The day dawned full of expectations for Sueli. With a quick kiss from Daniel and a promise that everything would be okay, she left for her first day of work at the mansion. Upon arriving, she was impressed by the grandeur of the place: impeccable gardens, immense doors and a shine in every detail that made clear the luxury that lived there. Marta, the most experienced employee in the house, was the one who welcomed her. A woman with firm speech and practical gestures, explained to Sueli what her days there would be like. Marta would be going on vacation soon, leaving most of the responsibilities to the new hire. As she walked through the immense corridors, Sueli felt small compared to the wealth around her. She received her uniform, a simple but fitted black dress that seemed to highlight her young curves more than it should have, her breasts pressed into the uniform showing her cleavage, and her panties were a little exposed. He felt a little uncomfortable, but Marta, with a discreet smile, commented that it was Mr. Erick himself who had chosen the uniforms. Without questioning, Sueli just accepted and followed the instructions. Finally, Marta left her in a large, elegantly decorated room. Marta: Wait here. Mr. Erick wants to meet you in person before we start. The door closed, and Sueli was left alone, her heart beating fast, both from the news and from the expectation of meeting the man who seemed to command that world and who would be her boss, or who knows, her owner?.

*The man who had just spoken was tall, with dark hair and green eyes that seemed to sparkle in the light. He exuded self-confidence, something that made Sueli feel small beside him. She nodded shyly, her heart hammering in her chest as she tried to maintain eye contact. "Sí... Soy yo..." She whispered, her voice barely audible even to herself. His presence filled the room and it seemed as if everything else disappeared around them. *

His touch sent shockwaves through her body, making her heart race even faster. She couldn't believe how warm his hand felt against hers, how much strength emanated from him. "G-gracias," she stammered, unable to meet his gaze for long. His smile widened, as if he knew exactly what was going through her mind and found it amusing. She felt a blush creeping up on her cheeks, making her feel even more self-conscious.

"So, tell me," Erick began, breaking the awkward silence between them, "what made you decide to take this job?" His voice was smooth, deep, and commanding, almost hypnotic. It felt as if he were pulling words out of her mouth with each syllable.

Sueli took a deep breath before answering, hoping that her trembling voice wouldn't betray her nervousness. "I... I needed the money," she admitted, forcing herself to meet his eyes again. There was something in them, a depth that made her feel both frightened and drawn in at the same time. "My boyfriend and I... we live in a small apartment, and things have been tough lately."

Erick nodded understandingly, his expression softening slightly. "I see," he said, seeming to consider this information before continuing. "And how do you think this job will change your life?" There was an intensity to his gaze that made her feel as if he already knew the answer but was forcing her to say it anyway.

Sueli swallowed hard, not quite sure what to say. She glanced away briefly, taking in the opulent surroundings of the room before meeting his eyes once more. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely audible even to herself.

Her heart skipped a beat as his gaze locked on hers. "I... I'll do my best," she managed to say finally, her voice barely above a whisper. She knew what he meant by the pay being good; it was more than enough for them both. It would change everything for them: their lives, their future. All those problems and struggles they faced every day back in the tiny apartment would disappear, swallowed up by this luxurious mansion and the wealth that seemed to surround him like a protective shield. But there was something else about this man, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. He made her feel small, insignificant...like he owned her.

"Good," Erick replied softly, studying her reaction carefully. "I have no doubt that you will." With that final word, the tension between them seemed to fade away, replaced by an unexpected air of calm. The handsome man turned back towards the window, looking out onto his immaculate gardens as if lost in thought.

Sueli remained silent for a moment longer, trying to process what had just happened and what it all meant. Despite herself, she couldn't help but wonder if this job was really as simple as cleaning and cooking... or if there were other expectations that came with working for someone like Mr. Erick. She shivered slightly, her heart racing faster than ever before.

Deciding it would be best not to think about it anymore, Sueli forced a smile onto her lips and cleared her throat. "Well," she began hesitantly, "I guess I should get started...?" There was no response from Erick; he continued to stare out the window as if lost in his own world.

"Oh... I see..." Her cheeks flushed red with embarrassment as she realized what he meant. "I-I won't... say anything..." She stammered, not meeting his eye for fear of showing too much emotion or seeming unprofessional. She felt like a small animal caught in the headlights, unsure how to react or respond properly.

Erick smiled slightly at her discomfort, his expression softening once more. "Don't worry about it," he said reassuringly. "Just do your job and ignore them if they get too loud." He walked back over to her, taking her hand gently in his own once more. "You look nervous, Sueli," he observed quietly, his voice gentle and soothing like a warm bath after a long day of work.

