Sofía was sixteen years old and had a trust in her that made Gustavo say that the world had to prepare.
In the center of the cake, written with care, one could read: “Happy birthday, dad.” Gustavo looked at the inscription with emotion.
He looked at Beatriz, who was watching him with that smile that, even after so many years, always took his breath away.
He looked at his noisy and imperfect children, but who were totally his own by the heart and mind.
He remembered the first cake, the flawed icing, irregular letters and paper hats from the beginning.
What are you thinking? asked Beatriz, approaching him to take his hand in his.
“I thought I was the richest man in the country, and yet I had absolutely nothing,” he replied.
“And then you came in with a vanilla cake and suddenly I got everything. I finally found the real wealth.
Beatriz smiled and shook his hand. She knew that together they had built something indestructible and precious.
“It was Enzo who insisted on this feast, just so that you would know,” she added with an accomplice wink.
“I know,” said Gustavo. And that’s why he’s my favorite son today, he joked out loud.
“I heard that! crie Enzo from the other end of the garden, causing a general laugh among the guests.
The laughter fills all night, carried by the light breeze that was blowing on the garden now full of life.
There is a kind of wealth that does not appear on any financial balance sheet and that does not exchange on the stock exchange.
It builds slowly, with presence, courage and the will to see people as they really are.
Gustavo Cardoso had everything money can buy and yet he was the poorest man he knew.
Beatriz had almost nothing of what the world values, but she was the richest person he ever met.
Together, they built a home, a family and a school full of children who are now seen and loved.
And it all started with a vanilla cake, three paper hats and a woman who believed in goodness.
