Chapter 4

When she returned to apartment '405', Mary jiggled the key with force before the door unlocked. The door pushed back, but after footsteps thundered from inside the apartment, she threw her hands up. Nellie waved a wooden bat above her shoulder before recognizing her sister.

"You scared the hell out of me! I thought it was another attempted break-in!" Nellie threw the weapon down and tugged her into a hug. They pulled back and Nellie questioned, "What are you doing here?"

Air slithered into Mary's throat before she yanked her suitcase in and shut the door behind. For a moment, she pressed her back to the door and looked at the ceiling tearfully. Wide-eyed, Nellie pleaded for an explanation. "Say something, Mary. Speak to me. C'mon, you can do it. Just breathe."

Mary opened her mouth to exhale. Her sister begged again, and finally, she confessed, "The people there were awful!"

"What are you talking about?" Nellie took a step back. "You said you even attended the party and honestly I was shocked you did to then say it was fun!"

"I lied!"

"Why?!" Nellie panicked. "Why would you do that?"

"I wanted to help."

Nellie whispered with pleading eyes, "This was a tremendous risk for us to take, but we took it because we needed that money."

Mary wiped her face and explained, "I'm sorry, I couldn't do it! I thought my progress was going well, but it all crashed down!

Infuriated, Nellie suggested with folded arms, "So did you lie to me about therapy too?"

Mary widened her eyes. "What do you mean?!"

"How are we supposed to relieve the school loans, credit card debt, or save up for Buddy's daycare?! In thirty minutes, I have to go to an interview for a second job because the bar has started tip pooling!"

"I thought you changed your mind about getting a second job?"

"Well, we should be glad I didn't, Mary!" Nellie shook her hands. "I can't believe this is happening. When Joe told us about that job, I knew it would be a break for us! I was going to take the job, but you insisted! You said you were doing okay! Do you know how hard it was for me to say 'yes' and let you go live with strangers?"

"Mommy?" a little blonde-haired boy whimpered as he appeared out of the small hallway. Nellie sighed at her sister before softly cooing to her son to go back to sleep. But before his mother could block his view, he swirled around his mother and lifted by his smiling aunt. He concentrated intently as he signed, "I love you" to Mary, and she gave him a kiss on his freckled nose.

"What are we going to do now? You know they're increasing the rent in this building they barely make habitable for people to live in? I've been looking at places for us to move to," her big sister panicked, interrupting their moment. "What really happened?!"

"He was drinking for breakfast!" Mary ferociously retorted. "You wouldn't have panicked too?"

Nellie looked down and held her hips. Her eyes fluttered uncomfortably as she took a brief pause with a glaze in her copper-brown eyes.

"Sorry. I wish you had told me that first because it's inevitable that we run into people who–" She took in a deep breath, and blinked away the tears. "I get it, Mary. Swear I do. The world is full of alcoholics and a lot of them are high-functioning. I see it every night bartending. I hate it, but dammit, I can handle it. Had I assumed the worst, I would have taken–"

Mary shook her head and interjected, "I can go back to clearing tables! If not, I'll find another job."

Nellie shrilled at first, "Mary, please stop! You were getting a grand a week, but I want you to be safe! I need time to wrap my head around this loss. What other job are we going to find that can pay that much? None of us ever made anything close to that, individually."

With closed eyes, she paced momentarily and breathed through her mouth. Her little sister disrupted the silence. "Nellie, we'll find a way. We always do."

Irate eyes looked straight into Mary. "I love you, but that is the last thing I want to hear right now. We all have credit card debt and we are still paying off college loans over your two bachelor's degrees, Mary. One is actually useful, but you fell off from the freelance work before selling your equipment to help pay the bills, and then the other barely provides opportunities to anyone in this city!"

Mary took a step back and cradled Buddy. Seeing the tears falling down Mary's face, her sister placed her hand over her forehead with regret. Nellie signed, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that."

She heard the tearful reply. "But you did."

"This is too much right now." Nellie's finger pointed to the barred window. "I-I have to catch the bus in ten minutes. I guess I don't have to take Buddy to the neighbors since you're here. But I don't know what else to say to you, except maybe check those bills on the coffee table to remind you of the seriousness of our situation."

