Charlotte
We continued in the museum, on the fourth floor, where the dinosaur fossil exhibit was, Eloá's favorite. The lively conversation between Mr. Mackenzie and Eloá continued, while I remained discreet. Mrs. Melanie included me in the conversations subtly, showing interest in my work at Mackenzie's house.
I realized that she also didn't like Martina, as her statements indicated her agreement with me regarding the unpleasant treatment Martina gave Eloá. Although we didn't directly mention it, I understood her opinion.
"I don't understand why Martina needs to have two nannies," she said at one point, and I looked at her alarmed. "Eloá is the calmest child I've ever seen in my entire life, and Martina doesn't even work."
I remained silent because I didn't even know what to say. I also feared saying something foolish and preferred not to take that risk.
"But I'm very happy to see that Eloá has you and Nicole with her," she said, surprising me once again. "It's evident how much Nicole loves Eloá, and I would say that you also care a lot for our little girl."
"Yes, Mrs. Melanie," I agreed because it was the absolute truth.
"You don't have to call me Mrs.," she responded, and that made me feel like you and Nicole are like members of our own family, the way you both treat our little one."
"Yes, Mrs.," I quickly agreed.
I had become so accustomed to not expressing anything beyond yes and no in Mackenzie's house that when Mrs. Melanie stopped me and looked at me seriously, holding my hand, I quickly analyzed what could have caused her reaction, but I couldn't find anything in my behavior, and I became nervous.
"I know that Martina is a wicked woman and probably treats you all very poorly, including her own daughter, which I find abominable," she spoke, looking at me attentively. "But don't think that we are all the same as her. Quite the opposite."
I nodded without saying anything, acknowledging the kindness and love those people showed both towards Eloá and me. However, Mr. Taylor was an exception. His stern and closed demeanor remained unchanged, except when Eloá said something funny and he smiled. Most of the time, he engaged in serious conversations with everyone, while I felt his watchful gaze on me.
I tried to avoid his gaze, but something involuntarily drew me towards him, and I noticed that he was also observing me with an unreadable expression. At the end of the outing, we went to a famous café and sat at an outdoor table. I thanked Mr. Mackenzie for asking me not to wear the nanny uniform, as it would attract less attention. While everyone continued their lively conversation, Mr. Taylor, who was observing me intently, noticed that Eloá was tired before I could even mention it and commented on it.
"I believe it's time for us to go," he said. "Eloá seems tired, doesn't she, Charlotte?"
"Yes, sir," I replied, lowering my gaze because I was certain my cheeks had turned completely red, feeling the heat in my cheeks.
"Then let's all go," Melanie agreed. "I'm not as young as I used to be either," she added with a smile.
They all said their goodbyes, and I simply waved, stepping away and taking Eloá with me, who was yawning and just smiled at everyone as I took her hand and began to walk. But Mrs. Melanie came up to me and gave me a hug that left me a little stunned, as it was completely unexpected.
"You're a very mature young lady for your age, Charlotte. It's evident in your demeanor," she said, still holding onto my hands after releasing the hug. "I really enjoyed getting to know you. You're a special girl, just like Nicole is."
"Um... thank you, Mrs. Melanie," I spoke timidly.
"You don't have to thank me for anything. Eloá is very lucky to have both of you. And remember, just call me Melanie."
I smiled at Melanie's spontaneous nature, as I found her to be a very kind person, completely different from her nephew Taylor.
"Goodbye, Charlotte," Mr. Carter said as he approached us. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
"Thank you, Mr. Carter."
Despite everyone being there, Mr. Taylor only waved at me and walked away.
"Let's go, Aunt," he said in his stern tone.
"Don't pay attention to him," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "He's a fine young man."
I looked at her with doubt but didn't say anything. I couldn't, considering I was just a nanny.
Brian
I signed the last sheet of the stack of documents that my secretary had placed on my desk over an hour ago and sighed with relief. I was tired.
The week had been hectic, both in the office and outside of it, and I didn't have much time for anything else besides work.
