Convincing her father

Emily’s nanny knew she had to be careful when trying to speak with Emily’s father. His wife had never really liked her, as she was also connected to his deceased wife—a memory that had never allowed him to love her genuinely.

She made her way to her room and promised herself to find a way to get him alone tomorrow and try to change his mind. The night was long, but a new day was sure to come, and she was determined to seize the opportunity and make use of it.

Nature called; she yawned repeatedly, and in no time, she answered the call.

The next morning, the sound of birds woke her. She always had the whole morning to herself, not minding that Emily was now an adult capable of taking care of herself.

Emily’s nanny stood up to get ready for the day, stepping down from the bed still in yesterday’s clothes as she made her way to the bathroom. She was getting older by the day but young at heart, which made it surprising that her appearance hadn’t aged yet.

After a few minutes in the shower, she was out—there was no need to spend long hours underwater. She changed into her usual wear: a long velvet skirt and a full-body-covered top. Her hair, now graying at the front, was quickly tied up. She glanced at herself in the mirror, breathed in and out, and walked out.

Her first destination was the kitchen, where she was greeted by the maids. Emily’s father wasn’t wealthy, but he was rich enough to employ a few staff. If his wife were still alive, he would have become one of the few billionaires. This thought had fueled the resentment he held toward his first daughter.

“What are we having this morning?” Emily’s nanny asked one of the maids in a quick conversation.

“The usual!” the maid replied with a bit of sarcasm. They both knew what she was referring to, though they avoided mentioning names. Emily’s nanny understood perfectly, but she was in the kitchen for another reason.

“Have you, by any chance, seen the boss this morning?” she asked the maid quietly, glancing around at the others busy with their tasks.

The maid responded in a low voice, “He’s in his study room.”

The nanny mouthed, “Thank you!” before heading out. Now that she knew his whereabouts, she wondered how she could approach him without his wife knowing or suspecting anything.

She walked toward his study room, finding the house unusually quiet. Raising an eyebrow, she realized this might be her only chance to help Emily out of her current dilemma. She knocked softly yet firmly on the door, hoping he would ask her to come in immediately.

(knock knock knock)

After a brief pause, his voice came through. “Come in,” Emily’s father said. She quickly stepped inside. He was focused on a document he had clearly been working on for a while.

“Uh, I’m sorry. I know it’s not my place to speak to you about this matter,” she began.

Emily’s father, momentarily losing focus, looked up, scowling as he removed his reading glasses. He disliked being disturbed, especially about issues he might not care for by the end of the conversation. Yet, he couldn’t scold her, given his respect for her over the years.

“And what issue would that be, for you to disturb me at this early hour?” he asked, scrutinizing her.

“It’s about Emily,” the nanny replied, choosing her words carefully.

“What about Emily? Don’t tell me she put you up to this—I’ll scold her for it.”

Emily’s nanny shook her head quickly. “No, please. She didn’t put me up to this. I’m here on my own. I feel you shouldn’t do this to her. She’s too young to go through something as serious as marriage, especially to a stranger we know nothing about—not even you!”

She pointed at him, and Emily’s father stared at her for a long moment before responding. “Emily is of no use in this house. All she does is eat and sleep. She can’t even manage her own life. I’m doing what’s best for her, and you know it.”

“That’s not true, and you know it!” Emily’s nanny protested. Emily’s father grew angrier by the minute. He hadn’t expected her to go this far for Emily.

“I won’t sit here and allow you to tell me how to run my family. You are a maid—stay within your limits. Emily is getting married to that man, and that’s final!”

Emily’s nanny was on the verge of tears. It was clear Emily’s father had made up his mind to give away his first daughter’s hand in marriage to a total stranger.

“What’s his name?” she asked, losing all hope. To her surprise, Emily’s father didn’t answer—he didn’t know.

“He’ll be coming around in two weeks, and the wedding will take place in a month. Prepare her for this new life. She should be grateful I took the time to arrange her marriage and stop complaining. Such an ungrateful child,” he muttered.

His words broke Emily’s nanny’s heart, and unbeknownst to them, Emily had been eavesdropping from the other side of the door. Hearing this, she broke down in tears. Unable to handle the situation any longer, she ran off, overwhelmed by the trauma that was unraveling her world.