You will earn more and if you don't want to be touched you just say it, it is not mandatory to get involved with the clients, it is only to keep them company, you are very pretty, they always ask for you but they are explained that you only serve the drinks," says one of my colleagues.

"Thank you and I will continue like this," I say to my colleague, who always brings up the same topic.

I go to change and leave with the clothes I came in, I walk along the sidewalk and as always I deviate to a park a block away. I sit on a bench and as if the weather knew how I feel, it starts to rain, I stay sitting alone with my thoughts.

I remember when I read Cinderella and said how someone can be cruel to someone else's daughter and yes there are. A year ago I went out to look for work since I couldn't stand being at home with my stepmother. While Estrella went to study theater abroad I looked for work in the afternoon and it paid for the last year of high school, I found it in the club and the pay is very good, I save up for when I turn 20 and the will is determined I have somewhere to go, while I can't leave the house and if I do they will keep everything and I'm not willing to let that happen.

"Oh, Father! I sigh, marrying was the biggest mistake you made, giving your last name to the daughter of my mother's sister was even worse, I know that according to you you supported them for being a single mother, but you only made it more complicated for me, now I am the one who has to put up with them, according to you, I needed a maternal figure but I would have preferred not to have one, I remember when my aunt arrived asking for asylum, her husband abandoned them and my mother had just died was sick, she left me when I was only 4 years old and I barely remember her, at one point I thought my aunt would take my mother's place but it wasn't like that, it will never be like that.

I arrive home soaked and go up to my room. When I enter, I find my stepsister sitting on my bed.

"Just look at you, you'll never find a husband like that. On the other hand, I've already received many marriage proposals, but there was one in particular: Limber, fighting over me. Can you believe it? When before he only saw you, he only looked for you."

"Good for you. Now, get out of my room so I can rest," I tell her, and she gets up, passing by my side.

"When Fernando proposes to me, I'll clear the way for you with Limber. That way, at least, you can say you'll be with the only man who has ever loved you, if he even pays attention to you, since you're not up to his standards."

She keeps walking and slips on the water dripping from my clothes, screaming exaggeratedly. My stepmother is quick to arrive, angry.

"I only came to give her the news and she pushed me. Look at her, mother, how she arrived. Who knows who she was with or where she went to come back like this."

"Estrella, I don't care if you get married. I don't care what you do. As far as I'm concerned, leave the house that my parents built with so much effort," I shout at her, and I feel the slap my stepmother gives me.

"This house is mine now," she says through clenched teeth, and Estrella gets up with a smile. My stepmother leaves, and with a push, I throw Estrella out of my room.

"Not for long," I shout at her, closing the door.

"See, she pushed me," I hear Estrella complain in her spoiled voice. They knock on the door and I lock it. They try to open it, but they don't know that when they weren't around, I changed the lock. This is my room, the only place where I feel safe. Sometimes I want to run away, but that's what they want, and I won't give them the pleasure.

I change in the bathroom and take out the payment I received today. Tomorrow I'll take it to the bank to save it. I lie down to sleep and on my nightstand I see the photo of my parents. I wipe away my tears and today is a day when I cover up my father's photo.

I wake up to my alarm and wash up, changing quickly, putting my work clothes and a uniform shirt in my bag. Now, with Estrella here, I don't plan to come back. From school I'll go to work. I leave almost running and when I get to school, I go to my classes. I don't talk to anyone. When classes are over, I go to the bank, where I deposit my money, and in the late afternoon I go to the club. I change as always.

I knock, entering a room, and ask them what they'll have. I feel a very penetrating gaze, but for me it's almost normal. I take note, leaving, and return with the bottles. I leave them on the table and when I leave, I bump into a tall person.

"I'm sorry, sir," I say.

"Fernando Linares, nice to meet you," he says, and I remember Estrella talking about him.

"Nice to meet you, my name is Lulu."

"I told you my real name. Why don't you tell me yours?" he asks me, and my eyes widen.

"That is my name."

"That name doesn't go with such a beautiful face," he whispers, and I squeeze the tray.

"Have a good night, Mr. Linares," I say, and walk away quickly.

Just before finishing my shift, they call me to take more bottles to Mr. Linares' private room. I enter and he is sitting alone.

"Can you tell me which bottle you want?"

"One that you recommend. And I want your company."

"Sir, I think you know more about bottles than I do. And about my company, it won't be possible, since there are staff for that."

"Charge whatever you want, I'll pay it."

"It's not about that."

"I just want to talk. I'm not asking for much."

"It's not possible. Now, if you'll excuse me, I can ask the bartender for the best bottle to bring it to you."

"Alright, thank you," he says, and I leave to get the bottle. I enter, leaving it on the table. He looks at me and I try to avoid it, since I don't want him to recognize me when he marries Estrella, if they find out that the stepsister works in a place like this, he won't want to marry her, and it's not for them, but then I'll always have them at home. I'm grateful that it's half dark.

"Are you very young?" he says, while I serve him.

"When there are needs, that's the least of it."

"Are you underage?" he asks me with the glass in his hand and a cigarette in the other.

"I'm of legal age."

"Do you get the tip that I leave you every time I come here?" he says, so he's the one who leaves them.

"Yes, Mr. Linares, thank you very much."

"I've been coming here for years and the first time I saw you was a year ago. I thought you were the daughter of a worker," he says, and I look at my watch, noticing that my departure time has already passed.

"Well, I'll leave you now since it's my departure time."

