One Magic Christmas. A. C. Meyer

little things?” - Samuca asked with a frown, and she turned to JP.

      "Those little things you used to buy coffee" - she explained to the editor, who was watching her as if she had gone crazy.

      After a few moments when the two men faced each other trying to understand what she wanted, JP asked:

      “Coins?” - He took out some of his pockets.

      “Yes!” - She exclaimed and her whole face lit up with joy. Samuca couldn't help thinking that she was very strange. – “Which is the most valuable?” - She asked JP, who handed her a one Real coin. – “Do you have one of these?” - the girl asked Samuca. He leaned over the coffee table, took two fifty-cent coins and held it out to her, who smiled a satisfied smile. Picking up the coins, she tossed them into the glass jar. – “Very well. It's paid.”

      Samuca blinked a few times and tilted his head, trying to make sense of what this crazy woman was saying.

      "What?”

      “For each curse, a... coin” - she said and looked at JP, as if to make sure.

      JP gave a loud laugh.

      "This is going to be really interesting..." - he muttered, still laughing.

      Impatient and uneasy with their presence, Samuca let out a long breath and said:

      “When you're done with the game, close the door. I have more to do.”

      As he turned to head towards the kitchen, he was interrupted by the girl's sweet voice.

      “JP, thanks for the ride. I promise not to disappoint” - she said with such seriousness that it sounded like she was promising him to establish world peace.

      Then it sank in, and he finally realized that she said she was going to stay. There. In his house. In his refuge. Where he didn't want anyone to be present.

      Ah, not that.

      "I don't know what you're up to, but you're not staying here" - he said, knowing he was sounding rude, but he didn't care. All he wanted was solitude back. – “I don't want you in my house.”

      JP gasped at his rude words, but the girl didn't seem to hear.

      “Samuca!” - the editor protested as she started walking around the room, watching everything around her as she muttered something to herself, making considerations about what would be her new home. – “Gabriela will stay with you until Christmas. It is your deadline for handing over your manuscript.”

      The writer mumbled an I know, but did not take his eyes off the girl who was walking towards the corridor.

      "I don't need her here" - he protested.

      “She will stay to make your life easier. She'll keep the house in order, type whatever you need, make sure you eat and hand over the freaking manuscript.”

      Gabriela turned to the two in indignation, crossed the room again and took the glass jar, holding it out in front of JP. He took a two-Reais bill out of his pocket and threw it in the pot.

      She smiled, satisfied, put the pot on the table again and wandered again. Samuca rolled his eyes and protested.

      “I don't want any crazy woman here, JP. I need peace, not a pot freak censoring my words.”

      "I'm not a pot freak" - she muttered quietly, without seeming offended by everything the guy said about her. – “Where's the Christmas tree? She asked, changing the subject so suddenly that it made him confused.”

      "What?"

      "The Christmas tree. Fifteen days to go before the big night. Where's yours?" - She asked, looking really curious and even concerned.

      "I'll let you discuss these ... um ... details" - JP said, taking the boy by surprise with his escape attempt. But before he had a chance to stop him, the editor continued to speak. - "Gabriela, if you need anything, you can call me. Good luck." - He turned and left.

      "JP, you forgot your package here." - He went to the door and shouted at the man, who was quickly getting into the car and starting it. Son of a bitch.

      "I don't see any packages." - Samuca heard Gabriela's voice and turned to find her looking around for something. - "I'm sure he didn't bring any packages..." - She frowned, looking confused. He couldn't help thinking that she looked very cute with that expression.

      "You're the package" - he grunted, annoyed to see beauty on that intruder, and slammed the door. As he turned, she was looking in his direction, looking amused.

      "I'm not a package, your silly. I'm a woman. Your… um… assistant” - she said, looking proud as she said the words. - "Where's your family?" - She asked.

      "In their house" - The answer was just a grunt. She tilted her head gently to the right and watched him, opening her mouth in amazement.

      "You don't live with your family?" - He shook his head. - "How do you do to be with your... wife?"

      Samuca couldn't help frowning at that word.

      "Do I look like the kind of guy who has a wife?" - He asked sarcastically, and she replied, but her words were without irony.

      "Not really... you're too moody."

      She turned as he huffed and started walking into the house.

      “Hey! Where’re you going?”

      "Getting to work!" - She said excitedly and went down the hall as if she was about to find a treasure. – “I have a lot to do.”

      With no alternative, he followed her to prevent that crazy woman from doing any damage to his home.