“Hello?”
“Ms. Martin, report to my office tomorrow morning at seven. I need to brief you about your job.”
“Did I get it?” She didn’t even bother to ask who called her on the phone. She only knew one domineering person who would order her around even before saying hello.
“Yes, but there are conditions.”
“But I got it, right? I’ll be there on the dot. Thanks!”
Regina did her happy dance as she knew after yesterday’s visit from Mrs. Bennet there was no one else perfect for the job. Hailey seemed to take a shine to her and even considered her as a best friend.
The next day, Regina headed to the elevator 30 minutes before seven and got surprised that Owen’s assistant was already there to meet her.
Owen did a double take as Regina entered his office. She wore a business suit and had her hair slicked and tied at the back, making her look androgynous.
Regina meant to surprise him, and she smiled, knowing he got affected like she wanted.
She expected to be there earlier, wait for him, and get a more dramatic effect. Regina wanted to prove him wrong, show him she knew how to dress up and arrive early for a meeting, knowing that her interview did not leave a good impression on him. But he still beat her in getting there.
He had a meeting earlier. So he had to be at the office at four that morning. Having offices in different parts of the country meant people were in different time zones, and he had to be up when they were available.
Schedule rotations happened with the nurses frequently, and Regina was used to waking up in different shifts. She did not realize that business executives like Owen had odd schedules, too.
‘Maybe that’s why he’s so cranky all the time.’ She bit her lips to stop from smirking.
“Sign the contract so you can start right away.”
Regina did not bother to read the writing and immediately signed on the marked pages.
“Do you think so little of your well-being that you just sign away without reading the conditions?” Regina shrugged.
“What if I said you can never leave and we own your life? No days off and no weekends?”
“Did you?” her eyebrows raised as a challenge.
“No, of course not. We are fair. It says you get weekends and holidays off, except for emergencies which could be replaced by the same amount of days the following work week.”
“See, I knew you’d be a good boss. You’re not the only one who did their research. I had a few words with a few of your employees after I had the interview.”
Owen frowned. In his head, he was already thinking of ways to extract the information from his employees and reprimand whoever was involved. ‘Work during the weekend? No day off for a—’
“Oh, don’t go scheming about how you will find out who gave me the information. They all had good things to say about you. That says a lot when they gave the information freely. I didn’t even need to bribe them.”
“Thank you for that very enlightening information. Now my mother is waiting for you. The driver will take you there, and Stephan, the butler, will introduce you to everyone.”
“Aren’t you going to ask about your salary?”
“Oh yeah, sure.”
“We will match your hourly salary at the hospital, so you wouldn’t think we are unfair.”
“Okay.” Regina did not care about her salary, as her father had already paid for everything she owned. She was not an impulsive shopper who always asked him to buy her stuff, so her dad supported her ‘one name-brand purse a month obsession.’
Out of all his kids, Dr. Albright was not afraid to leave his credit card in Regina’s care.
“Your hours are from seven am to seven pm. Lunch and dinner will be provided. Any preferences or food allergies, just let Stephan know.”
“I read that. Thanks!” Owen frowned. He did not think she understood anything she signed for.
“You can start today if you want, or if you—”
“Today is fine.” Regina had been on leave for a few weeks and got bored staying home all day.
Having Mrs. Bennet at her house had been the highlight of her week. Plus, she was excited to get started. She knew the arrangement would be a good fit.
‘Maybe my parents know what they are doing after all.’ She smiled. ‘But I’m not telling them that.’
Owen went over the document to make sure she had signed everything.
“Okay, call me if there is any problem.”
“Sure, but you never gave me your number.”
He did not want to give her his phone number because, even though he was Regina’s employer, Owen felt suspicious.
He had prejudices because of her hair color, and distrusted her, thinking she was there to seduce him. But, reluctantly, he handed her his card and instructed her to call him only when it was important.
Ever since Mrs. Bennet had been sick, Owen, and his brothers, Myles, and Yvan, returned to their mother’s house to keep close and be ready if anything happened to her.
They grew up in the same house and still had their old rooms and never changed the decorations since they left for college. They all had their apartments and left the mementos for their mom since she loved looking at them.
