6. Indefinite leave.

Moving in with Nate Sarmiento never crossed my mind in the slightest. How could I even think of it if I despised the man for treating both Olive and Elisha heartlessly? 

We have just arrived at Nate’s huge house. I noticed that there were a lot of people and all of them looked formal. From the guards to the maids, they all seemed like hotel employees. Well, Nate is a hotelier. That shouldn’t be too surprising.

"Let me get this clear with you," Nate said once Elisha was out of earshot. "You will resign from your work and be full time watching my daughter." 

"But—" 

"I'll pay you, of course," he added insultingly, like it was very important to me to get compensated. "I just don't want Elisha to think that I'm not treating her 'mommy' well." 

"I do plan to tell Elisha – and I’ve already told Olive – that I am not her mother. But not until she can already understand." 

"That's actually my plan, Hannah. You're here with us just so you can have enough time to break it to Elisha gently," Nate said, and I resisted the urge to argue. 

What's important right now was he allowed me to see Elisha. I would have died of depression if he completely took my child away from me. And much as I didn't want Elisha to be separated from me, at this point I knew I couldn't keep her forever. Not if Nate Sarmiento was determined to be a father to Elisha. 

But I wouldn't give up without putting up a reasonable fight. How, I don’t know yet. Bringing the case to court is not my option, Elisha isn’t even my biological child and suing Nate might just turn the tables against me.

Although legally, I am Elisha's guardian, is that going to be of any use against the money of a rich and influential person? Maybe it would make it difficult for him somehow, but would I really want to put Elisha in such emotional trauma? Do I want to confuse my daughter at her young age just so I can justify to myself that I am the only one who has the right to keep her custody? I couldn't do that to Elisha. 

"Please, Elisha wouldn't understand if I told her now," I tried to reason.

"I didn't say now, Hannah. But I'm expecting you to tell her ASAP. This setup is not going to last long. Once I find Olive, we will complete our family and that will leave you no place in my daughter's life," he answered, and I wanted to cry at the thought.

"By the way, thank you for being faithful to Olive by not telling me of her whereabouts, but really, you shouldn’t have,” he added, turning his back.

Nate was still looking for Olive. Did he love her so much that even when my friend already ran away with another man, he still wouldn't give up on her? Worse, he plans on completing his family with my dear Elisha. When that happens, I will be back to living alone.

And I am not sure if I could still survive without Elisha. I shook my head. It's never a good habit to dwell on something that hasn't even happened yet. 

'Be positive, Hannah. There could still be another way out of this...' 

----- 

"Indefinite leave?" 

"Yes, Mrs. Everett... I'm sorry if this is all so urgent," I phoned my boss to explain my sudden disappearance from work. I didn't go to the office today because I didn't want to miss the opportunity to be with my daughter. "But my daughter needs me." 

I looked at the sleeping Elisha on her gorgeous bed, courtesy of her very rich father. I had never been able to let her sleep in such a beautiful and comfortable bed before. 

"You see, Hannah, there's a reason why I keep you around," Mrs. Everett answered for about a minute after my last word. "And I'm positive Nathaniel will also see that." 

"Nathaniel?" I repeated. 

"Nate Sarmiento." 

"Oh!" How did she know? I didn't mention Nate at all. 

"I know our company is not as big a shot as the Sarmiento's, but believe me, I know that boy very well." If I was in front of Mrs. Everett, I am sure she was frowning as she spoke. 

"But how did you know about–?" 

"He told me. Apparently, he didn't want to mess with an old woman like me," she let out a short laugh. "So Hannah, don't worry about your post." 

"Thank you, Mrs. Everett. It means a lot to me," I cried. My boss of ten years had never talked to me this way before. Actually, I was afraid to say my reason for my absence to her just by calling. So I was thankful that she was gentle. Somehow, I felt less worried. 

"You've been an excellent employee, Hannah, with zero late and absences. You deserve a break." I could almost see her frowning deeply and looking at me through her glasses, with a small smile on her lips.

I just said thank you once again. I will not extend this conversation. I don't know what Nate said to my boss, so I’ll just rest my case. The important thing is, Nate saved me the trouble of explaining further why I couldn't come to work. 

However he learned I was working for Mrs. Everett, who he supposedly knows, wouldn't be so puzzled by how having a lot of money works. 

"Mommy." 

"Yes, baby?" It seemed that Elisha had woken up and was just waiting for me to finish talking on the phone. "Did I wake you up?" I approached her and kissed her gently on the cheek. 

"No." She shook her head. 

"Do you want something to eat?" 

"No, mommy... I want you to sleep here with me." She pouted and looked at me with puppy eyes. 

"What did daddy say?" I reminded her about Nate's rule that we can no longer sleep together, pointing out that Elisha needed to learn to sleep alone in her own room. Of course, I was not dumb to not know that it was his way of training Elisha without my presence. 

"But I miss you already, mommy," Eli answered. 

"Eli, we are at daddy's house right now. And he has rules that we need to follow," I told her gently. 

"But I'm afraid, mommy." 

"I'll just be across from your room, Eli," I said, trying hard to make Elisha feel okay. "I can still check on you from time to time. And I'll stay here until you're snoring." 

"I don't snore!" Elisha protested, she folded her arms over her chest even when she’s lying down.

"I mean when you're already sleeping like a rock." I laughed at Elisha's reaction. "Come on. Get back to sleep." 

"Okay mommy. I love you." She got up for a moment and hugged my neck before kissing my cheek. 

"I love you too, my sweet little girl." I stayed there until Elisha fell asleep. I didn't want to leave her.

But a part of me told me to abide by Nate's rules so he wouldn't make my life difficult. I needed this time with Elisha. Hell, I don't even know how long Nate would allow me to stay by my daughter's side. He can send me away anytime if I don't follow the rules he laid out.

"I love you, Eli... Mommy's going to fight for you," I whispered as I kissed her good night. 

Nate was just kind enough that the room he gave me was opposite Elisha's room. At least I feel that I am still close to my daughter. 

I went to my room when I was sure that Elisha was already asleep. I felt that empty feeling once I was alone in my room. It was huge and elegant. I felt like I had checked into a five-star hotel. But no matter how glamorous my life could be in Nate's house, I wouldn't forget that he took me here to tell Elisha that I am not her mother. 

And before I know it, he's going to kick me out and I'll never see my daughter again.

How heartbreaking would that be? Losing the only family I have when I already have our future together all planned out?