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Alexander today touched a chord in her heart - because she has experienced it all. She knew what it was to meet people who are indifferent to you, wandering into the crowd, who don’t care about you at all. Did not she experience any of this before? Did she feel lonely at the present moment? Was among those whom she knew, at least someone who had any empathy for her? Not a single person! She entirely pondered into her thoughts and doubts.
Lisa wanted to eagerly distract herself from the dreadful reality of becoming a “maid,” although she planned to become a family “member. Stuck in the “dungeon” and taking care of a naughty child, she felt to be left helpless in a foreign country. The only thing she wanted was to distract herself from that dreadful reality, to run whereas her eyes could see and escape the family who lied to her so professionally.
Speaking with someone outside her host family, someone who did not humiliate her, someone who could listen to her, and someone who treated her not as a “maid”.
Seeing Alexander was a buyout for Lisa, for believing that she was still a valued person, although her host family considered her as a “maid”. He treated her so differently, perhaps even did not know about the fact that Lisa was living in a dark dungeon and was not allowed to eat anything except some granola. The top managers had a calculator instead of a heart, thinking only about profits and losses.
The moments Lisa spent with Alexander made her feel alive. Later that evening, Lisa wrote Alexander the following email.
From: Lisa
To: Alexander
Subject: :)
Hello, Alexander,
Thanks for a beautiful day. It was really cool feeling like a queen and going to a beautiful museum.
And thanks for the ride back, although it was far and so much gasoline. :(
How was work? Was it stressful?
Yesterday evening I read the book you presented to me.
I hope you had a nice night!
—Lisa
From: Alexander
To: Lisa
Subject: :)
Good morning, Queen Lisa. :)
I found the day with you to be really cool. :) When can we repeat it?
What are you doing this weekend? I'd love to go biking with you.
I had to wake up this morning at 2 o’clock! Not everything works as intended. :(
Have a nice day!
From: Lisa
To: Alexander
Subject: :)
Hello, Alexander,
Unfortunately, this weekend we celebrate the birthday of my host father and I should be there. Maybe next week we can have a picnic (I can bring something to eat) and go on a bike ride together. It’ll be very nice.
Have a good weekend!
—Lisa
Three days later, Lisa received a reply.
From: Alexander
To: Lisa
Subject: :)
Hello, Lisa,
How was your weekend? On Saturday I worked on some trucks with my friend. And on Sunday I worked on my boat. So nothing too exciting, no stones thrown at the police... ;)
A picnic sounds like a very good idea, especially if you're making something to eat. :)
When would you like to go on a picnic?
Best,
Alexander
From: Lisa
To: Alexander
Subject: :)
Hello, Alexander,
How are you?
Thanks for the message and for a nice day.
Unfortunately, the weather is not particularly good for picnicking again. Today I learned how to play tennis with Ben.
Also, thank you for the flowers. Now my room in the basement looks a lot better!
Have a nice day!
Best,
Lisa
The next morning Lisa opened her favorite white computer and saw a short message from Alexander.
From: Alexander
To: Lisa
Subject: :)
Hi, Lisa,
The weather is perfect for cycling or sunbathing at the beach, is it not? If you have time, let’s meet today.
—Alexander
From: Lisa
To: Alexander
Subject: :)
Hello, Alexander,
Unfortunately, today is a holiday and I want to spend it with my host family. Maybe next week.
Best,
Lisa
They agreed to meet on Saturday at 10 a.m. on her day off. Her host family had an unusual tradition of buying rolls for breakfast during the weekend. They went to the bakery in the morning and later enjoyed fresh rolls with jam, honey, sausage, cheese, and chocolate in splendid isolation.
Lisa was allowed to have free weekends for herself. After having a breakfast mostly consisting of one roll, Lisa was officially on her own free time. Despite this, her host parents asked her to vacuum their three-story villa, take care of their child, and work in the garden, as those were tasks a “family member” was supposed to do.
This is why Lisa, who was already tired from her au pair responsibilities during the week, politely told her host parents that she was going sightseeing.
After having breakfast, Lisa wanted to go for a walk and take in some fresh air. Spending the whole weekend in the basement was not a good idea.
She had another friend who was also an au pair, and she occasionally spent time with her exploring the city.
Lisa wanted to leave her host family alone for the weekend so that they could enjoy time together and do some activities without spending a fortune on her as well. But her host family mostly stayed at home. After all, they once told Lisa that they were saving every cent for their dream house with a swimming pool.
After enduring so many humiliations during the week, Lisa only wanted one thing: to run out on her host family and forget all about her unfair contract and the dungeon she had to live in. She just wanted to be a normal, young girl and enjoy her life in freedom. She wanted to feel alive, free from the basement.
They agreed to meet at the beach on Saturday at 10 a.m. After a light breakfast with her host family, under the watch of three pairs of shrewd eyes, Lisa picked up her bag and rode her bike to the beach through the woods. Lisa arrived and saw Alexander sitting alone on the beach.
The day, which Lisa trembled thinking of, was surprisingly calm. The morning was bathed in sunshine, and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. It felt more like summer than it did autumn.
But confusion reigned in Lisa’s heart.
Lisa tried to lighten the mood by dressing in white. When she had come down for breakfast earlier that morning, Ben was already sitting at the table looking out the window. Her host father poured his orange juice, and they exchanged a friendly greeting before going off in the direction of the beach.
Alexander sat on the sandy shore and looked ahead. The sun was almost up, and its rays reflected and played on the surface of the lake. Alexander was there on the same golden beach in his white linen shirt with sunglasses, staring into the distance deep in thought.
“Alexander?” she said, coming closer to him.
“Lisa, hello,” he said with a smile, “I’m very happy to see you again.”
“What are we going to do today? Any suggestions?” she asked.
“Just sit on the beach and talk,” he replied.
Lisa put down her bag as a towel to sit next to Alexander when she thought of her host father.