Jyotsna and the ghost of the lost traveler

A few months ago...

The night was about to begin, and the air was filled with anticipation. Through my bedroom window, the city lights flickered like stars, but inside me, there was a storm of anxiety. Hélio kept pressuring me, and I was already fifteen minutes late.

"Patrícia, does it have to take this long to get ready? I've been out here for 15 minutes!" His voice echoed on my speakerphone, almost unbearable.

"If you stopped pestering me, I'd be done by now! Enjoy my sister's company and shut up, damn it!" I replied, trying to keep my patience.

He sighed, and I could imagine his frustrated expression. "I don't know why we have to go to this party. That ghost wouldn't be so stupid to be at something with so many politicians and cops present," he grumbled.

"Dear, nobody knows who he is, so it’s no problem for him to move around as he pleases. And from what we know, he has so much money that his accomplices hand out hundred-dollar bills at parties when they close a big deal. Imagine how many of those corrupt people there are in cahoots with him, enjoying the money he can give?" The indignation in my voice was evident.

"Yeah, I know, but hurry up, I'm itching all over in this suit..." He complained, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"I'd pay to see this, you in a suit, Hélio!" I laughed louder, and he started cursing. I hung up the phone and finished my makeup.

I looked in the mirror and smiled. I looked gorgeous, if I do say so myself. The tight red dress and light makeup made me feel more feminine than usual. It was a good and strange feeling at the same time. I grabbed my purse, put my Glock inside, and went downstairs.

In the living room, I found Hélio talking to my parents and my sister. He looked sexy in his suit, and I thought about complimenting him, but before I could, he started flirting, making me roll my eyes.

"Wow, it was worth the wait! You look stunning. My stunning," the way he said it made my stomach twist.

I made a face and stuck my tongue out at him, which drew laughs and criticism from my parents. "Pat, he's just complimenting you, and you do that to the boy?" my mother scolded.

"Mom, stop! He'll never be what you think for me. Hélio and I are like siblings," I replied, trying to make it clear that our relationship was platonic.

"Only because she wants it that way, Mrs. Sílvia, because for me..." Hélio added with a mischievous smile, while I noticed the jealous look on my sister's face. It amused me a little; it was clear she had a crush on him.

"Let's go, clown, we're already late. This party is also work," I said, pulling him by the hand.

As we left, a red sports car was waiting for us, as if sent by a guardian angel.

"Love it! Whose brilliant idea was it to send this car for us to go to the party?" I asked, running my fingers delicately over the glossy hood.

"Juliano, my brother. He's the judge's security and told me we had to arrive in style. Otherwise, we wouldn't even get past the gate," Hélio explained, looking at me with a sparkle in his eyes.

"I love the car! I hope we can have fun besides working. At least at this party, we don't have to babysit politicians." My optimism was contagious.