But that was something I was already accustomed to; after all, I was the CEO of a multimillion-dollar technology company, the largest company in the industry in the country, and that came with many responsibilities.
I built my empire through a lot of effort, and work never frightened me, but I had to admit that I had been feeling more tired lately. It was time to delegate some of my duties and consider the possibility of taking a real vacation. Not just a few days of distraction.
"Could you please call Carter and Mackenzie to my office, Margaret?" I asked my secretary, a woman in her fifties, very efficient, who had never failed in her work.
"Have you signed all the documents, Mr. Taylor?" she asked, taking advantage of the opportunity since I had declined her previous calls to avoid being disturbed.
I confirmed that she could come and get the documents as they were ready to be attached to the paperwork of our latest contract, and I ended the call.
"Is there a problem?" Douglas asked as soon as he entered my office a few minutes later.
"Etiquette dictates knocking before entering," I grumbled, just to be the annoying person everyone accused me of being.
Douglas Carter was in charge of the technology department, and I considered him the best in the field, second only to myself, of course. However, I had a multimillion-dollar company to run, so I entrusted that department to him, and since then, there had never been any reason for me to doubt his competence. The fact that he was one of my best friends was just a detail.
"You called me here, buddy," he didn't mind my complaint at all. "I don't know how you can stand yourself, Brian. You're the most annoying guy I've ever had the displeasure of knowing."
"I second that," Oliver chimed in.
Oliver had also just walked in without knocking and overheard Douglas' last words, taking the opportunity to tease me.
Oliver Mackenzie is my lawyer, both in matters related to the company and personal issues. He was multifunctional, I used to joke, but he had an entire team to provide the necessary support for his work, as well as great prestige for representing such an important company like Reloading Inc.
BrianThe fact that they were my best friends didn't interfere with my judgment in any way, and I was very satisfied with the work they performed in my company.The two of them sat in the chairs facing my presidential desk and appeared quite comfortable, with a relaxed posture, as if they had no worries in the world, just waiting for what I had to tell them."I really admire the respect you guys show me," I said sarcastically. "I believe you're wishing to work for another company. Am I right?"I rested my elbow on the table and propped my chin in my hand."I couldn't care less about this job at Reloading," Douglas spoke, being completely sincere. "Did you call us here just to show us your sympathy, or is there something else?"Douglas was the heir to one of the country's largest fortunes, and money was not among his concerns. Despite that, he enjoyed working, and the fact that he didn't get along with his own parents led him to be in my company since he graduated from Computer Enginee
BrianI thought about Oliver's own situation, and it was difficult to contain the expression of pity since he seemed to be the only one who couldn't perceive that his own wife, Martina, was a snake and didn't seem to love their daughter, little Eloá, at all.Douglas and I had tried to warn him about that fact, but he seemed enchanted by his wife, not realizing that she had a different demeanor in his presence than who she truly was.When she was in front of her husband, Martina spoke with a high-pitched and sweet voice, pretending to love her daughter. But we had already seen her without Oliver around, and she was extremely malicious, treating her daughter with genuine contempt.I didn't want to go through something similar, and I would not put myself at risk in any way. In addition to my own experience, I could still witness my friends."I greatly appreciate your honesty in your positions," I said."But you're going to do what you want and how you want," Douglas was right.They had b
BrianI agreed with her words and nodded my head. I had no sentimental intentions; I just didn't want any problems with my aunt. It would be purely a business arrangement, with a generous payment to the woman chosen by my lawyer to be the mother of my child. During the pregnancy, everything would be handled by intermediaries, and I wouldn't have any contact with the woman carrying my baby. But once I held my child in my arms, everything would change because it would be my family—just me, my aunt, and my little one. Until then, everything would be based on a contract.“ Alright, Aunt," I said in a conciliatory tone.“ And how is Eloá? - she finally decided to change the subject, which I internally appreciated.My aunt was very fond of Oliver's daughter, and her feelings were undoubtedly reciprocated, as little Eloá would be overjoyed whenever her father brought her to our apartment, which he did quite frequently.“ She's doing well," I said with a smile. "Oliver invited us to go to the
CharlotteI was paralyzed with fear, understanding what had just happened. I was in deep trouble!"But ma'am..." I still tried to argue."Get out!" she screamed. "Get out now! I want both of you out of my house! Leave!"Tears started pouring from my eyes uncontrollably! What would I do? Where would I go?"Mrs. Martina..." I spoke between sobs."Are you deaf, girl? I want you out of my house now, or I'll call someone to throw both of you out on the street.""Let us at least gather our belongings," Nicole requested in a low, almost inaudible voice.She had tears streaming down her face, but she was much more composed than I was. I was desperate."I'll send your rags through the driver," Martina remained firm."We need our documents, ma'am."Nicole was quite courageous because, if it were up to me, I would have just run away. The fear of what was to come was taking over my entire body. I didn't want to be thrown out onto the street."Then grab your things and get out now," she conceded.
