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My Sweet Nanny

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Episode 4

I was talking to Emily peacefully, until my mother calls me.

📲Ruth: Renan, my son, the kids are out of control today, are you going to be much longer?

📲Renan: Mom, I just left the house.

📲Ruth: And I just finished surgery, I'm not going to be running after my grandson.

📲Renan: It's okay, Mom, I'm already on my way home.

I hang up without waiting for an answer from her.

My mother has been raising Felipe since he was born, he's my older sister's son who lives around the world, but when it comes to my children, she can't watch them for a second.

Renan: I'm sorry, Emily, but it's the kids causing chaos at home, I'll have to go back.

Emily: Don't worry about it, I know what it's like.

Renan: We'll reschedule, I believe it won't take long for me to be able to solve this issue with the children, they're giving me a hard time.

Emily: You'll find a good person to take on this position, don't worry.

Renan: I hope so.

We leave the office and she walks me to the exit.

I've been Emily's neighbor for a while now, she was still married when we first spoke, even though it was just once in a while when we ran into each other around the condo, but her ex-husband was always more closed off and seemed jealous.

After she separated, I ran into her by chance in a crowded coffee shop, she invited me to share the table, and that's how our friendship began. Emily is an interesting woman and I've been separated for a little over a year, she has a daughter, so I don't think the fact that I have children would be a problem.

I get home and Felipe is at the door waiting, he's definitely going to tattle on his cousins.

Felipe: Uncle, you won't believe what Bia and Gabriel did, grandma started yelling at them to shut up and I tried to help, of course…

He was telling me more things while I walked to the living room.

Renan: I'm back, Mom.

Ruth: Finally, I'm already pulling my hair out.

Gabriel was hiding inside the playhouse and Beatriz trying to climb onto the chair with those short little legs of hers.

Renan: Beatriz.

Only then does she notice my presence and comes crawling.

Beatriz: Daddy!

I pick her up.

Renan: Gabriel, get out of there.

He remained still.

Renan: Gabriel.

He came out with a frown on his face.

Beatriz…

Gabriel…

Renan: Felipe and Grandma said that you two were up to no good, what did we talk about yesterday?

He wouldn't even look at me.

Renan: Go to your room and don't come out until I say so.

He looked at Felipe angrily and went to his room.

Ruth: You didn't need to be so rough either.

Renan: He's already seven years old, he understands some things... And you're no saint either, I'm keeping an eye on you.

Felipe: Me? But what did I do, Uncle?

I go upstairs with Beatriz and I can already smell the diaper.

Renan: I think the little lady needs a bath.

I tickle her belly and she laughs.

After cleaning and bathing Beatriz, I put her in the crib.

Beatriz: Dadadada.

Renan: Are you hungry? Daddy will make your bottle, stay lying down.

She was already dozing off, so I took the opportunity to go prepare the bottle that I've been making myself these past three days since their nanny passed away.

Rosa was already very old, but she had been working with me for many years, I trusted her very much to take care of my children, now that she passed away and coincidentally the cleaning lady is on vacation, I'm having to take care of the kids until I can get a temporary nanny and cleaning lady.

My mother came with the intention of helping me, but she's giving me more work. She has no patience with children, she only thinks about her appearance and doesn't know how to fry an egg, Rosa was also responsible for the food, so we're ordering takeout every day.

I prepare Beatriz's porridge and when I arrive in the room, she's still awake, I pick her up and put the bottle in her mouth. Even with a frown, she drinks the porridge.

Renan: What's wrong, my love, it can't be that bad.

She finishes the bottle and falls asleep, I put her in the crib and go to Gabriel's room.

Renan: Let's talk.

He was sitting on the timeout chair, I remember my father doing this to me and it worked great, later he will understand why I'm doing this.

Renan: I don't want to hear any more complaints from your grandmother, everywhere I go she calls saying that you're up to something, Gabriel.

Gabriel: I was just playing with my car and Grandma complains even about the noise of the car.

