"Hello. "Hey, Cindy," I said to Cynthia over the phone immediately as I got into the cab. After Lucy's phone call, I had briefly explained to Ashley that Doña Esperanza wanted to see me. Then I rushed out, and sure enough, a cab was waiting.
"Alice, what's up? They must really be sapping you guys dry over there with work," she teased.
"Sorry for taking this long to reach out," I apologized.
"No, chica. Don't do that. No need to apologize, sweetheart. How have you been faring? There were some days I swore you were dead," she teased.
"A lot has happened in the last few days. It's been so crazy to the point that I'm about to lose my employment," I told her and gave a laugh void of humor. Cynthia remained silent for what seemed like forever.
"Start talking," she said calmly, but I could hear the concern and a hint of anger in her voice.
"I'll update you later, I swear," I told her because the cab driver wasn't a robot. I was sure the cab itself was wired.
"Are you for real right now? You just plan to drop this on me and not explain?" She lost it and exploded.
"Oh, Cindy, don't be like this. I swear I'll relate the story to you soon. Hopefully tonight when I'm in my room or anywhere at all. Please, Cindy, understand me. Don't be angry, please," I pleaded with her.
"Okay, if you say so. I have to update you on your aunt, by the way," she said.
"Tía Elena? What happened to her? Is she alright? Cindy, will you talk to me?" I almost yelled as the cab pulled up in front of Doña Esperanza's house.
"I will if you stop asking a train of questions and let me speak," I heard her say.
I got down from the cab and waited with bated breath.
"Cindy. Cindy?" I called when I heard only her breathing.
"Geez, calm down. Don't worry, I'll tell you immediately after you tell me the fucking news you want to share about your employment status. But I have to assure you, Tía Elena is fine; you don't have to worry," she said.
"CYNTHIA?" I threatened.
"Since we don't have more to say, we'll postpone our important discussion until you're ready to talk. Keep in mind again as an assurance that Tía Elena is family, and I won't let anything bad happen to her. Got it?" Her voice sounded reassuring.
"Oh, Cynthia," was all I could manage, all the fighting gone.
"Talk to you soon. Kisses," she said and cut the call.
Doña Esperanza's door opened before I reached it, and Lucy stepped out and walked towards me, a black bag in her hand.
"Hey, chica. How are you?" she asked cheerily.
"Not good. Do you have any idea why Doña needed to keep me indoors and summon me now?" I asked Lucy.
"Nope. Why'd you ask? Did you do something wrong to warrant it?" she asked me.
"Well… I didn't do anything wrong," I said slowly. She squinted her eyes and regarded me in a funny way.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
Did she know? I hoped not.
"Yes, Lucy," I answered.
"Okay. I'm heading somewhere," she said, looking back at the house.
"There's a visitor in the estate; I'm sure you should have known by now. Big Gun's older brother," she added.
Oh, Sergio.
"Huh? Who's Sergio?" Lucy asked. Shit, I must've said that out loud.
"Uh… nothing. Catch you later," I told her, walking straight towards Doña Esperanza's house, not risking a look back. And like that, I walked into the fog.
"Hello, Alice," Doña Esperanza greeted me. From my usual encounters with her, I've noticed she commences her admonition in this manner before she takes a bite.
"Doña Esperanza," I greeted her with a small bow.
"You've been such an exceptional staff member…," she began with an intro that threw me off balance.
"... more than all the hundreds I've seen. Your dedication and resilience are impeccable," she said with a smile. She sat on one of her couches with a cup of liquid in hand and wearing a different uniform.
"You know," she continued, "when you were brought in by Marisol, I knew immediately that there was something different about you. And you proved it to the letter. I'm proud of you."
"Forgive me, Doña, but I'm confused. You gave an instruction last night that I wasn't assigned any work for the following day, which happened to be today. And you'll have to forgive me further, but you called me in to tell me this. Can you please enlighten me?" I said.
She laughed, the kind of laugh that threw me off balance. "Oh, Alice. I've been given an instruction to offer you a new job. It pays higher and better, and your hours will be flexible and relaxing," she said. I looked at her as if corn stalks were growing on her head.
"I don't know what to say, ma'am. I don't know if I'll be able to do this new job you talk about. I'm sorry," I said. "It's simple. You're to be employed as the nanny to the Montoya household. You only take care of the two kids," she said.
Nanny work didn't sound so bad, especially given the quiet and loving nature of the kids I would be caring for. Compared to being kicked out of my previous employment, being a nanny wasn't a bad idea. I silently thanked the heavens in my heart because, according to Doña Esperanza, I would be earning more than I was initially offered while doing less work. I really didn't have a problem with it.
"Alright, ma'am. I accept," I said.
"I wasn't giving you a choice, Alice. But I'm satisfied you've made my work easier. Come back later in the evening by seven to meet the kids officially. Pack your stuff, and you'll be allocated a room in the main house so that you'll be closer to the kids."
She paused to take a sip from her cup.
"So, like I said, you'll get to know the kids this evening and their basic daily schedules, their likes and dislikes, and all the other important stuff. Well done, and good luck to you. Your new work assignment starts tomorrow," she said and flicked her hand to signify my dismissal.
I walked out and got into the cab that took me straight to the servants' quarters. When I entered the room, Ashley couldn't contain her worries and concerns. Nina and her group had gotten lost, just as I expected. I explained to Ashley the development of my employment.
She was genuinely happy for me, but she became a little somber as she confessed to me that I was the only friend she felt comfortable with. I promised her I'd keep in touch.
Given the fact that I'd brought along a few pieces of baggage, it didn't take me long to get it all packed.
A cab was already waiting for me to take me to Doña Esperanza's house. Immediately, I walked into her living room and was faced with six pairs of eyes. There was Doña Esperanza, Mr. Montoya and his older brother, Lucy, Serena, and her brother. I could tell by the look on Serena's face that she was excited to see me.
"Good evening," I bowed slightly and greeted.
"Hello once again, Alice," Mr. Montoya said, and my heart missed a beat at the sound of his voice.
"Don't just stand at the door, Alice; come meet the kids," Doña Esperanza invited.
"They don't bite," Lucy added with a smirk.
As I moved closer, everyone stood to leave except the kids. I held Lucy's hand and whispered to her, "Please don't leave me alone with the kids."
"Is there an issue?" I heard Mr. Montoya's voice behind me, and my blood warmed.
"Nope, sir. We just think it's wise I stay back with her as she gets familiar with the kids and they feel comfortable with her," Lucy explained. I was looking at Lucy all the while she explained.
When I looked at Mr. Montoya, he was looking right at me.
"You look pale, Alice. Did the ride over frighten you?" he asked.
"I'm fine, sir," I replied.
"Of course," he said a little inaudibly. Strange.
It was then that he quietly turned around and exited Doña Esperanza's house.
Lucy complied and sat down with me and the kids. As we talked and got acquainted, I noticed Carlitos was wary of new people. He was guarded too, spoke when spoken to, and was protective of his sister. Serena was his complete opposite, though, and a very cheery kid—a sunshine to Carlitos's moonlight. They were a lovely pair.
As for their schedule, I had no problem with it. Lucy looked spent, so I had to call it a day. A cab took us all to the main house. Lucy led me to my new room. We talked a bit, and she ended up sleeping in my room with me—not that I minded. I had enough work cut out for me.