Charlotte
Eloá 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 in front of him, showing fake affection towards Eloá to please him. Unlike her husband, who dedicated his free time to their daughter and even went out for outings with her, taking me along only when necessary.
Nicole often invited me to spend my days off with her family, but I declined because I didn't know them. She insisted, mentioning her sister Emily and her nephews, saying she had already talked about me to them. Still, I declined once again.
Nicole tried to bring me closer to her family since I had no one. However, we couldn't coordinate our days off to do something together. At that moment, Mr. Mackenzie arrived on the terrace and greeted us. He looked directly at Nicole in a way that didn't seem appropriate.
"Good afternoon, ladies," he greeted us.
He approached where we were, but he was looking directly at Nicole, as he always did. Even I, who had no experience with relationships between men and women, had noticed that they always looked at each other in a way that couldn't be considered appropriate.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Mackenzie," we both responded simultaneously.
"Look, Daddy! I'm swimming!" Eloá shouted from where she was, diverting our attention to her.
"You look beautiful, Daddy's little girl!" He responded to the little one's joy, displaying an infectious smile. When Eloá returned her attention to her teacher's instructions, he turned back towards us.
"Is everything okay with you?" Mr. Mackenzie always cared to know what was happening when he wasn't around, and his questions didn't seem merely polite but also genuinely interested in how Nicole and I were doing. Nicole confirmed that we were fine, looking at me for confirmation. I simply nodded and said everything was okay.
"And how is Eloá? Is there anything I need to know?"
"She never gives us any trouble," Nicole spoke what I had thought. "She's always an obedient and calm child. My two nephews are much more challenging than Eloá."
"And how is everyone? Your sister and your nephews?" he asked, quite interested.
"We're all excited because my brother-in-law is returning from his trip next week."
"He's been away for quite some time, hasn't he, Nicole?" Mr. Mackenzie seemed to know a lot about Nicole's family.
It was evident that they had frequent conversations, and when it was necessary to go out with Eloá, Nicole was always the chosen one to accompany them.
We were all watching the child's movements as she was being instructed by the swimming teacher in the indoor pool located on the upper terrace of the residence.
"He's been in Italy for six months now," Nicole confirmed.
"Look, I'm swimming!" Eloá called our attention again, delighted to be swimming back and forth in the huge pool.
"There is no need to make such a fuss, Eloá!" Martina reprimanded her, appearing unexpectedly, and I believe even Mr. Mackenzie was startled by her sudden arrival. "You need to behave like a lady.”
"Sorry, Martina," Eloá apologized, leaning against the pool's edge, and I thought I saw tears in her eyes, but since she was all wet, I couldn't be sure.
Martina didn't accept being called "mommy" by her daughter, and Eloá had to address her by her name.
"I hope you'll pay more attention next time," she said to her daughter, then turning towards her husband, she continued, "What are you doing with the staff?"
"I don't understand what's going on, Martina," he pretended not to comprehend, as the question had been quite clear. "This is not how you treat Eloá."
"Why were you standing side by side with the babysitters of your daughter? Were you having a little chat with the staff?"
She didn't bother answering her husband's question, focusing only on the fact that he was talking to me and Nicole, something completely normal given that we were his daughter's babysitters. But not for his wife, it seemed.
One thing he didn't know, and I had already noticed some time ago, was that Martina was quite arrogant and, in addition to not showing any affection for her own daughter and not accepting it from the babysitters either, she always pretended in her husband's presence.
The fact that she acted that way now was out of the ordinary.
"I was just watching our daughter's swimming lesson, Martina," he justified, his tone appeasing.
Eloá's father is always an attentive and kind person to everyone, and it wouldn't be any different with his wife.
"It's not necessary. She has two babysitters to do that job."
"Can we talk at home?"
"You can go ahead," she gestured towards the door that led to the staircase leading to the lower floor.
"I'll wait for you in our room."
The way he spoke was calm, but you could tell he was quite upset with his wife's unusual behavior. He just didn't know that was actually her normal behavior.
After her husband left, Martina looked at us in a way that seemed to reduce us to dust, with just her gaze.
"Both of you are forbidden from speaking to my husband," her words managed to surprise me.
"But we..." Nicole tried to defend herself.
"I'm not asking you anything, you flirtatious girl!" Martina interrupted the young girl's speech. "If you don't follow my orders, you'll be fired without a second thought."
Martina stormed out angrily, stomping her feet, which left me worried. It was difficult to work as a babysitter for someone and not have a good relationship with that person. However, I couldn't risk losing that job because I hadn't had enough time to save up money and support myself.
"Don't worry, Charlotte," Nicole said, gently touching my arm. "Mr. Mackenzie would never let Mrs. Martina fire us."
"How can you be so sure?" I asked, feeling insecure.
"I just feel it," Nicole sounded so confident in her words that I almost believed I was mistaken.
Although Nicole had been working for the family longer than I had, she didn't seem to realize that Mr. Oliver was influenced by his wife's words and that she could indeed fire us if she wanted to. Nicole expressed confidence in her words, almost making me doubt myself.
However, I feared that she might be mistaken. Now that I had left the orphanage, there was no turning back, and as I had no one but myself, how could I survive without a home, a job, and alone? The idea of living on the streets scared me because government assistance was not granted quickly, and it wouldn't be enough to sustain a life in an expensive city like New York.
I was saving all of my salary at Mackenzie's house, but I knew it wouldn't be enough to cover rent, food, and other expenses when living alone.
I needed to find another job quickly.
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.
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