The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 14

"We have to hurry Nat, or you'll be late for school!" I panted, encouraging her as we ran. We were on a tight schedule and had to sprint straight off the bus.

A joyful giggle escaped Naty. We had overslept, and I was all but certain I'd be late for work too. Today was the day of the engagEmilyent party, and we had received strict instructions to show up early.

"Come on, Nat—this isn't going to cut it." I picked her up like a baby, walking towards the school gates. Naty who was still having fits of laughter, gripped her fingers into the denim jacket which perfectly hid my uniform.

"Emily, good morning!" A familiar mother from Naty's class spotted us. "I can take her inside. You look like you're in a hurry—go!" Her eyes were kind, but deep down I knew she pitied me, same as everyone else.

These women saw me as a confused young girl who didn't know how to raise her fatherless daughter. That's the picture they had already painted before even trying to get to know me.

At times I wondered if they would still pity me if they knew I worked at the Fanucci mansion.

"Thank you!" I spoke in between breaths, placing Naty on her two feet.

"Be good, listen to your teacher, have fun!" I said, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay!" Naty nodded energetically, showing me a toothy smile.

With that, I turned on my heel and ran back to the bus, literally—all while trying not to die due to poor condition.

~

When I finally made it to the mansion, I was completely out of breath, so out of breath, you might even say my lungs were burning. I stood frozen at the gates for a moment, taking in the scene in front of me. Preparations for the party were already in full swing, and everyone was working.

Also inside the mansion, the halls were filled with workers, scrambling to finish everything in time.

"Emily!" Liza called out over the chaos, pushing several others aside to get to me. "There you are!"

"Am I late?"

"Don't worry, I covered for you with Madam Catherina. But you'll have to get started right away. Here," she shoved a list into my hands. "It's everything you'll need to get done before the party."

I scanned the endless list, feeling an uncomfortable knot form in my stomach. "I'm on it," I told her, realizing I didn't have time to waste. 

~

As some time passed, and I was busy with my third chore, I slowly accepted today was going to be a long day.

I had been working for hours, my legs felt numb, my fingers felt numb, and the pantry I got assigned to was anything but small. At least I had a bit of privacy.

I thought, but it wasn't for long.

Startled, I stepped back as the young Melody Fanucci appeared in the doorway, humming a song. She headed straight to the wooden ladder, leaning against one of the shelves.

My eyes widened in concern as her small hands wrapped around rungs, trying to climb up. I was conflicted, unsure whether to interfere or not—but as a mother myself, I couldn't watch that child risk her life like that any longer.

"Uh, Melody," I said, stepping forward, "I'll get it. Just tell me what you want." I blocked her way to the top, carefully rEmilyoving her hand.

The girl looked up with her big brown eyes, perhaps trying to figure out why I had the audacity to approach her. My gaze immediately fell upon her expensive dress, matched with a small designer handbag.

"I want a strawberry cookie," she eventually pointed to the jar on a high shelf.

"I'll get it for you."

I went up, grabbing the jar before handing her what she desired.

Without a simple thanks, Melody took a bite, letting the fresh crumbs fall onto the freshly swept floor. It made my skin itch, but I couldn't open my mouth. She was a Fanucci.

My hand twitched with the urge to immediately clean it up, but I forced myself to stay still. Maybe if I did something, she would feel offended—and I would lose my job.

"Are you just going to watch me?" Melody caught me off guard, speaking with her mouth full. "I'm not stealing, Mommy told me I can have a cookie!"

"Sorry," I mumbled, feeling Emilybarrassed. I couldn't believe that I was apologizing and feeling somehow lesser in front of a six-year-old.

"My brother's getting married soon," she said.

I nodded, unsure what to say.

"His girlfriend doesn't look like us. She is mean, and she looks like a witch," she then added with a serious expression. I tried to hold back the cackle trying to escape my mouth.

"That's not very nice," I automatically felt the need to defend the woman, even if she was right.

Melody ignored my words and grabbed the dustpan and brush. Her beautiful dress reached the floor as she knelt to clean up her own crumbs. I watched her with a soft smile. Maybe she wasn't that bad.

"You didn't have to do that, Melody," I said.