by A. M. Kusi
“I won’t,” he said.
She considered the black shimmery diamonds staring back at her and wished he was right.
***
Isa walked up to her parents’ door and opened it. The butler, Thomas, rushed out to hold it. Two staircases wound around the room on either side of the large foyer. A chandelier hung above them, casting rainbows across the marble floor of the mansion. Isa nodded to the servants before making her way to the dining room where her presence was expected. She was running late, as usual, and she was sure to hear about it from her mother.
She opened the gold French doors to the formal dining room. Large mirrors hung around the great room, with a long table in the center that could seat thirty people. Her mother sat in one of the chairs on the side, her short dark hair, showing off the sparkle of diamonds dripping from her ears. A servant filled her glass and Isa could only guess if it was her second or third bottle of the day.
To her surprise, her father was seated at the head of the table. His blond hair and dark blue eyes cut across the room to measure her in a hard glare. Her eyes were the only thing she’d inherited from him. Her older brother, Liam, a spitting image of their father, was talking to Griffin Smith.
Why is he here?
“Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence,” her father announced as he cleared the last bite of lobster on his plate.
“I’m sorry. Something important came up.”
“Oh, was there a shoe sale somewhere your mother hasn’t heard about?” he joked, and the men joined in with low chuckles.
Isa found her seat, set out next to Griffin. “No, actually, a friend needed my help,” she said. As if they would really hear her.
“What you need is a good man to help take care of you so all these friends you have stop taking advantage of your naiveté,” her mother quipped, eyeing Griffin like he was a prime cut of steak.
Not again.
Griffin looked over at her and smiled, showing off his perfectly straight white teeth. He was handsome. In fact, she had even entertained the idea of having a fling with him right before she’d decided that she was done with meaningless sex. He seemed like the boy next door, only with more muscles. He had dark brown eyes and dirty blond hair. His suit was most assuredly tailored, and his watch was expensive. He was the exact sort of man her parents would want her to marry so she could be shown off to society. Then they could keep up appearances and the façade of a rich happy family.
Should she tell them she had a boyfriend? Did Ethan still want her that way? He had enough to deal with right now; he didn’t need to add a new relationship to the burdens he carried.
“You should help with a charity fundraiser I am doing this week,” her mother said before taking a few more gulps from her drink.
“It’s not like Isa has anything better to do than spend my money,” her father added.
“Actually, I have something to do this week and for the foreseeable future.”
“Oh? What’s that?” her mother asked.
“I have a friend who lost a family member and just inherited two young children. I’m going to help take care of them for a little while,” Isa explained, waiting for her parents’ reactions.
Her mother drained the rest of the red wine from her glass and motioned for the server to pour more. Her father took a long sip of his ever-present whiskey in his own cup before setting it down on the table harder than needed. His face blushed red, likely from both the alcohol and anger. His scowl turned to condescending laughter as he shook his head, regaining his composure. They had a guest, after all. “What’s wrong? I don’t give you enough money to live your lavish lifestyle so you had to go and get a job? You are so spoiled, you want more?”
The server set a plate of lobster and mixed vegetables on the table in front of her. Her appetite had vanished.
“I-I just want to help.”
He stared at her as if daring her to reply as he huffed angrily. “My daughter won’t be the help! A nanny? Really? How long do you think you will last doing actual work?”
“If it makes her happy,” Griffin said, surprising her. No one stood up to Daniel Grayson. Griffin had earned her gratitude.
“Father, Mother, I think Isa is going to surprise you all one day,” Liam said, giving her a wink. “Come on, Griff. We should get back to the office.”
Griffin turned to her and said, “It was lovely to see you again, Isa. I hope it won’t be too long before we get to meet again.”
She smiled politely. “Have a good day.”
Her brother and Griffin left the room and she took a sip of her water, still unable to touch the food on her plate. She just wanted to get this lunch over with and go home.
After the door shut, she heard the shatter of a plate. Her father stood, fuming. His hands were clenched by his sides as he shook with rage. “Both of you are an embarrassment. I don’t even know why I try so hard to give you a good life. I am never repaid,” he growled.
“Dan, please calm down,” her mother pleaded, wobbling as she stood.
“You are disgusting; you can barely stand. You look like a fat pig in that outfit.”
Her mother winced as he berated her.
Isa got to her feet. Things were about to get uglier and there was nothing she could do about it. Her father might never have left a mark on them physically, but his words cut deeper than any two-edged sword ever could.
“And you!” he said, pointing his finger sharply towards her. “I bring you a good man and you talk about being the fucking help!”
She turned and moved to the door, to escape.
“Don’t you walk away from me when I am talking to you, you ungrateful little bitch! You want money in your account this month, don’t you?”
She turned to face him, her body trembling. She hated that he was right, but she needed that money to live. Every month, it was the same thing: checking in to see what she was doing. Verbal abuse. She had given up trying to please him long ago, knowing it was impossible. Fear of trying and failing held her hostage to him. “Yes,” she answered.