"I know how serious this is!"

"You played with your health! And you lied to us about it. You know what? Maybe you should give mom a visit and explain to her why you have no job. Ms. Korhonen originally offered the live-in maid position to me, and I'm going to email about the possibility of taking the position. We can't afford to lose this money, but with Buddy and you and mom's health, I... shit!"

Nellie rushed to the front closet, put on her shoes and grabbed her purse. She wiped Buddy's tears and kissed him goodbye before speeding out the door.

Mary locked the door behind and carried Buddy into the tiny kitchen. She retrieved fruit snacks from a high cabinet and opened it for him to stop his crying.

Sitting on the couch, she watched him eat the jellies and rubbed his head.

Her sister's upset rang in her head. With Nellie being the oldest, she's looked out for Mary and their mother since she was little. Times had been hard, for as long as Mary could remember, but when it came time for college, Nellie encouraged Mary to go–to do something that she, as an older sister, hadn't been able to do.

Nellie was right. They needed the money to fight the high-interest loans of their accumulated debts. When she checked the bills, she put them all face down. There was always the option of working in kitchens again, but there was Buddy and their sixty-two-year-old mother who recently hospitalized after slipping down the apartment steps and fracturing her pelvic bone.

Mary used her phone and opened a community app. She hadn't logged into the forum for weeks, but she navigated to the referral program. She scrolled through job listings and ended up sifting through opportunities to return to washing dishes in kitchens or clearing plates in restaurants. Being hopeful, she hoped the local magazines, libraries or museums had more openings so she could return to working in fields she could enjoy.

The evening came around, and the sisters hadn't exchanged a word since Nellie returned from the interview. Mary didn't prod. She would have felt guilt whether there was a new daytime hostess at a bar and grille in Glass Town. Don't disturb her from a nap with her son before she works a shift at the bar tonight, Mary thought. She spent her time traveling back through memories of constant sacrifices the family has made to keep above water. With so many instances, she barely found time to sleep before the sun peeked through the blinds.

The next morning, she answered a video call from her mother. Freya wore the disappointment on her face, but she didn't shame Mary for sticking up for herself. If Nellie overheard the conversation, she might have thrown a fit, but their mother was never quick to scold or place the burdens of her care in their hands. "We'll find a way like we always do, Mary Berry."

"I'm going to visit you today."

"Oh good! Two days is too long to not hug my Georgia girls and boy." She whispered. "It's so boring here, and the lady next to me isn't very friendly."

Mary finally cracked. The guilt brought a flood of tears. The good money she didn't see a penny of was no longer an option, and she couldn't confirm how quickly she could find another job. Freya stayed on until her daughter calmed her tears, but Mary stopped them long enough to let her mother rest and get off the phone.

She got dressed, dressed her nephew, and packed a large purse with snacks and water. The "37" bus was a few more blocks away. Zooming down the sidewalks, she enjoyed the sight of some familiar faces. Though she was living in one of the city's struggling neighborhoods, this was the life she knew. And what was familiar had its comforts. But the sight of the large black town car inching down the street shook her emotional security.

Mary picked up her pace when the vehicle pulled up beside her and lowered a black-tinted window.

A familiar low voice called her name above the noisy streets.

She froze. Holding Buddy close, she turned on her heels and saw Nathan Vanderbilt examining her from inside a car parked on a Sandy Hills street. He was so visibly out of place, and she wasn't the only one around to notice.

"Who's that?" Buddy asked before she urged his head down.

Now Mary hustled down the sidewalk. Nathan shouted, "Wait! I want you to come back and work for me!"

"Aye! Is that guy botherin' ya, Mary?" Barry Spinelli stood outside his hole-in-the-wall pizza joint. "Get outta here, she's not that kinda gal!"

Mary reassured him she was fine, but Barry reluctantly retreated to his open doorway. "He's got no shame, in broad daylight and in front of a kid."

The workers behind the counter and long-time customers watched from the large window pane. Nathan engaged in a slit-for-eyes stare down with Barry until Mary returned her attention to him. Her face felt hotter from embarrassment and her ears pounded.

