CHAPTER 5: CONCERNED

Lauren walked over to the table where Casper was eating his breakfast in a complete mess. She sighed to herself, knowing that getting him ready for school was going to be a challenge.

"Casper, sweetie, we have to get ready for school," Lauren said softly, trying to get his attention.

Casper turned his head towards her, his face covered in food. "But I want to finish my pancakes," he whined.

Lauren chuckled, shaking her head. "I know, but we have to go now. You don't want to be late at school, do you?"

Casper shook his head, understanding the importance of being on time. He quickly finished his pancakes and got up from the table.

"Good boy," Lauren praised him, wiping his face clean. "Now let's go get cleaned up."

As she led him to the bathroom, Lauren couldn't help but think about Damien. She had worked for him for a week now and had noticed that he was always so busy with work that he barely had time for his children.

"I wonder why the CEO looks like he's not the father," Lauren thought to herself, silently questioning Damien's priorities.

Once they were cleaned up and ready to go, Lauren grabbed Casper's backpack and led him to the door. As they stepped outside, she noticed Damien walking away from the house towards his car.

"Have a good day, Mr. Damien," Lauren called out to him, but he didn't even turn around to acknowledge her.

Lauren shook her head, feeling disappointed. She knew that being a CEO was a demanding job but she couldn't help but feel like Damien was neglecting his children.

As the car pulled out of the driveway, Casper fidgeted in his seat beside Lauren, rubbing his eyes in an attempt to shake off his sleepiness. Lauren smiled reassuringly at him as she fastened his seatbelt and turned on the radio.

"Are you excited to go to school today, Casper?" Lauren asked, casting a quick glance at the little boy.

Casper grunted, avoiding Lauren's gaze as he slumped back into his seat.

"What's wrong, buddy?" Lauren pressed, sensing that something was off.

"I don't want to go to school," Casper grumbled, crossing his arms stubbornly.

"It's going to be fun, I promise," Lauren coaxed, trying to boost his spirits. "You'll get to play with all your friends and learn cool things."

Casper snorted, clearly not convinced.

"Hmm, maybe you want your dad to be with you right now?," Lauren then asked, hoping to distract him from his grumpiness.

Casper's mood immediately turned sour as he scowled at Lauren. "I don't like him," he grumbled.

Lauren was taken aback by the sudden hostility, but she didn't want to push the issue. "Why not?"

Casper's eyes filled with tears as he mumbled, "He made mommy go away."

Lauren's heart twisted at the aching sadness in Casper's voice. "I'm sorry, Casper," she said gently, swallowing down her own grief. "That must be really hard for you."

Casper didn't respond, staring out the window as they drove past the familiar landmarks of their small town. Lauren drove in silence, respecting Casper's need to process his feelings.

When they pulled into the school parking lot, Lauren parked the car and turned to face Casper. "You are very brave and strong, Casper. Your mommy would be so proud of you."

Casper gave her a small smile, his eyes still bright with unshed tears, "I just miss her so much," he whispered.

Lauren felt a pang of sadness as she watched Casper shuffle into the school, feeling the weight of the responsibility of caring for this little boy. She had been there to comfort him when he needed it, but she knew that the scars of losing their mother would never fully heal.

All Lauren could do was be there for Casper and his siblings, and hope that they would find some measure of peace and happiness.

Lauren sat on a bench in the school park, her phone pressed to her ear as she spoke to her sister Fraulein. Wanted to share her experience working for a week for Burlington.

"Can you believe it?" Lauren exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief, "The kids are so spoiled, but I guess I can handle them little by little."

Fraulein made a noise of sympathy, understanding the difficulties of dealing with unruly children. "It's tough," she said. "But you're doing a great job, Lauren. Keep the good work."

Lauren smiled at her sister's words, feeling a sense of warmth spread through her. She knew that Fraulein always had her back, even when things got tough.

"But the thing is," Lauren continued, "their father Damien is so cold. He never checks on his kids, and he just lets them be guided by the maids. It's like he doesn't care at all."

She paused, biting her lip. "I'm worried about their relationships, you know? Why does he seem to dislike them so much after his wife died?"

Fraulein sighed on the other end of the line. "I don't know, Lauren. It's hard to understand what goes on in a man's head, especially someone like Damien Burlington. But remember, you're just a maid in that mansion. Don't cross any lines that could jeopardize your position."

Lauren nodded, even though Fraulein couldn't see her. She knew that her sister spoke the truth, and that the job was important to her. But she couldn't help feeling like something wasn't quite right in the Burlington household.

As she hung up the phone, Lauren glanced around the park, watching Casper play and laugh with his friends. She wondered what their lives were like, growing up in such a cold and distant environment. And she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something she could do to help, even if it meant putting her job on the line.