“You’re going on a date with Griffin then. I’ll tell him to call you with the details.”
Isa felt the floor shift underneath her feet. “I have a boyfriend.”
Her father looked taken aback, and her mother gasped.
“Who?” he demanded.
“No one you know. He is from a good family though,” she said, knowing her and her parents’ definition of a good family meant two entirely different things.
“You have to bring him here for me to meet sometime soon,” her father said, some of his anger dissipating.
“I will.” It was a lie. She would avoid introducing Ethan to her father for as long as humanly possible. Daniel Grayson had a way of infecting any happiness she happened to find. He had repeatedly ruined her chances of ever being truly free of his tyranny.
Chapter 17
Isa arrived at Ethan’s house at seven on the dot. It was her first time being on time for anything in her life. She’d had to set three different alarms to make sure she was, but she’d made it.
She knocked on the door, as a baby screamed from inside. Ethan whipped the door open, appearing relieved when he saw her. The chubby baby in his arms wailed loudly.
“Welcome to hell,” Ethan said.
She reached out for Max and took him in her arms. Warm, damp fabric met her bare skin. “Where are the diapers?”
Ethan pointed out the various necessities she would need for the day—milk that Abby had pumped and stored in their freezer, diapers, wipes, snacks for the kids. Everything was scattered about the catastrophe that was now his house.
“Where is Joy?” she asked.
He led her through the hall to the living room where the little girl was glued to the television. “Hey, baby girl. This is my friend Isa. S
he’s gonna watch you and Max today while I’m gone.”
“Hi, Joy,” Isa said.
Joy studied her for a moment before turning her gaze back to the television.
“I have to shower and get dressed really quick. I’m gonna be late,” Ethan said.
“I’ve got this. You go,” she assured him.
He disappeared upstairs as she grabbed a diaper and changed Max. She pulled a spare pair of pants from the diaper bag and exchanged the wet ones for the dry pair before she sat on the couch next to Joy. Max grabbed on to Isa’s face clumsily with his chubby hands. Joy glanced shyly at her and then moved farther down the couch, staring back at the television.
Fifteen minutes later, Ethan came down in a pair of nice jeans and a white button-up dress shirt. He was wearing glasses, and Isa couldn’t help the teacher-student fantasies that played in her head. Joy was still ignoring her, but Max had explored every inch of her face with his hands and covered her cheeks in slobber.
“You have my number if you need anything. I’ll keep my phone on vibrate. The number to my school is on the fridge along with my mother’s. But don’t call her unless you can’t get a hold of me and it’s an emergency,” he said, franticly looking at the Apple watch on his wrist. “I’ll be back by five,” he promised.
“See you then, Uncle Ethan.” She waved and smiled.
He nodded, scanning the room one more time. He walked over to Joy and got her attention. “Hey, sweetie. I gotta go to work now.”
Joy looked at Isa, her big brown eyes afraid and uncertain. “I don’t want to stay here. I want to go home. I want my mommy and daddy!” she said, tears erupting.
Ethan sighed and rubbed his face before he got on his knees to talk to her. “I wish they could be here too, honey.” He seemed at a loss for what to say next.
Isa spoke. “I thought maybe we could bake some chocolate chip cookies today, and do some arts and crafts. Would you like to have some fun with me while Uncle Ethan is at work?”
“I want Nana!” Joy cried even harder, balling her hands into tiny fists.
Ethan pulled her face to his as he spoke softly to her. “J, Nana has to take care of Papa. Remember he hurt his hip?”
She nodded.
“Once Papa is better, you can go to their house when I go to work. Today, I need you to be a big girl and help show Isa how to take care of Max and where everything is. Can you do that for me?” he asked.
Joy wiped her eyes and nodded. “Cookies?” she asked, turning to face Isa.
“Yes, but I’m going to need help to bake them. Can you be my assistant?” Isa said, seeing the glimmer in the little girl’s eyes.
“Okay,” Joy agreed.
“I don’t know what I have in the cupboards. Just the bare necessities.” Ethan sighed.
“It’s okay. I brought some supplies.” She winked.
He nodded and grabbed his messenger bag before giving Joy a kiss on her forehead and then Max. He hesitated, looking unsure.
“I’ve got this,” Isa promised.
“Thank you,” he said.
A pang of worry clenched her belly as he left without giving her a kiss as well. Did that mean whatever they’d had between them was over now?
Isa helped Joy change from her pajamas into clean clothes before making them breakfast. She found a baby carrier in the living room that looked like the one Harper used. She put Max on her back and held Joy’s hand as they took a trip to her car to unload the groceries and supplies she’d brought.
Soon Ethan’s fridge was stocked and the cookies were baking in the oven, filling the house with a delicious smell.
Max had fallen asleep, so she laid him in the crib and set Joy up with some paint supplies while she cleaned the house.
“That is a beautiful picture,” Isa said, sitting next to the little girl. She cradled a cup of coffee for the first time that day, even though it was nearly one in the afternoon.
