Saying that Tiffany worked hard would be an understatement. Jennifer also fulfilled her promise to the girl, and when Tiffany saw her first paycheck, she was speechless. She had never held that much money in her hands before.
After another month, Pamela was returned to her. Tiffany was overjoyed, but life became more challenging. Every morning, Tiffany and Pamela rushed to the daycare.
Then she went to work in another part of the city and spent the whole day, like a squirrel in a wheel. After work, she hurried to the college, and in the evening, she went to the kindergarten to pick up her sister. And then they went home together.
Despite her young age, Pamela understood how tired her older sister was. At such moments, she would sit next to her, just like a grown-up, and say. You’re tired, Tiffany.
Wait a little. When I grow up, I’ll help you too. Just don’t leave me.
Tiffany would hug Pamela maternally, kiss her on the forehead, and say with a smile. My beloved. We’ll definitely manage everything.
Tiffany quickly found a common language with Ms. Jennifer. The woman liked her new assistant. She appreciated Tiffany’s honesty, integrity, and tidiness.
She would often send little surprises, for Pamela. I feel a bit awkward about this, the girl would blush in such moments. You’re too kind to me, Ms. Jennifer.
Nonsense, the hostess would reply. I’m glad I can bring joy to someone. Tiffany was grateful that fate brought her together with Ms. Jennifer.
The only thing that always puzzled her was why such a lovely woman was alone. It was a bit awkward to ask directly. And Ms. Jennifer didn’t rush to share anything about herself.
While cleaning, Tiffany noticed an album with photographs and couldn’t resist her curiosity. Flipping through the pages, she studied the pictures of a young Ms. Jennifer. In some, she was captured alone, in others, with friends.
But there was one photo where she stood with a very handsome young man. They were smiling, and it was evident that they were very happy at that time. Lost in the album, Tiffany didn’t hear the owner entering the room.
Noticing her belonging in the hands of the housekeeper, Ms. Jennifer spoke. It contains my whole life. All memories of the past, friends, colleagues.
And who is this person? Tiffany asked carefully, pointing to a picture with a young man. You look so happy in this picture. Ms. Jennifer took the photo carefully in her hands and looked at it for a long time.
Lost in her own thoughts and smiling, as if recalling the time when the photo was taken, she eventually said. You’re right. We were truly happy at that time.
This is Alex, my fiancé. We were both around 30 years old, if I remember correctly. Oh, my goodness.
How much in love we were with each other. Well, at least I was absolutely certain of my feelings back then. We made plans, discussed our wedding, and then everything suddenly came crashing down.
Ms. Jennifer fell silent. Tiffany noticed that these memories were difficult for her to share. Tiffany embraced the woman and patted her shoulder.
Jennifer looked at Tiffany and smiled, but her eyes still carried a sense of sadness. What happened to him? Is he alive? Tiffany tried to divert her from the overwhelming memories. Who? Ms. Jennifer was surprised.
Alex? Of course. He’s doing just fine, I hope. After a brief pause, she continued her story.
There was just one week left until the wedding when I found out that he had someone else. You’re kidding. Tiffany exclaimed.
Why plan a wedding if he wanted to be with someone else? The woman looked at her with a smile and replied. You’re too young, Tiffany, and you still don’t understand many things. You’re trusting, and people often take advantage of that.
By the time I turned 30, I had achieved a lot. I had my own business, which brought in decent income. I bought my apartment and wanted to purchase a house with a big plot of land.
Yet, I could afford to go on vacation a couple of times a year, and Alex loved that kind of life. It was the life he dreamed of, but he couldn’t achieve it himself. I understand, Tiffany struggled to contain her emotions.
He enjoyed vacationing with me, Jennifer continued. He would talk to me every day about our future plans. He could describe in detail the house we would live in, along with our three children.
Yes. Three children were exactly what he wanted me to have for him. I didn’t mind.
As he later confessed, everything was planned out. He wanted to put me on maternity leave for a long time and take full control of the business himself. The plan was simple.
Gradually, he would transfer all the money to his accounts and forget about me. His passion was ready to wait for him for years, just for a life of comfort. Nightmare.
Tiffany exclaimed. But how did you meet each other? It’s all quite cliché, actually. He came to work for me.