"Am I boring you?"

"My boyfriend always waits for me at the exit to go together," I lie, and he nods.

I leave, changing, and say goodbye to the boss. I leave the bar waiting for a taxi, but none pass. I have no choice but to start walking. I appreciate my comfortable sneakers for this occasion. I walk two blocks and hear the honk of a car that slows down next to me. With my headphones, I pretend not to notice, but I always try to be aware of what's happening around me. I feel someone grab my shoulder and I turn, taking off my headphones.

"Can I give you a ride? After all, I delayed you," Mr. Linares says, looking for something.

"Thank you, but no, and don't worry, I live nearby," I tell him.

He laughs and I realize why.

"Make up another excuse. Only the children of the great families live here. And your boyfriend? Did he run away? Why don't I see him?"

"I'll try not to sound rude, but I see that you insist. Here I go: You are a stranger to me. I would never get into a stranger's car. I tried to be nice to you, but you still don't understand. Now, if you want to go complain to my boss, do it," I say, turning my back to him.

When a taxi passes, I raise my arm to stop it and get in. I arrive at the house, enter the gate area and walk to the house. I notice a car parked that is very similar to Mr. Linares'. They changed the lock. I go around to where my window is and there is a rusty ladder hidden among the ivy. I climb up, since my father made it at the time. I climb in through the window and notice that my room is all messed up. I leave my bag, noticing that the door is broken. They opened it by force. I leave angry, heading to the living room, but I am stopped by the voices.

"Of course, Mr. Linares, we were expecting you. My daughter has been waiting for you for days," my stepmother says, and rather they were urged by why he came.

"Mother, what will Mr. Linares think of me?" Estrella says, and I want to make fun of her.

"I'll go see why they're taking so long to bring the snacks," my stepmother says, and when she leaves, she sees me standing there. She grabs my arm, but I don't move, shaking her off.

"We need to talk."

"About what? About how you changed the locks on the house so I can't get into my house or how you broke into my room by force, breaking the door," I say without measuring the tone of my voice, and for the first time my stepmother looks desperate.

"Lower your voice. I'll give you the new keys and call the locksmith to fix your door. What do you say, my dear? Don't get upset," she says the last in a tone so full of tenderness, and I turn to see who she's talking to like that and I smile, since Estrella and Mr. Linares are standing at the door of the living room.

I avoid looking him in the face and sigh.

"Excuse us? I'll take my daughter to her room," says my stepmother.

"I didn't know you had two daughters," Mr. Linares says, and it angers me that no one needs to know about my life.

"She doesn't have any, I'm her stepdaughter," I say without looking at him.

They go back to the living room, and my stepmother and I go up to my room. I sit on the bed and she stands. She hands me the keys and I grab them, putting them away.

"Don't ruin this for your sister. Do you think your father would have allowed it?"

"Don't even mention him. If he were alive, believe me, I would be the one in one of the best schools, not Estrella."

"Is that what makes you angry? You don't have to complain to me. Your father was the one who had everything frozen until the will was read. We only have the house."

"Don't tell me you live like you're rich just from working. You even hired a maid."

"It's just so Mr. Linares sees that we have money, and this is from my savings. Soon we'll have nothing left to eat. That's why I want Estrella to get married, and if she does, maybe we'll even leave you the house all to yourself."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, just don't ruin it," she sighs, and she doesn't stop looking at me.

"You look a lot like her, your mother."

"It must have been awful to see me every day and see how my father saw the love of his life in me," she looks at me surprised by what I just said.

"If you ever wondered why I hate you so much, there's your answer," she says, leaving. I already knew it, but that doesn't stop it from hurting.

I arrange my things and see that my books are thrown around. I pick them up, arranging them, and I don't see the point in doing that. It was just on a whim. I close the door and put a chair against it, but I don't sleep well, as I feel exposed.

The next morning, as always, I leave with the house silent. I carry everything I need in my backpack, and this time I walk further to catch a bus, as I have to save more to keep more money. I arrive at school, and during recess I take out a plate of vegetables. I eat them, watching my classmates run around playing like children. Others are kissing in a corner, and others have a table like a buffet. They have everything, and I'm sitting with my Tupperware eating. I finish and put everything back in my backpack. I leave for the club, and as usual, I change clothes and start with my duties. At least Mr. Linares didn't accuse me; otherwise, I would have been fired.

I'm requested in a more private room, and I walk over and knock on the door. I enter, and this place is scary. You can feel the tense and cold atmosphere. It's dark, and there are only three serious guys, and they fall silent when I enter. I take the names of the drinks and ask if they need companions.

"No," that's all I hear from the man in a corner. His voice sounds strong, and I don't see him well. There's something that catches my attention, and I leave to order what they asked for. I return to the room, and for the first time I can say that I'm nervous. I'm always nervous, but now I'm much more nervous. He's the type of person who, if something makes him angry, will get you fired. More than the boss, he asked me for a lot of professionalism. He's a client who only comes a certain amount of time, and he hadn't come in a while. So they want to keep him.

I enter, leaving the drinks, and serve them, handing them their glasses. But only two grab them, and the one who makes me nervous is just sitting, watching what I do, making me worse.

"If that's all, I'll leave," I tell him, turning around to leave.

"Out," I hear him say, and I speed up. But it's not to me, as the guys leave so quickly that they leave me behind. And the one who mentioned my last name leaves me frozen.

"Who would have thought a Carpio would work in a night bar? Does your father know?"