Babysitting

Prologue

"I don't know about this position," my mother frowned at me.
"It is my decision, mamãe," I reached for her hand, my skin slightly darker than hers. "I want to experience the world outside of Portugal. I will come back, you and papai know that."
She smiled at me, her dark eyes that were similar to mine gleaming with sorrow.
"You have Julio," I pulled my hand away from hers to grab strands of my thick black hair and twirl it. "He isn't going anywhere."
"Your brother is rambunctious," she sighed. "But alright, querida, if this is what you want."
I grinned at her, standing up from the dining table chair.
"It is only for a year or two," I nodded. "I'll earn enough money to buy my own flat."
My mother nodded at me, turning towards the pot that was on the stove.
"Go tell papai that supper is almost ready," she told me, her own dark hair swinging by her waist as she turned.
I made my way towards the living room, my father sitting on one of the sofas.
"Mamãe says food is cooked," I told him.
He nodded, getting up and going into the kitchen.
I headed towards my room to freshen up before I ate. I was somewhat grateful to be in a Portuguese family. My parents were extremely lenient.
After studying psychology for five years at the nearby university, I wanted to go au pair in a different land. In the brochures I had gotten, it had said it was a great way to experience the world and try new things. I had immediately given my information to the department without consulting my parents.
It also had a good income if I wound up with a rich family. I wanted to use that money to move into my own place and start working on becoming a top therapist.
I smiled to myself, excited with my opportunity. All that I had to do is go back to the department and ask if there is a place for me to go to.
I threw my bum length hair into a messy ponytail and rubbed my dark green eyes with the palm of my hand. I had to get more highlights in my hair. The chocolate brown color was fading.
I walked into my bathroom and splashed water onto my face, straightening my tank top after. It was too long for me.
It was difficult getting clothes for myself. Standing at only 5'1", most clothes were too long. Another problem was my curvy silhouette. I had gotten a larger than average size bust and butt from my mother but inherited a fast metabolism from my father so my stomach was relatively flat and my waist quite thin.
"Luciana, querida, food!" I heard my mother call.
I pulled the legs of my shorts down a bit and walked back to the kitchen.
Julio, my fifteen year old brother, was already stuffing his face.
He and I looked the same. Same thick black hair, dark skin and dark green eyes. Our father had dark brown hair and hazel eyes while our mother had black hair and almost black eyes.
Almost everyone in Portugal was dark. I had a longing in me to find something different. I longed to see, in person, actual blonde hair and actual blue eyes.
"Have you decided which land you'll be going to?" My father asked as I began forking the food into my mouth.
I chewed quickly and swallowed, shaking my head.
"They will place me somewhere. I can't choose. I did ask for a not so foreign place," I told him, looking at the clock above the fridge. "If I eat quickly, I'll be able to make it to the department in time."
He nodded at me and continued eating. A man of few words. My mother did most of the talking and yelling in the house.
I finished my supper, standing up and grabbing my car keys.
"Can I come?" Julio asked as I was about to step out the door. "Please, Ciana."
I nodded, gesturing for him to go to the car.
"Please don't make a scene when we get there. You may be going through puberty but you can still control yourself," I pleaded with him.
We got into the car, Julio chuckling at me.
"I'm not an asshole, irmã," he rolled his eyes. "I'll behave myself."
I jokingly shoved him when I stopped my car.
"Alright let's go see what they have for me," I said, throwing my arm over Julio's shoulders.
At fifteen, he was already three or four inches taller than me.
We got to the au pair department and I was glad to see I could go right through to the office.
"Hello, Luciana, Julio," Jose said.
Everyone in this area knew each other.
"Jose," I smiled. "I'm ready to go."
"I've been saving a good family for you," he gestured for us to take a seat. "It's in New York. I know how much you've wanted to travel and this is one of the best places. Many opportunities. It's a very rich place as well. These people, the Johnsons, have five children but you'll only be taking care of four. Ten, thirteen, and twins- eighteen."
"The other child?" I asked.
"He is twenty-five and lives on his own," Jose informed me. "We'll deploy you in about two weeks."
"Thank you so much, Jose, it means a lot to me," I grinned.
After getting my paperwork and plane tickets, we bid goodbye. Julio and I walked back to the car.
"I'll miss you, Ciana, even if it's only a year," he told me.
"You're not so bad after all, Julio," I laughed at him, ruffling his hair.

Luciana Fernando