Pregnant and Dumped

“Sign this paper?” Mia accepted the file but looked at the old butler who was also the interviewer, Peter.

“What is it?” Mia asked.

“Well, if you are to work in this house. You have to sign a confidentiality paper. It involves a few points that will make you think twice before spilling anything out." Mia accepted the pen and sign it.

“Can you start today?” Peter asked and Mia smiled brightly. “Why not? But I will need some time to move my stuff here.” Even though her ex-employer said that they wanted her assistance a week from now. Mia didn’t want to seem surprised. She knew she will manage.

Mia recently turned eighteen and her aunt wanted her out of her place right away. Mia lost her parents when she was only five months old. Her granny from her father’s side raised her but grandma passed away two years ago leaving her aunt no choice but to let her in.

Mia had to leave school right away. It was only her granny who wanted her with a high school diploma. But with her grandma gone, Mia believed it wasn’t worth it. The school wasn’t her great strength. For the last two years, she was doing odd jobs and most of the time it was babysitting. But managing a place to stay was hard. She knows because she had tried to save up given her aunt was always very clear about her eighteenth birthday.

Her body was malnourished given her aunt will lock the kitchen most of the time. She didn't die hungry though. She learned to earn a little herself.

Mia smiled returning the pen. She didn’t want to say no to anything Mr. Antoni, as it states the employer’s name asked of her. It was Mr. Antoni’s household. It was the most famous in the whole area and why not? The place was a sight for sore eyes with a huge landscape wrapping around it. And, if it wasn’t enough the neighborhood around all knew that family was one of the most influential in the country.

Mia has heard he was trying to run for president but for now, was a senator. Mia knew the pay will be good and she will be given a place to live too. She won’t have to worry about the roof over her head for some time.

“…this is Miss Antoni’s schedule. You are not to mess up her nap and eating time. No matter what. The girl has her manners in check. She won’t give you a hard time.” Peter added showing her around the house.

“I am good with kids. You can trust me.” Mia assured.

Mia already knew some about the little girl Stella. She was such a cute six-year-old. It was strange that just like her she too didn’t have parents. She had an elder brother, Nicholas though who was away in college, and a grandfather who was running and handling Antoni’s enterprise.

Antoni enterprise dealt with almost everything from the education sector to IT, manufacturing, and hospitality. Mia knew because everyone in the city knew. She never believed she will land this job. The job was never listed in any newspaper. It was through the recommendation of her older employee who was a kind of associate to Mr. Antoni.

Mia couldn’t believe her luck and now didn’t want to mess it up. She knew even after Stella grows up, a household this big will treasure a loyal employee and she was hell-bent to prove her worthiness.

Stella came down to greet Mia and just like Peter mentioned Stella had her manners to the point. Peter left the duo after the basic introduction.

Mia smiled at the little girl and started, “It’s nice to meet you, Stella. I have been told that I will stay in your room almost all the time. So, I hope we get along. What would you like to do? Coloring or…”

“I am hungry. Do you know how to make blueberry cupcakes?” Mia nodded and said. “We can try and see.”

Stella looked at Mia working in the kitchen. And, to strike up a conversation Mia started. “How many people work here? I haven’t seen much of the staff given how big this place is.” Stella smiled sweetly before she replied.

“The staff doesn’t stay here much after cleaning in the morning. They do come if we want them though.” Mia nodded and served her a plate.

“Tell me if you like it.” Stella picked a fork and taste it. “It is so good.”

“Really?” Mia asked excitedly and Stella nodded, “Yea, do you know any stories? Good stories? Gaby knew a lot of them.”

“Gaby, your old nanny?” Mia asked and Stella nodded, “Yes, she passed away.”

“Oh, I am sorry. I didn't know." Mia added,

Something strange passed Stella's face as if she is thinking something. She was now only playing with the food. Mia couldn’t help leaning to her. “Hey, I am sure she is in a good place.”

“I hope so.” Stella left the food but not before asking Mia. “Can you please not tell Peter if I sometimes skip meals? He will tell Grandpa. Gaby never told on me.”

Mia wonders if it was a trick question but then instantly replied. “Of course, but you will have to show me your smile. Also, tell me all about Gaby. What else did you two like to do?”

Mia got her luggage in the evening. Her aunt didn’t even say goodbye or asked where she had managed a place. With Stella Mia soon forgot all about it. She would get her ready for school and then accompany a driver and a guard to pick her up.

Mia learned a few hairstyles. Stella loved it and always had a lot to talk about the school. Mia discovered Stella’s talent for painting and both tried many cooking recipes.

Stella even gained a little weight and her psychiatrist who was seeing her after Gaby’s death had positive reviews about her response too. It was after three long weeks when Mr. Antoni joined Stella for dinner. Mia couldn’t help but notice Stella was anxious. She wasn’t excited as Mia expected her to be. In fact, it was the other way around. “Do you know for how long Grandpa will stay?”

“I don’t know,” Mia replied braiding her hair. Mia only knew that her grandpa has arrived and was in his office. She was told to get Stella in her best dress and shape for the dinner. Except for this Mia didn’t know a thing.

“Can’t you figure it out somehow? Also, please don’t make any complaints about me.” Stella asked Mia for the third time. Mia could already foresee that Mr. Antoni might be strict with her.

But the dinner went eerily silent. Stella finished her whole dinner though very slowly. Her grandpa didn’t even say hello and left after finishing his dinner. Mia didn’t know why he didn’t talk to Stella. But in the night, Mia pampered Stella with her favorite stories and dozed off along with her.

In the morning, Stella woke Mia up with a smile. “Mia, wake up! Do you know Grandpa has left already?” Mia didn’t know why Stella was happy but if Stella believed it was something to celebrate Mia didn’t try to lecture her.

It was coming closer to Christmas. In these few months, Stella and Mia had grown very close. Stella didn’t want her grandpa home. All she wanted was to spend this Christmas with Mia. “You know what Mia? I am happy that you don’t have a family to spend your Christmas with. Gaby could never stay. She had a boy she wanted to spend her Christmas with.” Stella told Mia while coloring a picture.

Mia smiled shaking her head. “You know what? It is after so long that I too have someone who wants to celebrate Christmas with me.” Stella loved how Mia never lectured her. Stella felt cared for. “I love you. Tell me what you want for Christmas?” Stella asked and Mia rolled her eyes.

“I want you to try my risotto. I think I am being good at it lately.” Stella wrinkled her nose at this. “No, you are not.”

“Oh really, you were licking your plate. I saw you!” Stella raised her brows with a gasp. “No, I never lick plates.”

“Oh, you did.” Mia tried to tickle her but Stella ran away making Mia chase her. Stella was running in the living area and made a shoot for the entrance making Mia run after her too. But the moment she took a turn she bumped into someone and fell on her butt. Looking up she found Stella’s Brother Nicholas. Mia knew because she had seen a few family portraits in the home.

Embarrassed Mia hurriedly drew her knees in. Her chest was giving into her out-of-breath lungs while her cheeks were tainted red. “I am sorry,” Nicholas apologized offering his hand but Mia never took it and was already getting up. “No, I am sorry, I never saw you coming.”