AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 1
Stella
I stepped off the elevator and into the Park Avenue penthouse, which I visited daily, five days a week, Monday through Friday, with an occasional Saturday.
“Thank God you’re here,” Mrs. Kensington said as she strolled by me in her designer suit and Louboutin heels. “Austin is out of control this morning, and Jenna won’t get out of bed.”
“Morning, Stella.” Mr. Kensington smiled, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
“Morning, Mr. Kensington.” I set my purse down. “Austin, come here.” I knelt and held out my arms.
He ran to me like he always did, giving me a big hug. I broke our embrace and gripped his shoulders.
“Go upstairs, get ready for school, and I’ll make you eggs in a basket.” I smiled.
“Promise?” he asked.
“I promise. Go on.” I turned him toward the stairs.
“I’ve yelled at him a thousand times to get ready, but he won’t listen,” Mrs. Kensington said, throwing her protein powder into the blender.
“When you yell at him, he perceives it as threatening and makes him feel unsafe. When he feels unsafe, he isn’t going to listen.”
“She’s right, Nadine,” Mr. Kensington said, leaning against the marble counter, sipping his coffee.
“Oh, be quiet, Brandon. How would you know? It’s not like you spend any time with the children.”
“I’ll go get Jenna out of bed.” I left the kitchen and walked upstairs.
Approaching her room, I opened the door, sat on the edge of her bed, and tickled her.
She giggled, trying to push my hands away.
“It’s time to get up, sleepyhead.” I kissed her forehead, and she felt very warm. “Hey, are you feeling okay?”
She slowly shook her head. “My head hurts, and I have a sore throat.”
“I’ll be right back.” I stood up from the bed, went into the bathroom, and grabbed the thermometer from the medicine cabinet. “Open up.” I smiled, sticking the thermometer under her tongue.
I pulled it from her mouth when the beeping sound went off. Looking at it, she had a fever of 102.
“You stay right where you are and get some rest. No school for you today.”
“Stella, I’m ready.” Austin stood in the doorway. “I want my eggs in a basket.”
I stood from the bed and followed Austin downstairs.
“Mrs. Kensington, Jenna has a fever of 102. That’s why she wouldn’t get out of bed. She told me she has a headache and a sore throat.”
“Great.” She threw her hands up. “Call the pediatrician and take her in. I have to go. I have a meeting.”
“I’ll take Austin to school,” Mr. Kensington spoke.
Mrs. Kensington kissed Austin’s head and stepped onto the elevator. Mr. Kensington looked at me and shook his head.
“I guess I don’t get a kiss this morning.” A smirk crossed his lips.
My lips formed a small smile as I reached into the cabinet and took the children’s Tylenol down. I poured the appropriate dose into the medicine cup and handed it to Mr. Kensington.
