Ice

“Mr. Mason, you came in to work today? You should have just stayed at home, at least until after the funeral”, one of the members of the executives stated as soon as he saw Christian enter the conference room.

“Our share prices are dropping fast. Something needs to be done as soon as possible. If you were competent in your jobs, you would have found a way to at least stop the drop for now”, Christian said grimly as he got into his regular seat.

Christian quickly discussed measures that would help the share prices hold up for the moment before leaving the company to go be with his niece at home. “Close the company for the rest of the week," he announced before leaving the company.

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Olivia stood outside  Mason’s mansion, her heartbeat increasing with every step she took. “This is a fresh start, a chance to leave the past behind and begin a new life”, she said trying to fill herself with determination before she went on to ring the bell.

She rang the bell twice before a stern looking man came to open the door. “Good morning, I’m Olivia Benjamin. I applied for the position of live-in nanny, and was told to come here for an interview," she said with as much confidence as she could muster. “Good morning, I’m Mr Myers. Come in and wait in the lobby”, the man said before running upstairs, probably to inform his boss. About a minute later, he came back. “He said you could come up."

Christian was happy to have some help with Eunice. He had not been able to bond with the little girl since the funeral ended. He understood she was still grieve stricken and would most likely like some time alone, but he was no expert when it came to children. Soon after he heard a knock on the door.

A young lady not more than twenty five years of age entered about a minute later. She had long chestnut brown hair and sparkling deep blue eyes. “Good morning sir. I’m Olivia Benjamin," she said softly. Her voice sounds too kind. Christian hates the kind types, she won’t be able to instill the right amount of discipline in the girl.

“Good afternoon”, Christian replied coldly as he directed her to take her seat. “The position is a nanny for a four-year-old girl, and she is quite detached from the rest of the world”.

As he wanted this to be done as quickly as possible, Christian just asked her some random questions and put her on probation for about a month to see how she would cope. “You will resume fully tomorrow. Find a way to get your things here early tomorrow morning," he said as he dismissed her.

As she was going outside, Olivia bumped into something small, and soft, so she looked down, only to see a little girl dragging a teddy bear behind her. "Eunice?" Christian’s concerned voice came from the office as he rushed over to pick Eunice up. “What do you want Uncle to get for you?" Christian asked the mute girl. She looked at the girl one last time before leaving the office.

Olivia felt the interview was a bit rushed, but anything works right? As long as she gets the job. As soon as she got home, she called Ruth. “How did the interview go?" Ruth asked impatiently. “I got the job. Thank you so much babe”, Olivia replied in gratitude and relief. “I’m starting tomorrow. He told me to bring my things over tomorrow morning. And I met the girl. She seems sweet and timid.

“So, is he really as handsome as they say?" Ruth jumped to the next question without reservation. "Who?" Olivia asked knowing where this was going but still feigning ignorance. “Christian, of course."

“Hmm… he is quite good looking. He also has a well-built body. He’s tall and elegant too. His eyes are hazel like his niece’s”, Olivia said as she remembered the man’s features. “I didn’t have enough time to check him out well. He does seem a bit cold, though. He also looked gaunt and tired, maybe from the funeral that just ended.

“It must have been hard for them. It is not easy to pull yourself together after the loss of a family member, you know," she said quietly.

“Okay, babes. You got the job. Good thing. Now you must look for a way to get into a child’s heart. You know how to do your thing, I cannot teach you your job”, Ruth advised on the phone.

After her call with Ruth, Olivia started packing her things to move to the Mason mansion in the morning. She went to bed that night with a different determination, one to change the course of her life, even if she had to start small.

The next morning, Olivia went over very early as agreed. His assistant came to inform him of Olivia’s arrival. As he rushed downstairs to formally introduce Eunice to her, he heard some soft laughter coming from a child. Christian got downstairs only to see Eunice smile widely. He could not help but wonder how she was able to make Eunice smile in just a few minutes of knowing each other. “She’s more mysterious than I thought," he said to himself. She was so natural with his niece, so gentle and kind.

Olivia saw Christian and quickly went up to him, asking for a conversation with him. She left Eunice with her toys and followed him to his office. Minutes after their conversation started, Christian found himself confiding in her about the death of his brother and sister-in-law and how their deaths have affected him personally. “I know you want to improve your relationship with your niece, but you should enroll her in a child psychologist. That way she can open up easily”, Olivia said in a firm tone. “I’ll try to help however I can, but as a nanny, there’s only so much I can do”, she continued.

After she finished her words, she left the office to find Eunice. “Her advice is good. She is kind and seems like she knows what she is doing. But why do I feel like I’m making a mistake here? I can’t seem to trust her enough, and I really hope it is just the paranoia in me just overreacting”, Christian asked himself unsure of this decision he just made.

“Keep an eye on her, and find the best pediatric psychologist in town, and make sure you fix an appointment for Eunice”, he said to his assistant as he rested on his chair.

“Yes sir”, the assistant answered swiftly.

When Olivia got downstairs, Eunice was quietly setting up her toys in a straight line while seated on the floor. Olivia watched the young girl for a moment before pausing. Her eyes carried a feeling of sadness that made Olivia’s heart ache. She took a doll and put it in the girl’s toy line while kneeling next to Eunice. “What should we call her?” Olivia asked gently.

With her wide hazel eyes, Eunice stared up at Olivia, but she remained silent. Olivia didn’t want to force her. Rather, she kept arranging the toys and let Eunice watch her silently. “You know, when I was a little girl, I had a teddy bear named Mr. Dobby” Olivia said in a calm and gentle manner. He was my best friend. I shared all my secrets with him.

Eunice went for a teddy bear that was seated next to her as her eyes flashed with curiosity. As if looking for comfort, she held it close to her chest. “What is the name of your teddy bear?” Olivia enquired in an attempt to get the girl to say a few words. Eunice’s little fingers gripped the bear tightly, as if it were her lifeline, as she gave it an even closer hug. Yet she remained silent. Olivia could feel her sorrow and fear. She was ready to exercise patience because she realized that healing would take time.

“I think he looks like Mr. Dobby,” Olivia said with a smile. “Don’t you think?”

Olivia believed she saw the tiniest trace of a smile, but Eunice remained silent. Olivia felt encouraged even if it was a minor accomplishment. Olivia returned to the kitchen to prepare Eunice for a snack later in the afternoon. Just then, she heard footsteps behind her as she was setting out some fruit and juice. With a thoughtful expression on his face, Christian stood in the doorway, observing her. “How is she doing?” In a low, worried voice, Christian asked.

Olivia took a quick look at Eunice, who was now peacefully munching on an apple slice at the kitchen table. Olivia lightheartedly remarked, “She’s doing okay.” She is extremely silent, yet she does occasionally interact. It’s a solid beginning. Christian nodded, but worry was still in his eyes. He murmured, almost hesitantly, “Thank you.” It was as though he had never expressed thanks before, that it was a feeling hidden beneath his tough exterior and independent front. 

Just then, his assistant came inside and whispered in his ears, and they both rushed upstairs to his office.