Mr. Kayetan

INDIANA

I never thought that I would be the nanny of Alexander Kayetan's daughter Maja. Especially since Alexander was a mafia boss and well, I was shocked he didn't have a wife. I've been a nanny for Maja for the last 5 and a half years. She's the sweetest and smartest girl I have ever met. I've always wanted to work with children but never knew what I wanted to do until I started my very first baby sitting job at the age of 12.

So I studied hard, while in school I also went to a community college in my home town and studied and got my PHD in child care and management, also a degree in child education as well as a diploma in Child care. I was a very busy child growing up, as I never had many friends due to my childhood, some children were afraid of me as I had burn marks and scars on my body.

When I was 5, I lost my parents to a house fire where I got 3 degree burns and also the scars on my body from the fallen debris. It's where I met and was taken in by my adoptive father, Samuel. Samuel is an amazing father, and I couldn't thank him enough for raising me. I guess it's why I also wanted to work with children. To give single parents a sort of ease.

My past has left me with a lot of trauma, I needed countless visits to a child psychiatrist, doctors and a Paediatrician whom determined that not only did I have anxitey but also PTSD, nightmares, a sleeping disorder as well as asthma. Sometimes my past gets the better of me, and I can't get out of bed. Of course, Alexander knows about my past as Samuel, and my father visits quite a lot.

Samuel and Alexander work together as my father, who is now a fire commissioner, gets help and protection from Alexander and his mafia. Even though Alexander's job is to sometimes unalive people, he did so much for the community and helping my father is one of them.

Maja and I entered the kitchen after I had just picked her up from school. She goes to Evergreene College, a private school just 5 minutes away for her home. Setting on the barstool, we went through her homework together but Maja honestly was a champion, she has never once complained about doing homework and the homework she gets is from her class and also two classes above.

Hearing footsteps entering the kitchen, I looked up to see Ace walking in. His body was covered in tattoos. He stood just under 6 feet tall. He had wide shoulders, gold coloured eyes, and a short brown head. While not working with Alexander, he is often seen training young boys and girls' self-defense at the local children centre.

Him and Filip, another person who works for Alexander, are the godfathers of Maja and are extremely overprotective. They were very cautious around me when I first started looking after Maja, always making sure I was doing the right thing. They were shocked when I put them in their place and told them that if Alexander didn't have trust in me, I wouldn't be here. Since then, the two have liked me and also know about my past. It's a little hard to keep it a secret when Alexander does background checks on all his employees.

"Hi Maja, how was school?" Ace asked as he grabbed one of my famous cookies from the counter.

Maja looked up, a massive smile plastered on her face. "It was really good, Uncle Ace."

Looking at the time on my watch, I knew it was almost time for her piano lesson here in the music room. Helping Maja pack up all her math homework and placing it in her school bag. I excused myself from Ace and took Maja up the stairs to her room and setted her backpack against her bedroom door while I escorted her to the music room where her piano teacher, Mrs Peterson was waiting.

Maja didn't hesitate to hug Mrs Peterson before sitting down on the seat while Mrs Peterson sat next to her, "Are you ready to learn how to play Mary Had A Little Lamb?" Mrs Peterson asked Maja.

"Yes, Mrs," Maja replied, her fingers gently pressed against the keys.

Maja didn't hesitate to nod and began watching as Mrs Peterson showed her all the keys she needed to use and even helped her when she got stuck. She was a true artist, Aleksander let me know what I got the job that he wants Maja to be diverse in everything so Friday nights she had piano lessons, Saturday nights we have dance class, Monday night we have karate class and Tuesday night we have art class. Maja never complained how hard it was, even when I make sure she is okay with it all.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything," I announced. Mrs Peterson nodded, not taking her eyes off Maja as she showed her the notes to play.

Heading back into the kitchen, where I was preparing to make dinner for everyone. Normally, the chef does it, but he is away enjoying some alone time with his wife as they had just gotten married. So I volunteered to cook as cooking and baking is my favourite pastime. It helps me escape from the reality I am in sometimes, especially with my health.

