The men were about six feet tall, and they all had well-built bodies. They were putting on suits and dark shade glasses and something like an earpiece that had a twirly cord linked to it in their ears.
“Are you going, or should we do as we have said before?” They kept their neutral expressions on, but they were somehow able to instill fear in Mia. They damn looked scary.
“I'm sorry, I won't be of any disturbance, I'll go back now.” She dragged herself towards the area where the other ladies were.
“Mia, what are you doing? That child is in trouble, and you care about some silly job?” She asked herself as she kept staring at the direction she came from. Those she isn't seeing clearly, but her heart didn't relax. If the girl falls from there, it would lead to complications.
“Yes? This is the only way I'll be able to take care of Gideon and then rent a house.” She replied to herself.
“Get yourself out there. If anything happens to that child, you'll never forgive yourself.” Her conscience spoke again, and she felt frustrated, “Arrggh! Fine.” She rolled her eyes to no one in particular before standing up from the stone she sat on.
This was time for her to act. She sighed in relief, hoping that she wasn't caught or sent home.
She pretended, she wanted to make a phone call. And when no one's attention was on her, she sneaked and followed those being called into the compound.
“Please Lord, whoever it is shouldn't fall before I get there.” She prayed in her mind as she kept looking for how to hide from the security that seemed to be more focused on them.
Tiptoeing round the compound and hiding behind trees, so she could get to whoever was stucked. After hiding from one corner to the other for about two minutes, she was finally able to get to the tree without being spotted. Though, she was almost caught.
She noticed the girl was holding on a little branch as the branch underneath her wasn't strong enough to hold her weight.
Mai didn't know why, but she felt fear, and she knew the little girl was also scared. The height of the tree was a bit too high to jump from, and the helping branches were on the floor. It wasn't clear to her why the child wasn't calling for help.
Her heart thudded loudly in her chest and she thought of what to do, rubbing her hands together because of how nervous she was feeling.
“Hey!” Mia said as she stood right in front of the tree.
“H… Hi!” The girl stammered, still holding on to the tree.
“How did you get up there?” Mai's voice wasn't too loud in order for her not to attract the security.
“Umm, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come here.” The girl sounded exhausted and her voice quivering like she was about to cry, “I just wanted to see the crowd. Then the branches broke off. I'm stucked!” She added while looking down at Mia.
“It's all right, darling.” She said before lowing her head, “What do I do now?” Mia was thinking of a strategy to get the girl down, but she was also trying to make the girl feel comfortable, “I should call the security for assistance.” Mia suggested.
“No…. Please don't…” The girl cried out, disrupting Mia's movement.
“Why?” Mia became confused. She didn't get if the girl enjoyed being in that position.
“No one knows I'm outside.” The girl pleaded, “Ouch.” She tried to move her arms that were hurting and it scared Mia.
“Stay still dear… Okay, I guess it's kind of bad, but I still think I need to go call for help because, the tree is high for you to jump down.” She suggested.
“I just wanted to see the ladies, I do not want my father to scold me, please.” The young girl replied, pleading.
Mia's hands were tied. The tree was unbelievably high, she didn't even know how the young girl got up there with weak branches in the first place.
“Do you have a ladder around?” Mia asked, but every ray of hope was crushed down when the girl gave a negative response.
“Daddy doesn't keep things like that at home.” She responded.
“What's your name?” Mia asked.
“Eunice.” She replied. Sweat had started to form on Eunice's head. She was standing on a branch underneath, while her hand held the one above for support.
“Eunice, I want you to be fine, okay? I'm guessing things are terrified and your arms hurt, but imagine yourself as a superhero. What superhero powers would you like to have?” Mia's words were making Eunice feel at ease and her fidgeting reduced.
“Super strength, what about you?” She asked back.
“Hmmm, I have never really thought about it, but I would love to fly.” Mia responded.
“Why?” Eunice took a deep breath.
“Well, so I could rescue you, and you know what, we could fight bad guys together.” Mia joked, causing Eunice to chuckle.
“For real, you'll play superhero with me?” Eunice asked, excitement written on her face and for a while, she forgot to hold on to the branch above her.