Renan: So if she complains, you stop and go do something else, agreed?

He nods his head and I head towards the door.

Gabriel: Dad, can I get out of timeout now?

Renan: Yes, come down and put on a movie to watch.

He gets up and runs past me.

Renan: No running.

I go to the office and call Emily.

📲Emily: Problem solved?

📲Renan: I need a nanny, Emily, I have to send my mother away as soon as possible…

📲Emily: Wow…

📲Renan: I know my kids aren't exactly quiet children, but they're just being kids and she just doesn't make an effort… I don't know what I was thinking when I invited her here.

📲Emily: Look for a nanny at one of those agencies, there's the girl who cleans my house, she could go there on the days she's not at my house. I mean, I have to talk to her first, but I'm pretty sure she's up for it.

📲Renan: That would be great, Emily, I really need someone by recommendation, after that woman stole my belongings I don't trust just anyone to work here, much less take care of the kids.

📲Emily: You're absolutely right, I'll talk to her and let you know as soon as I have an answer.

📲Renan: Okay, Emily, thank you very much once again, you've been a great friend to me, I'll wait for your answer.

📲Emily: That's what friends are for, I have a daughter and I can't imagine the stress you're going through with two. I'll call you, talk soon.

📲Renan: See you.

I hang up the phone.

Emily…

Emily: Dora, ask Virginia to come to my office when she has a moment, please.

She leaves and I wait, it doesn't take long and Virginia enters. I talk to her about the proposal to work at the Diaz house on the days she is not here at my house, but she says she is focused on studying on the other days of the week.

Emily: I understand, Virginia, it's just that Renan is desperate… He doesn't have an employee for almost anything, just security.

Virginia: Come on, Ms. Emily, what about the children's mother?

Emily: Virginia, that's a delicate and very personal matter, it's not my place to tell you.

Virginia: I'm sorry, Ms. Emily, you won't get any more questions from me… But as I said, I'm focused on my studies so I can pass the public college entrance exam.

Emily: I understand, Virginia, you are right to invest time in your future, you will do well on the test.

Virginia: Thank you, Ms. Emily, I hope so.

She turns to leave and suddenly comes back.

Virginia: Oh, how silly of me!

Emily: What is it?

Virginia: I have someone to recommend, she's at my house and has experience in the kitchen and cleaning.

Emily: The thing is, Renan is picky, he wants someone recommended by someone who has already worked with an acquaintance, you know?

Virginia: Oh, I see… well, that's a shame, the woman cooks like no other and is very patient in dealing with children, besides, as the housework is only for a month, she would certainly manage, then if Mr. Renan liked her work, she would stay on only as a nanny to the children.

I stop and think.

Emily: You know what, you're right, I'll talk to Renan and see what he thinks, thank you, Virginia.

Virginia: You're welcome, Ms. Emily, you can tell him she is trustworthy.

Emily: Okay.

She leaves and I call Renan, I explain the whole situation to him and he doesn't approve, as expected.

Renan…

📲Renan: Don't take this the wrong way, but who knows who this woman is, I'd rather look for a specialized company that will recommend trustworthy professionals.

📲Emily: It's up to you… I didn't think it was a bad idea, after all, you're not obligated to keep her, you can replace her whenever you want.

📲Renan: Emily, the phone's ringing, I'll call you back later.

She hangs up and I answer the phone.

📞 Renan: Hello?

📞 It's Patricia, Mr. Renan, I wanted to give you a heads up.

📞 Renan: Go ahead, Patricia.

📞 That meeting with the American partners has been rescheduled for two days from now.

📞 Renan: What?

📞 That's right, sir, it seems they're in a hurry and most agree, so I couldn't ask to reschedule.

I stop and think for a moment, this deal is very important for the company's visibility and I've waited so long for this, I can't just give up.

📞 Renan: All right, Patricia, organize the agenda and send it to me by email, don't forget to book my room at the usual hotel.

I hang up the phone and throw my head back.