I reached the Maxwell residence. The guards let me in without a second glance, already accustomed to seeing me around. I rang the doorbell, and the housekeeper greeted me with a polite bow. Returning the gesture with a smile, I stepped inside, slipping off my headphones and switching off the music.
The first thing I did was send Mika a quick text, asking if Avir was alright. By now, she was probably used to receiving messages from me every few hours. As much as I trusted her, I couldn't help seeking reassurance. Knowing he was safe was the only way I could give my undivided attention to work.
As I made my way further inside, my eyes wandered across the apartment. Every corner reflected understated luxury, from the polished marble floors to the elegant dΓ©cor. It was a world far removed from the little apartment Avir and I called home.
My gaze eventually settled on Kevin, who sat quietly on the floor, completely absorbed in arranging his toys. A smile tugged at my lips as I approached him, careful not to disturb his little world.
"Kevin," I called warmly.
He looked over his shoulder, and the moment our eyes met, his face lit up with delight. A grin spread across his face as he hurried over, wrapping his tiny arms around my legs.
"Zaiu, you came!"
"Of course I did." I laughed, gently brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead. "How could I stay away when my little Kevin is this adorable?"
The seven-year-old beamed before settling beside me again.
"How is Avi?" he asked, carefully placing his toys back into the basket.
"He's doing wonderfully," I replied, helping him tidy up. "He'll be so happy to know you asked about him."
Kevin flashed me a satisfied smile before tilting his head up again.
"You're really pretty today."
A soft laugh escaped me.
Children truly were remarkable. Their affection was effortless, their hearts untouched by pretence or judgment. Sometimes I wondered how anyone could look at such innocent little souls and not be overwhelmed with love.
"Ms. Roy."
The deep voice behind me pulled me from my thoughts.
I turned to find Mr. Maxwell standing a short distance away, one hand tucked casually into his pocket. I immediately rose to my feet and greeted him with a respectful nod.
"Good afternoon, sir."
He acknowledged me with a nod.
"Kevin, go to your room."
Kevin instinctively wrapped his arms around my leg. Smiling softly, I ran a gentle hand through his hair.
"It's alright, sweetheart. Your dad just wants to speak with me."
After a brief hesitation, he nodded and made his way toward his room, glancing back at me every few steps before disappearing down the hallway.
Mr. Maxwell cleared his throat before gesturing toward the couch.
"Please, have a seat."
I thanked him quietly before lowering myself onto the sofa, folding my hands neatly in my lap as I waited for him to explain why he had called me over so urgently.
"Ms. Roy," Mr. Maxwell began, his composed voice filling the silence, "I want you to know how deeply I appreciate everything you've done for Kevin. In the time you've been with us, he's grown incredibly attached to you."
A faint smile curved my lips.
Who wouldn't appreciate being acknowledged for their work?
But to me, babysitting had never been just another part-time job. Children had a way of slipping into my heart before I even realized it. Every laugh, every little achievement, every innocent smile... somehow, they always became a part of me.
"It's honestly remarkable," he continued, "how he listens to you more than he listens to me."
A quiet chuckle escaped him before his expression softened.
"Thank you for taking care of him in my absence... and for loving him with such sincerity. I couldn't have asked for anyone better."
"Thank you, sir," I replied softly, genuinely touched by his words.
He gave a slight nod, but the warmth on his face gradually faded, replaced by an unfamiliar seriousness.
"There is, however... something important I need to discuss with you."
The smile on my face slowly disappeared.
Something about the way he said it sent a ripple of unease through me. I straightened unconsciously, bracing myself for whatever was coming next.
"We're relocating to Miami."
The words settled between us with quiet finality.
For a brief moment, I simply stared at him, unable to process what I'd just heard.
"I'm afraid that means we won't be needing a babysitter anymore."
Silence.
Everything around me seemed to blur.
Kevin.
The little boy who never failed to greet me with the brightest smile. Who proudly showed me every drawing he made. Who insisted on telling me I looked pretty every single day.
I wasn't going to see him anymore.
Then reality struck.
My salary.
The rent.
Groceries.
Electricity.
University expenses.
