Chapter 6 CHAPTER 5

Katherine Garcia

I mentally rehearse answers, try to organize my thoughts, and practice a confidence I still don't entirely feel. I need to stay focused. I need to believe.

God help me.

My heart nearly stops when Amanda parks the car in front of the enormous gate.

"I'll wait here," she says, turning off the engine.

I stare at her in disbelief.

"Are you crazy? This could take a while. You can go home. I'll text you when the interview is over."

She lets out a resigned sigh.

"All right. I'll do what you say. I know you well enough to know you wouldn't be able to concentrate if you were worried about me."

I smile, grateful that she understands me so well.

"Then go." She gestures with her hand.

"Wish me luck."

"I'm rooting for you, girl."

I get out of the car and walk toward the enormous gate. The sheer size of the place is already intimidating. I press the intercom button, feeling my stomach tighten.

"Who is it?" a woman's voice asks.

"Good morning, Katherine Garcia. I'm here for the job interview."

"All right. You may come in."

The gate slowly opens. I walk through the immaculate garden, far too expansive to be maintained by only a few people. Everything about the place screams organization, money, and control. When I reach the front door, it opens before I can even ring the bell.

An elderly woman appears before me. Elegant in every detail. Fair skin, neatly styled blonde hair, attentive blue eyes. Her posture conveys authority effortlessly.

"Hello. Come in, please."

"Thank you. Excuse me."

I take a few steps inside and have to contain my reaction. The mansion is even more impressive on the inside. Light-colored sofas, a glass coffee table in the center, walls in neutral tones, and sophisticated and understated decor. Everything seems meticulously planned.

"I'll be conducting the interview myself. Please, have a seat."

"Thank you."

I take a deep breath before sitting down. My nervousness grows, but I try to maintain my composure.

"I reviewed your résumé carefully," she begins. "Solid experience, good references, and letters of recommendation. All of that weighs heavily in your favor."

"I'm very grateful."

"Tell me: why did you choose to work with children?"

That question always makes something tighten inside me.

"I enjoy being around them. I chose this profession because I'm infertile."

Her expression changes in surprise.

"Since I can't have children, I found in this work a way to fill a space that has always existed inside me."

She makes a brief note in her notebook.

"How would you handle a tantrum?"

"I'd try to calm the child down first. Then I'd talk to them to understand the reason behind it."

"And if the child got hurt?"

"I'd administer first aid immediately. If it were something serious, I'd take them to the hospital."

"Even without the father's permission?"

"Health comes before anything else."

"And if the child refused to sleep?"

"I'd try to establish a calming routine. Reading, warm milk, or some light activity before trying again."

She nods, satisfied.

"What kinds of activities do you usually do?"

"Drawing, outdoor activities, and simple and creative games. I like to encourage their imagination."

"Excellent," she says, closing the notebook for a moment. "My granddaughter is quite active. She loves to play."

My eyes widen before I can hide my reaction.

Holy shit! I'm being interviewed by Mrs. Valerius.

"Judging by your reaction, I assume you didn't know who I was," she comments, slightly amused.

"N-No, ma'am," I reply, trying to regain my composure.

"You must be the only woman who doesn't know who we are," she says with a faint smile.

"That may be true. I don't follow newspapers or gossip sites. I've always focused on my work."

"I like that," she replies, satisfied. "I want someone one hundred percent dedicated. Tell me: why did you leave your last job?"

I bite my lip, feeling the nervousness tighten its grip on me again.

"I was let go because the children started calling me Mommy."

She lets out a genuine laugh.

"That's not a flaw; it's an accomplishment. Children don't call just anyone that. If they did, it's because they felt safe and cared for with you."

A smile comes effortlessly.

"I'm glad they felt that way."

"What days are you available?" she continues.

"Every day. I just prefer to keep Sundays free to spend with my family."

She nods in agreement.

"If you're hired, you'll only be responsible for matters involving my granddaughter. Preparing her meals, bathing her, picking her up from school, and helping her with her homework. My sons leave early for work, so you'll be responsible for picking her up. Alaric and Sebastian rarely have any free time."

The other brother's name finally comes up.

"I understand."

"Last question: how much did you usually charge in your previous jobs?"

"Three thousand dollars."

She raises her eyebrows in surprise.

"Far too little."

Her statement catches me off guard.

"If you're hired, your salary will be ten thousand dollars."

The shock is immediate. My heart races.

For a second, my entire body freezes.

I've never earned anything like that.

My mind races. Bills that could be paid off. Stability. Security. At the same time, the weight of the responsibility settles onto my shoulders.

"T-That much?"

"I still consider it less than what we usually offer," she says with a shrug.

It feels as though the air disappears for a few seconds. An amount like that changes everything. It demands more responsibility, more dedication, and more presence.

"You won't need to take care of the housework," she continues. "On weekends, a team handles all the maintenance. Your sole focus will be Elisabeth."

The name sounds beautiful.

"How old is she?" I ask, trying to maintain my composure.

"Six. She doesn't have any allergies, thank God. On weekends, she stays with me and her grandfather. If you're ever required to work on a Saturday, you'll be informed in advance."

I nod, taking in every detail.

"If you're hired, you'll need to live here," she adds. "Will that be a problem?"

"No, ma'am. I've always lived in the homes where I've worked."

"Very well. That concludes our interview. If you're selected, I'll contact you by email or phone."

She stands, and I do the same.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Katherine."

"The pleasure was mine. I'll be waiting to hear from you."

She walks me to the door. I thank her again and make my way out of the mansion. As soon as I pass through the gate, I send Amanda a message.

The interview was intense. Finding out who she really was made me nervous at first, but strangely enough, being evaluated by a woman made me feel more at ease. The fear faded. The anxiety remains.