OliverEloá was sitting on her bed, her swollen face covered in tears, as if she had been crying for a long time, while the lady stood by her side, now looking scared. "Yes, I'm Oliver Mackenzie," I said sternly. "And who are you?" "I'm the new nanny, hired by Mrs. Martina to take care of Eloá for tonight”"Please explain further," I requested, walking towards Eloá and picking her up, wiping her face and feeling slightly calmer. I imagined that something unexpected must have happened with the two girls who were taking care of my daughter, and that's why Martina hired a nanny to spend the night with Eloá. Although I was upset that the mother herself couldn't be available to stay with our daughter for just one night, I accepted the reality of the situation. "I don't have any further information, sir," the lady, who seemed to be around forty years old, spoke. "Alright then," I said. "I apologize for the way I treated you when I arrived. I simply wasn't aware that your presence was
CharlotteDespite my initial resistance to going to Nicole's house, I ended up accepting her offer to spend the night there, and I was warmly welcomed by everyone, which touched me deeply. Even Nicole's nieces and nephews ran to hug me when they saw me enter with their aunt, and that simple gesture from two children brought tears to my eyes.Nicole's bed was a double bed, as it had been donated by a neighbor who had moved to another country. For this reason, both of us were able to sleep quite comfortably.The next day, I woke up determined to seek out the nuns and explain my situation, to see if they could help me in any way, perhaps by finding me a new job where I could live, just like in the Mackenzie's house. However, Nicole didn't allow me to do so and insisted that I should accompany her to a job agency, where we could find some work, at least for one of us. And being as optimistic as only Nicole could be, she believed that both of us would leave there with job prospects.In the
CharlotteI still didn't know what could have happened to make Emily like that, but I was certain it must have been something very serious, and I told Nicole what I knew, which was nothing yet."And where is she now?""I believe she's taking care of the twins."Nicole sat thoughtfully in one of the chairs at the table, and I continued my task of preparing dinner. She must have been so overwhelmed with worry that she didn't even offer to help, something I wouldn't have accepted anyway since it was almost done, but it was part of her personality, always willing to help in any way she could."Emily!" Nicole jumped up from her chair when she saw her sister entering the kitchen. "What happened? Why were you crying?"Emily looked at us with such sadness that I turned off the stove and gave her my full attention because she surely had something to tell us that wasn't good at all."Thomas sold our house, and we're being evicted."I thought Nicole had fainted with how quickly she threw herself
BrianI thought about the young Charlotte and how perfectly she would meet all my requirements if it weren't for the fact that she was still so young and visibly innocent. It wouldn't be fair to her, and I believe that even Oliver wouldn't let me make such a mistake."I would like someone young, as it would be easier for the procedure to be successful in the first attempts," I began to list. "Physical characteristics identical to mine because I would like my child to have similar features to mine, making it more likely to happen."My father was American, and the woman who bore me was Greek, but I had all the traits of my father. I was white with dark eyes and thick black hair. Everyone always said that I was a spitting image of my father, something that pleased him greatly. I wanted my child to be born resembling me and not a woman I wouldn't even get to know, and the way to increase the chances of that happening was for the woman to have physical features similar to mine.The clauses