Mia started work but hasn't started living in the mansion. She could come very early in the morning and stay there until Eunice falls asleep at night.
The maids and butler, introduced themselves to her and gradually, she started getting familiar with the environment.
Moreover, she was always careful with her steps in the house and made sure to not bump into her boss because she was too uncomfortable to face him.
Just thinking about that night gave her chills, and she would rather not have to answer for it. It was pressure that made her do it, she wasn't ready to let her brother go. He was the only person whom she could call family, and she was willing to do anything to help him at that time.
Mia was more than certain that Mark, her new boss, was the man from that night, but for some reason, she wasn't so sure about it. She knew that if it was Mark, he would never have allowed her into his house, nor would he have allowed her to be his daughter's caretaker.
In a way, after finding out about Mark and his daughter, Mia felt angry. Mark had a wife and child still, he came to the club for a one-night stand. It made her doubt if truly he is a responsible man. And luckily for her, they are yet to bump into each other. He goes to work very early and returns late at night due to meetings and arrangements for his upcoming meeting outside the country.
One day, Mia was almost done with her chores in the house when Eunice approached her, looking sad.
“What is the matter?” Mia immediately left what she was doing to attend to her. The little girl was her priority in the house and so, nothing else mattered.
“Miss Mia, can I talk to you?” Eunice's requested, and she looked like she was about to cry.
Eunice was such a loving soul, and Mia inwardly praised her parents for raising the girl to be that way. Eunice wasn't like other rich brats.
“Yes, dear, you can.” Mia had a sweet smile plastered on her face as she held on to Eunice's hand, allowing the girl to drag her anywhere.
They got to Eunice's room, and she started, “Miss Mia, can you keep a secret?” She then sat on the bed and made Mia sit close to her. What she wanted to share with Mia was something only her father, Tyler the butler, and her knew.
“Yes, dear, anything for you.” Mia moved even closer because she could depict sadness in Eunice's voice.
The girl desperately needed someone to talk to.
“Tell me, dear, what could be the matter? Why do you look so sad?” Mia ran her right hand through Eunice's hair, trying to make her feel better.
The girl's face was lowered, and she found it hard to swallow as she took a deep breath and exhaled.
“I want to tell you about my mom.” She uttered.
“Your mom?” Mia raised her brows.
She had been meaning to ask her about that, but she didn't want to intrude on their family's privacy. Also, she was scared to know the truth. Their marriage might have scattered after Eunice's mother found out he had a one-night stand.
“I miss my mom.” Eunice stated with a sigh.
“Why, dear, isn't she with you?” She didn't want to make any guesses, she wanted to hear the truth from her directly. But her heart was beating so fast.
“She went missing.” Eunice's voice cracked, and she just pulled Mia in for a hug.
Mia didn't understand what Eunice meant by missing, but one thing she knew was that she hadn't seen Eunice mother except in the pictures hung on the wall.
“Calm down love. Can you explain what you meant by that?” Mia asked, looking worried.
“Dad loved her, but she always came back home drunk and would rain abuses on him even when he tried to correct her. She never even loved me. And always comes late to pick me up from school. Recently, she hasn't been at home and I know she's doing something dad doesn't want to tell.” Tears gathered in her eyes and soon, they began to trickle down her face.
“Don't say that, sweetie.” Mia held her chin and raised her face, so she could look into the little girl's eyes.
“But it's the truth. She wanted a boy and when she saw I was a girl, she despised me from the onset. I overheard her telling that to her friend.” Eunice burst into tears, and it truly broke Mia because she knew every child deserved love, whether girl or boy.
“Eunice, you're loved, okay, I'm sure your mommy loves you. It could be she's just having a hard time, you should understand her.” Mia tried to explain.
“But she gives dad a hard time. That's why I want to ask you to please forgive dad if he's being too overprotective with me. He just doesn't want me to feel sad, and I know he loves me still. I'm the only one for him in this world since mom left. I can't cry to him because it will make him hate mum.”
Mia smiled at her. She knew Mark was just being a good father towards his daughter and didn't want to compromise her safety. She wished she had such a dad who was willing to lay his life down for his child.
“Don't judge his actions, miss Mia, I think he's going through pain, and it hurts me so much that I can't help him. I don't want to ever see my dad being so sad. He's going through all this because of me.” Her added.
“You are never the cause. Don't blame yourself. It's just adult stuff, okay? They will settle it all soon.” She gazed at Eunice, who rested her head on her shoulder. The girl had been saying too many things and her eyes had turned red and swollen while her lashes were wet.
She was going through emotional pains with no one to talk to about it, and Mia was glad the girl trusted her to explain things to her.
Unknown to the little girl that her mom wasn't in touch with her dad anymore. She had travelled to stay with her new lover. Mark didn't want her to know because, though Eunice was pretending to be fine with everything, it could be draining her emotionally.
“Did my dad tell you where my mum went to?” She sniffed as she asked Mia the question.
“No, she probably travelled for a business meeting, just like your dad is about to.” Mia lied just to make her feel better.
“Then why is she taking so long? Or not even calling?” Eunice asked and lowered her head.
“It's not like that, dear. Your mom could be busy with work. Wants to maybe surprise you and make up for everything. She's a good woman, I know she is.” Mia kissed Eunice's forehead and cleaned the tears on her face.
“You know, I wish she would stop fighting with dad and love me even for once.” Mia didn't understand why the girl said her mother didn't love her, but she preferred not to ask in order not to make the girl cry.
“Daddy is always the one here. He got a company to run and yet, he is never too busy.” Eunice's words made Mia feel so sad. She understood the feeling of being neglected.
“Don't worry, girl… Just in case you need anything. I'm here for you, too.” She hugged the girl tightly and gently rubbed her hair.
“Do you know what?” Mia asked as she cut the long hug.
“What?” Eunice eyes shined brightly staring at Mia.
“These feelings you are having right now should all go away. Your mom isn't a bad person… Believe me. She loves you so much.”
“But” Eunice lowered her voice, “I overheard daddy telling his friends that she left us. I didn't want to believe it, but now I don't see her at home anymore...... I want her back home, my dad isn't really coping with all this. He's just trying to be strong, but he isn't.”
“How do you know that?” Mia was thrown off guard as to how she knew her father this well.
“My father is my best friend. He was always there when my mom was being mean to me and was always ready to stand by me all the time.” She replied with a wry smile.
Eunice didn't know why she felt so comfortable talking to Mia about her problems. There was something special about Mia that she loved. It was as if she found herself another bestie in Mia.
After a while, Eunice was calm. Mia also tried to make her laugh.
“Thank you, Mia.” She said, hugging her tightly.
“You will be fine and everything will be perfect soon.” Mia assured.