“Woah.” The crack of the branch underneath her made her quickly grab onto the branch above her.
“Oh dear.” Mia muttered after seeing what happened. She was trying so hard to hide the pressure she felt in her.
Her legs were shaking, but she tried to find peace within her.
“It's okay, I'm okay.” She spoke to clear Mia's mind of fear.
“That's great, I'm glad you're okay.” She wiped her head with the towel she had.
“So tell me, why do you think they are hiring a nanny? Does the owner of the house have little children?” Mia asked.
“I don't know.” Eunice didn't want to tell it's because of her. Though Mia might want to help, but she wasn't totally free with her.
“I can see that.” Mia giggled.
“Don't laugh, this was a silly mistake, I admit It now.” Eunice mumbled.
“Are you sure you don't want me to call anyone?” Mia asked to be certain. Seeing a girl in such a situation isn't wonderful. In fact, it was scaring the hell out of her.
She had just met this beautiful young girl. She felt as though it was Gideon in the situation. The only reason why she wasn't panicking was because she was asked not to panic in a very hard situation. So that the victim will remain calm at all times.
“Are you that scared of your father?” Mia asked, concerned.
“Not really…. it's just that he worries about me a lot and I don't want him to worry. He has a lot on his plate already.” Her voice saddened, and so did her facial expression.
“Are you alright?” She asked the girl, noticing the new struggle.
“Yeah, the truth is, I want a nanny who can be like a mother to me. Mummy left us.” She became sadder.
“She died?” Mia asked, and the girl shook her head.
“She left. Daddy doesn't talk about it, and I shouldn't either.” She used her left hand to wipe her eyes. Sweat had gathered enough on Eunice's forehead, and they had spent so much time talking than acting.
“It's fine baby girl, don't cry, you'll ruin your makeup.” Mia teased.
“But I don't wear makeup.” She chuckled in the middle of her tears.
“Well, how come you look so beautiful.” Mia was analyzing the tree while she spoke.
“Nature's gift, I guess.” Eunice smiled, showing her perfect teeth, “Have you come up with a plan yet?” Noticing how Mia was looking around.
“I don't know what to do. I just want to help, but since you said I shouldn't call anyone, I'm going to listen to you.” Mia replied, looking even more frustrated as the sun was reaching them.
“Are you also applying to be a nanny here?” Eunice questioned.
“Yes, but that's not necessary, I have to get you down first.” Mia replied with a certain voice, “I want you to be brave, okay, remember you have super strength. You're a strong girl, and strong girls aren't scared of anything.” Mia encouraged. There was no other means to help the girl down.
“Yes, strong girls aren't scared of anything.” Eunice took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself down while hugging the tree so tight.
“You're going to jump down.” Mia's words caused Eunice's eyes to widen.
“What? No, I'll break my arms.” Eunice protested.
“I'll catch you. Besides, you're a superhero, remember?” Mia spoke with a smile.
“Okay.” Eunice finally agreed.
“You're first going to leave the branch you're holding, try holding on to the other one. It looks strong, but don't put all your weight on it. Just focus on landing.” Mia directed.
“Do you promise to catch me?” Eunice's eyes had tears in them.
“Yes I do, I know we just met, but you have to trust me.” Mia gazed at her with a smile.
Eunice gazed at Mia, her hands had become sweaty, and she didn't know what to do anymore. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, and she was sure the lady looking up at her from below might be hearing it.
“You can do it!” Mia cheered with an ensuring smile.
“I'm uncertain if I can.” She closed her eyes tightly, trying to reach out to the branches Mia pointed.
“Yes. You can.” Mia kept her hands wide open, just in case of anything.
“What if I land on the floor.” Eunice suddenly stopped to ask as fear crawled in.
“You won't land on the floor, I'm here to catch you.” Mia knew that her words were somewhat impossible, but what could she say, she hadn't thought of a better plan than this?
“Okay.” Eunice followed Mia's instructions and soon got a bit lower than before. Though, it was still not advisable to join from but, it was far better than the height before, “I'm going to jump now.” Eunice alarmed with her eyes closed and the next moment, she left the branch and came down falling.