First Day with Charlotte
1868 Words
Cali POV
Oops! What was that?
Goosebumps appeared on my arms. A jolt of electricity ran through my body. Aaron had already left, but I can still feel the aftershocks.
fuck! Don’t tell that I have fallen love at first sight at Aaron. Move on, girl! He already has a child!
Shaking my head, I ushered Charlotte for us to go inside the house. I haven’t felt this much excited for a very long time. More than seeing the man of my dreams, I already have lots of things in my mind that me and Charlotte can do. But first, I have to change my clothes.
Damn you, n*****s! How can you betray me!
“Charlotte, do you want to see my bedroom?” I looked down to her and she nodded. “Okay, let’s go up the stairs.”
I let her in my bedroom. Charlotte just looked around while I change behind my closet door. After changing, I looked again at the paper Aaron handed me.
Hmm… I think I can manage this.
“Seems like you woke up too early today. Maybe that is why you are not chirpy yet. Do you want to take a nap before we play?”
Wrong word to say, Cali.
When Charlotte heard play, she perked up.
“Did you already have breakfast?”
Most likely no, Cali. It’s not even her time to wake-up.
“Sorry, that’s a wrong question. I’ll make you breakfast first, then we can play after. Come on.” I helped her go down the stairs.
When we got to the kitchen, I gave her an option of grilled cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
“Peanut butter and jelly, please. Thank you.” I’m glad that she has manners.
And here I thought that she’s picky. After eating the PBJ sandwich and drinking a glass of milk, she asked for an apple, as it was displayed on our kitchen counter. I washed the apple and cut them in slices. I helped her finish the fruit, as I know she is already full from the sandwich and milk.
“Very good, Charlotte! For having a healthy breakfast and finishing your food, you will receive a prize from me later.”
“Yay! What’s the prize, Cali?” I smiled as she had started to warm-up with me.
“It’s a secret.” I said smiling as I poke her cheek.
After breakfast, we did a lot of things. That includes making a fort in our living room, sing songs from Disney movie soundtracks, baking cookies, and taking a bath.
Charlotte had so much fun during her bath time, as I placed too much bath gel in the bath tub. She got enjoyed making bubbles and popping them. We still sung songs inside the bathroom and without knowing, it was almost time for Aaron to come for Charlotte. I dressed her up in one of the clothes that was inside her bag that Aaron brought with them, then I styled her hair into side-swept fishtail braid. The same hairstyle as Elsa’s.
I let Charlotte see herself in front of my full-length mirror and she was ecstatic about it. I thought of doing the style, because the dress she is wearing is powder blue.
“You’re the best, Cali! I love you so much!” Charlotte said as she hugged me tightly.
And there I knew I also love this girl.
As I let Charlotte do her own concert inside my room, I prepped myself up for Aaron’s arrival. I put my hair in a messy bun and I put on my favorite cherry lip balm. I sprayed a little body cologne and I’m done! I checked also the clothes that I am wearing, hoping that there will be no more embarrassing moments to happen.
“Cali? Can you teach me how to do make-up next? Please?”
“Sure, Charlotte. But here, I’ll put on some on your lips.” It’s just lip balm anyway. “Oh, and I will give you your prize.” I have a star stamp and stamp pad in my drawer that I can use to stamp on Charlotte’s hand.
“Wow!” It’s so cute to see how kids appreciate the little things.
During my time with Charlotte, I found out that she will be five next month. I was wondering where her Mom is. I wanted to ask, but didn’t. I might trigger something not good. I was wondering, too, why she did not get any features from Aaron.
Maybe she got everything from her Mom.
Charlotte and I were back in the kitchen, packing some cookies for her to bring home, when the doorbell suddenly rang.
“That’s your daddy, Charlotte.” I stood up from my chair and then helped Charlotte down.
“Daddy?” She asked confusedly.
She must have forgotten already that her dad will get her at lunchtime.
We went to the front door. But before I open it, I stopped to peek outside. You never know who will surprise you next. When I have confirmed that it was Aaron, my heart beat faster. It was like being teenager all over again, having my crush drop by the house.
“Hi again!” I greeted Aaron, but his eyes were already at the little girl beside me.
“Uncle Ron!” Charlotte ran to Aaron’s arms.
