Erlan is the adoptive child of a millionaire family. His biological mother, Laila Renata, a 26-year-old brunette underweight woman, with a fragile look and careless, dry skin due to her terrible social condition, was a maid at the family Betías’ house, 28 years ago. Laila was born in a tiny village in the North region of the country. When her mother died, she was left practically alone, since her parents could barely feed themselves.
In face of her lack of option, Fernanda, a childhood friend, told Laila about her time in the Northeast region, where she was well received by the Bethías Family, descendant of Spanish, and heard rumors that they were looking for a new maid for their household at the capitol of the state of Alagoas, Maceió City.
Fernanda called her former employers and gave her friend’s distinctive credentials, convincing Laila to try her luck in the Northeast.
After a few weeks, Laila managed to get the job at the Betías Household, which led the couple to pay for the new worker’s plane tickets, and she instantly loved the new job. She felt, finally, safe and cherished in that place. Although the bosses were very rich, they were very gentle and considerate towards every employee.
The Betías were considered to be one of the most successful couples in the country, once they had quick gains in their cosmetics company, which became the largest Brazilian company in the business.
The Beauté Humaine led the cosmetics market in the country, always offering the best and most bought creams, makeup products and sunscreens in Brazilian territory. The company had sumptuous megastores in the most refined shopping malls in the country.
The Betías also expanded their business to other segments, building inns in the Leblon District, located in Rio de Janeiro, some malls in São Paulo and even gourmet restaurants in Florianópolis, at the noble region of Jurerê International. However, as the couple was deeply attached to their homeland, Maceió City, they built a mansion there, and frequently traveled the country to keep up with the family’s business.
When Laila got to the mansion to work, she was stunned by the house, a 11000ft² and an astonishing sight to the enviable Ponta Verde Shore, considered by many as one of the most desired beaches on the northeastern coast, with its green warm waters and wooded area. The new maid was fascinated by the Olympic pool, modern gym, tennis court, luxury cars and a wide party hall to greet the guests, who were usually the wealthiest people of the Brazilian society. The house had 4 floors, 9 rooms with closets and Jacuzzis, a level of luxury that fascinated even the most critical architects.
As soon as she started working, Laila fell for the household’s driver, Edgar, but, afraid of losing her job, she resisted to his attempts. However, solitude became such a bothering companion. She also felt safer regarding her position and job, and started to encourage Edgar’s behavior and match his boldness. At the end, she surrendered to the temptation and kept a loveless relationship, which was, however, full of pleasure. Sneaky dates at the end of the shifts ended up in a pregnancy. Finally, when Laila couldn’t hide it anymore, there were only her unwanted child and delusion left for her.
The driver started to show off his relationship with a newly hired maid. He not only avoided any contact with Laila, but denied any kind of relationship with her, claiming that he couldn’t be the father of said child, who insisted in growing in Laila’s belly.
Ashamed, the maid sought refuge in work, routine, silence and solitude. Afraid of the future, she decided to quit thinking of it and ignoring the changings her body was going through during the pregnancy. She went on working as before and, given the efforts, Laila suffered a placental displacement due to a trauma. The accident led her to be quickly taken to the hospital, and, despite all of the stress and for everyone’s surprise, her son was born healthy, and she named him Erlan.
Months after the birth of the unwanted son, who he never even met, Edgar died in a car crash, drinking drunk after a night out on his day off, which left Laila in despair, once she had hopes that he would assume his child and change ways. Therefore, all of the distress contributed to the development of Laila’s addiction to gambling, leading her to bet high amounts of money and dive in a deep depression.
As Maura Betías was known as an excellent psychologist, besides her employer, she sympathized with Laila and offered free treatment, but, with such intense traumas, the maid ended up losing all of her wage’s money, even with the treatment.
Maura, despite being the family’s matriarch, became Laila’s friend and, for mercy, did all in her power to help the employee, even paying some of her debts. However, the young woman was so psychologically hurt that couldn’t see a positive side.
Laila’s health got much worse and her presence on illegal casinos was increasingly constant, leading to many harmfull addictions, such as the feeling of weakness, despair with debts, and the excessive junk food intake, which made her fatten many pounds in a few months. Worst of all, in her sleepless nights, the emptiness of dawn and the fear of getting even more indebted gave her constant thoughts of sucicide.
One day, Laila and Maura had a long therapy session.
“Doctor, you’ve been working so hard, I know. I’m taking the meds, but when I hear about the casino at the end of the street, I feel like it’s stronger than me. I’m, fat, ugly, hollow… honestly, everyday I’m more certain that life is meaningless.”
“Listen, I know it’s hard, but you can’t give up on yourself! I’ll talk to the psychiatrist, doctor Fabiano, and suggest that he increases the dose of your meds, but I won’t give up my patient!”
“Thanks, doctor, but I think only God can help me.”
Tha maid’s depression tormented the employer and the entire mansion. Weeks later, in a stormy night, Laila thought about all of her problems, while watching her beloved son, Erlan, sleep.
“I love you so much, son, but my life is meaningless, mom has to leave you, this burden is too heavy for me to care, maybe I’ll meet your grandma in the afterlife… I’m sorry for everything. Mrs. Maura is a nice woman, if the Betías don’t adopt you, they’ll find a family with more condition to educate a child… mom will always love you.”
Laila then drinks a strong poison, taking her own life.
Minutes later, Erlan wakes up, in a crying frenzy. Maura and Francisco become perplexed and devastated with the situation, and the matriarch finds a letter written by Laila before her suicide.
“Mrs. Maura, I know everyone will be deeply disappointed and perplexed with my decision, you say everyone can overcome their problems, however, life comes to a point when trouble is bigger than the will to overcome it. There’s no more perspective for me, I know I’m also harming my son Erlan, but I can’t deal with all my pain. Please, Doctor, help my son. Maybe you can find someone willing to adopt him, since you cousin Natalia wants a son but is infertile, maybe you could talk to her about it. You were the best employees I’ve had in this life and I’ll never forget you. Farewell.”
The Betías couple burst into tears, take Erlan to another bedroom and, hours later, think about what they’ll do with the baby.
“My God, what a tragedy! This boy may grow traumatized!”, said Francisco, “And poor Laila, so young, couldn’t take the pressure she was living in!”
“I have a debt with this woman, I feel so powerless, you know? So guilty, because, even being a specialist in gambling addictions, I couldn’t make her get any better!”
“Don’t blame yourself, dear, it was a complicated case. And her life, poor thing, always full of traumas and frustration… anyway, we need to deal with the funeral and decide what to do with the baby. Are you calling your cousin Natalia?”
“Love, if you don’t mind, I think Natalia is still a bit immature to raise a child, she keeps arguing with her husband over her jealousness… listen, we have such a good financial condition, a huge mansion, she had none to care for her and was so attached to me… maybe we could adopt Erlan?”
“If it’s what you wish, I’m not against it. You have such a huge heart!”
Francisco and Maura then decided to adopt that helpless orphan child.
