Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 64617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64617 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“Yeah. I love helping people. It’s just who I am.”
From the look on Skyler’s face, she liked me, and the emotion was very much mutual.
“How about we continue this interview while I show you around?”
“That’d be great.” I stood, straightening my long, flowy skirt before grabbing my bag from the floor. Calmly trying to hide my excitement of possibly getting the job, as I followed close behind her. Listening intently, while my eyes wandered with each step I took around the massive estate. Taking it all in.
The home was a disaster.
Toys, video games, clothes, anything and everything was scattered all over the floors with no end in sight. Piles of laundry covered the couches, food, and God knows what else, laid freely on the kitchen counters and dining table as if it’d been sitting there for days. Layers upon layers of dust coated the furniture and baseboards like they hadn’t been wiped down in ages.
My small rundown apartment may have been falling apart at the seams, but it was clean. There was no way I could live like this. How such a beautiful home that someone obviously worked so hard for and allowed it to go to shit was mind-blowing to me.
I couldn’t believe my eyes, seeing a life I didn’t know existed. But under all the clutter I could still picture the beauty this home once held.
Starting from the expensive looking red front door, to the white picket fence, and the sunflowers all around. To the inside of the home where there was a grand staircase, contemporary furniture, and gorgeous marble floors throughout. The entire floorplan was exquisite.
This home was breathtaking. Anyone could see that.
A lot of time and devotion was put into every detail, down to the accent pillows on the sofas, and the accessories, such as a simple candle that read Home Sweet Home on the coffee table. To the profound love I could physically feel through the walls. Though there was something else circulating through the air.
A void so crippling.
So consuming.
So real.
I felt it down to my bones, down to the core of my being. Causing shivers to stir on every inch of my skin, making the ends of my hair stand straight up.
What the hell was that?
“Please excuse the mess,” Skyler remarked, bringing my attention to her. “It wasn’t always like this.”
What did she mean by that?
“Between the boys and the baby girl, things have been hectic to say the least. I’m pregnant, and there’s only so much I can help with. That’s why I’m interviewing candidates for a full-time nanny position and part-time housekeeper. The kids need it as much as this house does.”
“I can see that.”
“Aiden works a lot and Bailey… she’s not here so…” She shook her head. “The family needs help.”
“When is she coming back?”
She cleared her throat. “It’s not my place to say anything about anything,” she anxiously let out. “Just know you’re needed here, desperately. But in the meantime, you’ll deal directly with me. At least for now.”
“Does that mean I—” A shiny frame caught my attention from the corner of my eye, and I was suddenly stepping over a pile of Legos and cars to get to the main living room.
The family photos on the far wall immediately captured my stare, and my feet moved on their own accord. It was like this gravitational pull was dragging me toward the happy memories proudly displayed for all to see.
Glowing.
Radiating.
Exuding a happy, carefree family.
The man who I assumed was Dr. Pierce was probably somewhere in his mid-forties. His tan skin, long slender nose, and square jawline were as prominent as his crystal blue eyes. He had a graying five o’clock shadow and short brown, wavy hair that was also graying at his temples.
In the photos he was smiling in, it was his dimples that my eyes seemed to focus on the most. They made him appear younger, contrary to the tiny wrinkles in the corners of his eyes that gave away his age.
When my stare settled on the three cross tattoos on his neck, I recognized them instantly. Being raised in a religious family made me acknowledge the significance behind his black ink.
Representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
He was the first doctor I’d ever seen with tattoos visibly on display as if he wore them with honor. Someone doesn’t just get a religious tattoo for shits and giggles, it meant something to him. Something deeper on a personal level.
Something that once again had me feeling some kind of way about a man I’d never met. Yet felt connected to in some way.
What the hell, Camila? He’s your boss. Your married boss.
As if on cue, my gaze shifted toward his wife who was absolutely breathtaking. Her blue eyes sparkled against the lighting of the bright room. Only illuminating her contagious smile and petite features as her brown hair flowed through the wind in the photo.