Chapter 6

Alex

I have always been an early riser. But that morning I barely had time to sit up in my bed. My little ones came running into my room, as if the house was on fire. Thank goodness I was already dressed, because I sometimes sleep naked.

- Hold on, my children. What's your hurry? - I say this grabbing Caio who came jumping on top of my bed. Thank goodness I was already dressed, because sometimes I end up sleeping naked.

- Daddy. We want some cornflakes," says Caio.

- Calm down. What kind of hunger is this? Have you brushed your teeth yet? - I joke with them.

- Yes - they shout, making me cover my ears.

- Then, let's go to the kitchen. - I call.

I don't have to say it twice, the twins run out. These two have a lot of energy. I go down after them, who were already in the living room, turning on the TV to watch the cartoon. I go to the kitchen and start to prepare their juices. I pour it out, they eat it, and then I warn them:

- Let's take a shower. Today you have a doctor! - I warn them when they finish eating.

They go upstairs, each one to a bathroom in the apartment. I go to my room and do the same. Nothing better than a bath to relax. As soon as I finish my shower, I go to my closet, put on a white shirt and a black suit, and then go after the twins, who are almost ready.

My little girl, sitting in front of the dressing table, was having trouble fixing her hair. She looked so much like her mother. She was struggling, as if the task of combing her hair was something very difficult, you could see she was losing her patience, which was not her strong suit, just like her mother.

- What happened, angel? - I ask and she looks at me quickly with a sign of relief on her face.

- Daddy, my hair is unruly," she says almost crying. My little girl is very delicate.

- Hey, calm down, my love! - I calm her down.

At such times I wish Sarah were here to help me, but she is not. And that hurt like hell. I will never love another woman like I loved you!

The guys always call me to go out at night, to go out for a while, but I almost never want to go out, it is always more important to me the welfare of my children.

I pick up the brush and start combing her golden curls. She is my little girl, my ray of sunshine, who is growing up fast and soon will become a beautiful woman. Caio is my warrior, another angel in my life. He is my strength on good days and bad days. When Valentina is sleeping, he and I play videogames, it's like this almost every day... I finish combing her hair and braid it. It's not quite perfect, but I'm a single father with little skill in combing hair.

- There you go, my love," I say, putting a pink bow in her hair.

- Thank you, Dad," she tells me, and my heart overflows.

- You're welcome, my love. Now let's go get your brother," I say.

Soon after leaving the room, we go to find Caio, who was lying on the sofa, playing with his tablet. I call him and we go to the car. Before arriving I realize that I forgot my cell phone, so I go back. I notice that Renata is walking towards the stairs wearing only a robe, I can't believe the situation, how does she have the courage to walk like that in my house?

I wait for her to go up the stairs, grab my cell phone and leave the apartment. I wanted to put her up against the wall and understand why she was walking around the house like that.

The twins were waiting in front of the elevator and we were already late for our appointment. However, at night I would have a very serious talk with Renata. I call the elevator, get to the garage, put the children in the car and we go to the doctor's office.

When I arrive, already in the waiting room, I notice that all the women who were there don't stop looking at me. I feel like a juicy meat. My God! I even felt goose bumps with those looks.

- Kids, sit over there while I let Angela know that we have arrived. - I ask and watch them sit down and smile at them, and they smile back.

I go to the reception desk to see if Angela, the receptionist, has informed Tiago of our arrival.

- Hello, Mr. Mendonça, how are you? - he asks.

- We are fine, Angela, thank you. And how are you? - I ask.

- Fine, thank God! I've already told Dr. Tiago Duarte that you've arrived.

- Thank you - I thank him and stay close to the twins who are playing in the play corner.

It doesn't take long and we are called to the doctor's room. We stay there for about 30 minutes, Tiago examines the children, talks to them and we are released. I leave my friend's office with the promise of going out drinking at the weekend.

I return home, leave Caio and Valentina with the nanny and say:

- Renata, I would like to talk to you later. Come to my office as soon as I arrive.

- Okay. Sir! - she answers quickly and calls the children to get ready for school.

- Thank you," I thank her, walk over to the twins and give them each a kiss and a hug, saying goodbye.

Today Renata would not escape the conversation that we had with the twins.