Chapter 5

• It was the day after I had moved in. Callie had already warmed up to me and was not as fussy as the first day. We were in the living room after I had picked Callie from school. I was now friends with the Indian driver who was teaching me Hindi. 
• Presently, she was telling me about her day at school which made me start asking myself questions. Where was Callie's mother? I did not ask anything at the interview because I did not want to seem nosy. But now I was so so curious.
• Callie went on, oblivious to my inner pondering. "...And then Sheila said I should push Lou and call herself a fat popotamus."
• "Did you do it, hun?", I asked.
• "No", the kid replied proudly.
• "That's good", was my reply. Then I ruffled Callie's hair
• "Stop that", she said "I'm not a kid"
• "Oh, then what are you?", I asked intrigued
• "I'm a wiman", Callie replied haughtily.
• I laughed and said, "You're one funny ki- I mean woman"
• And Callie graced me with a smile.
• * * *
• After dinner, I put Callie to bed. I kissed her head and said, "Sweet dreams, mon ange." Then went to my own room.
• I was woken up by screams at night. I was startled. The day had been great so I didn't understand who was screaming. Soon, I realized they were coming from Callie's room and I rushed there.
• I flung the door open and was met with one of the most pitiful and painful sights I had ever seen. Callie was writhing in bed, her face contorted in agony. She was so little to be this hurt.
• I rushed to her bed and shook her gently awake. I placed my hands on her hair and smoothed it, praying that she didn’t start screaming again. I was after all, unfamiliar to her and the last thing I wanted was to scare her.
• I cradled Callie in my arms and woke her up and started murmuring nonsensical words of comfort.
• "Shh... don't cry honey. It's Okay. It was just a horrible dream, Okay?" 
• Callie burrowed herself into my arms and sobbed some more.
• "Please, promise you'll never leave me", she said brokenly.
• "I promise.", I said solemnly."What did you dream of, honey."
• "I dreamt you were gone just like my mommy"
• "Don't worry, honey, I'll never leave you, Ok?"
• "Promise?"
• "Promise". I said while hugging Callie closer to her body. And I was even more intrigued about what had happened to Callie's mother.
• * * *
• Slate got up to the screaming of his daughter as he did every night that this one had a nightmare. He presumed Gisele would be there but he knew it will be of no use.
• He went to the room and stopped suddenly as he opened the door. Callie was there calm and in Gisele's arms. He watched her smooth Callie's hair utter words of comfort. 
• At that moment he felt profound admiration for Gisele but that didn't mean that he wasn't still lusting over her.
• Shit. What was he saying? She was his daughter's nanny. He did not have to have desire and want for her. He took a deep breath, closed the door as quietly as he could and went to his room