Elena carried little Leo down to the sunlit kitchen on the main floor below.
She poured a small glass of warm milk for the tired upset young boy.
Leo slowly calmed down while sitting on the high wooden barstool near the counter.
Elena wiped his small wet cheeks with a clean soft napkin from the drawer.
Elena: You are safe now, sweet little buddy.
The toddler blinked his bright blue eyes and held onto Elena's warm friendly hand.
Victoria strutted into the kitchen wearing a expensive gold silk designer dress today.
Her golden heels clicked loudly against the pristine white marble flooring with every step.
Victoria: You stepped way out of line up there, Elena.
Elena: He was crying loudly and just needed his favorite toy back.
Victoria: I am the mistress of this estate and you are paid staff.
Elena stood tall despite the sharp cold anger radiating from the wealthy woman.
Elena: He is just a baby who deserves kindness in his own home.
Victoria: Do not preach morals to me inside my own luxury house.
Victoria stepped closer and pointed her long manicured finger directly at Elena's chest.
Victoria: If you say a single word to Richard, you leave without pay.
Elena felt a sudden chill run straight down her spine at the clear threat.
She needed her paycheck to secure her family's modest apartment rent next week.
Victoria smirked with total confidence as if she had won the sharp quick argument.
She turned on her high heels and walked away toward the large living room.
Leo reached out his tiny fingers and held onto Elena's uniform sleeve tightly.
Elena looked down at the bright boy and felt a strong determination rise inside.
She could not let fear keep her from doing the right thing for him.
Elena: I will protect you no matter what happens to me here.
She spoke the quiet promise under her breath so no one else could hear.
Later that evening Elena cleaned the formal dining room table after a quiet dinner.
Victoria sat on the back patio drinking red wine while looking at her phone.
She paid almost no attention to the house or the boy resting upstairs now.
Elena checked her mobile phone and saw a text from her older sick mother.
The doctor needed payment for the upcoming treatment scheduled early next week in town.
Elena closed her eyes tight and said a brief silent prayer for guidance tonight.
She knew that staying silent was easy but watching the child suffer felt wrong.
Every hour Richard was away on business made the house feel more tense daily.
Elena finished wiping down the mahogany table and put the polish cloth away neatly.
She walked past the tall framed American flag hanging in the wide marble corridor.
She knew that tomorrow Richard was scheduled to return home from his long trip.
Elena prepared herself for whatever difficult confrontation might take place in the morning.