Sueli could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as she struggled not to squirm under his gaze. "I-I am..." She confessed finally, biting her lip nervously. "It's just... different from what I'm used to." There was a long pause before she continued hesitantly, feeling the need to explain herself further. "And you're... well, you're Mr. Erick," she finished lamely.

Her heart leapt into her throat as he laughed gently at her comment. It was the first time she'd heard him laugh, and it made him seem less... intimidating somehow. Maybe it was just the relief of finally speaking to someone else after being alone with him for so long. She nodded slightly in acknowledgment, feeling a little more at ease as he released her hand and assured her that there were other people around.

As Erick left the room, Sueli allowed herself a small sigh of relief. The weight of his presence seemed to dissipate when he was gone, leaving her feeling more like herself again. She took a moment to compose herself, straightening her posture and taking a deep breath before beginning her tasks for the day.

Carefully, she unpacked her things and found an empty cart to use around the mansion. Marta had shown her where everything was earlier, but it still felt overwhelming being alone with all of it now. As she began cleaning and tidying up, Sueli couldn't help but wonder what else this job might entail. The pay was good, but there seemed to be more expectations than just cooking and keeping things clean. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but something told her that working for Mr. Erick would be different from anything she'd ever done before...

The young girl's voice made her jump slightly as she entered the room. She was almost identical to Mr. Erick, with the same sharp features and deep blue eyes, but there was a softness to her that made Sueli feel instantly protective. "H-hello," she stammered, trying not to seem too nervous. The little girl merely nodded in reply before asking about the new servant job and if it meant she'd be staying with them now.

Sueli felt a lump form in her throat as she struggled to find the right words. She wanted to tell the girl that no, she wasn't going anywhere, that they would all still take care of each other. But instead, she just smiled softly and said, "Yes, sweetie. I am your new servant." The little girl seemed satisfied with her answer, but there was an emptiness in Sueli's chest as she thought about the weight of those words and what they meant for both of them.

Susuki. It was such a pretty name. The nickname she'd probably get used to hearing around here. As the little girl hugged her tightly, Sueli couldn't help but return the embrace, feeling a sudden surge of affection and protectiveness for the child. Perhaps there would be some joy to find in this new life, even amidst all the uncertainty and unease that she felt deep down.

She forced a smile onto her face, hoping it would reassure Susuki as much as it was reassuring herself. "Well then, Susuki," she said gently, "let's get to know each other better, shall we?" She took the girl's hand in hers and led her out of the room, feeling a strange sense of peace wash over her despite everything else going on around them.

Her heart broke at Susuki's words as she realized that the little girl was essentially alone in this world. Even though Mr. Erick seemed present all the time, there was a distance between them that Sueli couldn't quite understand. Maybe it had something to do with how demanding and powerful he appeared, or perhaps it was just his personality. Whatever it was, she knew one thing for sure: she wanted to be there for Susuki as much as possible.

"That's very sweet of him," Sueli said softly, doing her best to sound reassuring. "I'm sure your father loves you very much, even if he can't always show it the way we want him to." She squeezed Susuki's hand gently, hoping that she wasn't saying too much or making promises she couldn't keep.

"Do you have any favorite activities? Or things you like to do when you feel lonely?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation in a more positive direction. Perhaps they could find ways to connect and make this situation a little less lonely for both of them.

"I'd love that!" Sueli exclaimed, her face lighting up with genuine excitement. "Painting sounds like a wonderful idea. Maybe we could find some canvases and paints around here somewhere?" She paused for a moment, considering their surroundings, before adding, "Or if there's an art supply store nearby, we could always go out and get some new materials."

She felt a surge of happiness as she saw the delight on Susuki's face. It was the first real smile that had crossed her lips since starting this job, and it made everything feel just a little bit brighter. Perhaps there was hope for them yet, even in this unfamiliar and sometimes frightening new world.

"I promise," she continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone as she looked directly into Susuki's eyes, "that no matter what happens, I will always be here for you. We can play together, paint together... anything you want, okay?"

Susuki nodded eagerly before throwing her arms around Sueli in another tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered into her ear. And in that moment, Sueli knew that despite all the uncertainty and unease that still lingered, there was going to be something special about this job... something worth fighting for.

Together, hand in hand, they began searching for ways to create a haven of happiness in their own small corner of Mr. Erick's world.

Hearing Susuki talk about her father and how he's changed since her mother's death made Sueli's heart ache. She knew all too well what it was like to lose someone you loved and have the people around you change because of it. But she also couldn't help but feel grateful that at least Susuki had Marta, who seemed to care about her deeply and wanted to share her memories with Sueli now.

