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The laughter followed Joaquim as he stepped toward the platform.
“Seven cents!” someone shouted again.Start Direct Selling
Another man laughed.
“Joaquim has finally lost his mind!”
Joaquim ignored them.
He looked at Benedita.
For the first time, she looked directly at him.Advertising & Marketing
There was no gratitude in her expression.
There was no fear, either.
There was only suspicion.
She had learned long ago that promises were easy and that kindness could disappear the moment someone wanted something from her.
Joaquim understood that.
He didn’t reach for her.Books & Literature
Instead, he stepped aside and pointed toward his horse-drawn cart.
“You can walk beside it,” he said.
Benedita stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to force you into the cart.”
Her eyebrows lifted slightly.Education
It was such a small gesture that Joaquim almost missed it.
But he noticed.
She had expected something else.
They left the square without another word.
Behind them, the men who had laughed continued discussing the strange purchase.
None of them suspected that the woman they had dismissed that morning would eventually become one of the most capable people on the entire property.
The first night at Santo António was quiet.
Joaquim showed Benedita a small room beside the stable.
There was a bed, a blanket, a pitcher of water, and a plate of food.
She stood in the doorway.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing tonight.”
She looked confused.
“We’ll talk tomorrow.”
She remained still.
Then she asked:
“Why did you buy me?”
Joaquim hesitated.
“Because everyone else refused.”