"I want my psychology teacher to be my stay-in home governess."
Lady Bell was still in disbelief over her niece's demand from the night before. And this morning, both she and her brother Daniel had been left speechless as Betty stubbornly continued to insist on Esther's services.
Honestly, she had expected good feedback, but not to the point of her usually guarded and resistant niece demanding that the young woman move into their home.
"Turay, I don't know what your student did or how she did it, but I'm incredibly impressed," Lady Bell confessed as she sat across from Professor Turay in his office. "My niece is not the type to make such bold requests, not to her father, and certainly not to me."
She had taken the opportunity to meet with the professor after dropping Betty off at school that morning. What shocked her most was that Betty had woken up early on her own, gotten ready without a fuss, and even urged her aunt to hurry so she wouldn't be late for class.
Professor Turay offered a knowing smile. "I understand your surprise. But honestly, I'm not shocked. Esther has a special way with children. She's been a blessing here at the Academy."
If he were the boastful type, he could go on about the many transformations Esther had guided in such a short time. The last child she'd helped also suffered from a speech disability caused by trauma from previous guardians. Esther hadn't just helped him speak again, she helped him reclaim his confidence.
"That's exactly why I assigned Betty's case to her. I knew she'd make a difference."
"Well, now I need your help more than ever," Lady Bell said, her eyes practically shining with hope. "Please talk to your student. Help me convince her to accept my offer."
"I'll speak to her," the professor promised. "But I can't make any guarantees. In the end, the decision is entirely Esther's."
"Absolutely," Lady Bell agreed, though she could hardly contain her eagerness.
"Esther."
She turned at the sound of her name, surprised to see her professor standing by the door, and beside him, Lady Bell, Betty's aunt. Esther had only just begun her morning and hadn't expected guests, let alone these guests.
"Good morning, Professor. Good morning, ma'am," she greeted them warmly, offering her usual gentle smile.
"Good morning, dear!" Lady Bell responded with surprising enthusiasm, moving in quickly for an embrace. Esther stiffened slightly, baffled by the gesture but too polite to pull away.
"Esther, dear," Professor Turay cut in, sensing her confusion, "would you spare us a few minutes? Mrs. Bella has something she'd like to discuss with you."
Esther nodded courteously and followed them to his office. Her heart beat steadily, though her mind was already forming questions. She recalled her recent interactions with Betty, how the girl had finally started to open up, but what was all this about?
"Please, have a seat," Professor Turay offered.
Esther sat quietly, her posture respectful, though her thoughts were running. This felt bigger than she anticipated.
"Dear," Professor Turay began, easing into the moment, "Mrs. Bella here would like to ask something of you, and I hope you'll give it some thought."
"First of all, thank you," Lady Bell jumped in, eyes sincere. "I'm incredibly impressed with whatever it is you did with Betty. Truly. And because of your exceptional work, I'd like to offer you a job, as my niece's live-in governess."
Esther blinked.
"What?" The word slipped from her lips before she could contain it.
"Hear me out, child," Lady Bell said quickly. "You would live with us and be Betty's governess. In return, we would pay you handsomely, whatever salary you ask. My family is more than capable of meeting your terms."
Esther sat back, still absorbing the proposal. Of all the things she imagined hearing this morning, this wasn't one of them.
"I'm truly honored, and grateful that you considered me first for this role," Esther said carefully, her voice calm and kind. "But I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
Lady Bell's bright expression dimmed in an instant. Her smile faltered, replaced by visible disappointment.
"Why not?" she asked, trying to stay composed. "Dear, we'll pay you whatever you ask. We'll meet all your needs, just… please help my niece."
"It's not about the money, ma'am," Esther replied gently. "I'm still a student, and I work here at the Academy. I also have responsibilities at home, my mother depends on me. I wouldn't be able to move in with your family or take on something so full-time right now."
She didn't add that her exams were fast approaching, or that her mother would never agree to such an arrangement. That part didn't need to be said.
Lady Bell leaned forward, her voice nearly pleading.
"Is there nothing I can say to convince you to take this job?"
Esther offered a soft, regretful smile.
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
Esther stepped quietly back into the classroom, her thoughts still tangled from the meeting. The morning sunlight filtered in through the large windows, casting warm patterns on the tiled floor. Students were settling into their seats, but one particular pair of eyes locked onto her the moment she walked in.
Betty.
The girl's usual guarded expression was replaced with something soft, hopeful, even anxious. As soon as Esther made it to her desk, Betty stood and walked over, clutching the strap of her backpack tightly.
"Miss Esther…" she wrote on her tab, almost hesitant.
Esther turned to her, offering a small smile. "Yes, Betty?"
The girl glanced around, then let her tab spoke her inner whispers, "Did my aunt talk to you?"
Esther nodded slowly. "She did."
Betty bit her bottom lip, eyes flickering with emotion. "Did you… say yes?" Again she wrote
Esther sighed gently, her hand brushing the edge of her desk. "No, sweetheart. I didn't."
Betty's face fell. "But why? I want you to come live with us. I want you to be with me, not just here, but always. I don't… I don't like most people. But I like you." the words came through in one paragraph on her tablet as it robotically voice out.
Esther's heart squeezed at the raw honesty in Betty.
"I know," she said softly, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind Betty's ear. "And I like you too. Very much. You're bright, and brave, and stronger than you know."
"Then come," Betty insisted,the robot voice more raw that it should be. "Would you please reconsider?", again the voice of her assistant tab came "I promise I won't be difficult anymore."
Esther stood and gently pulled Betty into a comforting hug. The girl didn't resist. Instead, she clung to Esther like something precious.