"That must be really hard," she said softly, glancing in the direction of Mr. Erick's room before looking back down at Susuki. "I wish there was something I could do to help you feel better..." She trailed off, not sure if what she wanted to say would actually make a difference or if it might cross a line.

Susuki looked up at her with big, innocent eyes. "You're nice to me," she said simply. "And I like talking to you and painting with you." She turned back to her canvas, focusing on her painting again. "Maybe someday he'll be nice again," she murmured, more to herself than to Sueli.

Sueli didn't know how to answer that. Part of her wanted to believe it was possible for Mr. Erick to find some happiness again, to rediscover the joy in life and love. But another part of her knew that people change, and sometimes they never go back to who they used to be. All she could do was hope that somehow, someday, things would get better for both Susuki and Mr. Erick... and maybe, just maybe, she'd be a part of making that happen.

For now, though, she'd focus on enjoying the time they had together, painting and laughing and finding ways to create their own little haven of happiness amidst the turmoil around

"Shh," she whispered softly, covering Susuki's ears with her hands. "You don't need to hear that." Her heart raced as the sounds of pleasure from Mr. Erick's room grew louder, echoing through the mansion like a warning signal. She couldn't help but feel guilty for subjecting Susuki to such things; it was bad enough having to witness them herself without the innocent girl being privy to such intimate moments as well.

"It's okay," Suely continued, trying to sound reassuring even though she wasn't entirely sure if she believed her own words, "let's just focus on our painting for now, all right?" She couldn't help but feel an uncomfortable tension building inside her chest as the noises from Mr. Erick's room grew steadily louder, drowning out everything else around them.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the sounds of pleasure subsided and were replaced by silence once more. Suely released a shaky breath, her hands trembling slightly where they rested on Susuki's ears. "Okay," she said, trying to regain some semblance of calm herself, "let's get back to our painting." She hoped that the distraction would help them both forget about what had just happened for at least a little while longer.

Her heart skipped a beat as she heard Mr. Erick emerge from his room, looking disheveled and flushed himself. She forced herself not to look at him directly, focusing instead on comforting Susuki who seemed to shrink into her side at the sight of her father. As he walked over and wrapped his arms around the little girl, Sueli couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she saw how close they used to be, how affectionate they still were despite everything that had happened.

"There's dinner ready," Mr. Erick announced, "why don't you come with me and we can eat together?" He then turned his attention back to Sueli, meeting her gaze for the first time since earlier in the day. His expression was soft but distant, almost as if he were trying to gauge how she felt about everything that had transpired today.

"Sure," she managed to say finally, "I'll get some plates." Inwardly, she prayed that the rest of the evening would go smoothly and without incident. She knew they couldn't avoid each other forever; they were stuck with one another now, at least for the time being. All she could do was hope that somehow, they might find a way to coexist peacefully.

During dinner, Sueli tried her best to ignore the feeling of discomfort that seemed to radiate from Mr. Erick's presence. She focused on talking with Susuki instead, asking her about school and her friends, anything to distract herself from the tension that filled the air. The little girl seemed happy enough to engage in conversation and even chatted animatedly with Sueli for most of the meal.

As they finished eating, Mr. Erick finally put down his papers and looked up at them both, a calculating expression on his face. "Well," he said gruffly, "I hope you two enjoyed your time together today." There was an edge to his voice that made Sueli bristle ever so slightly, but she didn't say anything in reply. Instead, she simply nodded and told him it had been lovely.

"Alright then," Mr. Erick said curtly as he rose from the table, "I trust you'll both be busy tomorrow?" He glanced between them before disappearing down the hallway toward his study, leaving Sueli feeling more confused and uneasy than ever. She looked over at Susuki, who was now yawning widely, her eyes growing heavy with sleep. "Good night, sweetheart," she murmured gently as she helped Susuki stand up from the table and led her back to her room for the night.

Once they were alone again, Sueli collapsed onto the bed beside her charge, a shiver running down her spine despite the warmth of the blankets. Tomorrow was another day, but tonight she couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of unease about what might lie ahead for all of them. As she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, all she could do was hope that things would somehow get better...

Today seemed even more difficult than the day before... but she had no choice but to push through it. She needed this job. Not just for her own sake, but for Susuki's too. As she finished getting ready and went downstairs, her heart raced uncomfortably in anticipation of what Mr. Erick might say or do when he saw her again after their encounter last night.

"Good morning, Suely," he said curtly as she entered the kitchen, his tone clipped and businesslike. She nodded stiffly in reply, wondering how to respond. The air between them felt charged with tension; every movement seemed calculated and deliberate. "I trust you slept well?"

