Love Me

A Rough Start

Chapter 3

The sunlight streamed through the large windows of Emma’s new bedroom, casting warm patterns on the walls. She stirred and glanced at the clock on her bedside table. Panic shot through her as she realized it was already 7:30 AM—she had overslept. Ethan’s preschool started at 8:30, and they were running late.

Emma jumped out of bed, hurriedly throwing on her clothes. She cursed under her breath for not setting an alarm. This was her first week at the Donovan estate, and the last thing she needed was to mess up. She dashed to Ethan’s room, heart pounding.

"Ethan, sweetheart, wake up!" she called, gently shaking him.

Ethan groggily opened his eyes and rubbed them. "Emma? What’s wrong?"

"We’re late, buddy. We need to get you ready for school quickly," Emma explained, trying to keep her voice calm despite the urgency.

Ethan nodded and sat up, still sleepy but sensing Emma’s anxiety. Emma helped him dress, skipping a few steps in their usual morning routine to save time. She hoped he wouldn’t be too thrown off by the rush.

Once Ethan was dressed, they hurried downstairs. Mrs. Jenkins was already in the kitchen, a look of mild surprise on her face.

"Good morning, Emma. Running a bit behind, are we?" she observed.

"I overslept," Emma admitted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I need to get Ethan some breakfast and get him to school as quickly as possible."

Mrs. Jenkins handed her a banana and a granola bar. "Here, take these for the car ride. It’s quicker than sitting down for breakfast."

"Thank you," Emma said gratefully, taking the food and ushering Ethan toward the door. They hurried to the car, and Emma quickly secured Ethan in his booster seat.

As she drove, Emma couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom. She knew Mr. Donovan valued punctuality and efficiency. How would he react to Ethan being late? Her stomach churned with worry.

They arrived at the preschool ten minutes late. Emma apologized profusely to the teacher before quickly making her way back to the car. She was relieved that at least the drop-off was over, but she knew she still had to face Alexander.

As she pulled into the driveway of the Donovan estate, Emma saw Alexander’s car parked outside. Her heart sank further. She hoped to slip inside unnoticed, but as she walked toward the house, she saw Alexander approaching her with a stern expression. He was impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, his posture exuding authority and control.

"Miss Thompson," he called out, his tone calm but with an unmistakable edge of frustration. Emma braced herself and walked over to him, her heart in her throat.

"Mr. Donovan, I’m so sorry about this morning," Emma began, her voice trembling slightly. "I overslept, and it caused us to run late. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again."

Alexander’s eyes were hard as he scrutinized her. "I understand that mistakes happen, Emma, but this isn’t a good start. Punctuality is crucial, especially when it comes to Ethan’s routine. It’s important for his sense of stability."

"I know," Emma said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I really am sorry. It won’t happen again."

Alexander sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I’m willing to give you another chance because I see how much Ethan likes you. But understand this: if something like this happens again, I won’t have a choice but to find someone else. Ethan’s well-being comes first."

Emma felt a lump in her throat. "I understand. Thank you for giving me another chance. I promise I won’t let you down."

Alexander nodded, though his expression remained serious. "Alright. Now go inside and make sure you’re prepared for the rest of the day."

Emma hurried into the house, her mind racing. She couldn’t afford to make any more mistakes. She needed this job, not just for the money but because she felt a connection to Ethan and the potential to make a real difference in his life.

She took a few deep breaths to steady herself and then set about organizing Ethan’s things for the afternoon. She double-checked his schedule, making sure everything was in order. She spent the next few hours tidying up and planning activities for when Ethan returned from school.

As noon approached, Emma prepared a light lunch for herself and sat down to eat, though her appetite was minimal. The morning’s events played over and over in her mind. She had to prove to Alexander that she was capable and reliable. She couldn’t afford to let him or Ethan down.

After lunch, she decided to use some of the time before picking up Ethan to familiarize herself more with the house and the grounds. She wandered through the rooms, noting areas that needed attention or could be potential play zones for Ethan. The mansion was vast, each room more opulent than the last, yet it was also a home that needed warmth and care, especially for a young child.

Emma found herself drawn to the library once again. The scent of old books and polished wood was comforting. She selected a few children’s books that she thought Ethan would enjoy and took them back to his playroom, arranging them neatly on a low shelf.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to pick up Ethan from preschool. Emma drove carefully, arriving at the school a few minutes early this time. She waited outside, her heart still heavy with the morning’s mishap.

Ethan came out of the building, his face lighting up when he saw Emma. "Emma!" he called, running towards her.

"Hey there, buddy," Emma greeted him with a warm smile. "How was school?"

"It was fun! We made a big tower with blocks," Ethan said excitedly, his earlier grogginess forgotten.

"That sounds amazing," Emma said, taking his hand. "Let’s go home and you

can tell me all about it."

They chatted animatedly on the ride back, Ethan’s enthusiasm lifting Emma’s spirits. She was determined to make the rest of the day a success.Back at the mansion, Emma and Ethan spent the afternoon playing in the garden. The weather was perfect, and Ethan loved exploring the flowers and trees. They played hide-and-seek, with Ethan giggling uncontrollably every time Emma "found" him behind a tree or bush.Afterwards, they went inside for a snack. Emma had prepared some apple slices and peanut butter, one of Ethan’s favorites.

They sat at the kitchen table, munching happily."Emma, can we read some books after this?" Ethan asked, his eyes bright with excitement."Of course," Emma replied. "I found some great new books in the library. I think you’ll love them.

"They moved to the playroom, and Emma read to Ethan until it was time for dinner. She chose stories with vibrant pictures and engaging plots, keeping Ethan enthralled.