Emma's POV
"Thank you for meeting with me on such short notice Mr. and Mrs. Hollen. I just wanted to talk to you about Ethan Junior's behavior and conduct."
We were sitting in Ethan Junior's classroom with him and his class teacher. EJ had gotten into a fight with another kid in his class.
"First, Ethan Junior is a very brilliant and intelligent student. He's punctual and brave. Over there is what I call the Star Chart," she pointed to a poster on the wall that had the names of students and the stars they received for their academic performance.
EJ had a full line. I was impressed. But there was another line for conduct and behavior, his had only one star while other students were all above five. I was disappointed, and Ethan was too. His eyes were getting darker and darker as he looked at our son.
"Ethan Junior has a temper that needs serious controlling. He got into a fight with another kid last week because that child accidentally s
Emma's POVI watched my family sitting around the dinner table, eating the food I prepared. Ethan was at the head table, eating away at his delicious juicy steak. Evan was eating slowly because he was texting on his phone, which he hid underneath the table so I wouldn't notice. Emily was looking at the food carefully and always asking if it was going to make her fat or if it was full of calories. EJ was eating like the good boy he ought to be. His behavior had changed around for the better. He had made friends with everyone in his classroom and we had no more bad reports about his temper.I couldn't help but look at what I'd accomplished with the man of my dreams. Never had I thought I'd be here in life, sitting in a mansion around a huge dinner table with my own family. Everyone in the foster homes and group homes told me I was worthless and I'd amount to nothing in life. No one loved me, cared for me or protected me-- even my parents deserted me.
Emily's POVAs I stood in the hallway at my locker, getting my text books for the last subject of the day, I overheard a group of girls whispering about me. It was funny how they were talking about me and I standing right there. They knew I would hear them so, of course, they were seeking my attention, and I ignored them.I continued to get my textbooks and closed my locker when one of them said his name-- my Sebastian's name. Something in me lit, like a flare shooting into the skies. My blood boiled and I turned towards them and approached them."You have something to say, say it to my face!" I snapped at the ring leader, Ania Haynes.She backed away a few feet behind her friends, Samika James, Karrie George and Jamie Sams."All we were saying is that Sebastian is cheating on you," she said.I paused to process what she had just said, but I couldn't believe her. Those girls were miserable with their own dull lives, and onl
Emma's POVMotherhood is beautiful, but it's not always smooth. I help my eldest son through his first breakup and my daughter through her first heartbreak. As life came their way there would be more of that, and I wouldn't always be around to help them, but, for now, I was doing the best I could for themLove. Support. Provide. Three words that should be in every parent's dictionary. Without these three things you'll suck at parenthood.Loving your children means putting their needs before yours. You don't come first anymore. Love unconditionally. You have to respect them so they'll respect you in return. You have to be open with them so they'll tell you what you need to hear. You have to listen to them so they'll listen to you as well. No one is perfect, but you shouldn't use that as an excuse to not try.Support your children in every way you can. Be there for them when they need you to be or when they want you to be. Let them know they can cou
Emma Cole, a nerd in high school and untouched all throughout her life at a community college, was abandoned by her birth parents and grew up in foster care homes all around New York. Whenever her name was mentioned, the people who knew her laughed and called her foul names, since she looked like the female version of Steve Urkel and was easy to pick on and belittle. She had no sense of style. All she wore were big dresses that hid her tiny figure underneath and glasses which didn't do her eyes any justice. She owned one bag-- a beat-up leather she received as a gift from a spelling bee contest her freshman year in high school.Though she went to school, she had no friends, no family, and no one to teach her about becoming a lady. Emma had done everything by herself since she was one year old-- the age she was dumped by her parents into the foster system.At age twenty three, she lived in a very small apartment by herself. She wasn't able to land a high-paying job to a
Emma's POVI buried my head on my stale pillows when I got home, hitting them with my hands from my anger as the tears came.I've been fired, what am I going to do now?I somehow managed to gather myself and my emotions. It was still early."There's still time to go to the library and then the park," I said to myself as I got off the bed.I changed into something skimpier, still concealing my entire figure underneath. I was insecure about my body and ashamed of the scars it possessed.I started on my heel and headed to the library then the park. I was sitting on the bench reading Counting Raindrops Through A Stained Glass Window, when an old lady with platinum blonde hair sat down beside me."Hello dear," she greeted, kindly.For an old woman by herself in the park, she wore very expensive jewelry. I could tell just by looking at it."Hello ma'am," I greeted back with a small smile. I continued with
Emma's POVI woke before my alarm. I wanted to wake up early so I could iron my clothes and look extra sharp. I looked through my suitcase underneath the tiny bed. I pulled out a black skirt that dropped below my knees, along with a white shirt with black buttons down the middle. I placed them on the bed and hurried downstairs to the laundry mart to borrow the iron since I didn't own one. Mrs. Lee, who worked in the laundry rooms, always lent it to me whenever I asked her.I ironed my clothes carefully then hung it up above the bed. I combed out my thick, curly black hair that dropped right at my shoulder, which I always dreaded. I had broken countless combs and brushes due to this uncontrollable hair of mine.When I was finished, I opened a tin of sausage and a packet of bread rolls and made myself a cup of tea. Once I was through eating the alarm on my phone went off. I smiled at myself, knowing that time was in my favor today. It was 6:45 a.m. when I left
Emma's POVSix o'clock my ass! I had to be at his place at six, which basically meant that I would have to leave home at 5:00 a.m., which basically meant I would have to be awake by 4:00 a.m. or earlier. So I rested for the remainder of the afternoon. Moving away from this place wouldn't be difficult; I owned a small amount of clothing and supplies. I set the alarm on my phone before I forgot, then began reading a romance novel.My phone rang and I looked at the number. It was unknown but I answered anyway."Miss Cole, I need you."I couldn't believed what I was hearing. "Mr. Hollen?" I asked to make certain this wasn't a joke."Yes.""But I told you I will start in the morning.""Do you want the job Miss Cole or not? Because if you're no longer interested I can easily find a replacement with a snap of my fingers.""I'll be there," I blurted. I leaped out of bed and headed for the shower. "I cannot afford to lose th
Emma's POVWhy were the other maids in the staff house, and I would be in the guest room? It was what I wanted to ask him but didn't. I took the coffee cup and headed back to the kitchen where I found Halley mopping the floor where flour had spilled."Um, Halley," I began. She made me uncomfortable, like a tiger ready to pounce and attack at any minute.She looked over to me, mop still in hand. "What?""Mr. Hollen instructed that we should prepare a guest room downstairs.""He's having visitors again, Aggie?" she asked her, turning from me."Not that I know of.""Actually, it's for me," I let out.Both women looked at me with awe."Mr. Hollen is having you sleep in a guest room?" Halley asked, dropping the mop.I nodded.She looked up at Agnes before Mr. Hollen appeared in the kitchen."Halley, what's the hold up?" he demanded."Nothing," she replied quickly and took my hand in hers, lead