Episode 3

Esther spent the morning with Zaya, as Celina was a bit preoccupied, so Esther took Zaya to pick up Ben from school.

Ben was thrilled to see his sister and chattered about his day at school until they got home. Esther bathed him, they had lunch, and afterward, they played in the playroom.

A week went by, and Esther passed her trial period; Logan called Celina to inform her.

Esther was overjoyed; she had grown attached to the children and was involved in everything Ben did. He was missing his father, and once he realized his father had traveled, he became disheartened. It seemed that Logan always did this and didn't care about the children.

It was late afternoon, Ben was in the living room watching cartoons, Zaya was asleep, and Esther went to help with dinner in the kitchen, chatting with the girls.

Celina: You're acting like a mother to the children.

Esther: I could never replace their mother.

Celina: They needed that, a female presence—namely, you.

Esther: Where is their mother?

Celina: Different mothers; Zaya's mother passed away, and we don't know the story with Ben's mother, but Logan brought Ben as a newborn and wouldn't speak about the mother.

Esther: He's so absent in their lives; Ben admires him and feels his absence.

Celina: It's complicated, dear.

Esther: What does he do?

Celina: We can't discuss such matters; Logan would certainly kill us.

Esther: Ok, I'll wake Zaya, or she won't sleep later.

Esther went to the room, woke Zaya with a hug, and she didn't cry but became a bit fussy.

They had dinner, watched cartoons, and went to bed.

Esther lay in bed when someone knocked on the door; it was Ben.

Ben: Esther?

Esther: Yes, my love, what's wrong?

Ben: Can I sleep with you?

Esther: Of course, come here.

Esther embraced Ben, covered him up, and they slept together.

A month had passed, and Logan still hadn't returned. Esther noticed Ben seemed sadder than usual and assumed it was his father's absence. Zaya had a fever, but it wasn't too high; Esther medicated her, cuddled her, and she was quiet but whimpering.

Esther left Zaya in the crib sleeping, Ben at school, and as she descended the stairs, she saw Logan being helped in by a man, holding his belly, limping.

Man: Miss, can you help?

Esther: Oh my God, of course.

Esther supported Logan from the other side; he leaned on her as they climbed the stairs to his room, a place Esther had never entered, feeling a bit nervous, but now the priority was his well-being.

She released him, arranged the bed, the man laid him down, and she adjusted Logan's legs, removing his shoes, causing him to yell in pain.

Logan: Are you insane?

Esther: I'm sorry, sir, but I need to remove your shoes; I'll be more careful.

Logan: Thank you, Andrei; settle that remaining issue.

Andrei: Ok, take care. Miss, don't let him get out of bed, even if he threatens to fire you.

Logan: I'm still here, in charge of myself and this house.

Andrei: Shut up.

He leaves in irritation; Logan unbuttons his shirt, revealing a large bandage on his belly. He tries to grab some pillows, and Esther quickly assists him.

Esther: Excuse me.

She places two pillows behind him; Logan smells her sweet perfume and sees her worried, apprehensive, and tense expression.

Esther: Do you need anything else?

Logan: The strongest painkiller you can find.

Esther: Where is it?

Logan: Second drawer.

She retrieves it from a dresser, gets water from the minibar in the corner of the room, and brings it to him.

Esther: Do you know if we have what's needed to change the dressings?

Logan: Ask one of the security guards. How are things here?

Esther: All good.

Logan: Good how, Esther?

Esther: 💭He remembers my name; I'm surprised now💭

Everything as you left it. But lately, Bernardo has been sad, I think he missed you. And Zaya was feverish today, but I medicated her; she's sleeping now.

Logan: Why wasn't I informed? You must tell me what happens with my children.

Esther: 💭Now it's my fault?💭

Sir, Celina called several times over these three days, but you didn't answer.

Logan: Right.

He sighs, exhausted; Esther closes the curtains, dims the light, and Celina appears.

Celina: Esther, let me finish taking care of this stubborn one. The little one woke up crying; the fever persists.

Logan: Bring her here.

Esther went to the room; Zaya was still warm, whimpering in her arms; she brought the little girl to Logan's room and laid her on the bed beside him since he couldn't pick her up.

Zaya: Pa..Pa

Logan: Did you say daddy, daughter? Did you say daddy?

He was delighted and picked her up despite his condition.

Zaya hugged him, crying softly, and he held her, stroking her back and showering her with kisses.

Esther was taken aback, but since she only saw him on her first day at work, she couldn't say much.

Logan: You all heard, right?

Celina: Yes, son.

Esther: Yes.

She said the same thing yesterday.

Logan: Daddy's home, daughter, alive and whole.

Esther: Since you'll stay with her, I'll go pick up Ben from school.

Logan: When he's back and has had a bath, bring him here. We'll have lunch in the room since I can't go downstairs.

Esther: Yes, sir.

Esther left the room leaving a new man and father there. She requested the dressing materials from security; they handed them over, she stored them in the kitchen, and went to pick up Ben.