There were pictures from high school still posted on boards, achievements on the shelves stacked together with gifts and trinkets from friends.
Sometimes it felt nostalgic coming back, reminding him of memories he would rather forget, so the first instance he had the chance, Owen redecorated his room to make him forget about the time his father died.
Pictures of Richard Bennet were removed from his room, so Owen would not get constantly reminded that he caused his father’s death.
Even though his mom and brothers never blamed him, Owen still carried the weight that they were arguing before his father died.
Richard had not been in the best of health. He felt stressed out most of his life because of work, so he never got enough sleep.
Another thing that affected his health was taking potential clients for dinner and drinks all the time. Spending time with them made him forget his diet.
He hid his high blood pressure and increasing cholesterol from his family, so they had no clue about his failing health. And though being angry might have added to his condition, it had a slight effect.
But of course, Owen did not believe this reasoning, no matter how much the family therapist told him that what happened was not his fault.
Having Regina in front of him with her pretty blonde shoulder-length bob acted like a stimulation that rekindled back those old memories.
Stop blaming the blonde chick for it. It was not her fault.
Coming home after a long day, Owen prayed that his mother was not up to her old antics today. After the day he had been through, he was not ready to cater to her whims. “Has my mother had her dinner?” “Yes sir,” Stephan, the butler who welcomed Owen at the door, replied. “Would you like to have dinner in the dining room or on the patio?” “No, not yet. Give me at least 20 minutes before they set the table on the patio. My brothers are on their way.” “The nurse has left, I assume?” “About that sir…” “What? Spit it out!” Owen was losing his patience. He was ready to fire Regina on her second day if she did something wrong. “She’s in the shower with your mother.” “What?” Owen took huge strides to his mother’s room as the old butler struggled to keep up. “Your mother hasn’t bathed in a few days, and Ms. Regina said she had a solution for that—” “What did she do now?” Stephan blocked the door to the bathroom before Owen could enter. “I think we should give them some privacy.” “T
Yvan looked at their uncle, and the older man just shrugged with a smile, but Yvan won’t let it go that easily. “I understand now why you hired her. Aside from being able to communicate with Mom, she’s also a spitfire, and I like that.” Owen hummed dismissively. “I would have hired her too, but for a totally different reason.” Yvan winked at his brother. “She shouldn’t have been in the interview in the first place.” “But she was, and now she’s here.” “I’m just saying she’s nice to look at. I almost didn’t make it to my shoot today because I got distracted watching her entertain Mom.” “You think she has a boyfriend?” Owen glared at his brother. “She is off limits.” “Why? ‘Cause she’s a nurse?” “No, because we do not fraternize with the help.” “Okay.” Owen frowned. His brother readily agreed, and it made him suspicious. “What? Why are you giving me that look?” “I know you. You’re up to something.” “You’re right. I’m thinking of ways to get Regina fired, so I can visit her a
Hailey Bennet, with her best friend Mandy, had active social lives when Mandy was still alive. It all started when the last of their kids turned into teenagers, developing independent attitudes and declaring they didn’t need their mommies anymore. Left with nothing to do, the best friends worked out together and volunteered at the local libraries, museums, and garden clubs. Wherever they were needed, that’s where they went. They went to a dance class together because they wanted to be fit and as pretty as when their husbands married them. They met at a ballet class when they were 6, and they became inseparable. When Hailey’s husband passed away, Mandy was there to pick up the pieces and pull her out of her depression and sadness. So when her best friend passed away, it was understandable that her health declined. Hailey’s passion to be part of the community disappeared. “I only did it because Mandy wanted to know the latest gossip. I could have done with just us, but she wanted t
“Hey, sis, congratulations. I heard you got fired.” Raffy called Regina that afternoon to tease her when he heard from someone at the hospital that Owen was looking to interview another nurse to care for his mother. “That’s breaking the record. How many days was it?” “Pfft! Shut up. I lasted a week, thank you very much.” “And you’re proud of that? A week’s salary is not enough payment for that apartment you are staying in.” “This is all your fault, you know. I got fired because Mr. Bennet thinks we are lovers and wouldn’t let me explain.” “Hmm…” “I’m stumped. Why does he care so much? Why is he so bothered? Who cares if I’m having an affair?” “I agree. Not about the affair. I found it weird when he said, ‘What you do with your personal life is your business.’ Then he fired you.” “He got mad because I jumped to your defense when he wanted to fire you.” “Fire me? From the hospital, is he joking?” “No. He said you won’t be Mrs. Bennet’s doctor anymore.” “So, what did you do?”