"Listen, I came here to tell you to go pack up your things and come back out to the car. "

He already embarrassed her publicly, but now he had the nerve to demand she return? Her blood boiled. Was the look on her face not clear enough? She had her nephew with her. How could he insist she drop everything and work for him again after what happened?

"Since I have to be out of here and in the city by ten, I'll give you twenty minutes," he said, feigning care. "You can bring him with you."

What on earth was going through his thick skull? Mary shook her head in awe. She smiled and waved her hand, continuing her journey to the bus stop. The town car followed her all the way to the stop, where she sat, and took out her phone to ignore him. She paced her breathing.

"I'm going to sit here," Nathan announced.

Mary looked up and gestured that he get out of the bus loading zone. Another passenger waiting agreed and suggested he move before the bus arrived. Nathan ignored the complaint. He monitored Mary, unable to hide her growing panic. She heard bus brakes squealing from a short distance and jumped up from her seat. Hurrying back to her building, she fumed while texting her mother they'd be late to visit.

Little did Nathan know Mary planned to hide from him until he had no choice but to leave to meet whatever his schedule demanded of him. There would be no way that he would follow her into her building.

She locked the apartment door behind and set Buddy down. She couldn't believe that egotistical man thought he could just come by and disrupt her plans. What was he thinking coming all the way out to Sandy Hills?

Three frayed buzzes resounded from the worn intercom beside the front door. She checked the time. It was 10:20 AM. Only parcel carriers rang the bell, but she wasn't expecting any packages. She checked outside the living room window, and her stomach turned. They parked the town car on the curb. Buzzes stung the air again, but she didn't answer. Instead, she turned on the TV for Buddy. Not a minute later, they heard knocks at the door. Mary rushed Buddy into her bedroom before returning to the front. She grabbed the bat propped next to the door and looked through the peephole. There was a noticeably disgruntled Mr. Vanderbilt in the eyehole. Cracking open the door, she left the chain lock on the track and hid the weapon behind her.

"So you were just going to leave me down there until tomorrow? There are places I need to be!" He whispered loudly. She was angrier than terrified, seething at the gall for him to come to her home and demand anything of her.

Mary shut the door. He knocked again until she appeared through a crack again. This time she held up her phone with an enlarged type. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD WITH ME! GO AWAY!

"I said you can bring him with you to the office." He repeated, but Mary gestured frantically that he leave.

Before she could close the door again, she heard him plead, "I will double your pay."

For a second, her brows rose and her ears perked. She anchored her head to peer at him.

"Triple it, okay?" he whispered before a sigh.

Her heart raced. She darted her attention around before she was on her phone again. I want this in writing.

"Of course," He said through his teeth.

I have to find a babysitter.

"You can't find one right now?"

She rolled her eyes and was about to close the door when Nathan complained. "There are people staring at me right now."

Knowing there were witnesses, she felt relieved if he tried anything further out of line. Mary shut the door, and he heard the latch across the track before she pulled the door back to let him take a step in. His eyes wandered around the shabby little apartment, and he was no good at hiding his disapproval. A man dressed in an expensive grey suit shouldn't have found anything tasteful about her home. Once again, Mary was studying how out of place this statuesque man stood against the contrasting scene of the crayon-marked and old water-damaged walls. When he returned to Mary, he looked down at her hand and took a step back. "Whoa, shit! What are you doing with that?"

Mary propped it on her shoulder. She began sending a text to the neighbor when Buddy appeared from the hallway.

Nervously, the unwelcomed man greeted, "Hey there, buddy–"

Buddy lit up, and Nathan smirked until his eyes crossed at the tip of the bat inches from his nose. He raised his hands and took a step back.

"No," she mouthed and tossed her head to the door.

