JULIET

"Neville, I quit."

It is not easy at all to have to say it, I get a lump in my throat when I release those words, but they are no longer just words but actions. My suitcase is packed, I haven't slept all night and I've been crying by Ali's crib over the decision I made, with horrible pangs of guilt until I finally decide that I'm just an employee for the family, the child doesn't need me at all, my labor is perfectly replaceable. I just pray that whoever comes into his life again treats him with the dignity and care he deserves.

Neville is with a strong coffee and his computer in the kitchen at home. He has just finished a video conference on behalf of his boss while I waited and doubted for a long time until I decided to take the initiative.

He looks from me to the suitcase, assessing that what I just told him is completely true.

"Juls, my God, what are you doing?"

"Leaving. With all the pain in the world, I'm leaving this family, if you can call it that. I try not to get involved in problems since every family has problems, but I have enough of mine to have to take care of these too, which are very serious."

"You are not to blame for anything that has happened."

"I know, but I've still had to pay the piper and it's not my wish. He already kicked me out once so he can settle down at last."

"Damn, Juliet. I understand that Mr. Deniz is someone who has sustained his own instability since Zara, but I also understand that what has happened in the last few hours has been very difficult for him and for everyone."

"I don't know what kind of person Zara was, I'm just so sorry for Ali since he doesn't deserve all this. Zara may have been wrong with Kerem, but with Ali she did a good job. This is not for the late woman, but for Mr. Deniz. That man is a beast, he does not know how to behave like a sensible person and I have already tolerated a lot of disrespect from him, he is not healthy for anyone."

He sighs and continues to size me up. Maybe he thinks of another alternative to convince me, but I remain firm externally, despite the fact that inside I am a mixture of tears or water on the verge of completely vanishing.

"Okay," he agrees and does something on his keyboard. "Let me get you a return ticket, tell me if you prefer land or air".

"That won't be necessary, really."

"It's on us, don't worry. It is part of our obligations. And about this... Well, that's it."

"About that?"

I get a notification on my phone, I try not to look at it, but Neville's attitude makes me realize that yes, I should see it.

What is this?

I read and review a thousand times what it shows me.

"Neville, what did you do?" I ask, puzzled.

"I transferred you the total for your completed tasks."

"Twenty-five thousand dollars?"

"Ten thousand for your work, an extra ten thousand more for getting little Ali to interpret words in record time in Turkish..."

"It was just a song. It is the didactic way for a child to incorporate it so soon. He does not interpret symbols, only rhythm and some phonetics."

"But that's been a long time."

"He told you?"

"Mr. Deniz hands me all his reports."

Of course he's not going to read them himself, he doesn't have the time or head enough to devote effort to his own son.

"And the five thousand?"

"For the moral damages caused by Mr. Deniz and after having fired you, consider it compensation."

"I'm not going to sue him for everything that's happened, believe me. If I go, I...I just want to forget about all this as soon as possible. And whatever hurts Mr. Deniz will hurt Ali too, it's the least thing in the world I want."

"That boy has stolen your heart."

"So it seems."

Sigh.

And I wait.

I think things over once more. I admit that a little voice in my head repeatedly asks me if I'm not doing something crazy.

There is also that of my common sense that warns me that I should escape as soon as possible and that if Mr. Massera could have been right about anything, it was the fact that this family keeps many secrets, even among themselves.

For example, I don't know what Neville's specific role is either, does he even handle Kerem's personal accounts and finances? I can't understand any other way by which he made a transfer in his name to my own bank account.

The sound of my mobile wakes me up. This time I don't need to see it, for Neville to warn me what it is.

"I've got a flight that leaves in two and a half hours first class. I'm sorry that it can't be a private plane, that type of paperwork is usually more cumbersome."

"Don't worry," I murmur. "Tell me the amount and I'll transfer it to you. If you have an inexpensive seat, even better."

"You don't have to return anything, it's part of your work per diem."

I bite my lower lip, remembering long days ago those first attempts to match the work guidelines for which I would start working in this place with such an intense coexistence that it doesn't even seem like almost two weeks have passed, it's as if years had passed.

I nod and give him a smile.

"Thank you, Neville," I say with a lump in my throat.

He wipes the tears from my eyes and kisses my forehead in a fatherly way.

"Calm down, you'll be fine. You have a lot of talent, don't waste it and follow your dreams. May your heart be your guide."

"I think you always have the right words for each situation. I don't know if this family deserves you..."

"I owe them more than you can imagine."

"Are you leaving then?"

Thammy is behind me.

I turn to her and hug her.

"Oh, honey," she also receives me in another very comforting way. "I'm going to miss you very much, I hope we can meet another time at least for a few drinks that we owe each other."

"I hope so," I admit.

Once we are apart, I tell her, looking into her eyes:

"I also hope to meet your partner, she must be a great person if she deserves you, Thammy. Be happy."

"She'll be looking forward to meeting you, too."

"Thank you... And take care of Ali. You are his only hope at the end of the day."

She gives me a smile and hugs me for the last time.

Immediately afterwards I go up to the boy's room, passing through the cold door of Kerem's office. It is as if certain demons were flying over the place.

When I get to the sleeping child, I have to restrain myself so as not to wake him up. I just rest a kiss on his forehead, holding my hair and wipe the tears that are flooding my face.

I turn away, sniffle, and head back to the front of the house.

"There's a private driver waiting for you outside who can take you to the airport," Neville announces.

"Thank you," I tell them for the last time. Thanks, thanks..."

"Have a safe trip, Juls," Thammy announces as I drag my suitcase in search of the car. Indeed, the driver waits for me and helps me get in.

Once we're on our way, I check Kerem's chat several times and our conversations even through the language app.

I warn my friend that there was a change of plans and I will be back in a few hours, sooner than expected. She hasn't connected for three hours, I doubt she got up early. Rather, it must have been revealed, I hope she is still alive.

I sigh long and hard in some stupid hope that Neville will show up and stop me, even on top of the plane in question.

I am not capable of appreciating the luxury that first class means, but just with the turbines turned on and the monster flying over the air, I get the idea that this family is already history in my life and I am for them.

"That's it, Juls. That's it. Kerem is not coming. Enjoy the trip..."