Has it been fate all along? Maybe I was meant to be Holland's Mother.
You are getting ahead of yourself, Samantha. This might just be wishful thinking. I'm sure Julian has better women on his radar better than a nursery teacher.
Reject the offer. Don't get too close to him, or he will break your heart. You are already going in with many expectations that might never be met.
How can I reject such a good offer because of fear? I stay close to Holland and close to her father. How can I?
I think he likes me.
What if the school finds out about this? You know how rumours fly about in this town.
You could get in serious trouble for this.
"Darn it!" I muttered, rising from my bed. "There's no way I can sleep with my mind all over the place like this."
I usually sleep every day between 9 pm and 10 pm, a habit I developed in school so I could wake up early the following day to read because I found that I was not a night reader like my other friends.
My mum always said you cannot cheat nature. Sleep at night, Samantha, she would advise.
I drowsily laid back on the bed to give sleeping another try. I turned and turned, and then I gave up trying altogether. I could not sleep, and I knew why. Instead of ignoring the problem, I decided to face it once and for all.
I walked to the kitchen like a zombie to take milk.
I was about to open the fridge when my phone rang. I hurriedly took out the gallon of milk before rushing to the bedroom to take the call, wondering who could be calling this late.
Elijah
Why is my brother calling me so late?
I sighed before pressing the green button on my phone. "Hello. What is it, Elijah? Could you stop calling me by this time? I'm not your wife!"
"You still haven't changed Sam. I just called to check up on you. Stop being so grumpy. How are you?" He chuckled.
I could hear him making coffee in the background. I guess he just returned from a trip and wanted to talk to me. Now, I felt guilty for snapping at him.
"Confused." I sighed, sitting down on my bed.
"Tell me about it."
"You know that girl I always told you about?"
"The mute one?"
"She's got a name, jerk!" I hissed.
"Well, I forgot her name. Chill out! You know I'm bad at remembering names."
"Her name is Holland, and better remember it this time."
I dropped my milk can on the table, careful not to spill it. "She is just mute for now. I suspect it's as a result of shock or whatever. I don't even know why. Anyway, that's not what this is about. Her dad is asking me to be her Nanny."
Elijah started laughing. "You are not joking, are you?"
"No, I'm not." I snapped. "He told me today, but I haven't given him a reply yet. I'm wondering what Mum and Dad will say about it."
He snorted. "Oh, common Sam. You know you don't care about what our parents will say."
"Don't say that! I do." I sighed. "I've never disobeyed them. Well, except when I agreed to teach, but that's excusable. For once, I just wanted to do something for myself. To do what makes me happy."
"I understand." He chuckled softly. "So what are you going to do? Say no or yes. Whatever your decision, you will still be the family's black sheep, so if I were you, I would do what I want. You already started living for yourself. Don't stop."
"I don't know. I'm not a rebel, you know. But then I do need the extra money, and I really would like to spend more time with Holland." I exhaled loudly. "But if they found out I work as a nanny, that would make them lose their shit. A Brick's working as a nanny. That's not a nice thing at all."
"Who cares! It's an honest job, Samantha. I'll always support you."
"Are you sure?" I asked, smiling.
"Always. Although, your love for that girl is suspicious." My brother chuckled.
I rolled my eyes. He says the most stupid things.
"No. Her muteness is suspicious, not my love." I sighed. "Something is wrong with her, something deep. I feel it in my bones."
"Prophetess Sam. Since when did you become a therapist, huh? You probably have the hots for this guy. Her father, I mean."
"Of course not silly." I hissed. "I just hate talking to you, ugh!"
I was so glad Elijah couldn't see my face now cause I was all red.
"You know you love me. But honestly, do what makes you happy, Sam. Really. A little more rebellion since you already started. It's much better to embrace the sin than to deny it."
I nodded, feeling a little better. I was surprised that he did not try to pick a fight with me tonight. Usually, he always tries to pick a fight with me. I hated him so much, but I loved him more than I did myself, more than words could describe.
We ended up talking about his wife and work and how he found it hard to travel now that he has a family. He loves his job; he always wanted to be a pilot, to travel around the world, but now, with marriage, he suddenly wants to stay in a place. At home with his family.
I want that kind of love, you know, the one that becomes a dream. My parent's love is perfect, and my brothers too. I'm the only one left out.
After I dropped the call, I knew my decision was made. I wanted to do so many things, things that fear had restricted me from doing for so long. I didn't want to continue to live in fear. Plus, I needed the money to add to my savings so one day, my dream of owning my school would no longer be a dream.
Something was wrong with the ST Claire's family, and I would find out what it was or become part of it.