“What’s this for?”
“Everything else you need to work here. There’s a key for this room, and personal things I want you to have.”
I set my drink down and open the envelope.
My eyes widen when I see a clear plastic bank card. It looks like some futuristic high-tech thing. I take that out and look at it—mesmerized by the appearance. I’ve only ever seen things like this in the movies. But this is real, and my name is on it.
“What is this for?”
“That’s for your personal allowance, effective immediately. You may spend the money as you wish or give it to whomever you need to.”
I hold his gaze, and my heart skips a beat. The only person he could be considering by saying so is my father. He knows he needs the money.
God, I wish I could give it to Dad. I wish I could save him in some other way, and I wish I didn’t have to be a duplicitous spy.
Now I feel even worse than I already did.
“Thank you so much. This means a lot. You… um, didn’t have to.”
I blink away the tears that threaten to fall and push aside the feeling screaming inside me for help. I can’t ask him for help, or anybody. Telling anyone about the plan means death. Instant death. I’m sure if I told Alejandro what was going on, he’d kill me, too.
“I know. Maybe I just didn’t want you worrying about your old man, or not having your own funds while you’re here.”
“Thanks.”
“Did Estelle talk to you about the security here?”
“Yes.”
“Did she tell you why the drastic measures?”
“She did. I’m sorry about your brother and his wife. It’s awful.” It feels inappropriate to talk about something so personal, but I felt I should say something.
“It was. You have weekends off to do whatever you want. I’ll be here, then. I try to spend weekends with Mia. You’re welcome to hang out with us or leave the site. If you do leave the premises, I’m going to ask you to take a guard with you and not to tell anyone where you work or talk to anyone about me.”
A knife twists in my soul, and I try to keep as calm as possible so as not to give myself away.
“Of course. I won’t say anything.” I bite down hard on my back teeth to hold in my guilt.
“Perfect. Estelle will teach you everything you need to know, so please ask her anything. She’ll be your first port of call.”
Oh joy. I can just imagine how much fun that’s going to be. She’ll probably be looking for all the ways she can get me fired.
“I’ll be sure to learn everything I need to as quickly as possible.”
“Great, Estelle is a good resource, but if you have any problems or you’d rather speak to me, my number is in that envelope, along with the emergency contacts for my office.” It looks like he’s already preempted my preference to speak to him.
“Thank you.”
“No worries. Because you have a long day, I expect you to take two one-hour breaks outside of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Mia is an easy child to look after. She’ll go down for a nap when you tell her to. Most places on the property and grounds are free to roam, but I’d appreciate if you aren’t outside after dark if you don’t need to be.”
“That’s fine. I tend to prefer being indoors at that time.”
“Well, that works well, then. When you’re with Mia, I’ll leave it to your judgment on what you do with her and what you teach her. Just so you know, though, I’d like you to focus on teaching her Portuguese but also speak to her in English and Spanish. At the same time, I don’t want to overload or confuse her. She’s just a baby, and I want her to be a kid. I also don’t want to lay down the law on something I know nothing about.”
“I’ll know what to do. Don’t worry about it,” I assure him. “I’ve worked with many kids her age where the parents speak different languages. Is there anything else you’d like me to do with her?”
“Not at the moment. That might change over the next few weeks. The only other thing is she’s not allowed off the property without me.”