“Why?” I give her a narrowed stare. “Did something happen here before?”
“I’m sure you must be aware Alejandro is a very important man in Brazil. So, he must take steps to secure his home, and more importantly, provide a safe place for his niece to live in. Especially given what happened to her parents.”
“What did happen to them?” I was only told they were dead. I don’t know why, but I assumed it was a car accident.
“They were murdered in their homes. Young Mia was only two weeks old and barely escaped.”
“Oh my God.” That’s so awful.
“Yes, indeed. So, that’s why the extra security. I’ll sort out your access on Friday. I’m sure Alejandro will brief you more on the security measures and rules. The house is always heavily guarded, back and front,” she explains. “But after six, the guards patrol the grounds and the doors are locked. That’s when you’ll need the scan. The only other place you’ll need the scan for is the safe room. I’ll show you that, too.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. In the same breath there are no cameras in the house for the same reason we don’t have anything that can be tracked. So please don’t feel like you’re continuously being watched.”
That also makes sense on why I’m here. “Thanks for telling me. I did wonder.”
She continuous talking about the house and I make mental notes of what she’s telling me but my gut churns because I’m sure knowing about the scan and the times it becomes active are things El Diablo will want to know.
Hearing what happened to Mia’s parents only makes me feel worse about revealing anything that’s supposed to protect her.
What choice do I have, though?
If I say nothing, I’m screwed.
When we enter the house, I’m enveloped by style. The interior décor has that less-is-more effect with classy ornaments like wrought iron candle sticks.
I’m given a glass of water then am introduced to the two maids and cooks, Giselle and Delia. Then I’m taken on a tour of the house and the grounds, which takes just over an hour.
The one thing I’m to remember is to never enter Alejandro’s office unless invited.
The tour ends on the second floor, where I meet Mia Ramírez in her room as she wakes from her nap.
My heart melts when I see her because she literally looks like a doll.
She’s absolutely gorgeous with long shiny black hair in pigtails and the cutest little face with eyes the color of currents. I can’t imagine any woman looking at her and not wanting to have an army of Mias.
Her little face brightens as she looks at me, and instantly I’m in my element.
This week has been the longest ever with so many life-or-death situations, but her smile grounds me and takes me back to me, making me remember why I love working with children.
Children have this magical ability to draw you in, and it doesn’t matter what you’re going through, you forget your problems.
Mia sits up in her little bed and points at me.
“Ariel,” she babbles, clapping her tiny hands and laughing. “Princess Ariel, mermaid.”
I know exactly who she’s talking about, so I laugh. My red hair has garnered me attention in one form or another. This is my favorite. I don’t know who could complain about being mistaken for The Little Mermaid. My kids at school called me that, and I’d always humor them.
The darling girl makes her way over to me, and when I pick her up, she takes a lock of my hair and laughs.
I notice the little shimmering green dress she’s wearing with puff sleeves is indeed what Princess Ariel would wear, and there’s every fish that featured in the movie in here, so I guess The Little Mermaid must be her favorite.
“Hello, Mia. Me llama Lucia.”
“Lucia,” she repeats, understanding perfectly. “Ariel.”
We both laugh. “Okay, I’ll be your Ariel. You like The Little Mermaid?”