PART- 6

[ Isabella ]

My heart thumped against my ribcage as I walked through the iron gates of the house which I left earlier with humiliation and another heartbreak. Christopher was ahead of me, his deep footsteps killing the grave silence of his living room.

I clasped my sweaty palms. My shirt clung to my skin after soaking in the rain. He didn’t even offer me an umbrella. Few words, laced in iciness and I found myself obeying him when I should have chosen my pride.

I followed his trail not having the courage to ask him why he went to my apartment and commanded me to come along with him. He led us to the first floor and clicked open a door with caution so it’d not make any noise

Purple coloured walls and toys arranged beautifully in the room answered my questions. It was his twins’ room. Their photos were hung on the wall and there were two small beds in the centre of the room.

“Princess…” Christopher spoke with such tenderness that for a moment, my heart skipped a beat and when he stepped aside, I saw Ariel sitting on her bed clutching a stuffed bear.

“Ms. Bella!” Ariel’s hoarse voice called me and I noticed how her eyes were all red and swollen. Tears stricken her round, beautiful face.

“Ari..” I whispered her name but didn’t make any move because I could feel her father’s cold stare on me.

Austin was sitting beside his sister. He had worry written on his face.

“Ms. Bella, she hasn’t stopped crying ever since you left. She’ll fall sick.” Austin said to me. He was nicer than his father but his demeanour was a replica of Christopher.

“Mr. Salvatore, may I?” I mustered up my failing confidence and asked for his permission.

“I don’t want to see my daughter suffer just because she thinks you’re a perfect nanny for her. You better behave nicely or I won’t hesitate to make you regret. Do not think of using my kids for your wicked intentions.”

 He whispered so that his kids wouldn’t hear him. His threat was subtle yet it was enough to send a chill down my spine.

“Okay, Mr. Salvatore.” I bit my inner mouth to refrain myself from crying in front of the man who’d not see my pain.

He then walked up to his kids and wiped his daughter’s tears. I could see how much he loved his children.

“Ariel, Austin, I’ll leave Ms. Primrose with you. Don’t trouble her, okay.” He caressed his kids’ head before exiting the room.

“Hey, Ariel.” I took kitten steps towards the girl’s bed. My actions were calculated because I couldn’t afford to anger their father.

Suddenly, she hugged me and I wasn’t prepared for that. Her face was buried in my chest and her tiny hands around my waist. For first few seconds, I couldn’t understand what to do because I had never taken care of small kids.

“Please, don’t leave. I will ask Daddy to appoint you our nanny.” She hiccupped and I didn’t know how to respond.

He brought me here because his daughter couldn’t stop crying and he was ready to do anything.

“Hey, look at me.’ I cupped her face and lifted her face, “I am right here. If you cry like this, you may fall sick.” I said to her and then turned to face Autin who still looked skeptic about me.

“Can you ask someone to bring me some wipes, Austin?” I asked him.

“Yeah.” He nodded his head and went to the bathroom. A minute later, he returned with a box of wet wipes and handed it over to me.

I cleaned her face with care. Observing her features from this close, I could see that she looked more like Rachel.

They were beautiful kids indeed. A pang crossed my chest.

If I had chosen Christopher over my fear. Perhaps, they could be mine. The thought vanished as soon as it came because I shouldn’t harbour such dreams because when they shatter, they leave permanent scars.

“Ms. Bella, please, stay with me. I don’t want you to go because then Daddy will bring a new nanny. You’re so good to us.” Ariel clung to my arm, her blue-greyish eyes begged me to stay.

I smiled and caressed the top of her head.

“I am not going anywhere, Ari. Please, don’t be sad or your brother and Daddy will also be sad.” I tried to sweet talk with her.

She glanced at her brother who actually looked worried about his twin sister.

“Austin, please, tell Daddy to hire Ms. Bella as our Nanny. I don’t want someone like Rosie.” She requested her brother. I frowned when she mentioned a name but while saying, her body turned rigid.

“Don’t mention her name.” Austin corrected her, his face contoured with anger.

“Who’s Rosie?’ I asked them.

“She was our nanny and she was very bad.” Her lips trembled as she talked about her previous nanny.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. I could only imagine what a wicked person could do to small kids. I rubbed her back.

“It’s okay. You are all good now. Your father must have dealt with her.” I slowly laid her down and covered her with blanket, “You look tired. It’s been a very long day. Please, sleep now. I am right here.” I leaned down and placed a kiss on her forehead.

A beautiful smile appeared on her lips.

I didn’t mean to kiss her because emotional involvement with Christopher’s kids could be fatal for my own resolution but it happened on its own accord.

“Good night, Ari.” I patted her gently until sleep took over her senses but her brother was widely awake, staring at me intently.

“You should sleep too. It’s quite late and I think you have school tomorrow.” I said to him politely because he still looked uncertain about me.

“Ms. Bella, can I ask you a question?” He finally broke the silence.

I nodded my head with a thin smile.

“Are you the lady from the photograph that Daddy keeps in his drawer?”