A Small win
926 Words
Morning arrived quietly at the Westbrook estate, filtered through sheer curtains and the soft hum of a house that was already awake long before I was. I lay in bed for a moment, staring at the ceiling, grounding myself. Every day here felt like walking a tightrope, one wrong step, one wrong word, and I could fall.
But when I thought of Lila, the fear eased.
I got dressed quickly and made my way to her room, knocking lightly before opening the door. She was sitting up in bed, her stuffed rabbit tucked under her arm, hair a soft mess around her face. She looked small in the oversized sheets, but her eyes lit up when she saw me.
“Good morning,” I whispered, keeping my voice gentle.
She nodded, clutching the rabbit closer.
We moved through the morning routine together. Teeth brushed in quiet sync. Her uniform laid out carefully on the bed. When I began braiding her hair, she went still, as if afraid to breathe too loudly. I kept the braid loose and imperfect on purpose.
Afterwards, I led her to the dining room, where she was the only player, having breakfast all by herself, and my heart ached for her.
By the time we reached the entryway, Damian was already there, tailored suit, sharp expression, phone pressed to his ear. The air changed the moment he entered, like a door closing quietly behind him.
“Lila,” he said, checking his watch. “We need to go.”
Her shoulders tensed.
She glanced at me, then lifted her hand hesitantly. “Handshake,” she whispered.
I smiled and extended my hand. “Ready?”
She nodded, but when she tried, her movements were rushed and unsure. Her fingers tangled, and her face fell.
Damian exhaled sharply. “We don’t have time for this.”
“It’s okay,” I said quickly, keeping my voice calm. “She almost had it.”
He looked at me, irritation flickering across his face. “Ms Hale”
“Second try,” I said, meeting his gaze. “That’s all.”
Lila’s eyes darted between us. Fear crept in. She turned toward the door. “It’s okay,” she mumbled. “I’ll just go.”
I gently stopped her. “Hey. Look at me.”
She did.
“You can do this,” I said quietly. “Just slow down.”
She took a breath and tried again. This time, her movements were deliberate. Tap. Slide. Twist.
She froze, then smiled.
“I did it,” she whispered, awe in her voice.
“You did,” I said, my chest tightening.
Damian stared at her, something unreadable flickering in his eyes.
She grabbed her backpack from my hands and walked to the car on her own. Before getting in, she turned back and waved.
I waved too.
As the car disappeared down the drive, I pressed my hand to my chest and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
Another win.
The rest of the morning unfolded quietly. I helped Beth in the kitchen, chopping vegetables while she told me stories about the estate—about parties that lasted until dawn, about guests who arrived by helicopter, about how the house had felt warmer once.
Before.
She didn’t say the name. She didn’t have to.
“Lila’s different since you arrived,” Beth said casually, like she was commenting on the weather.
I looked down at the cutting board. “She’s just a kid.”
Beth smiled knowingly. “Exactly.”
After lunch, I took a walk. The grounds stretched endlessly, green and manicured and impossibly beautiful. I followed a gravel path that curved toward the stables, the air changing as I approached, earthier, warmer, alive.
The smell of hay and leather hit me first.
Then the sound of water.
I turned the corner and nearly walked straight into a sight that stopped me in my tracks.
“Well—hello there,” a voice said, amused.
I snapped out of my trance.
He was shirtless. Sun-browned. Water ran down his chest as he scrubbed a horse’s flank, muscles flexing with easy strength. Dark hair fell into his eyes, and when he smiled, it was slow and unapologetic.
“I—sorry,” I said quickly. “I didn’t mean to—”
“Scare me?” He laughed. “You’d need more than that.”
I smiled despite myself. “I was just… walking.”
“Well, you found the best part of the property,” he said. “I’m Theo. I take care ofthe horses.”
“Callie,” I replied. “The new Nanny.”
His eyes softened. “Lila’s nanny?”
I nodded.
Theo leaned against the stall, crossing his arms. “You like horses?”
“I do,” I said. “I used to ride. A long time ago.”
“Mrs. Westbrook did too,” he said, his tone shifting slightly. “She loved it out here. Said the horses listened better than people.”
I smiled, though something sad flickered beneath it.
Theo studied me for a moment. “You’ll like it here,” he said.
I met his gaze, feeling something unfamiliar bloom in my chest.
“Yeah,” I said. “I think I might.”
As I walked back toward the house later, the sun warm on my face, I realized something surprising.
For the first time in a long while, I felt maybe working here wasn't so bad after all.
- Writer
