Well, suit yourself, he replied. Ms. Jennifer and Tiffany had tea and chatted like old good friends. Ms. Jennifer inquired about Tiffany’s studies and future plans.
She asked about Pamela and recalled the incident when she tripped on the stairs a week ago. But most of all, she talked about Michael. I think Michael has grown up suddenly, she remarked.
You know how much he has changed? He’s not rude anymore. He has become more composed and patient. He does everything for me.
And you know what’s interesting? He’s working now. But it was about time for him to grow up. Tiffany agreed.
Yes, you are right, Ms. Jennifer admitted. But you know what I’m absolutely sure about? It’s all thanks to you. Why did you decide that? Tiffany asked, surprised.
I think you’re mistaken. After all, I haven’t been in your house for almost six months. That’s exactly when you left.
He started behaving completely differently since then. I think he’s in love with you, Ms. Jennifer replied. Ms. Jennifer.
You’re exaggerating. In your son’s eyes, I’m just a maid. People like him don’t like to associate with us.
But to be completely honest, I don’t really like him either, Tiffany confessed. You watch him closely, Ms. Jennifer smiled. Deep down, maybe very deep down, he’s not so bad.
You know, he was such a wonderful child. If only he hadn’t gotten involved with those riffraff. Ms. Jennifer, excuse me for interrupting, Tiffany interjected.
You’re just like any other mother. You love your son madly and, accordingly, try to see only the good in him. But Michael is no longer a boy, and he should understand that he’s responsible for his actions.
I completely agree with you, Tiffany. Completely agree. Ms. Jennifer said.
But everyone makes mistakes. Let him show himself. I can see how he looks at you.
You are different from his girlfriends. They are materialistic, painted, and capricious dolls who are used to only having fun and doing nothing. But you are different.
You remind me of myself when I was young. Maybe that’s why I liked you so much. I’m flattered to hear that from you, Tiffany smiled.
But there’s no need to match us. We’re not a couple. I don’t think both of us want that.
Suddenly, Michael entered the living room. Glancing at the clock, he asked Tiffany. Aren’t you going to be late, for Pamela? Tiffany jumped up as if stung.
Oh, dear. I got carried away talking to you, she admitted. Ms. Jennifer, please get well soon.
And if you don’t mind, I’ll visit you again. Or maybe you’ll work for me again? Ms. Jennifer asked. Even temporarily, until I recover.
Tiffany was taken aback. She hadn’t planned on seeing Michael every day, but she couldn’t leave Ms. Jennifer in such a state. She couldn’t refuse.
All right. Tomorrow, I’m ready to work again, she assured Ms. Jennifer and headed towards the exit. Let me give you a ride, Michael offered.
We’re going the same way. I promise not to pester you. Just a ride, that’s all, he smiled.
Don’t be stubborn, Tiffany. Ms. Jennifer chimed in. You won’t make it on the bus.
The daycare will close by the time you get there. Well, okay, Tiffany sighed. I’ll go with you.
During the drive, Tiffany and Michael remained silent. When they parked near the daycare, he suddenly asked her. I don’t understand one thing.
Why are you doing all this alone? It must be hard. You’re barely making ends meet and now you have to take care of your sister too. And what should I have done, in your opinion? Tiffany asked.
Well, I don’t know. There are different options. Orphanage.
Boarding school. He started listing them. Counting on his fingers.
For some reason, I’m sure that if you were in my place, you would do the same, she replied. But I love Pamela very much. I don’t think you can understand that.
Tiffany was about to leave the car, but he grabbed her hand. Why do you always portray me as a monster? If I remember correctly, I apologized for that behavior. I just meant that it’s difficult to raise a child alone.
Especially at your age, he said. Yes. Tiffany agreed.
I’m young. But what does that change? Pamela is my sister. Who else can she rely on? I’ll never abandon her.
Well, that’s good to know, he said with a smirk. You’re killing your youth for her, and when she grows up, she might say that she never asked you to do it. Don’t judge people by yourself.
Tiffany retorted. I’m doing this not because I expect some gratitude for the rest of my life. I just don’t know any other way.
I repeat, you won’t understand. She left the car and headed to the daycare. Michael watched her until she turned the corner.
Tiffany’s words bothered him. He didn’t consider himself ungrateful or insensitive. But there was some truth in what she said.
Squeezing the gas pedal, he sped away and quickly disappeared. The words of Tiffany occupied his mind for the rest of the evening. He analyzed his life, which until now, he had considered normal.
Michael considered himself far from foolish. He was an educated, well-mannered person, popular with women. His friends always respected his opinion and sought his advice.
Michael was used to being admired and respected. And now, there was this maid who knew nothing about him, constantly putting him in his place. On one hand, he found her attractive.
On the other hand, she irritated him by constantly expressing her opinions about him. Sometimes Michael felt like she was taking too much upon herself. As he arrived home, he noticed that his mother was still sitting in the same place.
Mom, can I help you with something?, he asked. Ms. Jennifer, startled from the surprise. Thank you, there’s no need, she said, and then added, you called me mom for the first time in a long time.
I’ve gotten so used to hearing a maman or a mother from you. Is something wrong? No, there’s nothing wrong, Michael shrugged. I just thought about things and realized that you’re the only family I have in this world.
Ms. Jennifer’s eyes filled with tears, but Michael pretended not to notice and left for his room. The next day, as promised to Ms. Jennifer, Tiffany came to her house. Michael wasn’t home, but his mother couldn’t stop talking about him.
I still believe that you have a very positive influence on Michael. He’s completely different now, the house owner shared with her assistant. Ms. Jennifer, you’re exaggerating again, the girl replied.
