Episode 1

"My name is Valentina, I'm thirty-two years old. I am a single mother, I have a daughter named Emma. She is three years old and she is my adoration."

I have always tried to give her everything.

I tuck her in, leaving a kiss on her forehead, and turn off the lamp that illuminates the room. I go out and see my cousin Trini sitting in the living room, watching the novels she likes so much, "of love".

"Vale, are you leaving already?"she asks me when she sees me taking my bag and umbrella.

"Yes. Today they asked me to arrive early since a colleague asked for permission."

"The boxing bag?"

She tells me and I see her angry.

"Trini don't say those things."

"I don't understand what woman lets herself get hit, come on Vale there are many stones in the street, and in the house there are pans to defend yourself with."

"Anything call me, you know I'm always on the phone."

"Yes, mother hen"she mocks me.

She is barely 18 years old, and at night she works as my daughter's nanny. I leave home and see the car, the one I bought with a lot of effort.

I greet my aunt who is taking out the garbage, she works cleaning in a very important company, she is always aware of the vacancies in the company because she wants me to leave that job.

I get in my car and drive to work. I sigh and smile as I remember how silly I used to be at Trini's age. I never imagined my life would be like this. And I'm not referring to my daughter, of course not. She is the only reason I'm still here, fighting. I mean, when I was young, I used to dream of the prince of the novels that Trini is watching now.

I look at the huge line of cars and I refuse because no matter how early I left, I can't arrive on time because of the traffic. While I wait, thoughts come to me in a cascade.

I see myself studying to be someone in life. I was never a conformist. I always wanted more, never to be stuck. I finished my degree in Finance, but it was useless if I couldn't find a job in that... Then I got pregnant, and look at me now, here, working as a dancer in thematic shows. There are girls who do nudes, but I only give a show.

It was the only job I could take when I arrived three years ago with my daughter in my arms.

I arrived at my aunt's house since she is the only family I have, she always asked me to come and live with her here. After what happened I didn't hesitate and I arrived in this country to start a different life from scratch with my daughter.

A week later I became independent since I wanted to have my space and with my past I only wanted to be alone with my daughter, I managed to rent next to my aunt's house and that's where I live and it's that this job gives me the money I need. I have always tried to give everything to my daughter. She has never lacked anything, and I want it to continue like this.

Emma requires a lot of attention, as she suffers from seizures. Just remembering the reason makes me clench my fists in impotence as I walk through the corridors of the nightclub.

"***Caused by prenatal trauma***".

"*I clearly remember the doctor's diagnosis*."

I arrive at the changing rooms and my colleagues greet me. I see them getting ready in front of the mirrors and I lock myself in a cubicle where I change. I come out dressed in a wig and mask. My clothes are usually the same every day, only the color varies: short skirt and belly button blouse. I always wear stockings and long sleeves, as if the fabric could cover more than it really covers.

I remember the first weeks... I felt dirty, even though I only danced. But over time I got used to it. I realized that if I didn't do something my daughter would die, she is my greatest motivation.

Like every night, I go out to give the show. The extra classes I took when I was studying helped me a lot, I always liked dancing, and ballet was something I knew how to unite with my style for the same purpose.

My night concludes and the people applaud Arabeska, my artistic name.

I say goodbye and go back to the changing room. I take off my mask and I feel like I can breathe again.

"Arabeska, a client wants to see you"my boss tells me.

Without seeing him, I shake my head.

"You know what the answer is."

"I understand that your daughter needs a very expensive study... you need it. It's just accompanying him at the table."

"And sit on his legs"

"Only that. He would give you thousands. You are the most requested."

"Thanks, Lobo, but no."

He nods and leaves. I go back in. If I'm still here, it's because Lobo has always respected our decision.

"I heard that her boyfriend beat her"says one of my colleagues, talking about the one who didn't come today.

And I believe her. Several times we have seen her arrive beaten up to work. She always puts makeup on the bruises, but the worst thing that can exist is a beaten woman who doesn't ask for help. And when someone offers it, she doesn't want to be helped. How many times haven't my colleagues tried to get her out of there... and she always returns with the one who has left her in a pool of blood.

I move away because for me it will be a topic that always brings back bad memories and just imagining it makes me want to force her to leave before that animal kills her.

In the rest of the night I only dedicate myself to serving the drinks at one or another table, until my departure time arrives.

I change leaving the wig and the mask. I leave through the door where only the workers have access, I drive to my house and Trini is watching movies.

I greet her going up to my daughter's room and from the door I see her sleeping, coming home and seeing her sleeping so peacefully is worth every second in that job.

With a smile on my face I go down to where Trini is.

"My mother has great news for you."

"Really?"

I ask her taking off my shoes.

"A new vacancy has opened, no more and no less in the company where she works, it is for a position where you must be close to the hottie of her boss."

"Who?"

I ask her and she sits down to explain to me and it makes me laugh because she always says things very excitedly.

"I mean, not that boss, the clumsy, fat, bald bitter one, no, I'm talking about the boss of bosses, the owner of the company. The hottie of the magazines."

I nod since I know who she is talking about, he is an arrogant and haughty and bitter man who believes he is the last bottle of water in the desert, I saw him once from afar and even so I could feel his aura of an unbearable man and that was enough for me to know what kind of person he is.

"I saw you arrive."

My aunt tells me leaving a kiss on my forehead and sits in front of me.

"There is already a vacancy so let's get to work......."

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