"I will still be here for you," Esther whispered into her ear. "I'll be your teacher, your guide, your friend, for as long as you want me to. But I can't take the job your aunt offered. Not because I don't care. But because I have responsibilities I can't leave behind. My family, my studies… my own life. It's not something I can give up right now."
Betty pulled back, eyes shiny with unshed tears. "So you're rejecting me?"
"No," Esther said firmly, cupping her cheek. "I'm not rejecting nor leaving you. I'm just not moving in. We'll still see each other every day. I'll still help you. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
"But it won't be the same," Betty's fingers hesitantly wrote
"No, it won't," Esther admitted. "But sometimes, the people who care about us the most… still have to make hard choices. And I hope one day, you'll understand that I made this one because I had to, not because I wanted to."
Betty nodded slowly, reluctantly. "Okay," she responded after a quick write on her tab. "But I'm still going to try to change your mind."
Esther chuckled, her voice warm and teasing. "You wouldn't be you if you didn't."
The sun had just begun its slow descent, casting golden rays across the glass panels of LewisTech Corporation's headquarters. Daniel was deep in a meeting when the intercom buzzed.
"Sir, your daughter is here," his assistant Thomas announced.
Daniel's brows furrowed. "Betty? Here?"
Moments later, the door swung open and in came Betty, her school uniform still neatly pressed, her expression unusually determined. She walked right up to his desk, tablet in hand.
"Dad," she wrote on the screen, holding it up for him to read.
Daniel rose from his chair, surprised but instantly attentive. "Is everything alright? Shouldn't you be at school?" He cast a questioning glance at his elder sister, Lady Bell, who followed in behind Betty with a sigh.
"What happened?" he asked directly this time, concern sharpening his tone.
Lady Bell settled into the nearest seat, her expression resigned. "Well… the talk didn't go as planned."
Daniel narrowed his gaze. "Didn't go as planned? You mean the teacher rejected the offer?"
He was more astonished than surprised. In the past, several caregivers and professionals had backed out after a week of meeting Betty's troubled side, but for someone to reject the offer before even trying? That was new. Especially given the generous compensation attached.
"Yes," Lady Bell nodded. "She was polite, but firm. Said she couldn't accept it because she's still a student, and she works part-time at the Academy."
Betty stepped closer and quickly typed something onto her tablet.
"Dad, can you please talk to Miss Esther and convince her to change her mind? I really want her to be my governess."
Daniel read it slowly, then looked down at her. There was a quiet desperation in her eyes, one he hadn't seen in a long time. His daughter, who barely ever made requests of him, was now asking for something with genuine urgency.
He exhaled deeply and placed a steady, warm hand on her shoulder.
"All right. I'll see what I can do."
Betty quickly typed again: "Promise?"
"I promise," he replied.
Then something happened that startled him completely, Betty reached out, placing her small hands against his chest, and leaned in for an embrace.
Daniel froze, momentarily stunned. It had been years since she had willingly touched him like this. He slowly wrapped his arms around her, heart clenching.
Could this be the work of that teacher?
If this much change could happen in mere days… then yes, he was going to do everything in his power to bring Miss Esther into their lives.
He smiled gently and whispered, "Now go on home with your aunt. I'll get you what you want."
Betty nodded and walked out with Lady Bell, leaving a lingering warmth in the air.
A moment later, Thomas entered quietly, as if he had sensed the right moment.
"Thomas," Daniel said, buttoning his jacket as he moved toward the window. "Get me everything on this Miss Esther."
Thomas gave a brief nod. "Yes, sir."
With that, he turned and left, already knowing exactly what Daniel meant.
A few hours had passed when Thomas returned, a tablet in hand and an expression that hinted he had what Daniel needed.
"Here's everything about her, sir," he began. "Esther Cole. Twenty-one years old. Third-year psychology student. Works part-time at Lovet Academy, primarily with children with emotional and developmental challenges. Her mother is a widow. They live modestly. No red flags, nothing out of the ordinary. Clean background."
Daniel took the tablet and skimmed through her profile. As his eyes flicked over her photo, something clicked.
The fundraising gala. Last night.
The young woman in the emerald green dress who had walked in beside Dija.
The coffee girl.
So that was her.
He hadn't expected someone so young to carry herself with such poise, compassion, and subtle confidence. No wonder Betty had opened up. There was something about her.
"Reach out to Professor Turay," Daniel said, handing the tablet back. "Tell him I'd like to set up a meeting with Miss Cole. If she won't come here, I'll go there."
"Understood," Thomas replied, already turning to leave.
As he stepped into the hallway, he nearly bumped into Sarah, who let out a low, annoyed groan.
"Where are you headed in such a rush?" she asked, straightening her posture with a flick of her hair.
Thomas simply stared at her with blank silence.
And that was enough.
"Right," Sarah muttered, folding her arms. "Another one of Mr. Lewis's top-secret errands."
She'd worked under Daniel for years, and not once had Thomas slipped up or offered a single leak. His loyalty was legendary, and frustrating.
Still, she wasn't going to let it drop without a try.
"Alright then, go on and do whatever Mr. Lewis has sent you to do," she said, stepping aside. "Wouldn't want to slow down his most trusted man."
But just as he passed her, she added with a casual smirk, "Thomas, how about a coffee break at lunchtime?"
He paused mid-step. Slowly, he turned to her, suspicion in his eyes.
He knew Sarah well, too well. She was fishing. But despite everything, he nodded.
"Sure."
Sarah blinked in mild surprise but masked it with a graceful shrug. "Great."
What she didn't know, or maybe she did, was that despite all her dismissals, he still harbored feelings for her. He had made it no secret once, and though she had turned him down, some foolish, flickering hope still lingered in him.