Chapter 4

• “What is the problem?” I asked immediately, my heart racing in fear.
• Alex got up immediately and ran out of the room, probably frightened as well.
• “What did you give him?” Leah queried.
• “It is just a cookie.”
• “A cookie from where?” she asked.
• “It is homemade, I thought I would share it with him.” I explained.
• “What makes you think that you can just feed him anything you like? There are rules in place, he is not to be fed anything that is not made by the house chef!” Leah announced.
• “Oh,” I gasped softly. “I am so sorry, I didn’t mean him any harm, I just wanted to get him to open up to me.” I said sadly, feeling bad with myself.
• It is my first day and I am already getting into trouble. How would I know that I am not allowed to feed him home-made food?
• “Don’t waste your time trying to get him to open up, he has been that way since he lost his mother, the other nannies have all tried and failed. Focus on seeing that he is safe and takes his food at the right time, that is your job.” Leah uttered.
• I nodded quickly. “I will, and I am so sorry about this.”
• “You better be. Let’s hope the Boss never finds out, it would be in your best interest. Now go find the boy.” She instructed before leaving the room.
• I sighed in relief. Can’t believe she was willing to give me a heart attack over something so small? I felt bad about her reaction, does it mean I am not even trusted with the child?
• I left the room immediately in search of Alex. Now I have the difficult job of finding him in this massive building and I had no cues on where to start.
• As I searched for him, I thought about Leah’s words. Alex was an isolated child, but maybe he was just misunderstood, or perhaps he lacked the right connection. I am not willing to accept their verdict, now I am determined more than ever to get him to open up, that way this job can be fun for not only me but him.
• ** **
• My first day at work wasn’t entirely bad. I mean, the kid was still cold and uninterested but I did get him to say a few words to me. I knew things would get better and I hoped for it. I intended to keep this job for six months, that way I could raise enough funds to start up a life.
• Speaking of starting up, I really needed to see Mr. Bennett. Sadly, I didn’t encounter the Boss throughout my first day at work, but I had a few things to discuss with him, as well as curiosity to quench. There were questions bugging me that I needed answers to.
• As I stepped through the front door, exhaustion washed over me like a heavy blanket. I let out a soft sigh, the kind that came from a long day of babysitting a shy, quiet boy. The moment I crossed the threshold, I was greeted by the familiar warmth of home and the comforting scent of Mami’s cooking wafting through the air.
• “Welcome back, Sophie!” Mami called from the kitchen, her voice cheerful and inviting. She poked her head out, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “How was your first day as a babysitter?”
• I dropped my bag by the door and leaned against the wall for a moment, trying to shake off the weariness. “It was… scary,” I admitted, rubbing my temples. “The kid didn’t want to speak to me at all. I think he might not like me.”
• Mami’s brows shot up in surprise. “Who wouldn’t like you?” she asked, a smile spreading across her face. “You’re amazing! Just give him time. Kids come around when they get to know you better.”
• I forced a small smile, though doubt lingered in my mind. “Well, you know best, you spent the most part of your life being a nanny and amazing mother, so I will take your word for it.”
• “What is he like? This boy.”
• “Oh well…” I drawled. “He’s just so quiet and reserved, although super cute, like his father,” I replied, thinking of little Alex with his serious expression and shy demeanor.
• Mami chuckled, shaking her head. “So you think his father is cute, huh? You might be falling in love with Mr. Bennett!”
• I made a grossed-out face, scrunching my nose at the thought. “Ugh, no way! Mr. Bennett is too sassy and bossy. I’d be foolish to fall for such a proud, egoistic man.”
• Mami laughed. “Don’t be too quick to judge, love is no respecter of….”
• Before she could finish speaking, the front door swung open, and in stumbled my adoptive brother, Danny. Okay, I was the adopted one, but all the same.
• He staggered slightly, the unmistakable scent of alcohol wafting off him like a cloud. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly; my earlier exhaustion was now mixed with a sense of dread.
• “Hey, Danny,” I said cautiously, hoping to avoid any conflict.
• “Got any money, Mami?” he slurred, barely managing to keep his balance.
• Mami’s expression hardened, the smile fading from her face. “I don’t have any money for you, Danny. Aren’t you tired of wasting your life with alcohol?”
• His face flushed with anger. “You don’t get to tell me what to do!” he shouted, his voice echoing in the small entryway.
• I felt my heart race as he took a step closer to Mami, his fists clenched. Without thinking, I stepped between them, placing myself squarely in front of Mami. “Back off, Danny!” I said firmly.
• In a sudden burst of anger, he raised his hand as if to hit her, but I reacted quickly, pushing him down hard onto the floor. He landed on his backside with a thud, looking up at me in shock, too weak to get back up.
• “Just sit there and think about what you’ve done,” I said, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me.
• Mami looked at me, her eyes wide with a mix of gratitude and concern. “Sophie… I didn’t want you to get involved, my boy’s been crazy these days” she said softly.
• “It’s okay, Mami,” I replied, trying to reassure her. “Why don’t you go into your room? I will finish cooking. Don’t worry about him; he’ll be sober by morning.”
• Danny grumbled, sitting on the floor with his arms crossed, a defeated expression on his face. I could see the anger simmering just below the surface, but for now, he seemed too tired to push back.
• Mami nodded slowly, clearly torn but relieved to have someone stand up for her. “Alright, but please be careful,” she said, her voice laced with worry.
• “I will,” I promised, watching as she retreated to her room, closing the door softly behind her.
• I turned my attention back to Danny, who was still sulking on the floor. “You need to get your life together,” I said, crossing my arms. “This isn’t the way to live.”
• He huffed, but there was no fight left in him. “Whatever,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze. “You are not even her real child.” I heard him mumble.
• I swallowed hard, not letting his words get to me. I was finally getting my life together, I didn’t want any of this negativity. As I walked into the kitchen, I took out my phone and dialed the agent’s number.
• “Hello, I will come check out the house tomorrow.” I announced.
• As soon as I am able to pay for this house, I will move Mami there to stay with me and Danny can waste his life away for what it is worth.
• TBC!!