章 9: One More
Dressed in a comfortable robe, Delilah walked into the kitchen to find something to eat, and she met Jessica standing over the cooker preparing a meal.
Jessica looked up, her eyes filled with concern. "Feel better?"
"A little," Delilah admitted, sitting down on the Island. "What about you? How are you feeling?" She asked, relieved that Jessica had showered and looked much better than she had earlier.
Jessica studied her for a moment before speaking. "I got a job," she said, her voice tentative.
Delilah's eyes widened with surprise and a flicker of happiness. "Really? That's great news, Jess! I'm so proud of you!" Delilah said, rising to go embrace her.
Jessica held up a hand, her expression cautious. "Don't get too excited. It's not an office job."
Delilah's smile faltered. "What do you mean? What kind of job is it, and where is it?"
Jessica took a deep breath, clearly preparing herself for her sister's reaction. "It's a job as a full-time nanny."
Delilah frowned, her brows knitting together. "Nanny? Why? And what do you mean full-time?"
"I don't want to deal with people yet, D. I'm not ready for that. But I love kids, and this job is just taking care of a six-year-old girl. It's something I can handle right now. And by full-time I mean it's a live-in job," she explained softly.
Delilah's heart ached for her sister. Since Jessica's husband died a year ago after a car accident, Delilah had watched her sister retreat into herself, withdrawing from the world.
It was good that Jessica was finally opening up again, but the idea of her being a full-time babysitter was unsettling.
"Are you sure about this?" Delilah asked gently. "I mean, I'm glad you're trying to move on, but a nannying job is a lot, and you don't even know who you're going to be living with. Aren't you going to deal with your employers? Don't you think an office job is better?"
Jessica's eyes softened with a mix of sadness and resolve. "I'll be fine. I need this, D. You've done so much for me in the last one year, but right now I need to find my own way again, and this job feels like the right step. I won't have to see my employers much since they are very busy people. I will be leaving in a week," Jessica said softly.
"A week? Isn't that too soon? How do I see you then? Can I visit?" Delilah asked with a worried frown.
Jessica reached out and took Delilah's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "No. You can't visit, but you don't have to worry. I get seven days break each month. I will visit then," Jessica promised.
Delilah nodded slowly, her mind racing with a mix of emotions. She wanted to support her sister, but the thought of Jessica being away in her vulnerable state was hard to accept. "If you're sure, then I support you. But promise me you'll stay in touch."
Jessica smiled, a genuine warmth in her eyes. "I promise," she said, and returned her attention to stirring the pasta she was making, while Delilah returned to her seat and watched her as she cooked.
Delilah's thoughts drifted back to her own predicament. She knew she needed to tell Jessica about it since Blake might be moving in tomorrow.
"Why are you so quiet, D?" Jessica asked, looking at Delilah with concern after she had served their lunch.
Ever since she moved in with her after a failed suicide attempt, Delilah never ceased to chatter endlessly as though she was scared to leave her to her thoughts for a moment, but now she was quiet and had not been herself since she returned.
"I'm just thinking about your job. Tell me more about it," Delilah said, wanting to focus on something other than her own chaos for a while.
"The little girl's name is Emily Williams. She's six years old. Her parents are both really busy and need someone to look after her. And the pay is really good too," Jessica explained as she picked up her fork to eat.
"You don't have to work if you're not ready. I can pay you…"
"With the money you got from conning innocent families? No, thanks. It's bad enough that I'm living here and eating meals made from your illegal money," Jessica said, her tone disapproving.
"It's not illegal. I didn't rob anyone, and the money was offered. I didn't force them to give it to me and I didn't rob anyone. Besides, I have a decent job…"
"At least you know that what you do isn't decent," Jessica cut in.
"I never said it wasn't decent. Those families should be the ones ashamed not me. They should be ashamed of themselves for being so condescending and paying me off to leave their sons," Delilah said defensively.
"I'm not going to argue with you, D. One man hurt you, but you've left a trail of broken hearts since then. Doing charity with part of the money doesn't change the fact that you're hurting people. And trust me, someday you're going to meet your match, and it isn't going to be funny," Jessica said confidently.
"So, how did you learn about this job?" Delilah asked, changing the subject.
Although Jessica knew what she was doing, she let her change the subject, "Kate told me about it," she said, referring to her former sister-in-law and best friend.
"How did Kate know about it?" Delilah asked, and Jessica rolled her eyes.
"Does it matter? I'm an adult, D…"
"I'm still older than you," Delilah cut in.
"You're just a year older. And I can take care of myself. Quit worrying," she said, as she pushed her meal around her plate.
Delilah sighed, "Are you assuring me that I don't have to worry and you will really be fine with no one there to monitor you?"
"Yes. I'm good," Jessica promised.
Delilah listened, her worry easing slightly. "Alright then. It sounds like a good opportunity. I'm happy for you, Jess."
"Thanks, D. It means a lot to me," Jessica said, and they both focused on their meal.
"So, are you going to tell me what happened last night and this morning?" Jessica asked after a while.
Delilah looked up at her sister, wondering how she was supposed to tell her that she had woken up married to a total stranger.
Delilah shook her head, "Maybe later," she said, hoping that she would get news from Mark and be able to resolve everything and end her ties with Blake without letting Jessica know about it.
"You really need to stop this your gold digging or side hustle or whatever you call it," Jessica said, and Delilah sighed deeply.
"Can we just drop it…"
"No. What do you think dad is going to say when he finds out…"
"I don't care what he says! He has no say in my life or what I do. I have no business with him," Delilah said, anger flashing in her eyes.
"I know that. I have no business with him either. But are you going to give them the satisfaction of calling you names? Please, D. For my sake," Jessica pleaded.
"Alright. One more. Just one more, and after this I'm done," Delilah promised.
She was getting tired of it all anyway and she believed that the money she would get from the Quinn family would be more than enough for her retirement.
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