The fragile balance I'd fought so hard to maintain suddenly crumbled before my eyes.
How was I supposed to manage now?
"I... I understand, sir," I whispered, forcing a smile that felt painfully fragile.
For the first time since I'd known him, I caught something flickering behind Mr. Maxwell's usually unreadable expression.
Sadness.
"I truly wish nothing but happiness for you and Kevin," I said, swallowing the lump in my throat. "He's one of the sweetest, kindest children I've ever met. Looking after him has been an absolute privilege."
"Thank you, Ms. Roy."
His voice carried genuine gratitude.
"We'll still visit Manhattan occasionally for business. Whenever we're here, I'm sure Kevin would love to see you again."
A small smile found its way back to my face.
"I'd love that too, sir."
A brief silence settled between us before he spoke again.
"Although I can no longer offer you this position, I didn't want you to leave empty-handed."
I looked up.
"I've already recommended you to someone."
Surprise flickered across my face.
"One of my business associates is currently looking for someone to care for his younger sister."
Hope stirred quietly within me.
"I spoke very highly of you," he continued. "Considering how wonderfully you've looked after Kevin, I have no doubt you'll be the perfect fit."
"I truly appreciate that, sir."
"If you're comfortable with it, I'd be happy to arrange a meeting between the two of you."
"I don't mind at all."
Anything was better than starting from nothing again.
Mr. Maxwell slipped a hand into the inner pocket of his coat and withdrew a business card, extending it towards me. I accepted it carefully.
It was unlike any business card I'd ever held.
Matte black. Minimalistic.
The lettering engraved across its surface gleamed in muted gold.
Carter Enterprises.
The name alone carried weight.
Even someone like me, who had neither the time nor the interest to follow the corporate world, had heard of Carter Enterprises. It wasn't merely another successful company.
It was an empire.
Its name appeared in newspapers, business magazines, television interviews everywhere.
You couldn't live in New York without hearing about the Carters.
My thumb absentmindedly traced the embossed lettering before I looked back at Mr. Maxwell.
Noticing the recognition on my face, he gave a knowing nod.
"Yes," he said quietly.
"That Carter."
My fingers tightened imperceptibly around the card.
"The man you'll be meeting..."he paused, letting the silence settle between us.
"...is Dylan Carter."
The name lingered in the room for a moment before the silence reclaimed it.
Not because I knew the man.
I didn't.
But the way Mr. Maxwell had spoken it, with quiet respect and careful deliberation, made it feel heavier than just another name.
"I'll speak to him tonight and arrange a meeting," Mr. Maxwell continued. "You'll receive the details by this evening."
"Thank you, sir."
As I slipped the business card into my pocket, he spoke again.
"One piece of advice, Ms. Roy."
"Yes?"
"Dylan Carter isn't an easy man to work with."
His tone grew noticeably firmer.
"He's exceptionally intelligent, incredibly demanding and not particularly patient."
A strange unease settled deep within me, almost as though an invisible hand was quietly urging me to walk away. To politely decline before I stepped into something I didn't understand.
But I couldn't.
My fingers instinctively curled around the business card inside my pocket.
It no longer felt like a piece of paper, it felt like hope.
"I understand, sir."
Mr. Maxwell gave me a grateful nod before speaking again.
"I have one final favour to ask."
"Of course."
"Kevin still doesn't know we're moving to Miami."
His gaze drifted towards the hallway leading to his son's room.
"If I tell him myself." He let out a weary sigh. " he'll break down, and I honestly don't think I can bear to watch that."
For the first time, I wasn't looking at one of New York's most respected industrialists.
I was simply looking at a father.
A helpless father.
"Would you tell him instead?" he asked quietly. "He trusts you more than anyone."
I hesitated.
"But, sirβ"
"Please." It wasn't a request anymore, it was a father asking for help.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment before giving him a reluctant nod.
"Alright." relief softened his features.
"Thank you."
I offered him a small smile before rising from the sofa. As I walked towards Kevin's room, my heart grew heavier with every step. Breaking the news to a seven-year-old that his entire world was about to change was never going to be easy.
My phone buzzed inside my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts.
