Chapter 16

"Are you okay, Juju?

I got scared by the sudden question. In the last seven days, I had been more stuck than usual in my thoughts, and I was acting in automatic mode most of the time.

I didn't even remember that I had woken up early that day to start my forced labor routine in the busier bar in Mandela's favela. The owner of the room, Mrs. Solange, was close at that moment, watching me while I held a small glass in my sweaty hands.

I was nervous, constantly nervous, despite the always closed and firm expression. That day, at two o'clock in the afternoon, we had closed the door and we were cleaning the place so that I could go to lunch and only return the next day, while she would open once again during the night, to receive her illustrious and most important guests from the entire hill. Guests that I was still trying to meet again in every possible way.

"I'm great," I replied with a false smile, already looking for some convincing lie, as I left the glass cle