CHAPTER |17
746 Words
Amarahh’s POV
The vacation began with noise from the children before breakfast was even ready.
I had barely finished helping Ava arrange her books when Liam rushed into the sitting room holding a tablet in one hand.
His face looked excited in a way that usually meant he had already decided something before telling any adult.
"Ava found it," he announced.
Ava walked behind him, calmer but equally determined.
"It is called Silver Cove Island," she said, showing the screen toward the adults in the room.
Vanessa sat on the sofa with her usual neat posture, already looking unconvinced before hearing the full plan.
"We want to go there for the holiday," Liam added quickly.
Vanessa gave a short look at the screen and shook her head. "No."
The answer came immediately. Liam frowned. "You did not even look properly."
"I do not need to look properly to know whether island trips need planning."
Ava crossed her arms. "It already has plans. I checked."
Vanessa turned to Aiden, who had just entered holding his morning coffee. "They can visit somewhere close instead."
Aiden took the tablet from Ava and looked at it in silence as the children watched him carefully.
Vanessa softened her voice at once. "Aiden, there is no need for stress right now. You already have too much work."
He continued reading for another few seconds before finally speaking. "We can go."
Vanessa looked at him immediately. "Are you agreeing?"
"Yes."
Liam almost shouted in excitement. Ava smiled, which for her was already a big reaction.
Vanessa tried again. "It is far, and there will be too much movement for the children."
"They want it," Aiden said simply.
That ended the discussion for him, but not for Vanessa. She still tried while breakfast was served.
"If we must go, then security should be complete, full staff too, and proper arrangements."
Aiden looked up briefly. "Only necessary staff."
Her expression changed slightly. "Necessary meaning?"
"Marcus, one driver, one nanny."
The room became quiet for one second. I already knew what was coming.
Vanessa turned slowly toward me. "There are many nannies available."
Before I could lower my eyes fully, Ava spoke first. "Amarahh is coming."
Liam agreed immediately. "She has to come."
Vanessa smiled tightly. "Children, trips are not decided that way."
Ava did not move. "We want her."
Aiden looked at them, then at me, then back to his plate. "She's coming."
Vanessa did not speak again after that, but the surrounding silence carried clear displeasure from that moment, preparations began.
The house became busy before noon bags opened everywhere the children argued over clothes.
Marcus handled calls and the driver checked documents.
And somehow, despite not being the one planning the trip, I became the person sent around most.
"Take this to Marcus."
"Bring the children's medicine."
"Check if Ava packed her charger."
"Fold this properly."
Every instruction came from Vanessa and every instruction came with the same tone
.
By afternoon, she stood near the staircase holding sunglasses while watching me carry another small bag downstairs.
"You move too slowly."
"I am sorry."
"You are always sorry."
I kept quiet.
She stepped closer enough that only I heard the next words. "Do not think the children asking for you changes anything."
I lowered my eyes. "I understand."
"No, I do not think you do."
The driver loaded another suitcase. Vanessa handed me her handbag too. "Hold this."
I took it.
Aiden walked past at that moment, phone in his ear, hearing enough but saying nothing.
That silence hurt more than expected. The drive to the airport took over an hour. Inside the car, Liam kept talking about swimming.
Ava discussed hotel pictures she had seen online. Marcus occasionally answered. Vanessa corrected little things and asked Aiden twice if he had eaten.
He answered briefly each time I stood near the far side holding the extra bag and trying not to think too much.
Airports already made me uneasy, planes made it worse. At the airport, Vanessa found fresh reasons to send me around.
"Carry this."
"Stay close."
"Do not lose the passports."
"Watch the children."
At security, Ava held my hand because she noticed my face. "You look scared."
"I am fine."
"You are not fine."
I gave a weak smile. "I have never flown before."
That made Liam look at me immediately. "Never?"
I shook my head before he could ask more, Vanessa answered instead. "Then try not to embarrass us."
- Writer
