NATHALIE’S POV-“Next time you’re planning to go out alone and you know you’ll be late and have a lot of stuff, you can call me. No matter what time or where you are, I’ll come to you.”“I don’t have your contact number and I don’t have my phone with me,” I jokingly said.Harrison suddenly laughed out loud. “Yeah. Okay, How about this? Next time you’re planning to go out alone and you know you’ll be buying a lot and staying late–ah, no. If you’re going out alone, let me know the day before or even a week before so I can join you. Also, when we get to my apartment, I’ll charge my phone and get your contact number.”“Okay, I noted those.” I just went along with his joke.From the rear-view mirror, I glanced at the paper bags to make sure they were placed.“Is it okay if the other paper bags are on the floor? Won’t they get damaged or dirty?”“I’m not sure. But, I made sure I placed them since they’re yours.”“No, they’re not mine.”“They’re not yours? Whose are they and why are carryin
NATHALIE’S POV-At the end, I picked up the money and went back to the ice cream store where they bought ice cream earlier.I placed most of the paper bags in my right hand. My left hand held a few hanging paper bags so I could move and can handle the ice cream. After the ice cream seller gave me change, I left there and went back to the direction where I left them, which is in a high-end bag store.Almost five minutes walk a way before reaching there. I quickened my walking so that Brianna could eat her vanilla ice cream right away.The ice cream is in a plastic cup and put a cone on top of it so I didn’t have any trouble carrying it. It also didn’t melt quickly.It was just hard to walk because of the large paper bags I was holding and the weight was unbalanced in both my arms.As I got close to the store, I saw Ma’am Veronica looking around until her gaze landed on me.“What took you so long?” she asked me furiously.“Sorry, Ma’am...” I apologized instead of explaining and giving
NATHALIE’S POV-“Is this the line for those who are going to use the comfort room?” one of the female customers of this restaurant asked me.I forced a smile while shaking my head.I didn’t want to be rude and wanted to answer by saying a simple no. But my throat seemed so dry that I couldn’t even open my mouth. Perhaps because I’ve been standing outside the bathroom for two hours or because of the shame I feel this time?The woman’s mouth formed a small ‘o’ and then entered the bathroom.Brianna looked at me again, so I smiled at her, trying not to let her know my situation was not good. Ma’am Veronica called Brianna, so she looked away from me.I lowered my head and looked at the floor while leaning against the cold wall.In the two hours I’ve been standing here, I’ve been asked several times if I’m in line and going to use the ladies’ comfort room. There are a few servers who look at me and pity me, there are a few customers who are also looking at me, wondering.I feel like the o
NATHALIE’S POV-I was ten steps away from Madame Beatrice, Ma’am Veronica, and Brianna.As they walked, Brianna was in the middle of them, holding Brianna’s both hands and following Brianna’s small steps.I, on the other hand, carry the paper bags they will buy from high-end brand name clothes and shoes. I only hold three paper bags in each hand–it’s not heavy yet.We are here in Beverly Hills. This is they took Brianna for a walk and bought her things she wanted.I couldn’t see if Brianna was smiling because her back was turned to me. When her two companions were pointing to a store, Brianna would just glance around and then shake her head.It was a good thing I thought of matching Brianna’s clothes with shoes, so her feet weren’t hurting even though I think we had been walking for over three hours.Ma’am Veronica stopped at a store, which is why Madame Beatrice and Brianna also stopped walking.“Baby, look. The toys here are so cute. There are so many dolls and teddy bears. Don’t y
NATHALIE’S POV-When I thought of a reason, I immediately went back inside the room and didn’t even have time to knock in my haste.I found Ma’am Veronica sitting in front of Brianna, she was putting a few strands of Brianna’s hair in her ear.“Ma’am Veronica…” I grabbed their attention.I noticed Ma’am Veronica stopped what she was doing. For a second she was stunned, then she stood up and raised one eyebrow looking at me.“What are you doing here? Did I tell you to come in?”“Sorry, Ma’am Veronica, if I came in suddenly. It’s my job to fix Brianna too.” I gave the reason I thought of.She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Make sure you hurry up.”“Yes, Ma’am.”She walked out of the room. The moment I heard the door close I quickly stepped closer to Brianna and sat in front of her.“Baby, are you okay?” I asked worriedly.I tried to think of a reason because I had a bad feeling about leaving Brianna with Ma’am Veronica and seeing Brianna right now–I don’t want to judge, but maybe my feeli
NATHALIE’S POV-“Ma’am... I’m watching Brianna...” I almost stammered.“It’s Madame Beatrice.” She corrected me.“Madame... Madame Beatrice.” I corrected it.Madame Beatrice’s gaze passed over me and went to Brianna. I glanced at Brianna, she was looking at us.“Watching? Where is Esther?” Madame Beatrice asked me. I looked back at her. “She left.”“She left?! She left my granddaughter with the people here, with you?! That old woman! That’s why she’s here to oversee my granddaughter.”Ma’am Veronica came to her side. “Mrs. Beatrice Watson, she’s the new personal babysitter of my niece.” She said, then looked at me from head to toe. “She’s the one I’m talking about.”Madame Beatrice also examined me from head to toe, back from toe to head. “I remember where I first saw you. You were with my son when I came here.”I nodded as my response. Our first meeting was not good.Also, I’m nervous about the way Madame Beatrice looks at me; it’s intimidating. At her age, besides the fact that she