So quickly, he lost his privileges in her home. It was one thing to scare her, but he would not get the chance to frighten her loved ones. He flared his nostrils, but he didn't argue about letting himself out. He preferred the witnesses if she swung at him. Mary quietly locked the door by the handle and looked through the hole again. He swiped on his phone before he held it up to his ear. He was irate, and it colored his face. Quickly, Mary helped Buddy put on his small backpack stuffed with a few toys and more snacks. She retrieved her suitcase and rolled out the door before grabbing her purse and nephew's hand. Nathan mumbled on the phone as she locked the apartment. He supervised them, walking down the hall to door '404'. The little boy smiled and waved before being discouraged from interacting with the man in the suit. The door opened and an elderly woman happily greeted them. Mary mouthed a remorseful 'thank you', but the woman brushed it off. Buddy kissed his aunt on the cheek before zooming into the apartment. The neighbor looked out. Before she could ask who stood by her door, Mary typed, letting her know it was work-related.

Surprised, she didn't have to ask Nathan for help with her suitcase, and followed him down three flights. His driver exited the vehicle to take it from him. He opened the door, and Mary entered the vehicle reluctantly.

Nathan swiftly entered beside her, and the driver shut the trunk before getting the back door. Mary scooted closer to the window.

"Take us straight to the Tower," Nathan commanded. "I've already missed my first meeting."

She didn't know how to explain to Nellie what just happened, but she kept it short with a major emphasis on Buddy being at the neighbor's house. Nellie didn't reply, and Mary was glad she didn't get an answer right away.

The vehicle drove out of her neighborhood's watchful eyes. She tugged the seatbelt across her waist, but she struggled with which of the locks the belt would fit. Nathan turned his head down and grabbed her belt, but she threw him an icy glare. Quickly, Nathan raised his hands to back off, but not without rolling his eyes. Tight-mouthed, Mary shoved the lock successfully, folded her arms over her purse, and turned to the window.

On the phone, his heated conversation lingered on all the way across the Baldwin Bridge. He turned his head and pulled his phone from his ear. "Am I too loud for you?"

Nathan's face dropped, realizing the thoughtless remark. Regardless of recognizing his fault, whatever coals he gave her kept the hearth of anger hot. Mary raised her hand and left an inch between her thumb and index finger. She flashed her brows indignantly before looking away.

They parked curbside before the Michelin Tower, and Mary stiffened in her seat.

"C'mon, I can't afford to waste any more time," Nathan said firmly, before opening the door. Mary hurried behind him and up the tiers of steps up to the entrance. The two entered one of two large elevators on the left. Nathan pushed the number '36', and Mary clutched her purse to brace for the uneasy ride. The intercom said the name of the floor, the doors opened, and a man and woman advanced from a receptionist's desk.

The young blonde woman shook her head at him. "Mr. Vanderbilt, I already rescheduled the meeting with Mrs. Cruz, but we can't afford to delay this meeting with Reagan Digital starting in less than five minutes."

Nathan agreed with a quick nod and was about to follow her back into the elevator, but he jerked back and pointed at the young man. "Take her into my office and make sure she doesn't leave."

The man turned his head to the side and raised a questioning brow. Nathan shook his head and dismissed his stare with a wave of the hand.

"Keep an eye on her, please."

And in haste, he sped back into the elevator with the stressed young lady.

"Come this way, I guess." the assistant groaned with curiosity, and Mary followed him down a hall to the immediate right.

They passed by a few offices. Some doors were open and echoed with face-to-face conversations or a phone call.

He pulled a set of keys from his pocket and opened the door.

She gawked at a panoramic view of the city. Her eyes squinted from the bright sun, but she still made her way to the large window. This was the office she saw on his magazine cover. A large sturdy desk toward the back and in front of the beautiful view. There were long tables that lined the left and wall, and more beautiful twisting and undulating pieces of blown glass propped around the magnificent space. She had to appreciate his taste in aesthetics.

"You may have a seat over there," the man pointed to the plush leather couch to their right. "By the way, my name is Chester."

Mary looked away. Most of the fire disappeared, and the trouble of introducing herself reared its ugly head. However, she tried and signed her name with a forced half-smile.

His eyes widened brightly, and he signed, "Deaf?"

Her stomach fluttered with good anxiousness. Mary matched his enthusiasm and shook her head. "Selective mute, but I prefer signing or typing."