Heading over to the fridge, I grabbed out everything I needed to make dinner, i was making Maja's favourite. Combination stir-fry with rice. Humming to myself, I began chopping the meat I was using, seeing someone in the corner of my eye. I looked to see Samuel.

"Hey, Indiana," He gave me a warm smile before giving me a hug.

Without hesitation, I hugged him back. Feeling the fatherly love in his embrace. I always have this fear in the back of my head that Samuel is going to get killed. Sometimes he's called to the worst fire and is there for hours. He's had a few close calls. Hewhich has added fuel to the fire.

Looking up at my father, I took in his appearance. He was 5 foot 9, he has brown eyes and short greying hair. He has a scar on his cheek from when a piece of debris fell on him after he left a scene and he also has a scar on his right leg from when he got trapped under a wooden beam.

"How's Maja going?" He asked.

"She's doing extremely well. Her head teacher has given her grade 3 math and writing and grade 4 reading. She's excelling in everything. She's so smart and could honestly solve world hunger if she could," My face lit up as I spoke about Maja and her achievements in school.

Samuel studied me for a few seconds, and he sighed before placing a fatherly touch to my cheek. "You need to look after your-" I cut him off with an 'I Do', but he didn't look convinced. He normally could see right through my facade, and right now, he is. His face hardened, "Indiana." He sighed the worry lines began to show on his face. "Your health is just important like anyone elses, why do you have to put others before yourself. Are you taking your pills? Have they helped with the flashbacks, night sweats, and your panic attacks?"

I wish I could sat yes, but we both know it's a lie. I know they are to help me, but if I miss a day of taking them, I go into a spiral, so it was safe not to take them, especially when looking after Maja.

Samuel's face hardened again before he exhaled loudly, crossing his arms over his board chest. "Indiana, you need to take them. It's for your own good, and you know how bad your panic attacks get."

"I'm fine, Papa," I snarled before my firey green eyes met his brown ones. "I'm 26 papa, I don't need you fussing over me anymore. It's my decision whether I take them or not, the doctor informed me that it could lead to side affects as well that I can lash out at any moment and I could feel tired. I can't have that, not with Maja."

Samuel didn't say anything but clear his throat, "I know you aren't 6 anymore Indiana, but you need to take care of yourself. You can't pretend you are something you aren't."

Glaring at him, he knew far from it that I never do that. "I don't do that!" I growled. "You don't understand Samuel. You don't understand the constant battle I have. You don't understand the struggle I have to deal with. Don't you ever say I'm pretending that every day is a battle for me!"

He went to speak, but I ignored him while I got everything I needed ready for dinner. Lost in thought as I chopped the vegetables, I couldn't stop the tears that swarmed in my eyes. Hearing footsteps, I looked to see Ace walking in looking for a snack.

"That was a pretty headed argument you had with Sam," He said as he looked in the pantry.

"How much did you hear?" I asked.

"All of it, and I think Aleksander heard too," Ace said as he leaned against the counter, looking at me. "Indiana, we might not act like it, but we do care about you and who you are. You need to look after yourself." I glared at him, causing him to frown. "I mean it Indiana, would you rather have Aleksander tell you or me?"

I kept quiet, causing Ace to nod before standing up straight. "For the sake of Maja or Isabella, at least look after yourself," Ace said. He looked around and changed the subject. "Any cookies left?"

"You know where they are," I replied before thinking about what he said, but I couldn't justify what he said. He looked at me while he ate the cookies. The sound of Maja's footsteps running into the kitchen, I changed my mood real quick and thanked Mrs Peterson for the piano lesson. Ace saw her out.

Once dinner was ready, everyone was sitting at the table eating dinner while Maja spoke to Aleksander about what she did all day. Aleksander was beaming with pride as he heard his daughter speak about what she was doing and how well she was doing. He looked over at me, a small smile on his lips, but I could see the concern in his eyes before turning back to Maja.