Chapter 3 I play along

problem that I will resolve soon, my niece's aunt refused to accept the money and leave custody entirely to me. It would have saved me a headache if that poor thing had accepted, but that's okay, I'll go over her head if necessary, by hook or by crook, she'll have to accept it. A knock on the office door interrupts my thoughts. - Mr. Thompson, I'm sorry to come here, I know you don't like to be disturbed, but... - Genna, the housekeeper, begins to speak, rambling as always. - If you know, then be brief and leave - I say, without patience.

- She IS the girl, she doesn't stop calling for her father and mother. I don't know what else to say to calm her down. - Tell the truth. - That they died? - He asks, with wide eyes. - Children have to learn from a young age to deal with losses, so they don't grow up fantasizing about a perfect world and break down when they discover that the perfect world doesn't exist. - Sir, I can't tell her that. - Genna lowers her head. - Well, let me do the talking myself. - I get up and pass the woman, who looks at me scared. I didn't have much contact with my niece other than some photos sent by my brother, photos that I often didn't even open. Yesterday the nanny brought her here, but I haven't gone to talk to her yet. I see her sitting on the couch, hugging a brown teddy bear. The girl has brown hair, very reminiscent of my mother's, as are her features. I get closer and tears start to roll down the little girl's face. - Are you Uncle Noah? - She asks, in her sweet little girl voice. Uncle? How strange to hear her calling me that. I clear my throat. - I am. - That's all I can answer and I bend down in front of him. -Uncle Noah, why am I here? Where are mom and dad? I miss them! I thought it would be easier to come here and tell her to her face that her parents are not coming back, but now, in front of her, words fail me. - Is that your bear? - I bring up any random topic. - Yes, that's Mr. Rub - she presents her bear. - My father gave it to me. - He looks cool to me! - He looks like you. - Opens a small smile. - Do you think I'm cool? - And it's not? Usually uncles are nice. And he also has hair, just like you! - He runs his hand over my beard. The innocent gesture, taking me by surprise, ends up scaring me and I move away. I'm not used to these things. In fact, I'm not used to people in general. - Can't I touch you, uncle? - The little one is smart and notices my strange reaction. I cough to relieve the strange feeling of a lump forming in my throat. - Charlotte, I need to tell you something very important. - I start to speak, looking for the right words. - Is it about mom and dad? - As I already noticed, the girl is really very smart. - Yes, it's just... - I can't tell the truth. - They had to go on a trip and it will take a while to get back. - They died, right Uncle Noah? - I widen my eyes. - Dad said that about Teddy too, but the truth is he died! - She speaks, looking down and touching the bear. - Who is Teddy? - Our dog, Dad said he took a long trip to, that he was going to cheer up another family, but I heard him and Mom talking one night, Dad said he was dead. Did Mom and Dad go take care of Teddy, Uncle Noah? - The girl keeps staring at me. I am astonished. For the first time in my life, I can't find the words to respond to someone. - Yes, Charlotte, they went to take care of Teddy. -With no other alternative, I opt for the truth. She gets up and runs to me, hugging my legs. At first I don't know what to do, but soon I bend down, letting her hug me the right way. - Will the Lord take care of me, Uncle Noah? - He looks at me, his eyes full of tears. - Yes. - My chest feels strangely tight. Charlotte cried a lot and said several times that she was going to miss her parents very much, but little by little she calmed down. She chose to watch a cartoon and fell asleep. Chapter 4 The next morning, Charlotte woke up as if nothing had happened. I decided that I would arrive a little later than usual at the company, as I would have breakfast with her, before she went to school. I didn't usually go out of my routine, in a way, that irritated me a little, but I thought it would be important to have it with her at that moment and I was right. The little girl was very happy with this small gesture. She asked me to take her to school, but I would end up being too late and I promised that I would do it another day. Charlotte doesn't seem like a girl who would give me trouble, in my opinion, she was well educated. I got into the elevator, which was on the heliport, and got off on the presidential floor. I walked through the silent corridors, everything was the same as always, which I was very pleased with. My peace was taken away when I walked into my living room and there was a woman humming as she cleaned. She had a bucket in one hand and a rag in the other. - Why are you here? - I ask, without any delicacy or patience. She gets scared and drops the bucket full of water in the middle of the room, making a huge mess. - Damn it! - She complains, looking at the damage she did. Quickly his wide eyes are directed at me. - Forgive me, I'll fix everything. By the way, my name is Scarlett, I'm the new cleaning lady. - She introduces herself, all smiling. - It doesn't matter, this will be your last day, clean up this mess and leave my room immediately! - I order. As if the damage wasn't enough, the girl takes a step forward and slips on the wet floor, falling hard to the ground. I get closer and when she tries to get up, she slips again, but this time I'm quicker and catch her, preventing her from falling. That was all I needed, a labor process. My hands come to rest on her waist and our eyes meet. I feel your breath very close to mine. - Thanks! - Her voice comes out as a whisper. - You are a clumsy! - I release her and walk to my table. - Clean it up soon and be careful not to fall again. - Thick! - I hear her mumbling. - Clean it up and get out, I have a lot of things to do! - Please, Lord, I really need this job. - Whining. - If I needed it so much, I would be more careful. - I sit down, starting to straighten the papers on the table. - Give me a chance, I promise I'll be more careful. I'm going to clean everything up, but don't tell anyone anything, if the boss, Mr. Thompson, finds out, I won't have any chance, I heard he's a tyrant. Tyrant? More than an abused girl! - Okay, I won't say anything. - I play along, I'm even having fun with her without knowing who I really am. She starts to do little jumps of happiness, thanking him. Where did this crazy person come from? I ignore her madness and start paying attention to the papers, but every now and then, I look at her, as she hums softly as she cleans. - Ready - He says he's finished, smiling. - Once again, thank you! - I don't answer and she leaves the room. I dial my