"Oh okay! I've heard of the disorder before. My parents are deaf, so I learned to sign from them, then pursued my Bachelor's in ASL/English Interpreting. Don't ask me how I got here," he said with a straight face, before she joined him in laughter.

She was glad he was familiar with selective mutism, especially when most people could barely wrap their heads around it. Suddenly, Chester pulled a portable side table forward, grabbed a bottle of water from the mini-fridge near to the couch, and grabbed a small remote from Mr. Vanderbilt's desk.

Mary looked at the device confusedly and asked, "How long will he be?"

Chester checked his phone. "The meeting goes on for the next two hours."

She lunged forward with an open mouth, and he wrinkled his nose. "Don't worry, he's got a short day and should be out of here by 1 PM."

Looking at his screen again, he murmured he had about five minutes and asked, "How do you know Mr. Vanderbilt?"

"Live-in-maid."

"Oh, you're a new live-in-maid?" He lit up with excitement. "How do you like it?"

"I quit yesterday."

Confusion hung between his brows. "But you just came here with–"

"I don't know why he found me, but he gave an offer hard to refuse," she admitted. "I need the money."

"So then, why did you quit?"

"He didn't understand my communication at his house party."

"Oh, boy." Chester scratched his temple. "Mr. Vanderbilt's a great guy when he wants to be. But I can imagine, with the company he keeps, crossing paths with him in that setting was a disaster."

Mary exaggerated her nod. The embarrassment still caused a shiver in her.

"I'm sorry, but I wish you luck with your second time around. Who knows, you might soften him up. And I'm sure Belle is happy to have help again."

More curious, she asked, "You know her?"

"Yes. She's the sweetest thing and the best part about Mr. Vanderbilt. He always looks happier around her," he admitted. "Don't tell him I said that."

"Who is she to him?" she prompted anxiously.

He looked up to the ceiling and thought, "She's been like a housekeeper slash maid to the Vanderbilt family for over thirty years? And since my boss is twenty-nine, she had a heavy hand in raising him."

Thirty years a maid? The explanation brought more clarity to Mr. Vanderbilt's being so short and overprotective at the party.

He tilted his shoulder to her. "It's rarely Mr. Vanderbilt hires extra help in his house. Is she okay?"

Mary explained Belle's health during the party. He was very concerned and asked her to relay his well-wishes before checking his time again. "I have to head out now, but I hope to see you again soon or if Mr. Vanderbilt ever invites me to his house one day."

When Chester closed the door behind him, Mary walked over to the stretching window. She squinted, searching her apartment complex from where she was. No, Sandy Hills was just far enough to miss.

An hour and a half passed, and Nathan walked into his office with his assistant. He did a double and caught Mary in his peripheral sleeping over the armrest. His assistant followed his eye before scrunching her eyes.

Immediately, he lowered his voice. "Remind James that I want the first draft of the marketing proposal in the next forty-eight hours. No bullshit. No delays."

She nodded and turned away before Nathan gently shut the door. He kept his eye on Mary and circled around his desk. He put his computer down, sat and opened it, but his eyes drifted back to the couch often.

Mary opened her eyes. She pushed herself up from the couch and jerked her head around in panic. She shriveled on the inside, seeing Nathan at his desk. He saw her sleeping on the couch. She was positive she set her timer to go off after two hours.

"Did you sleep well?" He didn't look away from the screen.

Her nostrils flared when she looked behind him and saw the evening sky. She checked her phone. It was 5 PM and there were a series of texts and phone calls from Nellie and her mother. She slept for almost seven hours. On her way to him, she typed hurriedly on her phone.

He read her message hovering in front of his face and hid a smile. "I figured I'd get some extra work done while you got some sleep. Don't worry, you didn't make a sound."

Mary pulled her phone back and scowled. Nathan panicked. "Shit! I swear I didn't mean it like that. I–I'm sorry, Mary."

She didn't intend to soften at the sound of her name, but she convinced herself it was because it was following an apology and not from his voice alone. Averting her eyes from his own that begged for a response felt safer than acknowledging his cold and aggressive stares.

Mary typed on her phone again. When can we go?

Nathan, still on edge, gave her quick reassurance. "Uh, just let me finish this email and we'll get out of here."