Chapter 7 CHAPTER 6

Katherine Garcia

Now all I can do is wait.

I hope I'm chosen.

I need this job.

The sound of a car pulling up catches my attention. A few seconds later, Amanda appears by the gate. I hurry into the car, closing the door behind me.

"So?!" she blurts out before she even starts the car. "Tell me already!"

"It was insane," I reply, still trying to process everything. "I was interviewed by Mrs. Valerius herself."

She slams on the brakes.

"Hold everything." She turns toward me. "Don't mess with me, Katherine."

"I'm not kidding." I start laughing nervously. "At first, I almost froze. Then... I calmed down."

"Oh my God!" Amanda puts a hand to her head. "That woman is a legend! So? What did she think of you?"

"I think she liked me," I reply, still trying to take everything in. "We talked about a lot of things. She wanted to know why I wanted this job so badly... I told her why. I talked about the children, about how much caring for them fills my heart."

Amanda smiles slightly, calmer now.

"She also talked a lot about her granddaughter," I continue. "Her routine, her care, how much attention the little girl needs. We talked about everything... even the salary."

"How much?"

"Ten thousand dollars."

Her scream echoes through the car.

"TEN THOUSAND?!"

"Amanda!" I laugh, covering my ear. "You almost made me deaf with that scream."

"That's insane!" she exclaims. "You'd be taking care of a child and making that much money!"

"Now I just need them to call me," I say more seriously. "I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but it's hard."

"They'd be crazy not to choose you."

We spend the entire drive talking about it. When we arrive at my house, Amanda parks and pulls me into a tight hug.

"Let me know if anything happens. Anything at all."

"I will. Thank you for everything."

I walk into the house still buzzing with energy. My parents are in the living room and look up immediately. I set my bag down on the couch and walk toward them, my heart racing.

"So?" my mother asks anxiously. "How did the interview go?"

"It went great," I begin, unable to contain my smile. "I was interviewed by Mrs. Valerius herself."

"By their mother?!" My father immediately perks up.

"Her personally." I take a deep breath. "The salary is ten thousand dollars."

"Ten thousand..." he repeats in disbelief. "I hope they hire you, sweetheart. That way you can save money, have your own things, and have your independence."

"Are you trying to get rid of me already?" I joke, trying to ease the tension.

He laughs immediately.

"Never. If you want, you can even build a house on top of ours. I just want to see you secure, with money saved, thinking about your future."

My mother nods gently and comes closer.

"Your father is right," she says affectionately. "I want you to have the very best of everything, sweetheart. You don't need to worry about us."

"Even so, I'm going to keep helping out here at home," I reply, feeling my eyes sting. "I live here, I eat here... I can't pretend that doesn't matter. Having you both here for me like this makes me want to cry with gratitude."

They both let out a soft laugh. My mother comes closer and gently cups my face.

"We're your parents, princess," she says softly. "You don't need to feel grateful for that. We're simply doing our job. You don't owe us anything at all. We chose to have you."

My father nods proudly.

"We only ask one thing," she continues. "Save your money. Think about your future. Of course you can help if you want to, but your priority needs to be yourself."

I smile, completely overwhelmed with emotion, and hug them both tightly.

"I promise."

I love my parents more than I can put into words. Every day, I'm grateful to have them like this, present, protective, and always supporting me in everything.

Sometimes I think that if they keep this up, I'll never truly be able to move away from them. And honestly... maybe that's not such a bad thing.

[…]

The day passed far too slowly. With nothing else to do but wait, I decided to help my mother with lunch. I tried to keep faith that I would get a call about the job, but the anxiety wouldn't let up.

After our conversation, I couldn't sit still. I organized the house, helped in the kitchen, and did a thorough cleaning. My parents complained and told me to rest, but cleaning everything was the only way to keep my mind occupied.

The entire afternoon dragged on as I looked for anything that would keep me moving.

I did the laundry, organized the bedrooms, cleaned the entire house, and even added the garden to the list.

When evening finally arrives, I'm preparing dinner. My mother watches everything in silence for a few minutes until she finally loses her patience.

"That's enough, Katherine," she says firmly. "You haven't stopped for a single second since you got home."

"I'm just helping..." I try to justify myself.

"Helping too much," she shoots back. "Go take a shower and sit down for a while. Watch something. Breathe."

"Mom, I'm fine..."

"No, you're not," she interrupts. "You're anxious, restless, and hiding behind housework."

I open my mouth to respond, but the door opens first.

"Good evening!" Amanda announces, walking in excitedly.

She takes in the scene carefully. The kitchen is open to the living room, so everything is in plain sight: my mother with her arms crossed and me standing in the middle of the kitchen.

"What happened here?" she asks curiously.

"This girl hasn't stopped since she got back from the interview," my mother explains. "She won't sit down, won't rest, won't relax."

Amanda's eyes widen, and she smiles as if she's just had a revelation.

"I know exactly what she needs."

"No, I don't," I cut in immediately.

"Yes, you do," Amanda insists. "We're going out tonight."

"No, we're not," I reply quickly.

"Yes, you are," my mother counters without hesitation.

"Mom!"

She comes closer, gently cups my face, and speaks without mincing words.

"Sweetheart, I love you so much. But you spend way too much time cooped up in this house. And honestly, I can't stand watching you pace around with that face anymore."

My mouth falls open in shock.

"Mom?!"

Amanda bursts out laughing.

"I've always loved your mother!"

I look toward the couch for support. My father remains seated, pretending to watch television as though he hasn't seen a thing.

"Dad?!"

He clears his throat and doesn't look in my direction.

"I'm staying out of it," he says flatly.

I let out a defeated sigh.

"Fine... I'll go."

"YES!" Amanda screams, jumping up and down. "I'm going to get ready now! Katherine, get moving! I'll call Matteo!"

She runs through the house, far too excited.

My mother smiles in satisfaction.

"Go have some fun. You deserve it."

And maybe she's right. I really do need to give my mind a break.

"Great!" Amanda comes over to me, phone in hand, clearly excited. "Done, I already talked to Matteo. He's coming too. I'm going home to get ready really quick, and then I'll come back to pick you up."

"What? Now?" I ask, surprised.

"Now!" she replies, laughing. "Don't even think about backing out."

Before I can say anything, Amanda is already running toward the door, full of energy. My father watches the scene and shakes his head, amused.

"That Amanda is completely crazy," he comments, laughing.

I laugh along with him.

"A little," I agree. "But I think that's exactly what I need tonight."

I head to my bedroom to get ready.