I pulled it out and smiled faintly.
Ms. Mika
Avir is fine. He fell asleep, so don't worry about him.
A wave of relief washed over me.
Slipping my phone back into my pocket, I knocked gently on Kevin's bedroom door.
"Can I come in, little one?"
A few seconds later, the door creaked open. Kevin stood there with tear-filled eyes and flushed cheeks, trying so hard to hold back his sobs that my heart clenched.
"Oh, sweetheart..." I murmured, immediately kneeling in front of him and gently cupping his cheek. "What's wrong?"
The moment I asked, he threw himself into my arms, clutching me tightly as his tiny body trembled with sobs. I wrapped my arms around him, rubbing slow circles over his back until his cries softened into broken hiccups.
Carefully, I lifted him into my arms and carried him to his bed before settling him comfortably against my chest.
"I... I heard Dad," he whispered between hiccups, lifting his tear-streaked face towards me. My heart shattered.
"Kevin, it's okay, baβ"
"No!" he cried, shaking his head violently. "It's not okay!"
Fresh tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I don't want to go away from you, Zaiu."
His tiny fingers clutched the fabric of my sweater.
"You're my best friend."
My own eyes burned, but I blinked the tears away.
If I cried he would cry even harder.
"Kevin," I whispered, stroking his hair, "listen to me for just one minute, okay? Can you do that for your Zaiu?"
His sobs gradually quietened, though the sadness in his eyes remained.
After a moment, he gave me a tiny nod.
"That's my brave boy." I pressed a kiss to his forehead.
"Your dad has important work in Miami, doesn't he? That's why both of you have to move."
"But, Zaiu..."
"I know, baby." I rubbed his back gently. "I know this is hard, but let me finish first, okay?" He buried his face against my neck and nodded.
"Miami is beautiful," I whispered. "You'll make new friends, visit wonderful places, and create beautiful memories."
He immediately shook his head stubbornly.
"No..."
A small smile tugged at my lips.
"Do you remember when I first met you at daycare? You loved muffins more than anything."
He sniffled before nodding.
"And now?"
"Donuts..."
"Exactly." I smiled. "Your favourite changed with time, didn't it? Life is a little like that too. Changes feel scary in the beginning, but eventually... they become a part of us."
I gently tapped the tip of his nose.
"And who knows? You might end up loving Miami even more than New York."
He stayed quiet for a long moment, carefully thinking about my words.
"But" he whispered. "you won't be there."
Those few words squeezed my heart painfully. I swallowed the lump in my throat before forcing myself to smile.
"Your dad told me you'll visit Manhattan often. And whenever you do, you'll come and meet me." I wiped away another tear rolling down his cheek.
"Besides, you can FaceTime me whenever you miss me."
He looked up hopefully.
"Really?"
"Really."
Resting his head against my chest again, he spoke in the smallest voice.
"Will you forget me, Zaiu?"
I gently cupped his face. "Forget you?" I smiled. "Never. I could never forget my adorable little Kevin."
"Promise?" He held out his tiny pinky. Smiling, I hooked mine around his.
"I promise."
Only then a small smile appeared on his face.
We spent the rest of the evening together, making the most of the little time we had left.
When it was finally time for me to leave, Kevin wrapped his tiny arms around me one last time before reluctantly letting go. After saying goodbye to Mr. Maxwell, I headed back to my apartment building.
I thanked Mika for looking after Avir before carefully lifting my sleeping little boy into my arms. He instinctively snuggled closer without waking, and I couldn't help smiling.
Back in our tiny apartment, I laid him gently on the bed before quietly preparing dinner, knowing he'd wake up hungry later.
With a little time still to spare, I finished my university assignments and revised for a while. Just as I closed my laptop, my phone buzzed again.
It was a message from Mr. Maxwell.
He had transferred my bonus and sent me the details for tomorrow's meeting.
Meeting with Mr. Dylan Carter
4:00 PM
His personal number was attached below, followed by the address of the Carter Enterprises.
I stared at the screen for a long moment before locking my phone.
Tomorrow was just another job interview.
I only hoped... everything would work out.Β
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