Eventually, Narin decided to take some risks and agreed to Arcenio's proposal. Today was the first time she was going to leave the House.

In the evening, the young woman was ready for this journey. On her way down to the lobby, she met the receptionist, Carmen Alonso. She has been working there practically since the beginning of the establishment of this place and as if that wasn't enough, Carmen has been friends with Narin's boss since she was a child. With Basilio Bardales.

But Vazquez couldn't understand it. Carmen was the nicest person working there. She didn't fit into that world at all, so why did she stick with it when she had so many options?

Once a mulatto asked her about it and it turned out that her first guesses were right. From an early age, Carmen had great feelings for Basilio, which he didn't necessarily know about. Narin didn't understand what the woman saw in him. To her, he was just a soulless monster, hungry for power. Alonso, however, thought otherwise. She always admired him and spoke fondly of him. And when he appeared at her side, she immediately blushed and looked at him with great tenderness. The mulatto doubted that Basilio reciprocated the feelings of his old friend. The boss was quite cold with her, although there were occasional exceptions.

"Now you can finally have some freedom, huh?" Alonso smiled at the thoughtful Narin.

The black-haired girl just rolled her eyes and approached her, to the reception desk.

"What kind of freedom is that if I have to come back here anyway?" She snorted.

"Better this than nothing." She replied with a slightly sadder expression. "Have fun." She clapped, but seeing her companion's gaze, she immediately became serious. "I'm sorry..."

"You're in a too good mood." The mulatto said.

"I'm always in a good mood, Narin." Carmen laughed. "Unlike you."

"Tch." She shook her head. "Because you're so cheerful, I've never been able to figure you out." She said a bit nervous. "I don't like such optimistic and joyful people."

Alonso just laughed at her words and put the documents in front of her back in their places.

"At least I'm not boring. I guess..." She sighed sadly. "You think I'm boring, Narin?" She looked at her friend.

"Why suddenly such a question?"

Carmen shrugged, the smile fading from her face.

"Don't be sad, because it doesn't suit you." Vazquez interjected and leaned her elbows on the counter. "You're not boring, you're just too cheerful." She said, frowning. "If that bastard Bardales talks about you differently, that's just further confirmation that he's absolutely not worthy of your attention."

Alonso involuntarily smiled, hearing cold words of comfort from the mulatto.

"You know you're talking about your boss, aren't you?"

"You know I don't care, do you?" Vazquez replied and sighed heavily.

Their further conversation was interrupted by a man who announced that he had come for Narin.

"Where's Arcenio?" She asked confused.

"Señor Rubio Jiménez had some business to take care of, which will make him a few minutes late, but he told me to take the señorita to the place." The man explained. "Follow me, please." He pointed towards the car, so the mulatto girl tentatively moved in that direction, but stopped when Bardales stood in her way.

"May you not cause me any trouble." He said, giving her a stern look.

Vazquez answered him the same.

"Don't worry, señor. It's not that time yet."

Basilio laughed softly and after a moment let her pass. He followed his employee with his eyes and then sighed heavily, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Why do you treat them like that?" Carmen heard the voice. "They didn't deserve it. None of them."

The man looked at her, thought for a moment, then stepped closer.

"You shouldn't get involved in this. And you know it well." He said in a rather cold tone. "I know what's best for them."

"And in your opinion, life in a prison is good for them?" She replied, shaking her head in disbelief. "Basilio..." She whispered. "You're not like that." She said confidently, still looking intently into his eyes. "Why don't you show your good side too, hm?"

"You're wrong." He interrupted her in a slightly hoarse voice. "I've always been like that. Perhaps you never knew me." He said, and his words nevertheless hurt Alonso.

"No, Basilio. You're the one who's wrong." She said after a long time. "Of all the people here, I know you best. And even though I can see how much of a bastard you've become, I know that still, somewhere inside... there's that good side of you. You don't like it because you think it's weak, but... "

"Carmen." He interjected in a tone that forbade objection. "I've told you this before, but I'll repeat it again and for the last time..." He sighed heavily. "You can leave here. You can... and you should. This isn't the place for you."

"Why am I allowed to leave and not them?"

"Why are you staying here even though you have a choice?" He answered the question with a question.

Alonso shook her head and smiled faintly.

'You know the answer yourself, Basilio."

Bardales just shook his head and then, without saying a word, he went in the direction known only to himself, leaving worried Carmen alone.

♦•♦•♦

At that time, Narin arrived at Arcenio's house. And during the journey, the woman carefully looked at the city in which she had lived all this time with great interest, but she wasn't allowed to see it as close as now. They were ordinary buildings, shops, fountains or other stalls with a lot of people, but for her it was a big change. All these novelties were for her one of the greatest attractions she could experience so far. She always wanted to leave the walls of that House and wondered how it would feel, what it would look like. Now, for the first time, she could feel a momentary taste of freedom.

Narin got out of the car and stood in the large square in front of Arcenio's villa. As soon as she got there, a woman approached her and bowed to the mulatto, which surprised her greatly.

"Hola señorita. Mi nombre es Aitana Clemente. (Hello miss. My name is Aitana Clemente)" She said in native language and smiled pleasantly at the confused Narin. "My master hasn't returned yet, but he said to take care of you. Follow me, please." She pointed her hand ahead and led the mulatto into the big house.

"You work for Arcenio?" Vazquez asked carefully looking at the whole room, as well as the newly met person.

