Charlotte
I arrived home earlier that night because one of the professors, the one who was supposed to teach the last class of the day, had to cancel due to a sudden personal issue, and there was no time for a replacement, so the whole class was dismissed at the last minute. I didn't bother calling Brian to let him know about the unexpected change, and that I would be home earlier because I was so tired that I thought it would be better to take a taxi than wait for the driver to pick me up at the university, where I was currently taking my administration course.
But I found it quite strange that everything seemed so quiet, even though it was still relatively early, and considering there were three children at home who didn't usually go to bed early at all. I was genuinely fearful.
I went to the spacious living room of t
CharlotteI looked at the people on the street, uncertainty overwhelming me. Cold hands, I had no idea what to expect out there now that my life would completely change. I was leaving the orphanage where I grew up, the only home I knew.I was abandoned as a child, only four years old, and never adopted. I don't remember my family from before. My mother left me with a note saying it would be better for me to be in that place. Now, at eighteen years old, the time has come to follow a new path, make choices, and face consequences.I adjusted the backpack on my shoulder carefully. All my belongings were in that bag. I walked to the nearby subway station, confident because I already knew the way. The nuns had helped me in this transitional moment, arranging a nanny job in the house of a powerful lawyer.I went to the indicated address with trepidation, not knowing Manhattan. I always stayed in the Bronx, where I lived and studied, and didn't usually venture out to other places. I arrived a
CharlotteEloá was a calm child. I had helped her at the orphanage, and taking care of her now was easier since she was just a child. I had been working as her nanny for six months. In the orphanage, we also had strict schedules. Martina treated Eloá with contempt, which bothered me because I, too, grew up without a mother's love.Eloá had a loving father, and Nicole loved her as if she were her own mother. I was shy, and the oppressive environment made me feel like very little had changed in my life. Nicole asked if I enjoyed staying in the house all the time since I never went out. We were by the pool, watching Eloá in her swimming lesson. Nicole was friendly, but the other staff members were distant and rude. I tried to be invisible because that's what Martina expected of me. She didn't seem to like being bothered and even less when she felt pressured to pay attention to her own daughter.This was especially true when Mr. Mackenzie was home. I noticed that Martina acted differently
CharlotteNicole achieved a feat that I considered impossible: we both had a day off on the same day. She would have the entire weekend free, as her birthday was on Sunday, and I was also given time off starting Saturday evening, returning to Mackenzie's residence on Monday morning.As planned, I met Nicole at the subway station near her house in Bronxdale. I was introduced to her sister and her nieces and nephews, and I felt very welcomed by Nicole's family. Her sister was younger than I had imagined, considering she had mentioned that her nieces and nephews were a five-year-old twin couple. I had deduced a woman in her thirties, but Emily was only twenty-four and was extremely kind, treating me as part of her own family.They were very close, and I loved sharing those family moments with the two sisters and the adorable children, Benjamin and Karen. It was a completely new experience for me to be in a family environment where love was evident among everyone, and it touched my heart
CharlotteWe 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
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.