The Nanny

•30•

~2 years later~

For once life had favoured Emi. Her hard work payed off and she used her savings to buy herself a little bakery.

It may have meant that the staff room would become her living space for a while, but business was booming and she was finally financially stable.

Her bakery was a hit in their small town. People queued up at 7am on the street to purchase piping hot loafs of bread and baked goods.

For once everyone around her wished to support her and so her bakery became a local hotspot.

Loai was a big 3 year old now almost 4. It was fun raising him in the bakery. Emi would help him bake goods to share with his friends and she let him decorate cupcakes that had their own display. 'Loai's special cupcakes' which were sold to raise money for a cancer charity.

On the weekends Loai would stand on his stool next to Emi helping serve and talk to customers. He had his own mini apron and badge. His people skills had really improved.

Emi was wiping down the last tables. It was 6:50pm and the bakery was now empty and due to close in another 10 minutes.

Emi looked up briefly at the sound of the bell on the door signalling a new customer.

She rubbed her hands on the front of her apron and adjusted her headscarf before making her way back to behind the till.

She noticed it was an older woman dressed in an expensive looking coat.

"How may i help you?" Emi asked the woman who was occupied by digging through her purse. The woman quickly looked up at the sound of the voice. "oh yes can i ha-" the woman said looking up before stopping mid sentence gasping. Both of them stood in silence looking at each other mouth agape in shock.

"Valentina?" Emi questioned to convinced her eyes were deceiving her. Valentina nodded as a big smile graced her face.

Emi rushed around the till rushing to the doors and locking them so no one else would enter the bakery. Finally, Emi came to a halt in front of Valentina.

Valentina opened her arms pulling her into a hug. Emi squeezed her eyes shut hoping it would prevent the tears that threatened to all from betraying her.

Seeing Valentina opened up old wounds that she didn't wish to pick at.

Valentina and Emi now sat at a table, piping hot coffees in hand and slices of cake to share.

"What brings you around here?" Emi asked curious as to why she had ventured a four hour drive away from home.

"I was celebrating a friends birthday. She lives around here and recommended that i try some treats from here before leaving." Emi nodded, silently taking a sip of her coffee, hissing when it scalded her lips. They both sat in silence.

Valentina's hand reached out settling on top of Emi's. "Why did you leave?" Emi scoffed. So Luciano couldn't even tell his own mother the real reason. Valentina's face scrunched into confusion at the reaction.

"His wife came back and had me dismissed, he stopped visiting me, blocked my number and I accepted that. I went to search for another job only to find out i had been blacklisted so i moved away for a fresh start." Emi summarised nonchalantly pretending it didn't affect her.

Valentina sat quietly digesting the information she had been given. Her own son refused to open up to her about Emi's disappearance so now was the time to find out what happened.

"You know he never ended up getting back together with his wife." Valentina said quietly earning a shrug from Emi. "That's sad." Emi murmured sarcastically as she stood up to clear the the table up.

It was like rubbing salt into an open wound.

So they didn't end up getting back together yet he still made no effort to reach out to her in the three weeks she stayed in town.

He knew her number, it hadn't changed and if he lost it it was written in her contract.

On the contrary, Valentina was struggling to piece together what had actually happened. Something didn't make sense. Her son may not have told her anything about the situation out of spite but she wasn't stupid.

Valentina stood up quickly her chair scraping on the floor loudly as she followed Emi into the kitchen determined to find out more.

Emi sighed at Valentina's persistence. She didn't want to talk about something that was well in the past.

"How's Geoffrey doing looking after the children alone" Emi asked curiosity and bitterness lacing her tone. She wanted to indirectly find out if she had been replaced.

Valentina's eyes widened at the question. So Emi didn't know he no longer worked there. "He's fine." she answered cryptically. "Is he the one who served you your notice?" Valentina asked hoping to gather more information.

Emi nodded quickly as she busied herself with washing the remaining dishes in the sink.

Emi glanced at her watch hoping to get out of the painful conversation she was engaged in. "I'm sorry but i have to go and pick up Loai now before it gets too late." Emi said plastering on a fake apologetic smile.

Valentina simply nodded as she began to walk to the door. "I have one more question if you don't mind." Valentina said carefully. "Do you still love him?"

Emi's head snapped up at the question. What nonsense was that. Emi straightened up drying her hands and reaching for her coat and keys.

Valentina stood silently watching as Emi ignored the question. "I'm sorry for ask-" Valentina rushed out only to be cut off by Emi.

"I loved him. Past tense." Emi stated the tremble in her voice not supporting her statement. She quickly began heading for the door holding it open for Valentina to leave from.

Valentina opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find the words as she watched Emi lock the doors to the bakery as they stood in the cold night.

"Thank you for visiting." Emi said before rushing off in the direction of Candy's house.

Valentina stood silently on the pavement as she recalled their conversation. Something didn't seem right. Valentina began to briskly walk back to her hotel.

She rushed through the lobby and tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for the lift. Immediately the doors opened she hurried inside pressing the button for the 10th floor.

Valentina speed walked to her room. She stood outside of her door questioning her decision. Valentina sighed walking to the door opposite hers before knocking loudly on it.

Shuffling and squeals could be heard before the door opened.

"Si mamma." Luciano replies as he used his leg to block Xavier from escaping the room.

"We are going somewhere tomorrow."