Working in this house, having to see that pair of lovebirds constantly drives me up the wall. I can't stand them, no matter how much I try to feel otherwise. It just ends up hurting me to be here, torturing myself with their presence.
That’s why I've made up my mind. My mother will be beside herself, but it's my life, my choice.
"Jackie, so you're moving into my apartment? I'm so happy, I'll finally have some company. I’m tired of being alone," she sighs after babbling on.
"Yes, friend. Tomorrow I'm going to quit Mrs. Jenna’s job, look for something new, and you," I point at her, "are going to come to the house for me." She hugs me, brimming with excitement.
I'm feeling confused; it's the first time I'll be away from my mom, away from these people, away from him. I wonder what he'll do when he realizes I'm not in that house anymore. He'll probably be relieved not to have me lurking around, afraid that I might ruin his perfect relationship with the model.
"Who are we picking up?" Mariano shows up, another person I don't know how to deal with, sweet and gentle as he is.
"Jackie's moving in with me tomorrow. She's leaving that house of horrors," we laugh at her wild imaginings.
"Really?" There's a sparkle in his eyes – he already knows all about my situation with Cameron. "I can come to pick you up. I can help you find a job, anything you need," he offers kindly.
"Okay, Mariano, slow down, I haven't left yet. I will indeed need a job, but let's talk about it tomorrow," I say, nerves knotting my stomach.
I head home, needing to talk to my mom. I'm not sure how she'll take it; that's what worries me the most.
"Mommy," I lie beside her, "I want to talk to you about my future." She looks at me with a furrowed brow. "I'm leaving the house."
"What do you mean, honey? Did Mrs. Jenna fire you? What happened?" She sounds concerned.
"Calm down, Mom, it's not that. I’m the one who doesn't want to stay here anymore. I'm going to live with Kristin for a while, and Mariano is going to help me get a job."
"Daughter, you know my biggest dream is for you to have a better life. Not to be stuck in a house, working without any hope. If this is a step towards making your own way, know that you have all my support," she says, wiping away my tears. I hug her tight, knowing I’ll miss her deeply.
"Thank you, Mom, I love you so much, and I’ll miss you," I say, still embracing her.
"No, daughter, this is my duty as a mother. One day when you have children, you’ll understand the desire for them to have a better life than you had."
"I love you."
I take a shower, feeling nervous. It's been days since I last saw Cameron, since the day he took me to that hotel. I guess that was our farewell. I’ll never forget it. I look at the bracelet he gave me; I won't wear it anymore, so it's kept in my memory chest.
I miss him terribly. It's so hard to get used to not having him around. The game we had is now over. I yearn for him with every fiber of my being, my lips ache for his, my body for his touch, but I must rid myself of these feelings.
Having packed my suitcase, it's not much, just some clothes and my memories, I lie in bed, tears in my eyes, and try to fall asleep.
He ignores me at breakfast because his fiancee is here, though his habit of asking for hot chocolate has stayed with him, it'll be one of the few things I'll miss about this place.
When everyone has left,
"Mrs. Jenna, may I have a moment with you?" She looks over her shoulder at me.
"Make it quick, I don’t have all day," she says with that sneering smile that sends shivers down my spine.
"Well," I fiddle with my apron, "I've come to resign." I hear her laugh mockingly from behind.
"You're leaving? What, are you going to scrounge for cans on the street?" She looks at me disdainfully; I'll never understand why she has to be so...
"Probably found some sugar daddy to keep her," Mia sniggers.
I muster the courage to face them. "In all honesty, what I do after I leave here is none of your concern. I'm just letting you know that I'm leaving," I say more assertively than they expected.
"I always knew you'd show your claws eventually, cat," she scoffs. "But it's a good thing you're leaving. I warn you, if you're starving out there, I'll only take you back if you come crawling for your old job," she laughs cruelly, sending a chill down my spine.
"Don't worry, that won't happen," I say with all the confidence I have.
"Collect your final payment in one hour. I want you out immediately afterward, don’t make me wait," she walks away after giving me a nasty look.