“It’s my mommy and daddy. Nana said they had to go away to heaven,” Joy explained.
Isa didn’t want to say too much and overstep her place. “Oh, I see. How does that make you feel?”
“Sad. I don’t want them to stay away. I want to go with them,” Joy said, her eyes glistening with tears again.
Isa’s heart broke for the little girl. She was only six years old.
“I lost someone I loved too. And whenever I felt sad, I found this magical thing that helped me feel a little better each time I did it.”
Joy’s eyes grew large as she whispered, “What was it?”
Isa leaned in a little closer as she shared her secret. “I paint. When I feel sad, I paint and I feel a little better. You can put everything you feel and everything you wish you could say into your painting. You can say things with it that you don’t know how to verbalize, things that don’t even have words.”
“Really?” Joy asked, looking at the artwork she had just made.
Isa took the child’s painting and pointed to it as she explained. “In this piece, I see how much you love your mommy and daddy.”
“You see that?” Joy asked in awe.
“Yes. You know what else I see?”
“What?” Joy asked, seemingly riveted.
Isa’s heart broke as she said the words she wished someone had said to her when her brother had died, something she still wished for today. “I see your mommy and daddy’s love inside you, Joy.”
***
Ethan went through his day like a robot. The principal had offered to give him a few days off surrounding the funeral, but he needed to stay busy to keep his mind off his grief. It was the only way he would survive this. He needed some semblance of normalcy. He had already taken off the first two weeks of the school year, and he didn’t want to neglect his students further. If he was honest, he needed the escape from home too.
He only hoped his performance as a teacher wouldn’t suffer for long because his students needed him. His mother needed him. His niece and nephew needed him. This level of responsibility was his new reality.
He had texted Isa to see if she minded staying a couple of hours later so he could catch up on grading a bunch of papers. There was no way he would be able to get it done with the children.
Isa: No problem. Kids are happy and having fun.
She sent a picture of Joy and Max covered in paint. He cringed at the thought of a bigger mess, but at least they were both smiling. His heart warmed for the first time that day, a spark of gratefulness mingled and tangled within his sadness, transforming into hope.
It was seven o’clock when he arrived home, tired and drained. He shut off the engine, grabbed his bag, and headed inside the house. Ethan took a deep breath, preparing himself for the mess and chaos inside.
He walked in and gasped. Gone were the toys and scattered clothing that were there when he’d left. Everything was organized. The house smelled delicious, like Isa had made more than cookies. It smelled like something warm and savory. He set his bag down and searched the quiet house for any sign of Isa and the kids. He had spent the whole day worrying about them and trying to hurry back.
Upstairs he peeked into the room he’d set up with a crib. Max was sleeping peacefully. He heard giggling coming from the bathroom. The sight that met him set all his fears at ease.
Isa had Joy in a bubble bath and she was telling her a very animated story about a unicorn. By the expression on her face and her laughter, his niece found it hilarious. He leaned against the doorframe. Seeing Isa with Joy stirred up feelings that he tried to shove away. If she chose to, she would make a great mother someday.
***
“Uncle Ethan!” Joy yelled excitedly, looking towards the door.
Isa turned quickly. Ethan stood there, the corner of his mouth turned up as his fiery gaze locked on to her. Isa’s cheeks flushed. Had she done something wrong? Maybe
her parents were right and she wouldn’t last long here. “Why don’t you go eat dinner? It’s keeping warm in the oven. I’ll finish getting her ready for bed.”
“You sure?” he asked.
“Yeah. Go eat.”
She helped Joy get dried off and into pajamas, and brushed her teeth. She wasn’t sure what to do with her tight curls, but Ethan came up just in time. He took out a brush and product that she didn’t recognize. After gently tending to Joy’s hair, he placed a black silk sleep cap on her head.
“Read me a story?” Joy asked Ethan.
“I’ll go.” Isa stood to leave.
“Please wait. We need to talk,” he said, his expression seemingly pained.
Isa nodded and headed down to the kitchen. She took the several pictures Joy had painted and stacked them neatly together. She placed the paintbrushes in a cup by the sink and loaded the dishes Ethan had used in the dishwasher before starting it. She nervously cleaned, waiting for him to come and tell her all the ways she had messed up. All the reasons this wouldn’t work out.
“You didn’t have to cook for me.” His deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
“I wanted to. There are leftovers for your lunch if you want. I’m sure it’s not the greatest, but it’s at least edible, right?” she asked, afraid of his answer.
He came up behind her and took her hand, pulling her away from the sink. He gently forced her to look at him. “It was amazing,” he said. “I honestly didn’t expect you to do half of everything you did today. You are just what I needed.”
Glancing at his mouth, she bit her lip. She was relieved that she hadn’t failed. Just having him close caused arousal to heat her from the inside out. That familiar ache began to throb between her thighs. Her body craved his. The electricity his touch always sparked hummed between them.
