Susie settled into her new role as James's nanny, her days filled with school runs, homework, and playtime. She took James to school every morning, watching as he grew more confident with each passing day. She'd wave goodbye as he disappeared into his classroom, her heart swelling with love and determination. There were times when she almost broke out of her role. One time.
As she drove back home, her before driver, Alfred dropped her.Susie couldn't help but think about the life she left behind. She had been a wife, a mother, and a partner in her own right. Now, she was a nanny, a role she had taken on to get close to her son. It was a sacrifice, but one she was living with the consequences of her ex-husband's infidelity and her own desperation to be with her child.
After dropping James off, Susie would return home to tackle the household chores. Natasha couldn't clean, but was particular about cleanliness, and Susie made sure to meet her expectations. As she vacuumed and dusted, she'd catch glimpses of her ex-husband, Alex, working from home. He'd look up, their eyes would meet, and for a moment, the past would come flooding back.
Susie would feel a pang in her chest, a mix of emotions she couldn't quite process. She had thought she was over him, that she had moved on from the pain he had caused her. But seeing him now, in this new context, brought back all the memories she had tried to bury.
****
"Susie, the laundry needs to be done immediately before I come back from the salon." Natasha hesitated as she pointed at the pile of dirty clothes.
" But I already did some laundry." Susie whispered and picked up the clothes. She went down to the laundry room and started sorting the clothes, so that there wouldn't be any issues. Moments later, the laundry was done. She walked upstairs to her former room. Now Natasha's. As Susie walked into the room, she got startled to see Alex there, on his laptop.
" I'm so sorry sir. I didn't expect you home today..."
" What?!"
I mean...I..." Susie staggered back. What did she just say. Things are getting out of hand.
" Working home today. It's okay." He continued typing. Susie closed her eyes. 'He was right in front of her'. She couldn't take it.
" Why can't this just add up." Alex tensed up as he covered his face with his hands.
"I don't know how she used to do it," he muttered, staring at his laptop screen. "This software is driving me crazy."
Susie raised an eyebrow, her fingers moving instinctively to help. " Can I take a look," she said, her voice calm and professional. She began tapping. Moving the mouse cursor to places, while Alex just gazed at her , with his jaw dropped.
" How do you know this?"
" I learned this in college." Susie pursed her lips. It was true but an average nanny shouldn't know this.
As she worked her magic on the software, their hands touched, and a spark of electricity ran through her body.
" You sound smarter than my wife." Alex looked up, his eyes locking onto hers, and for a moment, she saw a glimpse of their old life, many years ago when she would sit on his lap and do jer little magic on the laptop.
But the moment passed,when Natasha walked into the room, her eyes narrowing. "What's going on here?" she asked, her voice cool.
Susie stepped back, her hands behind her back. "Just helping Mr. Collins with his computer issues, ma'am," she said, her voice demure.
Natasha's gaze lingered on Alex, then Susie, looking more helpless than ever, before she nodded and walked away. Susie let out a breath, her heart racing. She knew she had to tread carefully, but she couldn't help the way she felt.
As the days went by, Susie found herself growing closer to James, and even Natasha began to thaw towards her. But the tension between her and Alex remained, a palpable force that neither of them could ignore.
Susie's plan was working, but at what cost? She was getting closer to her son, but she was also getting tangled in her feelings for her ex-husband. And what about Natasha? Would she ever suspect the truth about Miss Jennie Oliver?
One evening, as Susie was putting James to bed, he looked up at her with big, round eyes. "Miss Oliver?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Yes, James?" Susie replied, her voice soft.
"Do you think my mom is in heaven?" James asked, his eyes welling up with tears.
Susie's heart broke for her son. She knew he missed his mother, and she wished she could tell him the truth. But for now, she had to keep up the charade.
"I think your mom is always with you in spirit, James," Susie said, trying to sound reassuring. "She loves you very much, and she's watching over you from wherever she is."
James nodded, seeming to accept Susie's words. But as Susie tucked him into bed, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She was lying to her son, and it didn't feel right.
As she turned out the lights and closed the door, Susie couldn't shake off the feeling that she was living a lie. She was a nanny, a fake identity, a secret keeper. But for now, it was all she could do.
The next day, Susie woke up early, determined to keep up the act. She made breakfast for James, helped him get ready for school, and drove him to his classroom. As she waved goodbye, she felt a sense of pride and purpose. She was doing this for her son, and she would see it through to the end.
As she walked back home, Susie couldn't help but notice the way Alex looked at her. Not the look of a boss to worker. It was a look of curiosity, of interest, and maybe even a hint of attraction. He might still love me. Susie's heart skipped a beat as she realized that she might not be immune to his charms after all.
She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. Getting James back. Alex has made his decision. A message beeped on her cell phone:
~ Can we meet?