Chapter 4 Amen

Marimar Oquendo's Point of View

Lord, I still place my life in Your hands. Guide me through the trial I face now. Keep me away from temptation, even if that man with the firm abs is standing right in front of me-

"Cocomelon!"

I squeezed my eyes shut tight. I have faith I will become rich! You take care of me, Lord-

"Milk!" Give me strength, Lord-

"Mommy! Milk! Milk! Milk!"

"Oh Lord!" I pressed a hand to my chest, biting my lip as I stared up at the ceiling of the room.

I dreamed of being called "mommy" someday, but not like this!

I flinched when I felt fingers prodding at my chest. My mouth fell open-never in my life had I imagined something like this would happen. A muscular man touching me like this... good heavens, Marimar! This is work! Work!

I rested my forehead in my palm, elbow propped on the bedside table. We were in what would be my room now; I was told to settle my things first before speaking with Mr. Streeter.

And sure enough, he followed me-"pan de sal," or Levi as I now knew him, and kept repeating he wanted milk.

"Ah!" I turned to look at him. I froze when I saw he was no longer wearing sunglasses.

Lord, is he an angel standing before me? Good heavens! Is this man a Greek god? His body alone is incredible, and then there's his face?!

I bit down harder on my lower lip before pressing my hand to my temples again. Good grief, Marimar. I know I grew up in the market and have met all kinds of people-but I've never seen anyone this handsome! And he's actually touching me like this?

"U-Um..." How do I even talk to him?

He kept prodding at my chest, seemingly not tired of it-he said it was like "Cocomelon" because it was soft and round.

"You want some m-milk?" I asked, my face burning bright red.

He must have heard me, because he stopped his poking and grinned widely, pulling his hand away at last.

My eyes darted as he leaned his face closer to mine. I tilted my head back instinctively, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Oh no, oh no! We aren't dating! Only couples kiss-

"Ta-da!" My jaw hung open as I stared at his beaming face. He waved a bottle of milk back and forth in front of me, laughing all the while.

I stood frozen in place, suddenly embarrassed by my own thoughts. Lord, is this another test? If it is, please guide me, I might just punch him otherwise.

He laughed in front of me, one hand clutching his stomach while the other held the milk bottle up to my face.

"Y-Yo-" The bedroom door swung open abruptly. "-ur drink is milk, not Milo, okay, Levi?" My heart thudded wildly as I looked at the man who had entered.

"Levi," he called out to the man before me. But Levi did not turn around; he kept waving the milk bottle in front of my face as he laughed.

"Levi, you don't want your brother to be angry with you, do you?" he said in an authoritative tone, standing by the door.

I was slightly surprised when Levi stood up quickly and shook his head. The man left first, and Levi turned to look at me one more time.

"See ya! Cocomelon!" he shouted before dashing out of the room.

I was left behind with a warm face, flustered by what he had yelled. I pressed my hand to my chest again. My heart felt like it might burst from all the unexpected things that had happened since earlier.

First, there was the trial. What sane employer would run a test like that for applicants?! I nearly fainted from fear when they pointed a gun at my head; I almost wet myself too.

Second, this "personal nanny" business. This isn't what Tita's friend told me about! I thought I would be doing house chores-wait! Is that why she said "just be yourself"?

Good grief! I was tricked!

I frowned deeply as I sat on the bed, hugging the soft pillow to my chest. It felt so strange... our pillows back home were harder than cement, stuffed with old clothes wrapped in fabric.

And third, who I'm supposed to take care of! A personal nanny usually looks after kids, right? Okay, fine, Levi acts like a child. But good heavens! It's hard to focus when he's in front of me. I mean-grr.

"He's a total hottie!" I hissed under my breath, squeezing the pillow tightly.

"Biceps, abs, perfect jawline, blue eyes, messy hair, straight nose, deep dimples, kissable lips-he's every woman's dream!" I counted off on my fingers.

"And he likes to poke my chest!" I whispered, glancing toward the door in case someone walked in.

I clasped my hands together. "Lord, alright. I'll be strong. This must be the way to get rich, right?"

That's it. I'm Marimar, I grew up near the sea. Near enough, anyway. Maybe even on it! Whatever, there's water involved!

No trial is too hard for me to handle! I can do this! It's just taking care of someone, after all.

Yes, just taking care-good heavens! How did I end up in this situation?

After my little drama session in the room, I was called downstairs to the mansion's living room. Yes, called downstairs, my room is on the second floor. Fancy, isn't it? And don't even get me started on the bathroom, the toilet is amazing! I finally got to relieve myself after holding it in earlier because of Aunt Crisma's loud mouth.

*Tap Tap*

Focus, Marimar. Focus on your boss in front of you.

*Tap Tap* "Bouncy cocomelon."

Focus. Focus. Focus.

I sat up straight with a smile. Mr. Streeter was on the sofa across from me, sipping tea.

"Hehe!" And guess who was sitting next to me? His brother, who seemed amused by poking my chest again.

"Levi, stop that." At last, Mr. Streeter scolded his brother. Levi did not respond; he simply moved from my side to sit next to his brother.

Now that they were sitting together, I could see how much they resembled each other. Both had blue eyes-Mr. Streeter was just a bit broader in build. Levi had deep dimples in both cheeks while his brother did not. Mr. Streeter had blonde hair, and Levi's was brown.

Mr. Streeter cleared his throat. "Again, congratulations. All you need to do is take care of my brother. Nothing less, nothing more." He spoke firmly.

What did he say? "Sir?" I asked, still a bit dazed. But he did not speak again; instead, he set some papers on the table between us.

"Pick them up and read them. Everything you need to know is there."

I swallowed hard before taking the papers one by one. Good heavens, was this a contract? Why would a simple caregiving job require a contract? Are rich people always this strict?

I read through each page carefully. Everything was written down clearly-from the job description to the pay.

My eyes widened when I saw a particular line. "Eight hundred dollars?!" I gasped aloud when I read the monthly salary.

"Yeah, I increased it earlier. You'll receive eight hundred dollars each month. It's not bad, is it? All you have to do is babysit my brother and keep him safe. Nothing more. You won't need to worry about housework-we have maids assigned for that." He leaned back in his seat. "So? What do you think? Any complaints?"

I could almost hear angels playing trumpets in the sky. I could hear them singing too! Oh Lord, I knew this was the start of my fortune! Just watching over someone for eight hundred dollars a month?! Good heavens-I'd have over half a thousands of dollars in a year!

I did not answer right away. Instead, I kept reading until I reached the last few pages. A line written in red letters caught my eye, as if highlighted.

My smile vanished when I read it fully.

Sentenced to three years in prison for attempting to flee from the employer or quit the job.

My forehead began to sweat as I looked up at Mr. Streeter hesitantly.

His aura seemed dark as he stared back at me. It was as if he could read my thoughts, because one corner of his mouth lifted in a slight smile.

"Hm? You aren't planning to quit, are you?" he asked, making my heart beat even faster.

Good heavens-this life here might not be as easy as I thought.

I nodded slowly. I had no choice now that I was here. Besides, the salary was too good to pass up!

"Good," he said, setting a pen down on the table. "Sign it."

I signed my name and pressed my thumbprint on the paper. There was no turning back now, Marimar!

Mr. Streeter collected the papers, straightened them out, and stood up. "Welcome. Have a nice stay here, Ms. Marimar Oquendo."

I had not yet replied when Levi suddenly jumped onto the table, his face just inches from mine.

"Welcome!" he said with a wide grin, his voice deep and playful.

Lord, guide me... please. May my life here be peaceful. Keep me away from temptation.

Amen.