3: MEETING THE WALKERS 1

An excited Alvira walked into the estate bright and early the next day.  She was more than happy about the job. 

If she gave her best to the job and worked honestly, she could ask for an advance payment to restart her father's chemotherapy. She just hope the rich people's heart was as generous as the amount of money they would be paying.

She knocked on the giant door that led to the main building after walking into the property for fifteen minutes undisturbed. 

 The security men stationed at the gate had looked at her with pity and had let her in immediately, the moment she said she was the new caregiver but Alvira hadn't given it a thought, she was too excited about the new job to worry about their body language.

If the worse got to worse she could just assume they were jealous of her as her pay was high and God knows they don't pay caregivers that amount anywhere.

The door opened and a maid with a cleaning cloth in hand looked her up and down with  a questioning look. Alvira beamed and stretched out her hand

"Hi! I'm Alvira, I got a job to work here as the new caregiver." She said proudly.

The maid's face twisted with confusion as she looked Alvira up and down again not taking the hand.

"You?" 

Alvira nodded proudly 

"Aren't you too young?" The maid asked with concern this time but the ignorant Alvira laughed and said proudly,

"I might be young but I have experience."

"Really?" The maid asked still looking her up and down again but this time sadly; Alvira nodded with enthusiasm.

"No amount of experience you have would prepare for what you are about to face here." The maid muttered with a sigh.

"What do you mean by that?"  Alvira asked with confusion.

"Never mind, follow me." The maid said. She walked into the building and the excited Alvira followed her but the maid didn't share her excitement.

She was only glad that the Elders of the Walkers’ family were still around, this mistake had to be rectified. All of Sir Simon's other caregivers were women in their thirties. Women who had a family or responsibilities. But this girl, she was too young. What were they thinking? They could ruin this girl's future entirely by making her work for Sir Simon.

Think about it, all the women who have worked here always had their self-image damaged. Sir Simon made them feel incompetent and useless. If a young girl in her twenties experienced this, wouldn't her future be ruined forever? And by the way, what did the youths of these days know about hard work other than trending on social media? 

 If Simon maltreats this girl and she exposes him to the world, it wouldn’t end well for this family. The maid deduced as she walked Alvira into the living room.

"Wait here, I would inform Mr. Walker that you are here." She said quickly before walking away, glancing at the pitiful girl one more time.

But while she was busy pitying and worrying about Alvira's future, the person in question was busy looking around the mansion with awe. She hadn't seen a house this big or elegant on the inside. She couldn't wait to start working here.

…..

Meanwhile, in the dining room, Ben is seated at the head of the table, and Sarah was seated beside him on the right as they ate their humble breakfast of bacon, egg, with cheese sandwich.  The maid from earlier walked in.

"Sorry to disturb you, sir, but the caregiver arrived."

"Oh?!" Sarah said quickly as she looked up before Ben could reply. "Please tell her to join us for breakfast. Oh and have someone prepare a plate for her." Sarah immediately gave orders and the maid along with two others went about carrying it out.

Sarah turned back to Ben and sees him giving her a questioning look. She smiled and patted the back of his hand that laid lazily on the dining table.

"You'll see why."

Soon Alvira walks in behind the maid with a bright smile. Ben gave his wife a knowing smile and stood up immediately.

"Hello, you must be the caregiver." Ben Walker began to say as he stretched out his hand. Alvira rushed forward to shake it.

"Yes, Mr. Walker. My name is Alvira Smith." She said with a bright smile then glanced at Sarah who was staring at her with interest. 

Alvira smiled warmly at her, she assumed she would be the patient and wanted to win her heart over immediately. Ben followed her gaze as he nodded.

"This is my wife Sarah." 

"Good morning ma'am," Alvira said quickly.

"How are you dear, have a seat." Sarah said gracefully indicating the seat directly opposite her. Alvira obeyed but allowed Ben to take a seat first. The elderly couple noticed and stared at her with admiration.

Sarah immediately snapped her fingers and a plate was placed in front of Alvira surprising her. 

"I hope you don't mind joining us for breakfast." Sarah asked and Alvira shook her head smiling. She just couldn’t understand what exactly was wrong with Sarah or why she needed a caregiver.

The old woman looked capable of taking care for not just herself but also the household from what she can see. Could it be that it wasn't her who needed the caregiver? Alvira asked herself as she stared at the meal that was being served.

Was there a person more elderly than them in the family?

"Please eat."  Sarah said and Alvira nodded.

"Thank you." She replied as she picked up her fork and began to dig into the meal. Even though the meal seem humble and popular, the taste was exquisite showing that a meal with such taste could only be served in the home of the wealthy.

"So tell us about yourself Miss Alvira."  Sarah inquired

"Oh, okay, my name is Alvira, as you already know. I am an only child." Alvira said and Ben raised his brow.

"Do your parents know that you applied to work as a caregiver?" Ben asked.

"Yes. Yes, they do know and they support me hundred percent." Alvira said to them, then quickly added. "I know every experience as a caregiver is unique to different patients but I promise you, I am up to the task." Alvira said as she had just remembered what the maid she met earlier had said to her about not being prepared to face what this house held.

The couple shared a glance as they both wondered if she already knew who her patient was. Sarah cleared her throat and adjusted herself in her seat immediately,

"So I saw in your CV that you cared for your father for two years,"

“Yes ma, I did.” Alvira said with a nod,

"Can you tell us about that?" Sarah asked glancing at her husband.

"Yes…Uhm, Dad was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. He has been hospitalized so mom and I have taken turns taking care of him." Alvira explained with a melancholic smile.

"So how is he now? Is he well now?" Sarah asked and Alvira shakes her head.

"Dad is still sick. His cancer seems to always regrow after surgery." Alvira explained sadly.

"So you are working as a caregiver to help him financially." Ben deduce and Alvira nods.

"Yes sir." 

The couple shared a glance and sighed. Then Sarah smiled, "We hope he gets better."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"And if you need anything, don't hesitate to come to us. Okay?" Sarah said again. 

"Thank your ma'am." Alvira replied.

"You should eat your meal. Our son is the stubborn type. You would need the strength." Ben said and Alvira smiled thinking it was just the usual kind words.

So the patient was his son. She thought as she ate.