Aww… Isn’t this cute? Having my own family. I can already see my future. Me, Aaron, and our own child.
I smiled as I look at the uncle and niece hugging each other.
Wait! What? Charlotte just called Aaron uncle? So, Aaron is not a father?
I’m like doing a happy little dance in my head.
“Hi, Calista. I see that you have changed already.” He grinned naughtily.
Can he forget about the nip slip already?
“Yep.” That’s all I can say as I got myself tongue-tied. I had put on a tank top and short shorts. It’s getting hot in the city. Much more now that Aaron is here in our porch. “Let’s go inside. Charlotte has a surprise for you.”
“Goodness, Charlotte. You made a mess.”
I looked around and saw that he must be pertaining to our living room where we made a fort.
“No, that’s not the surprise. And don’t worry about it. It’s just easy to fix. It’s just blanket and a few pillows.” Kids are always messy. No doubt about that. But I must have had too much experience with kids that I don’t fuss when they mess with their toys or other things. It’s really part of growing up. You cannot have a kid at home if you do not want a messy house. The thing is to teach them how to clean up after. That will teach them about responsibility.
“Cali and I made a fort. Isn’t it beautiful? And look! I have a lipstick on!” I could hear Charlotte kept on talking to Aaron from the kitchen, as I left them in the dining area. Then when I return carrying the container of cookies for Charlotte, I saw Aaron shaking his head. His face void of any expression.
“I can’t believe it.” He said that got me so nervous. “What have you done to Charlotte?”
Did I do something wrong?
“I had hired three people before you, but all of them did not last. You have tamed her.”
“Tamed her? But she was so adorable and behaved. She’s behaving how a child should behave. I did not tame her. We just did what any child does. Maybe you got the wrong people to work for you.”
“And you are the right one?”
“I suppose?” I shrugged my shoulders.
“Oh, by the way. I have brought food with me. Can we have lunch first before we talk about the terms?”
“Sure.”
After eating lunch, I gave Charlotte and paper for her to draw on, while me and Aaron talk about this baby-sitting arrangement.
“I would need you to be in our house from ten AM to seven PM. Would that be okay?”
“Are you sure with seven PM?” I had doubts on this one. At times, Mom would come home after seven. She’s already head of a department. And here we are talking about the CEO of the company.
“Yes. If I know that I will not be able to make it at seven, I will inform you immediately.”
“Fine.”
As if I could do anything about it.
“That would be Monday to Friday.” I nodded.
“For two months.”
“No problem with me.”
“I’ll give you a weekly salary of one thousand and five hundred dollars.”
I felt my eyes widened and my jaw dropped when I heard the amount.
“Is that too low for you?”
“No, isn’t it too much?”
“Well, that would include gas money or transportation allowance. As you would be travelling to and from our house. As much I want to drop Charlotte here at your house, I do not want to trouble your parents with a kid having accidents around the house, like breaking something valuable. Just accept the amount, Cali. You are doing me a huge favor here. Think of it as thank you.”
“Okay then.”
“Rules. No bringing of boyfriend or any friend inside the house.”
“Consider it understood. I don’t have a boyfriend anyway and my best friend is away for the whole summer.”
“Good.” Aaron was smiling mischievously.
“You’re happy that I don’t get to hang out all summer?”
“No.” And there’s his mischievous smile again.
It’s making me melt. Stop smiling already!
I don’t know if I like the serious version of Aaron this morning or the naughty one this noon.
I let it go as we finalize all details.
“And, by the way, before I forget. You can take a shower at our house, so you wouldn’t have to rush in the morning. You know, things might happen.” I would have smacked his head, but then Charlotte spoke up.
“Uncle Ron, I’m sleepy.”
“Nap time. We have to go, Calista.”
I stood up and got their things, Charlotte’s bag and the cookie container.
“Thank you for today. I’ll put your pay today for next week.”
“No need. Think of it as a free trial.”
“Thank you, again.” Aaron carried Charlotte in his arms, so I carried the bag and the cookie container for them.
I walked them to Aaron’s car. And after Charlotte was placed in her car seat, I handed their things to Aaron.
“Thanks, Calista.” Aaron rubbed my arm before sliding his hand down to squeeze my hand. He went inside his black Lexus and off they went.
I don’t think I’ll be taking a shower any time soon.
- Writer