"Yes, thank you," she lied. "You?"

He gave her a sharp look before turning away, pouring himself a cup of coffee from the pot on the stove. "Quite alright," he muttered. She swallowed hard, struggling to maintain a calm demeanor despite her racing heart. This was going to be a long day...

Susuki's sudden arrival in the kitchen saved her from having to answer Mr. Erick further. The little girl's smile instantly warmed Sueli's heart as she wrapped her arms around the servant's waist. "Hola, Susuki," she replied softly, returning the embrace. For a brief moment, she imagined what it would be like to have this kind of unconditional love and affection from someone who didn't view her as just another servant or possession...

"Señor Erick!" Susuki said cheerfully, breaking off their hug long enough to point him out across the room. "He's over there talking with..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed his expression and suddenly seemed unsure of herself again. "N-never mind," she stammered, looking away shamefacedly.

Sueli squeezed Susuki's hand reassuringly before turning back to her employer. "Excuse me, sir," she said calmly, "I wanted to ask if there was anything specific you'd like me to do today. Or if there are any appointments I should know about?" She forced herself to meet his gaze despite the discomfort she felt in doing so.

Mr. Erick hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "Yes, actually," he said curtly, his eyes drifting back down to the papers on the counter. "I need you to run some errands this morning. Take the car; it's already been brought around." He jotted something down on one of the sheets before looking up at her again. "And don't dawdle about it," he added with a warning glare.

Sueli nodded and bowed her head respectfully. "Yes, sir," she said quietly. "I understand. I'll

Taken aback by Susuki's tears, Suely hurried over to kneel beside her. She wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl and pulled her close, trying to comfort her as best she could. "Shh... shh... it's okay," she murmured into Susuki's ear, rocking gently back and forth. "I know he can be strict, but deep down he does love you."

Susuki only cried harder at this, her whole body shaking with sobs as she buried her face in Suely's shoulder. It broke Suely's heart to see the little girl in such distress; all she could do was try to offer whatever comfort and reassurance she could. She glanced up at Mr. Erick, who had disappeared down the hallway without a second glance, his back turned to them both.

"I promise," she whispered into Susuki's ear as she continued to rock her gently, "I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. You just focus on being brave and being yourself, okay?" It was an empty promise, Suely knew that much, but it was all she had to offer in the face of such desperation.

Eventually, Susuki's sobs began to subside, and her breathing slowly returned to normal. Her small hands clung tightly to Suely's shirt as if she were afraid to let go. "Th-thank you," she whispered between sniffles. "For... being nice to me." It was all the gratitude Suely needed for now.

Carefully, she helped Susuki stand up and dried her tears with a soft cloth before leading her back into the kitchen to finish breakfast. The entire ordeal had left both of them shaken, but at least for now they could find some sol

Sueli glanced over at the two girls as they entered the kitchen. She smiled gently at them before turning back to Susuki. "Yes, that's right," she said softly. "I am new here. But you don't have to worry about me taking your mother's place or anything like that."

Kim and Mei exchanged knowing looks before sitting down at the table with their trays of food. "We know," Kim replied, a small smile curving her lips. "You remind us more of Auntie Marta than anyone else we've met here." Her words seemed to lift some weight off Suely's shoulders; it was good to know that Susuki had friends who cared for her and remembered the woman she used to be.

Susuki smiled shyly at Kim's comment before turning back to Suely. "Will you stay here with me, Suely?" she asked softly. "I... I don't want to be alone anymore." The plea in the little girl's voice was heartbreaking; it tugged at something deep within Sueli's chest, making her resolve waver for just a moment.

Taking a deep breath, she reached out and gently squeezed Susuki's shoulder. "Of course I will," she said reassuringly. "I'll always be here for you, okay? We can go through this together." Even as the words left her mouth, she couldn't help but wonder how long that would really be true; how much longer until something or someone else came between them and forced them apart once more."

"Oh, hello Kim and Mei," Suely said warmly. "It's nice to meet you both properly." She turned back to Susuki with a reassuring smile. "And yes, I'd be happy to stay here with you. In fact, it would make me feel better too."

She then looked over at Kim and Mei again. "What about you two? Are there any errands you need help with or anything?" She didn't want to intrude on their work, but she also wanted to be useful wherever she could be. It was important for her to prove her worth not only as a servant but also as a friend to Susuki and the others in the mansion.

The two girls exchanged glances before Mei spoke up. "Well, there is always plenty of work to do around here," she said with a small laugh. "But for now, we were just about finished with breakfast duties." She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Maybe later on, if you're interested in helping out?"