"Si, señorita. (Yes)" She replied and led her companion to the living room. "I work here as a maid." She smiled. "Please make yourself comfortable, I'll bring some tea." She bowed again and headed towards the kitchen.

Narin didn't even have time to protest. The woman just shook her head and studied Arcenio's villa again.

The lounge was huge. It had two large sofas along with two armchairs on either side. There was also a decorative table in the middle, on which there were scented candles. A large plasma was hanging right next to it, and large shelves were placed along the entire length of the room. There was also a bar, several paintings, and even sculptures and bookshelves.

Narin walked slowly around the room, examining the expensive things. Her gaze lingered on the vinyl records and the turntable next to it. The mulatto carefully examined a few plays, then something else caught her attention. It was a garden, which could be entered through a large terrace, located behind the living room. The girl moved in that direction, being curious what else she would discover here.

The garden area was separated by walls, which at the same time were covered with thick green ivy. It was full of bushes, colorful flowers and green lawns, which in some places were separated by concrete tiles. Everything was fresh, properly cared for. There was a small pool to the left, and next to it was a barbecue, set up with chairs, tables and umbrellas.

On the opposite side was a quiet corner, mostly overgrown with green hedges. Bushy white roses grew nearby, adding to the beauty of the place. Heading in that direction, Narin noticed two armchairs placed side by side. Under the seats, there was a stone floor, and next to the furniture, there was a modest stream and a tiny waterfall.

Vazquez involuntarily smiled at the sight of this corner. She felt that out of the whole house, this would be her favorite place. So peaceful, quiet and pretty. It was easy to relax here.

"It's even prettier in the evening." Suddenly she heard a child's voice, and when she turned around, she saw a little boy. He looked to be ten or eleven years old. "When the lights by the brook come on and the rest of those decorative candles..." He pointed to the places around. "It's almost like paradise here." He laughed softly. "You must be Narin, right? I'm Calixto Alegria." He held out his hand to her, which she shook hesitantly. "Arcenio told me about you." He smiled.

"Well, you know about me, but I don't know anything about you." She replied confused. "Who are you?" She frowned.

"Oh, sorry." He scratched his head. "Arcenio is like an older brother and papá to me." He chuckled. "He took me in and took care of me." He said proudly. "He hasn't left me in need and has taken care of me to this day."

"You seem very pleased with this fact."

"Ay! Sure!" He shouted cheerfully. "Who wouldn't be happy with such care?! I'd be mad if he didn't take Artie with me, but luckily he's here too."

"Artie?" She repeated, even more confused.

"Mm! He's my friend!"

"Friend?" She nodded, but before she could ask anything else, she heard a dog barking and immediately guessed what the boy meant.

"Artie, good boy!" Callixto called and stroked the pet's head. "This is my dog." He smiled at the mulatto. "Isn't Artie wonderful?"

Artie, he's a little Munsterlander. A small dog with quite long brown and white hair. He was very eager for company, in this role he works well due to his balance, lack of aggression towards people and sincere serenity.

It didn't take long to guess that these two have a great, touching friendship. The dog was staring at the boy, as in the picture. It wagged its tail merrily and listened to its human owner.

"You like dogs?" He asked curiously as Narin watched them.

"Um..." Woman hesitated for a moment before answering. To be honest, she didn't know the answer to this question, because she had never dealt with any of the quadrupeds. "I-I think I like...I think." She ran a hand through her hair, feeling embarrassed after answering the question. "Honestly..." She approached the boy and his companion. "I've never seen a dog."

"Oh really?" Boy grieved. "Well... now is your chance." He smiled reassuringly at her. "Artie is a wonderful companion. He always comforts me when I'm sad and always comes when I need him."

"You really like dogs, don't you?" Narin said with a hint of amusement. The boy talked about his companion with great tenderness.

"I love them." He admitted honestly, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Do you want to pet him?"

Vazquez sighed softly and hesitantly approached the four-legged dog, which as soon as he saw her jumped to her and put his paws on her knees and belly, glad that someone else would pet him.

"Artie likes you!" Calixto was delighted.

"I wonder why..." She whispered, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Ah, Cali, and I told you not to bother Narin." Arcenio suddenly appeared beside them.

Seeing the man, the dog barked cheerfully and ran over to say hello. Brunet stroked the furry and looked at Narin with a smile.

"I am sorry for the delay. Something stopped me." He approached the mulatto.

Vazquez nodded her understanding. In one moment, she ran out of words and didn't know what she wanted to say, so she decided to remain silent about that moment.

"So since Arcenio is back and you have company, I'll go to my place." Boy interjected and led the dog after him.

Rubio laughed softly, watching his young ward, then looked back at the mulatto.

"I hope you did not mind him."

"No." Narin replied immediately. "I just... didn't expect it." She scratched her shoulder.

"What did you not expect?"

"Everything." She waved her hand, still feeling slightly embarrassed. "You have such a... nice house, beautiful garden. Your maid was nice to me, and that kid..." She sighed. "I don't know what I really expected." She shook her head.

Arcenio smiled at her words.

"Do you like it here?" He asked curiously.

"Well, I can't say no." Woman replied. "I'd be lying otherwise." She looked around uncertainly.

"Ah, señor!" They heard the maid's voice. "I brought tea." She said pleasantly.

"Muchas gracias, Aitana." Brunet smiled pleasantly and then placed his hand on the confused Narin's shoulder. "Come, I will show you around."