"Why can't I stay there too?"

Yesterday, after getting the job with Luther, I had a long talk with Louis and Katie. I needed all the help I can get with taking care of Keila. My job contract states that I'm going to be a live-in caretaker, which means I have even less time with my daughter.

I have only little leisure, grocery shopping every Tuesday, and then time off on weekends, I plan to utilize my weekends properly. Keila would be staying at the hospital for care and supervision for the next few months. Katie and Louis would visit her alternatively. It is a great way to allow them both time for other things, and also because Katie hates Louis guts.

I already explained to Keila that I have to work to earn money for her stay at the hospital and that she would be seeing me a little less. She didn't like it, but she understood. She knows we've always been short on money and knows how much I have to work to take care of both of us. I hated making her sad but it was necessary.

I start work today, and I hope to talk to Luther about an advance payment so I can pay for Keila's surgery. There's no way he'd give me the entire money in advance, especially since there's no love lost between us, but I took out a loan, and I also have

some savings, albeit very meagre. All combined should be able to cover the first phase of her surgery.

When I get to the mansion the next day, I'm greeted by Salud, who welcomes me with a sweet smile.

“Miss Richards”, he greets.

"Just call me Audrey, Salud", I correct him and he smiles in return, not answering.

Salud takes me around the house, giving me a more detailed tour of the mansion. He shows me the places I have access to and the places that are off limits to me. I meet the cleaner, an old lady who stays at the out-building and only comes in a few times a week to clean. I expect to meet more staff but Salud tells me the cleaner is the only stable staff besides himself. For a mansion so large, there're surprisingly very few staff. I ask him if Emily stays at the mansion.

"Sometimes", he answers simply, not giving me any more answers. I've come to learn that Salud is quiet and a man of very few words. When we finish the tour, my legs are aching from walking around the huge expanse of a mansion. Salud takes me back to the staff lounge and gives me a breakdown of my job and duties. I expected Luther to do that but I'm guessing he's still sulking over the fact that I work for him now. After Salud reads out all my responsibilities to me and I ask questions where necessary, he shows me to my room. Surprisingly, it's in the west wing of the main building. I was hoping I'd stay at the out building where I wont have to be so close to Luther or be monitored as closely. I get the opposite because after my room, Salud shows me Luther's room which is right opposite my own room. If my heart skips another beat, I might slump and die.

"Salud, why-". he answers me before I can complete my question, already expecting the question. "It's a fairly new arrangement. The last caretaker stayed at the north wing"

"Why can't I stay there too?"

"She got fired after it took her more than ten seconds to attend to Mr Chapman. Ms Emily thought it'd be better if you stay closer".

Salud drops the bomb with a straight face, not waiting for me to collect myself before he makes his way back down the hallway.

"Are we done?"

"Yes, Miss. Report downstairs in half an hour. Mr Chapman would be out by then. Try not to come out after him"

Wow Salud, way to sound ominous.

I turn back to enter my room, taking it in properly for the first time. It's large, almost as large as my entire apartment, but at the same time, it's very empty and lacks the comfortable homely feel my apartment has. I sit on the edge of the bed, running my hands through the silk sheets. The bed is soft so I lie on it, embracing the smoothness.

Oh, what l'd do just to have this bed at home. I wish Keila could be here now, she'd love the feel. She's always wanted to live like a princess, and I wish I could give my daughter that life. Unfortunately, I'm the pauper. This pauper would work hard though. As if summoned, I get a message from Katie. I open my phone, eager to read it.

Katie: Your daughter is quite demanding.

I laugh, because if there's anything Keila is without a doubt, it's demanding. But at the same time, she understands limits.

There's a photo after the message. It's of Katie smiling, with Keila right in the back, smiling into the camera. She has a bunch of paper flowers in her hand and she holds it up to the camera. Judging by all the paper clippings stuck in Katie's hair, l'm sure Keila roped her into doing arts and crafts. The next attachment is a video, and sure enough, it starts with Katie complaining about how Keila forced her into baby play.

I laugh at the term.

Keila doesn't care about Katie's whining. She's more interested in getting into the video frame

enough to raise the flowers up with a broad smile.

"Mommy look, auntie Katie and I made this for yoư" Katie smiles at my excited daughter.

"Blow mummy a kiss", she says, and Keila wastes no time in complying.

I smile at the sight, my throat closing up with tears. I want to be there with my daughter. I wish I was the one there. But at the same time, I understand why I have to do what l'm doing. On that note, I check my watch and realize it’s past thirty minutes. The one thing Salud said I shouldn't do was get down after Luther, and yet here I am, breaking rules on my very first day. I sniffle, wiping my cheeks. I know I didn't shed any tears but I still do it incase, then I step out of my room. Fear rushes over me as I raise my eyes because Luther is also stepping out of his room.