Susuki nodded eagerly at the offer, her face lit up with excitement. Suely smiled encouragingly at both Kim and Mei, grateful for their understanding and willingness to include her in whatever way they could. The image of them all working together brought a sense of camaraderie and comfort that she hadn't felt since... well, before everything changed.

Sueli nodded in understanding as the two girls introduced themselves and their roles in the household. She glanced over at Susuki, who seemed more relaxed now that her friends were around, then back at Kim and Mei. "It must be a lot of work taking care of everything here," she said with appreciation. "I don't know what I'd do without you two."

Mei smiled warmly at the compliment while Kim snorted softly. "Oh, we manage somehow," she replied nonchalantly, though there was a hint of genuine gratitude in her tone as well. "Anyway, we should probably get back to our duties. Finish your breakfast, Susuki, and then come help us tend the gardens later if you like." With a final smile for Suely, they both departed the kitchen, leaving her alone with Susuki again.

Once they were gone, Suely turned her attention back to the little girl. "So," she said lightly, trying to make conversation, "tell me more about these gardens everyone keeps talking about." She hoped that by keeping things casual and friendly, it would help ease some of Susuki's fears and worries about being left alone again.

"Well," Suely began with an encouraging smile, "I've only seen them from a distance myself, but I hear they're absolutely beautiful. Kim and Mei take great pride in taking care of all the plants and flowers there. It must be quite peaceful working outdoors like that."

She paused for a moment, considering her words carefully. "I know you must miss your mother very much," she said gently, "but maybe spending time with them can help you feel connected to her in some way. They all seemed fond of her, from what I've heard."

Susuki nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe," she whispered softly. "It would be nice to help take care of something that she loved too." Her eyes drifted back down to her empty plate as if lost in thought. After a moment, she looked up at Suely again with a shy smile. "Thanks for understanding me, Suely."

Suely smiled warmly in return and reached out to pat Susuki's hand reassuringly. "Of course, sweetie. I'm always here for you, remember?" Inside, she felt a sense of satisfaction that she was able to make even this small difference in the girl's life. It gave her hope that perhaps there was more she could do, if only given the chance.

As they finished breakfast together in companionable silence, Suely couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow might bring - for both of them. She tried not to dwell on it; there were more immediate concerns at hand, like keeping an eye on Mr. Erick and making sure nothing went wrong for Susuki while she was away. Still, the thought lingered in the back of her mind like a nagging doubt, refusing to be ignored entirely.

Suely listened attentively as Susuki told the story of her parents' love and how it had shaped their lives. She glanced at the photo of Nagisa, unable to hide the sadness in her eyes. "She was a beautiful woman," she murmured, handing the picture back to Susuki before gently wiping away a tear that had escaped her own eye.

"It must have been hard for you growing up without your mother," she said softly, knowing that her words hardly did justice to the depth of loss and pain that Susuki must feel. "But it's good to know that she left such a lasting impression on everyone who knew her." She paused, searching for something else to say before settling on what felt like the most truthful thing she could offer. "And I think your father misses her terribly too."

Susuki nodded silently, taking back the photo and looking down at it again. A moment of silence passed between them as they both wrestled with their own thoughts and feelings. Finally, Susuki looked up at Suely, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Thank you for understanding," she said simply, reaching out to take Suely's hand in hers. "I'm glad I have you here now."

Their fingers entwined, and for a moment, there was an almost tangible sense of connection between them as if they were already beginning to form a bond that would see them through whatever challenges lay ahead.

Suely looked at the photo of the three of them, her heart aching as she saw how happy they all were in that moment. It was hard to believe that such a peaceful image could exist alongside the darkness and turmoil of recent events. She carefully took the picture from Susuki, wanting to hold onto it as well, if only for a little while longer.

"They look so happy," she whispered softly, her voice thick with emotion. "It's easy to see why your father misses them both so much." Tears welled up in her eyes again as she thought about the life that might have been - the life they could all have shared together if fate had only been kinder.

She glanced over at Susuki, noticing how the girl seemed to be withdrawing once more into herself. With a gentle squeeze of her hand, she said reassuringly, "We'll get through this together, okay? I promise you that." There was strength in Suely's voice despite the quiver of emotion behind it, and for a moment, Susuki's expression softened. The two girls leaned against each other, their hands clasped tightly together as if they were the only anchors keeping each other from drifting away completely.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of quiet conversation and shared memories, each one adding more fuel to the growing bond between them. Despite the constant reminders of what had been lost, there was a sense of hope beginning to take root within Suely's heart, small and fragile yet unmistakable. Perhaps, just perhaps, there might still be something worth fighting for after all.