“Was that a man on the phone?” Regina rolled her eyes. Owen obviously needed something from her, but instead, he dwelled on the fact she was conversing with a man on the phone. “That’s none of your business.” “What are you doing here?” “It’s my mother. Is she here?” “Why would she be here? I left her hours ago, and she was fine.” He pushed Regina to get into her house. “Mom, are you here?” “Excuse me! I told you she’s not here.” “Please, help me find her.” He pleaded. “From what I remembered this morning, you fired me. So why should I help you?” “I take it back,” Owen said under his breath. “You said what?” “I take it back. I shouldn’t have fired you. What you do with your personal life is your business.” Regina rolled her eyes. “Please, just help find my mom.” “Have you asked your uncle? Maybe he knows?” “I didn’t think about that. I have a meeting in 15 minutes, and my mother is missing.” “Okay, I’ll ask Mr. Dalton so you can go to your meeting.” “I’ll follow you to t
After Regina brought Mrs. Bennet into the house, Owen offered to drop her off at her apartment. “Was that your brother on the phone?” “What?” His question bothered Regina, so she chose not to answer. “When I picked you up, were you talking to your brother?” “Why does it matter who it was?” Regina stared at him in disbelief. Earlier, he had taken on a soft demeanor when they were looking for his mother, but it seemed he was in battle mode again. “Are you dropping me off because you want to interrogate me?” Owen sighed. “It’s not that. Never mind. Thank you for helping find my mom.” Regina looked out the window and rolled her eyes. She thought Owen was going to apologize. Instead, he asked who was on the phone. ‘What is wrong with this guy, anyway?’ She asked her reflection. “You can have your job back if you want it.” ‘What did I expect? He never liked me, so why should he apologize? I should just be thankful I still have a job.’ “Sure, thanks,” she answered with equal indi
The week was almost over, and it had been a rough few days. Mrs. Bennet was not her usual happy self. Instead, there was another persona that had entered the equation. Regina had expected this to happen, but not so soon. Regina and the physical therapist had been successful in enhancing Mrs. Bennet’s motor skills by introducing exercise to her daily regimen. She had been resistant in the beginning, but having Regina do the exercises with her had made it entertaining. But this week, her mind regressed to her 5-year-old self and would do nothing. It was as if spoiled little Hailey had come out and taken over Mrs. Bennet’s body. Regina did everything to coax her out of her shell, even bribing her with ice cream, cake, and cookies. Things a younger kid would appreciate, but there was no convincing her, so they just let Mrs. Bennet sit and watch TV all day, which had Owen concerned. They called Dr. Albright to check and see why his mom was running a fever on top of everything that was
“Uncle Tim, can I ask you something? You’re close to the Bennet family more than anyone I know, and I’ll understand if you don’t want to answer my question as it might be too intrusive, and you’re close to their family than you are to me, so it’s okay if you don’t want to tell me, but I hope you do.” “Ginny, just tell me what’s on your mind.” Timothy rubbed his forehead as he extended his arm away from his ear to soften Regina’s shrilly voice on the phone. She babbled too much and used ‘the voice’ when she needed a favor. Ginny had always been a talker since she was little, and when she was on her fact-finding missions, she was relentless. “It’s about Mr. Bennet, you see.” “Which one?” He feigned ignorance. “Just the one who is grumpy.” “Well, I know Myles doesn’t talk too much, and Yvan is always grumpy because of his schedule.” “Uncle, Tim! It’s Owen, I’m asking about Owen.” The old man smiled with amusement. He knew she was talking about Owen, but wanted her to say his name.