And that was the other reason: her father had a flair for performance. At least, that was what her mother always said: “Alejandro missed his calling. He should have studied acting or something, it’s in his nature.” Simona caught the mockery behind the comment. And not only because her mother’s tone implied it was a joke, and not as serious and tragic as Simona saw it: her father’s talents wasted. She knew something about what her mother thought of actors, and it wasn’t good. To be extroverted, to draw attention, to show off. After so many reprimands from her mother, Simona had eventually learned that being extroverted was a kind of defect. A flaw that she’d been born with, like the original sin inherited from the first disobedient parents, but without the possibility of redemption. She was a girl who attracted attention and it made her feel small, minuscule. That’s why she tried to imitate her little sister, who tended to be quieter and more enigmatic. When Pía wasn’t whining she had the gift of seeming simply uninterested, letting herself be loved, never feeling the need to seek out affection. Pía’s personality seemed much more appropriate. But it was almost impossible for Simona to be like her; she couldn’t help the way she was. And although it had been painful to bear that burden, now, as she walked beside her father, it was something that honored her and filled her with happiness. Because being extroverted was a quality she shared with him. Something that brought them closer, that could destroy any obstacle that came between them.

“We have arrived,” said Simona ceremoniously, and she bowed toward the enormous house that stood before them.

“Finally!” said Pía, still in her father’s arms.

He set her down with a sigh and asked Simona for the map. He looked it over nervously and then peered at the house, doubtful. It was a big, old three-story mansion, with all the darkness and cold typical of an aging construction, but painted a modern, strident green. A getup that inspired distrust.

Simona saw the hesitation in her father’s eyes. It hadn’t been easy to convince him about the GREAT OPPORTUNITY. She couldn’t let him get cold feet now that they were almost there; she took his hand and tugged on it, saying, “Let’s go in, let’s go in. They’re waiting for us. They’re waiting.”

“Are you sure it’s here? There’s not even a sign. What’s the production company called?”

“It’s just so they won’t get so many people bothering them,” said Simona quickly. “Can you imagine all the people who would come if they knew the casting calls happened here?” And she pulled harder on her father’s hand. “Let’s go,” she insisted, practically begging.