Stars of My Heart

Emily woke up to the soft sunlight streaming through the curtains of her apartment in the heart of M City. Still in her pajamas, she stretched slowly, feeling grateful for the day off after so many commitments. When her cell phone started ringing, she smiled when she saw her uncle Otávio's name on the screen.

"Good morning, uncle!" she answered excitedly.

"Good morning, my girl! How is life in the big city? Very different from the countryside, isn't it?" Otávio's warm voice brought a wave of nostalgia.

Emily laughed softly. "It's another world, uncle. Here everything is fast and noisy... But I'm adapting well. The filming is amazing, and look, I'm even recording songs! Who would have thought that my out-of-tune guitar in the countryside would lead to this, huh?"

"Ah, Helena would be so proud," Otávio commented emotionally. "You've always been determined, Emily. But what about you? Are you eating well? Sleeping well? Do you need me to send you some of those fresh fruits from the farm?"

She laughed out loud. "Uncle, I'm fine, I promise! And as for the fruits, they would be good, but I bet you'd eat them all before sending them!"

Otávio laughed out loud. "That may be true. But I'm glad to know you're okay. Just don't forget your roots, Emily. I'll always be here for whatever you need."

Otávio's affectionate tone made her emotional, but she decided to take the moment to share her news.

"Uncle, I need to tell you something!" She got up from the bed, already feeling her heart racing. "I want you to meet my boyfriend!"

On the other end of the line, Otávio was silent for a second before bursting out laughing. "What are you? Are you dating? And who's the lucky guy who managed to win my girl over?"

Emily was almost jumping with excitement as she walked around the apartment. "It's Matthew, the one I told you about before. He's young, polite, responsible... Oh, uncle, he's incredible! And look, get ready, because sooner or later, I'm going to marry him. And you know what's best? I'm going to embroider my wedding dress myself with everything I learned from mom!"

Otávio, still surprised, responded in a playful tone. "Well, it seems like you've already planned everything, even the dress! But tell me, does he treat you well? Because, look, if this Matthew guy messes up, I'm going to personally settle the score with him."

"He's wonderful, uncle! And he's even seen some of my crazy antics. Matthew is the CEO of a huge company, but he always has time for me. You need to meet him someday. Who knows, maybe we can have lunch together at the farm?"

"Oh, so the guy is classy, ​​huh? CEO and all... Well, it seems like you're in good company, my girl. But, Emily, the most important thing is that he makes you happy. I just want to see that smile I'm hearing right now last forever."

Emily smiled broadly, holding back her emotion. "Uncle, thank you. You've always been my biggest supporter, and knowing that you're rooting for me means the world."

"Of course I am, my girl! And now I'm going to wait for the invitation to this wedding. You can let me know in advance, because I need a new suit."

The two laughed together, as Emily promised that he would have the best seat at the ceremony. When she hung up, she felt even more connected to her roots, knowing that her family supported her unconditionally, no matter where life took her.

Emily was in a great mood. After the lively call with her uncle Otávio, she went straight to the bathroom. She put on an energetic playlist on her cell phone, and the first chords of the song began to echo through the room. The rhythmic sound accompanied every movement as she stepped into the shower, feeling the hot water alleviate any trace of fatigue.

She sang along, out of tune, but completely carefree:

"The world is mine today,

I'm dancing on my way,

Every step, every beat,

This is my symphony!"

After showering, she brushed her teeth with the same enthusiasm, moving her shoulders to the rhythm of the music. She finished with light and practical makeup, which highlighted her natural beauty. She looked in the mirror, winked at herself and said: "You're beautiful, Emily!"

Back in her room, she put on a loose t-shirt and comfortable shorts. With energy to start the day, she went to the living room and called her virtual assistant.

"Play my breakfast playlist in the living room."

The AI ​​responded with its usual robotic voice: "Playing the breakfast playlist." Soon, the music began to echo through the living room speakers, filling the apartment with life.

Dancing around the room, Emily headed towards the kitchen, moving her hips and swinging her arms as if she were on a dance floor. She grabbed the ingredients for breakfast: eggs, bread, cheese and juice.

As she cracked the eggs into the pan, she improvised fun moves to the rhythm of the music. With each beat, she spun around the kitchen, raising the spatula as if it were a microphone.

"Ah, what would life be without these little moments?" she said to herself, laughing.

Between steps, she sang another part of the song that echoed in the room:

"Wake up, the sun is calling me,

A new adventure I can see,

Cooking dreams, I set them free,

This morning's just for me!"

She put the slices of bread in the toaster, scrambled the eggs in the pan and poured the juice into a tall glass. When she was done, she arranged everything on a pretty plate, garnishing it with a touch of fresh fruit. She looked at her creation and exclaimed:

"Perfect! A breakfast worthy of a wonderful day."

Still humming and dancing to the music playing in the living room, she went to the coffee table to grab the TV remote. However, before she could turn it on, she heard the familiar sound of a notification on her cell phone.

Curious, she picked up the device and saw that it was a message from Lara, Matthew's younger sister. With a smile, she opened the conversation, but her cheeks soon burned when she read:

Lara: "So, sis... What about those lingerie? Did Matthew say anything?"

Emily froze. Her face turned redder than a tomato.

"Oh, no... Lara!" she said quietly to herself, already feeling her hands sweat. She immediately remembered the new lingerie she had bought, at Lara's request! and which were hidden in the back of the closet, untouched.

Breathing quickly, Emily put down her cell phone and began to pace back and forth in the living room.

"She's talking about this as if it were the most natural thing in the world! I'll never get used to it..."

Taking a deep breath, she picked up her cell phone and answered, her cheeks still burning.

Emily: "Lara! How dare you ask me that? I haven't even worn those things yet!"

Almost immediately, her cell phone vibrated with the answer.

Lara: "Oh, come on, Emily! You're MY brother's girlfriend. I know very well he would love it. What are you waiting for?!"

Emily let out a groan and let herself fall on the couch. It was exactly the kind of conversation she never thought she would have with her future sister-in-law. Emily: "Lara, for the love of God! I don't know how to deal with these things! Besides, I'm shy, okay?!"

Lara: "Shy? You? The actress who rocks the screen and sings like an angel? Don't fool me, Emily. You just need a little push... and look, I'm here for that!"

Emily didn't know whether to laugh or get even more nervous. She decided to be honest:

Emily: "Okay, look, I bought them because you convinced me to, but they're all hidden in my closet. I still don't know how to wear these things without feeling like a complete idiot."

The cell phone vibrated again.

Lara: "Secretly?! Emily! My brother is dating one of the most incredible women in the world, and you're keeping those lingerie as if they were state secrets? That's a crime!"

Emily laughed out loud, finally feeling more comfortable with the conversation. Lara had this gift of making her relax, even in the most embarrassing situations.

Emily: "Okay, okay! I promise I'll think about it. Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll surprise your brother. But please don't pressure me!"

Lara: "Not thinking, dear. Acting! And when it happens, I want to know everything, okay? Don't leave me out!"

Emily let out one last laugh and shook her head, dropping the cell phone on the table.

"This Lara is hopeless... But maybe she's right."

Standing up, Emily walked to the bedroom. She stopped in front of the wardrobe, thinking for a moment. "Well, who knows... Maybe it's a good day to be a little more daring."

"But... that's not going to happen," she finally commented as she looked at the lingerie. "Not before the wedding."