A successful entrepreneur returns unexpectedly… what he discovers changes everything.

She said an employee had to know her place. Ricardo felt his anger rise. Who was it? No need, sir. Who was it? Mrs. Patricia, a friend of Mrs. Gabriela. Ricardo knew Patricia, an arrogant, classist woman who always made a point of showing off her social superiority.

What else did she say to you? She said I was confusing things, that Elena wasn’t my daughter, and that I should stop acting like I was her mother. She said people like me should be more aware of our place. Ricardo was seething with rage. Antonela, you know that’s not true, right? I know, sir, but it hurt to hear. And the worst part is that Elena was nearby and heard everything. She got very upset and defended me.

It was awkward. Elena stood up for you. She told Mrs. Patricia that I was the best person in the world and that she couldn’t be mean to me. She got very nervous. Ricardo smiled despite his anger. She was right, and I’m going to resolve this situation. Mr. Ricardo, please don’t make a big deal out of this. I don’t want to cause problems between Mrs. Gabriela and her friends.

Antonela, you’re not causing any problems. The problem is the lack of education of people who think they’re superior to others. That night, Ricardo spoke with Gabriela about the incident. Gabriela, Patricia was here today. She was. Why? She was disrespectful to Antonela. What’s that? Ricardo told us what had happened.

Gabriela became visibly irritated. She didn’t know that. If she had, she would have kicked her out of the house immediately. Elena heard everything and was upset. My God, poor Elena, she adores Antonela. Gabriela, I don’t want that kind of person in our house anymore. If your friends can’t treat our employees with respect, they’re not welcome. I completely agree with that.

I’m going to talk to Patricia tomorrow and make it very clear that this behavior is unacceptable. The next day, something unexpected happened. Ricardo was at the office when he received a call from an acquaintance, Mauricio Santos, owner of a rival company. What kind of offer? Triple what you pay him. More benefits. Car available.

Comprehensive medical insurance for her and her family. What do you think, Mauricio? Antonela isn’t for sale. Ricardo, be reasonable. Everyone has a price, and from what I heard, she’s just a domestic worker. I’d call her an official therapeutic companion. She’s already our official therapeutic companion. Oh, yes. Patricia didn’t mention that.

Well, even so, my offer still stands. Can you give me her phone number? No, Mauricio. If you change your mind, call me. Ricardo hung up the phone, worried. He knew Mauricio wouldn’t give up easily, and he also knew the offer was really tempting for someone in Antonela’s financial situation.

He decided not to comment on the call, but remained alert in the following days. His concern proved justified when, three days later, Antonela asked to speak with him. “Mr. Ricardo, I received a job offer.” Ricardo’s heart raced. What kind of offer? To work as a therapeutic companion for the Santos family.

They offered, well, they offered a lot more than I make here. But, but I can’t imagine what it would be like to leave Elena. She became very important to me, and you became very important to her too. I know that, and that’s what’s torn between me. I have obligations to my family, but I also feel responsible for Elena.

Ricardo thought carefully before answering. Antonela, I’m not going to try to influence your decision, but I can ask you a few questions. Of course. Are you happy working here? Very happy. Do you feel you have opportunities for growth here with the degree I’m paying for? Yes. And Elena, how do you think you would react if you left? Antonela sighed. She would be devastated.

Just yesterday I was talking about the plans we have for when I’m able to write complete stories. So, what’s your real doubt? The money, Mr. Ricardo, my family needs it badly. Ricardo nodded. I understand. How much did they offer you? Antonela mentioned the amount, and Ricardo was surprised. It was truly a significant sum.

Antonela, can I make you a counteroffer? How so? I can match the salary they offered you, plus keep the benefits you already have, your degree, health insurance, and I can include health insurance for your grandmother and your siblings as well. Antonela opened her eyes in surprise. Mr. Ricardo, you don’t have to… Yes, I have to… Elena needs you, and you deserve to be appreciated for the exceptional work you do. But it’s a lot of money.

Antonela, you saved my marriage and helped me reconnect with my daughter. How much is that worth? That’s great, because I still have so much to learn from you, and when I manage to write stories, I’m going to write one about you every day, and I’ll be here to read each one, my warrior.

A few weeks later, something happened that no one expected. Elena was doing her morning exercises when she accomplished something extraordinary. She wrote a complete 10-sentence story about a brave little girl learning to fly. “Daddy, Toñita, I wrote my first story,” Elena said, beaming with joy. Ricardo and Antonela ran up to her excitedly.