TWELVE

Kamilla Lopez

I organize my posture, check the time on the clock that was on my wrist, sigh a few times and take one last look in the mirror before leaving the room. I hold my purse and squeeze it between my fingers, I am nervous, I have never taken care of a child, not even in the orphanage, many of them were over 10–13 years old. I say goodbye to Mrs. Carolina and pass by the front door, soon, I see a vehicle approaching and stop in front of my house, a man dressed in a suit gets out of the car and opens the door for me to enter, after getting in and thanking for the kindness the man closed the door and took the wheel.

While we were in the traffic I clenched my fingers nervously, I am insecure, afraid that the child I will take care of will not like me, many times I looked at the driver wanting to ask in how the child was, but I chose to keep quiet. The car passed through huge gates where security guards could be seen in front of them, when the vehicle parked in front of the entrance hall I got out of the car and contemplated the huge mansion.

I wandered my eyes around the front area, I observed half of a garden that seemed immense, there were several trees spread out, I put my hand inside my pocket trying to hide the trembling that they were. At that moment a woman who appeared to be 40 years old passed by the main door, when she saw me she smiled a little and approached me.

— You must be the babysitter, my name is Morgana. — she extends her hand and greets me.

— Yes, it's me, my name is Kamilla.

— I've been expecting you, come with me.

I started to follow her steps into the mansion, as we passed through the door I admired the large main room with a wonderful chandelier above us, I looked at the furniture, it was white covered with solid gold, I looked towards the stairs, it was covered with a huge red velvet— like carpet.

— The child you are assigned to care for is named Erick Ross. — Morgana informed me.

Upon hearing those words, my body tensed up, when I got the clause from the contract, it didn't mention the name of the child, at least that I would be working for Nick Ross. Morgan turned to me and asked:

— Do you know who I am referring to?

— The child or his father?

— Good question.

— That was a very bad question. — I mumbled.

— What did you say?

— Where is the child?

— At this moment, he is at school.

Morgana started walking again, I was listening to her carefully what Erick Ross' routine was, when she didn't mention any words I was thinking about the trouble I got myself into, maybe Nick Ross doesn't know I'm working for him and somehow, so he doesn't notice my presence in this house, what the fuck am I thinking...of course he knows I work for him, he would never let someone babysit his children without first getting his approval and knowing who it would be. I couldn't believe it, now I work for that man who thinks he is the boss of me, gosh... I should have suspected the hiring right away, that never happens.

— Little Erick has no restrictions on what he wants to eat, so whether you find the order healthy or not strange, you do it.

I was startled by his words, it shows that the child does not lead a life with restrictions and limits, this is harmful to him, Nick as a parent should know.

— So...you mean he does whatever he wants?

— Yes, Mr. Ross lets his son decide for himself, he thinks this helps him not to remember his mother.

— What happened to his mother?

— She was killed, Mr. Ross is a well— known man, that's why there are dozens of security guards inside and outside the priority. — Morgana explained to me.

— Does he have anyone else besides his son?

— No, not yet.

After showing me around the mansion, Morgana took me to the kitchen, and introduced me to the other employees who were responsible for preparing the day's food. At 11:00 a.m., Morgana accompanied me to the entrance hall, we saw a van pass by the gates where it was full of children, the vehicle door was opened, and I saw Erick coming down the stairs, he said goodbye to his little friends and started walking towards us. Morgana mentioned his name and he looked up, when he ran into me, I saw him crack a big smile and run towards me.

— Kami!

Erick threw himself into my arms with elation, he hugged me tightly and wrapped his arms around my neck.

— I thought you wouldn't keep your promise.

— Do you two know each other? — Morgana asked. — Ah, of course, I'll go to the kitchen, excuse me.

Morgan smiled shyly and walked away from us, Erick and I continued to stand in the doorway.

— Well, I didn't just come to see you.

— Did you come to live here?

— What? No, I'm your new nanny.

— New nanny?

— Yes ... — my smile has narrowed.

— I never had a nanny before.

— But now you do.

— What is a nanny for?

— Well, they're used to taking care of children who have been resigned.

— Like a mommy?

— Sort of.

— Oh, my God... You're my new mommy! — I see a sparkle in your eyes.

— Wait a minute, kid, that wasn't the...

— Come on, mommy, I'll show you my room.

He reaches down from my arms and grabs my hand, with euphoria, he pulls me towards the stairs, we pass through the long corridor and stop at a door, Erick opens it and reveals a room decorated with a dark blue color, my eyes focus on the drawings of airplanes drawn on the wall, there were huge shelves adorned by various toys of cars and hero dolls, Erick runs to the armchair and throws his backpack, he approaches a dresser and picks up three dolls.

— Come here, mommy, I want to show you the heroes I like the most.

He sits down on the bed and taps the comforter next to him, I walk over and sit down listening to him start talking:

— This is the Hulk, he's very strong, this is Captain America, and this is Thor.

— Very nice to meet you.

— They won't answer you.

— I know that, but it would be strange if they did.

Erick straightened his posture and I noticed that he put his feet up on the comforter, still wearing his shoes.

— You'll get the comforter dirty, take off your shoes.

— No problem, if it gets dirty, the maid will put another one on.

— I don't doubt that, but the maid who's in charge of cleaning is working her butt off to do it, so to make her job easier, wouldn't it be nice if you took off your dirty shoes?

Erick looked at his shoes and realized that there was a lot of dirt on them, he quickly got rid of them and put them on the floor. At that moment, the door received a light knock that caught our attention.

— It's ugly to eavesdrop on other people's conversations, Morgana.

— Erick! — I scolded him.

— Hello, Mama?

— You can't talk that way to your elders, you owe them respect, apologize.

— You don't have to...

— I'm sorry, Morgana.

— Miss Morgana. — I correct you.

— I'm sorry, Madam Morgana.

— It's all right, I came to tell you that lunch is ready.

— Amen, I'm starving!

Erick got out of bed and ran to the door, but before he could leave, I caught his attention.

— Erick.

— I'm hungry.

— I get it, but before you eat, you should take a shower.

— I'll take a shower later.

— Now, please.

He sighs and walks towards the bathroom, he takes off his clothes and starts his bath. Morgana, who was still standing in front of the door, looked at the scene with a surprised expression.

— How did you do this?

— Do what?

— How did you make the boy obey you?

— Mom, can I come out now? — he shouted from the bathroom.

— No, pass the soap. — I yelled back.

— The servants will be surprised.

Morgana spoke before leaving the room and returning to the kitchen.