Chapter 2 Obedient

like was how Martina treated her own daughter, even seeming to feel contempt for the child, since she rarely spoke to Eloá and when she did it was with little concern or irritation. I ended up identifying a lot with the little.

girl, as I also grew up without a mother's love. But Eloá had her father, who was always very affectionate with her and Nicole herself loved that girl as if she were her own mother, something that was understandable, as

she had already been taking care of her for almost two years, and the girl also ended up directing everything.

your love for the nanny. I was very shy and the environment I was working in was as oppressive as the place I grew up in, making me feel like little had changed in my life and I continued to just live a modest existence.

without any great friendships or events. - Do you like staying here in this house all the time, without going anywhere? Nicole's curiosity was normal, because since I arrived at the Mackenzies' house to work, I hadn't

gone anywhere yet. Even when there were trips that Mr. Mackenzie took with his daughter, Nicole was always.

the one who accompanied him, as she had more experience with the girl and knew how to behave in places.

since I didn't have the habit of going out during the time I spent. I lived in the orphanage. We were now by the pool, watching as Eloá took her swimming lesson with the instructor who came to her house three times a week, when Nicole asked the question. In addition to swimming, the little girl also took ballet, piano and

French classes. - I don't have much of a choice, Nicole - I said, shrugging. I really liked Nicole, she was very friendly and always treated me well. In fact, she and Mr. Mackenzie were the only ones who treated me cordially in that house, as both Mrs. Martina and the other employees were distant, if not rude. I just tried to remain as invisible as possible and I realized that was exactly what my boss expected of me, as she didn't.

seem to like it when she was bothered, much less when she felt pressured to pay attention to her own daughter. This usually happened when Mr. Mackenzie was at home, as I had already noticed that she pretended to be a completely different person in front of her husband and, to please him, she made some exceptions, approaching Eloá and treating her with affection. which she didn't seem to feel. Unlike her husband, who tried to spend all his free time with Eloá, even going out for a walk with the little girl. Of course.

he also took the nanny with him, but he did almost everything for the girl, as Nicole had already told me, only requesting her help when absolutely necessary. - You could spend your day off with my family. - I don't know

your family, Nicole – it was the same answer I gave the other times she had made the offer. – How can I just.

come over to your house and spend the weekend? - I already told you everything about my sister Emily and my two nephews. I've also told her everything about you. - Still, I can't - I refused once again. - Emily wants

to meet you! – she said excitedly. – She herself asks me to insist that you go to our house. You will like it a lot.

I'm sure. When I was off, Nicole was working and vice versa. So, it wasn't possible for the two of us to be able to do something together, and she tried, at all costs, to bring me closer to her family, since I didn't have

anyone. It was not possible to continue the subject, as Mr Mackenzie arrived on the terrace. - Good

afternoon, ladies - he greeted us. He approached where we were, but he looked directly at Nicole, as he always did and even I, who had no experience in relationships between men and women, had noticed that they

always looked at each other in a way that could not be considered appropriate. . - Good afternoon, Mr.

Mackenzie - we both replied simultaneously. - Look, daddy! I'm swimming! – Eloá shouted from where she was, drawing our attention to herself. - She's very beautiful, daddy's little one! He responded to the little girl's joy, displaying an infectious smile. When Eloá returned to paying attention to his teacher's instructions, he

turned towards us again. - Is everything okay with you? He was always concerned about knowing what happened in his absence and it didn't seem to be just out of politeness that he also always asked about how Nicole and I were doing. - We're fne, aren't we, Charlotte? – Nicole replied, smiling and looking at me, waiting.

for confrmation of her words. - Everything is fine here, Mr Mackenzie – I just confrmed. - And Eloá?

Anything I need to know? - She never gives work – Nicole said what I thought. – He is always an obedient.

and calm child. My two nephews are much more difcult than Eloá. - And how is everyone? Your sister and

your nephews? - he asked, quite interested. - We are all excited, as my brother-in-law is returning from his trip next week. - He's been traveling for a long time, hasn't he, Nicole? – Mr. Mackenzie seemed to know a lot

about Nicole's family. The truth is that they always talked a lot, and whenever it was necessary to go out with Eloá, the one chosen to accompany father and daughter, it was Nicole. 3. Uncertainties Charlotte We were all

looking at the movements of the child, who was being guided by the swimming teacher in the indoor pool that was on the upper terrace of the residence. - He's been in Italy for six months now - Nicole confrmed. - See.

I'm swimming! – Eloá caught our attention again, happy to be swimming from one side to the other of the huge pool. - You don't say "I'm swimming", Eloá! – Martina scolded her, appearing by surprise and I believe

that even Mr. Mackenzie was scared by her unexpected arrival. – You need to say: "I'm swimming!" - Sorry.

Martina. – Eloá asked, leaning on the edge of the pool and I thought there were tears in her eyes, but as she was all wet, I couldn't be sure. Martina did not accept her daughter calling her mother and Eloá always had to call her by her name. - I hope you pay more attention next time – she said to her daughter, and turning

towards her husband, she continued: -What are you doing next to the employees? - I can't understand what's happening, Martina – He pretended not to understand, as the question had been very clear. – That's not the

way to treat Eloá. - Why are you side by side with your daughter's nannies? Were you by any chance chatting.

with the servants? She didn't bother to answer her husband's question, just focusing on the fact that he was talking to Nicole and me, something extremely normal, given that we are his daughter's nannies. But not for

his wife, it seemed. One thing he didn't know, and I had already noticed some time ago, was that Martina was quite arrogant and that in addition to not showing any affection for her own daughter and not accepting that

the nannies did so, she always pretended in the presence of her husband. . The fact that she now acted like that was something out of the ordinary - she was just following our daughter's swimming lesson, Martina -

he justifed it and her tone was appeasing. Eloá's father was always a thoughtful and kind person to everyone and his wife would be no different. - It is not necessary. She has two nannies to do this service. - Can we talk

at home? - You can go ahead – She gestured towards the door that led to the stairs that led to the lower.

foor. - I'll wait for you in our room. The way she spoke was very calm, but she could tell that he was quite