I don’t think it’s my merit. People change, and your son is no exception. Most likely, he finally realized that you’re the most important person to him.
After finishing her work and bidding farewell to the house owner, Tiffany headed to the institute. When the classes were over, she was in for a surprise. As she reached the bus stop, Michael stopped beside her in his car.
He got out of the car with a small but beautiful bouquet of flowers in his hands. Hello. How are you, he said, offering the bouquet to Tiffany.
Tiffany was taken aback. She still didn’t fully trust him. She believed that if someone changed so dramatically in such a short time, it might not bode well.
You didn’t have to, she said, looking at the flowers. Why did you come? Well, first of all, the bouquet is a sign of gratitude for my mother. I’m glad that you’re helping her to recover.
And secondly, I wanted to do something nice for you too. There’s no need for gratitude. I’m doing this not for any reward, but sincerely from the heart.
Do you understand? And the flowers would be better given to your mother, she replied. And maybe you’ll stop lecturing me? Michael looked at her reproachfully. Sure.
And you promised not to stalk me with flowers at the institute, she retorted. I don’t need more gossip among my classmates. What’s wrong with a girl being met by her boyfriend, he asked.
You’re not my boyfriend. Tiffany reminded him. Well, fine.
I promise not to put you in an awkward position anymore. But that’s on the condition that you accept the bouquet, he said. Tiffany sighed and took the flowers.
Let me give you a ride to the daycare, he offered. No need. I’ll take the bus.
It’s safer, she replied. I assure you I’ll drive extremely carefully and slowly. I’ll make sure you arrive safely, he insisted.
All right then, Tiffany gave in. But this is the last time. She walked towards Michael’s car.
To her surprise, he was overly gallant and attentive. He opened the car door for her and helped her in. For a moment, she felt like a completely different person was sitting beside her.
Just a while ago, he was an arrogant and snobbish person, and now, as if by magic, he had transformed into a well-mannered, intelligent, and pleasant man. It was unsettling, and something about it frightened her. What are you thinking about? Michael asked, noticing that his passenger was gazing out the window absentmindedly.
Oh, I’m just thinking about how a person can change so much in such a short time. What can influence them so significantly? Tiffany replied. Are you talking about me, he inquired.
Yes, I’m sure you’re up to something, and it makes me wary, she answered. What if you’re mistaken? I used to behave unnaturally because I was used to it, he admitted. Women like confident, persistent, goal-oriented men.
Don’t mix things up. Confident, but not arrogant, Tiffany corrected him. Persistent, but not pushy.
Goal-oriented, but not imposing. So, in your opinion, I’m a pushy, arrogant guy? Michael concluded. Exactly.
Her response troubled Michael. He couldn’t get used to her honesty and straightforwardness, but at the same time, it fascinated him. No woman had ever stirred his consciousness like she did.
Her behavior triggered mixed emotions in him. On one hand, he was drawn to her like a magnet, and on the other hand, he wanted to punish her for being unapproachable and non-compliant. We’ve arrived, he announced, stopping the car near the daycare.
I’ll wait for you here. No need. It’s just a stone’s throw away from our house.
We’ll take a walk with Pamela, she said. Not to seem pushy, and keeping our conversation in mind, he warned, could I still keep you company? Tiffany shrugged and headed towards the daycare. Her sister ran towards her.
Upon noticing Michael behind her, she whispered into Tiffany’s ear. What is he doing here? We accidentally met, Tiffany explained in a hushed tone, and he offered to give me a ride. And he also gave you flowers by accident, her sister asked.
I still don’t like him, even with the flowers, Pamela added. Seeing her sister to the entrance, Michael suddenly suggested. How about we go to the park together on the weekend? Or visit the zoo? No.
Pamela firmly replied. We have other plans. Tiffany was used to her younger sister being advanced for her age.
But Pamela’s response took Michael aback. However, she quickly collected her thoughts and asked. Do you have dolls? Many.
Pamela answered. Do they have their own dollhouse? After a brief pause, the little girl replied. No.
They live in our house with Tiffany. But everyone should have their own home, insisted Michael. Do you want us to buy a dollhouse for your dolls? There was a pause.
It felt like there was a thought process going on in Pamela’s head. Like any child, she wanted to have a dollhouse, but she still didn’t fully trust Michael. Understanding the reason for her silence, he turned to Tiffany.
Are you okay if I make your sister a peace-offering gift? I don’t think that’s necessary. Let’s do without expensive gifts, argued the girl. Well, I’ll be getting my first paycheck soon, the man explained.
I’d like to spend it on something nice. Pamela wanted to respond, but Michael beat her to it, adding. I promise.
I won’t neglect your mom. Still, it’s unnecessary, the girl insisted. Thank you for giving us a ride and seeing us off, she said, taking her sister’s hand and disappearing into the hallway.
On the weekend morning, the girls were not in a hurry to go anywhere. They had no special plans. So Pamela was still lying in bed, while Tiffany went to take a shower.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Pamela tiptoed to the door and asked quietly. Who’s there? It’s me.
Michael, a voice came from behind the door. When she opened the door, she was astonished and her little mouth opened in surprise. In Michael’s hands, there was a large-sized box.
Crossing the threshold, he placed it on the floor and told Pamela. This is for you. Unwrap it.
The girl looked skeptically between the giver and the gift. She had a hunch about what was inside but hesitated to open it without her sister’s permission. Come on, be brave, encouraged Michael.
I promise to give you a dollhouse. Take it. I won’t carry this weight back, will I? His last argument convinced Pamela, and she started to remove the wrapping.