CEO smile

object. Even though I'm sure it would be positive, I'm still not prepared to know that I'm going to be a mother. No, I'm not a mother. Because there's a heart beating inside me. With shaking hands I take the exam and check it once again. ─ Pregnant, Ali. You're pregnant – Márcia says, and even though she tries to sound calm, I can hear the desperation in her voice. She didn't need to say that information out loud, because I was seeing that result with my own eyes. With shaking hands I bring it to my eyes and burst into tears.

I know that crying won't solve my life, but at this moment it's all I have left. Then I would try to get my head straight to sort things out. CHAPTER 1 Months later I put Theo's bottle inside my backpack and go to the living room to pick up my baby who is in the stroller. Since I had Theo, my rush has only increased, because in addition to helping my father in his grocery store, I also had to take care of the house. I had no choice, despite everything, my father helps me with a lot. He welcomed me into his home when my own mother said it would be better for me to live with him. I confess that when I heard this I felt very sad, but the reality is that we were never very close, not even when she was still married to my father. I always chose him. He was always the one I preferred. And come to think of it, today is no different. Months ago I fought with my father because of his new girlfriend, but the truth is that it was my daughter's jealousy speaking louder. He is single. What can I do but swallow the women he chooses? Well, it's a good thing he left the woman who made me leave home, today he has a new girlfriend, and I really like her. When he comes to visit, he always helps me with Theo. . ─ Come on, sweetheart, see grandpa? – I talk to my baby while pushing the stroller out of the house. The place is just a hundred meters away from our house, which makes our trip easier. My father is crazy about his grandson, I thought he wouldn't accept my son so well, but what I see is that he is much more than a grandfather to Theo, he is a father too. Seeing him drooling over my son makes me emotional. ─ Mom is thinking about looking for a job. What do you think my love? – Theo looks at me and shows a toothless smile. – Do you agree, my dear? And even? I don't mind sounding like a child in the middle of the street. When we became a mother, we became silly. Paying attention to the movements on the street, I take care and head to the grocery store. I work there to help with the expenses my father has with me and Theo, and even though I refuse every month, he always gives me some money. Mr. Joaquim no longer has any obligation to support me, after all, I am already of legal age and have a son. ─ We’re here! – I announce my arrival, drawing the attention of my father who is fixing something behind the cashier's computer. He drops what he is doing and comes towards Theo. ─ Hi, grandpa. – With a silly smile on my lips, I watch the two of them closely. – Do you know who is here to stay with you today? Grandma Vania. Even though I like Vânia, I want to say that his girlfriends are not Theo's “grandma”, but to avoid causing confusion, I remain silent, especially because my son loves Vania. I take over as the cashier while he is paying attention to Theo. Despite being a neighborhood market, it has a good movement, as it is the only one. ─ Oh, daughter. I have something for you. ─ My father gives me a pamphlet from the chocolate factory. ─ The representative I buy from gave me this, said they were hiring. I take the paper and evaluate it. Theo is still little, but I need to work and take some of the responsibility away from my father. ─ Don't think I think you're bad at home, but I've already seen you talking to Theo, who needs to get a job. ─ In silence I face my father. ─ You know you don't have to do this now if you don't want to. ─ Father... ─ You help me a lot, daughter. Since I had my son, my emotions have been very heightened and I get emotional about everything. According to information on the internet, it's the hormones' fault that they get messed up. ─ I know that you take good care of us, but I need to find a direction in my life. Can I put Theo in daycare... ─ No! Not that now. ─ Dad, even if I start working, I can't afford a nanny. ─ Aline... ─ Most mothers place their children in daycare centers. And besides, it's just a scheme, when I get something. I'm not starting work tomorrow, Dad. ─ Theo is so little... he's only five months old. ─ I know. ─ I smile encouraging him. ─ You're right. Seu Joaquim gets out of my way and goes back to being with Vania and his grandson. Taking advantage of the fact that the cashier doesn't have any customers, I pay attention to the pamphlet I'm holding. It's been years since the chocolate factory opened vacancies. According to information, the employees are very old and because it is a good company to work for, there are few layoffs. I share my attention with some customers who arrive with their purchases, and in spare time I reformulate my CV and send it to the email provided. I use the computer and send them to other places that have open positions. Now we have to wait for some contact. Unable to contain my excitement, I pick up my son from his crib and dance around the room. He had just received a call to participate in the chocolate factory's recruitment, and also a message to do an interview later this afternoon. It's noon, I need to run and see where I can leave Theo while I do the interview, but for a moment, I allow myself to enjoy happiness with my son. ─ Cheer for mom, okay son? ─ I kiss his hair and put him in the cart. Theo always gives me toothless smiles, like he's encouraging me. Accompanied by him, I go to the bathroom, take a shower and start to produce myself. The office where I will do the interview in the late afternoon is almost two hours away by bus from where I live. In the meantime, I send a message to my father and inform him of the news, before even asking to keep his grandson, he is ready and tells me to leave him there with him at the market. When I finish packing Theo's bag, my cell phone starts ringing. When I see Márcia's name on the screen, I answer by putting it on speakerphone. ─ You forgot your son's godmother, did you? She and the usual dramas. It almost feels like w