Leaving the house, I run into Matilde.
"I'm so glad you're leaving; you have no idea how happy you're making me," she says with a cynical laugh.
"Sorry, dear, but you're not happier than I am. To think I won't have to see that frustrated face anymore," I leave before she can start her nonsense.
I get home, take off the uniform; my mom's at the mansion. I message Kristin to come for me. She lets me know when she’s arrived. I grab my suitcase and start toward the mansion, where Mrs. Jenna is standing at the entrance, haughty as ever, arms crossed, holding the check. Mia smirks at her side.
She hands me the check and turns to enter the house, but Mia has the bright idea to say,
"Mom, you should check her suitcase; wouldn't want her stealing anything," the brat, another with darkness in her soul.
"Matilde," she summons her. The woman arrives, submissive as ever.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Empty Jackeline's suitcase," the wretched woman says.
"No, ma’am, please don't do this," my mother pleads.
"Shut it, Greta, unless you'd like to leave with her right now."
"Mommy," I reach for her, "It's okay, nothing's wrong. If this gives them satisfaction or makes them feel powerful, let them."
The three of them look at me grimly as Matilde dumps everything from my suitcase on the floor. The anger and pain I feel make me want to lash out at all of them. They just wanted to humiliate me because they didn't actually check anything. After they left, I repacked everything myself, refusing to let my mom help. I still can't comprehend why they hold so much disdain for me.
Kristin and Mariano are outside when I exit the house; she just hugs me.
"They're such hateful hags," I say, letting my tears flow.
"There, there, it's over now. What matters is you're leaving this house," she reassures me.
Mariano offers a gentle smile.
"What are you doing here?" I ask him, not expecting his presence.
"Well, Kristin’s car wouldn’t start, so I had to come for you," he says, smiling.
I can tell these two are up to something, they're both a bit mad, in a cute way.
Arriving at her apartment, Mariano carries my suitcase while she shows me my room.
"You have full run of the place here, friend. Use whatever you need," she says, kissing me on the cheek before heading off to shower.
"Thank you, Mariano, for everything you've done for me," I say, and he takes my hands.
"I’m glad to do it," he replies, looking at me in such a different, beautiful way that, in his gaze, I find peace, not the storm that Cameron stirs within me.
"You’re so important to me," I tell him, drawn in by his scent.
"My father will have an answer tomorrow about a position for you in his firm," he says, excitement in his voice.
"Really, Mariano? I can't believe it!" I jump into his arms, thrilled by his tenderness. His arms are strong, and we end up very close, our lips nearly touching, and without giving me a chance to react, he closes the gap with a sweet, tender, and gentle kiss, awakening something inside me but not the turmoil Cameron does.
Embarrassed, I pull back. "I'm sorry, I..."
"It’s okay. I've dreamt of this since day one," he confesses. "I like you a lot, Jackeline. I hope you'll give me a chance."
"Mariano, I..."
He silences me with a finger to my lips. "Don't say anything. I'm not rushing you; perhaps one day soon."
Hearing those gentle words, I wish I could feel even half for Mariano what I feel for Cameron.
"I can't promise anything, just give me time. I'm not ready for another relationship," I say.
"I promise, our relationship will be nothing like what you had with him."
My heart melts; oh, how I wish Cameron would say something similar, but I know that with him, it's different.
We’re interrupted by Kristin coming out in a bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head.
"I'm going to order food," says Mariano.
"But my friend is a great cook," Kristin objects.
"It’s fine; we'll try her cooking another time," Mariano says, evidently nervous.
He calls for delivery and, after he's gone, Kristin teases me.
"What did you do to him?"
"Nothing, why?"
"Look how you’ve got him all flustered; he practically ran off to hide his arousal," she laughs. I cover my mouth with my hand, embarrassed. I hadn't noticed, unlike Cameron, who would make it painfully obvious.
The pizza Mariano kindly orders arrives, and after eating, I get ready for university. Tomorrow, once I cash the check, I'll see how far it stretches. Mariano leaves for home to change and head to campus. Here's to the first day of the rest of my life.
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