Excellent education, work experience. All of that worked in his favor. Alex quickly learned, absorbed information on the go, and everything he did turned out successful.
His perseverance, diligence, and ambition impressed me as an employer. Initially, I noticed him as an employee, and such people are very rare. With time, we became friends, and our relationship evolved into something more.
After a couple of years, he proposed to me, and since I only knew his best side, I didn’t hesitate. I had many men showing interest in me, but when I looked at them, I always thought, what’s missing in them? But with Alex, I considered him a flawless man, almost perfect. They say love is blind.
And what did you do when you found out about his infidelity? Did you break up? Tiffany asked. Of course, I kicked him out the same day, Ms. Jennifer replied. I can’t believe that no one else managed to catch your interest after Alex, Tiffany smiled.
No, it’s not about that. The thing is, after we broke up, I found out that I was pregnant, Ms. Jennifer admitted. Actually, no.
I found out about the pregnancy on the day we broke up. I was rushing home early, to surprise my beloved. A sort of surprise, you know? But the surprise awaited me in the form of his mistress.
Ms. Jennifer told the story with so much emotion that it felt like she was still shocked by her ex-fiancé’s audacity. It’s a typical story, like thousands of others. When you listen to it from the outside, you think it couldn’t possibly happen to you.
You believe you’d see through the scoundrel, the woman sadly smiled. But in the end, I was deceived like a naive 15-year-old girl. And the child? Tiffany asked.
What happened to him? Of course. On time, a beautiful boy was born, whom I named Michael, Jennifer replied. And where is he now? He’s studying.
More precisely, he’s doing an internship in America. By the way, he’s supposed to come home soon. Ms. Jennifer, you’re amazing! Tiffany exclaimed with admiration.
You’re so strong! You started your own business and raised your son on your own. The education you provided for him is incredible. He’s my motivation, Jennifer nodded in confirmation of Tiffany’s words.
You know, I’ve always felt guilty in front of him for growing up without a father. So, I tried to compensate for that fact. If it was clothes or shoes, it had to be designer brands.
If it was a vacation, it had to be abroad. His education had to be European. I work day and night, just so my boy wouldn’t lack anything.
He must really love you. After all, you’ve done so much for him, Tiffany remarked. But Tiffany never got an answer to her question.
Ms. Jennifer immediately changed the topic, suddenly remembering her upcoming meetings with business partners. And the housekeeper returned to her duties. Several months had passed since Tiffany got employed by Ms. Jennifer, and she was surprised that despite the friendliness and warmth of her host, she had never mentioned her son again.
One day, as Tiffany entered the house, she found Ms. Jennifer in high spirits. She seemed elated. Are you celebrating something, Ms. Jennifer? Tiffany inquired.
Your eyes are shining with joy. It must be something special. Michael is coming in a week, the woman happily announced.
My Michael! During the weekends, Tiffany worked tirelessly with her sister at Ms. Jennifer’s house. The hostess asked them to clean the rooms multiple times, especially the one where Michael would be staying. By the evening, Tiffany was exhausted.
Please, have mercy, Ms. Jennifer. All the rooms are sparkling clean. Maybe we can stop washing them? Tiffany pleaded, inspecting each corner.
You did a great job, girl. Everything is immaculate, Ms. Jennifer smiled, nodding in approval. Michael just can’t stand dust in the house.
That’s how he is. As Tiffany and Pamela were about to leave and head home, Ms. Jennifer told her. You have a day off to Faneuro.
You don’t need to come. I want to spend some time with Michael alone. It’s been so long since I saw him.
There’s so much I want to tell him. Upon hearing about her day off, Tiffany tried to contain her excitement. The next day, after finishing her studies, she hurried to the daycare to pick up Pamela early.
It was raining coldly since the morning, and the rain had stopped after lunch. However, the wind was so strong and chilly that it cut through the bones. Tiffany stood at the bus stop, waiting, when her attention was drawn to a luxurious car on the opposite side.
A young man stepped out of the car and nonchalantly headed into a flower shop. Moments later, he emerged with a magnificent bouquet of flowers. Lucky someone, Tiffany thought to herself.
I’ve never even been given a single flower. I wonder if it’s for his wife. She couldn’t quite grasp what exactly attracted her to this guy.