“What? Are you crazy?” hHer host father asked her.
“What is so crazy about it?” Lisa asked, simply making conversation.
“You've got no money. Do you want to work as a prostitute?” he asked.
Lisa was shocked at this.
“There are many international students who study. They often receive scholarships and get MBAs,” she explained.
“Dream on, girl. You are too poor to chase this dream. You even don’t have any brain. Forget about it,” He argued. Lisa wasn't sure how to respond.
“No one in the world is waiting for you,” he added.
“Even if I don't get a scholarship, I would like to travel a bit. I mean, while I'm still young,” she continued, attempting to shift the conversation.
“Where are you going to get the money to travel? It's expensive. The hotel is at least 600 dollars a week. That doesn't count your food or your tickets,” he continued, beginning to raise his voice.
“Maybe I will find a job at the embassy. I do speak several languages,” she argued.
The host father shook his head angrily. “The only job you're going to get at the embassy is as a cleaning lady,” he barked.
Lisa politely dismissed herself from the conversation and went to her room. She couldn't help feeling emotionally overwhelmed. She laid down on her head. According to her host family, she would never be able to travel or study or even work a normal job. “Did they think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and dreamless? They think wrong! - I have dreams as they do!” Lisa was told she should give up on all her dreams. But, her dreams were the only thing she had to hold on to.
“Were there any good people in the world? “ Lisa thought. Probably not in Lisa’s world, the world of a maid for one year.
That was it! This dream world disintegrated into dust. Lisa wanted so much to become a member of this family for some time. Instead, she had to meet with incomprehension, on a wall between her and this powerful family.
44
It was Lisa’s final month in the country. Her year of being an au pair was finally up. This was her last chance to travel and fulfil her dream of seeing the city of Paris. Lisa called the au pair agency to ask about the vacation that was mentioned in her contract.
“Yes, you are welcome to take a vacation,” the agency worker assured her.
Now, six weeks later, she asked Marc if she could take that vacation. He and Angelica were upset to hear that she wanted to travel. They tried to talk her out of her plans.
“You can work here for the last month, then travel.”
Lisa shook her head. “I have so little time. I want to travel and see Paris.”
Both Angelica and Marc laughed at this. They never believed it was possible for a poor little au pair to get to travel and see any of the world. Lisa was going to prove them wrong. She was going to Paris.
“Okay,” they dismissed in an attempt to end the conversation.
Finally, Lisa felt the courage to stand up for herself. After everything she had been through in the last year, she was done.”I called my agency,” she announced. Both Angelica and Marc exchanged a look, then looked at Lisa.
“Why?” they asked.
Lisa could tell they were suddenly concerned.”As a working person, I have every right to take this vacation. It is in my contract. I am allowed,” she explained.
The conversation ended there.
Lisa knew that the host family wasn't excited about this. But, she also knew that she had considered other people for far too long. This entire year, she put everyone else above herself. Now, it was time to put herself first.
The next day, Lisa brought little Ben to the kindergarten. Once she had dropped him off, she headed back the house. She decided to take a few minutes to herself and brewed a nice cup of tea. She finished it off quickly, savoring the taste. Then she headed to the bathroom and took a shower. After feeling nice and clean, she picked out a cute outfit for herself. She chose a pair of blue jean trousers, which were nothing special. But she paired them with a flowery blouse on the top. She felt more confident about her looks, and headed out to meet Alexander. Once again, they met in the center of the city, where they have been meeting each other. It was the only place they arranged through email, so they were both comfortable with the arrangement. Lisa sat down in his Cabrio and Alexander started to drive. At first, he drove slow, but his speed quickly picked up. He was wearing black sunglasses, so Lisa could hardly make out the smile in his eyes. As he drove, he rolled the windows down, letting the cool wind blow around the car. Lisa was also wearing black sunglasses, but could hardly see through them anymore. The wind had blow her hair all around her face, blocking out everything. She pulled pieces back to the sides, looking over at Alexander. He was smiling widely as he watched her struggling with her hair.
Lisa felt an array of emotions at this display. While he was clearly being playful, was there a bit of evil to his actions? Or was he just trying to make her laugh with this silly thing? Was he a demon, or was he an angel? Lisa slowly shook her head, more to clear out her own thoughts. She had read many books in her lifetime. The handsome man often turned out to be a monster, or a vampire. Even a demon. It was rare that one of these characters would turn out to be a God. It wasn't impossible, just rare. It seemed that the young girls like to fall for bad boys. Lisa smiled to herself, looking over at Alexander again. Neither of them said anything more, simply enjoying the quiet of the road beneath them. As much as Lisa was enjoying the sunny weather and break from her life, she knew Alexander had to know. She took a deep breath, before breaking the silence.
“I never told you, Alexander, but, this is my last week staying with this host family.” She started.
“Really? But it feels like just yesterday. Time goes by too quickly, don't you think?” He asked in return, something mystical to his voice. She shook her head. More like not quickly enough. She couldn't be happier, getting out of this place. She smiled.
“When my time is finished, I will finally be able to travel, like I've always wanted. My dream will become a reality.” She muses, briefly looking over at Alexander. He nods.
“Okay.” He agrees, without adding more to the conversation.
Alexander was driving much slower now, like he was trying to prolong their time together. Lisa could tell this was heavy on his mind. Even under his dark sunglasses, she felt something was off. He seemed frustrated. This may be the last time they would ever see each other.
“Yesterday, I got an email from someone.” She starts, trying to change the subject, even though one had not been spoken of. She didn't need words to know how heavy her departure was going to be.
“Yeah?” Alexander asks, but barely paying attention. Lisa nodded herself, looking at her hands, now in her lap. She wrapper her fingers around themselves, not looking up.
“A man said he saw my picture and wanted to make me his wife.” She finished.
“What did you say?” Alexander asked, now seeming more into the conversation. She shook her head.
“Well, I don't think it's wise to marry without love. I'm not that kind of person, at least.” She confessed, only briefly looking over at him. He wore a huge smile as she spoke, nodding in her direction.
“Will you write me, when you're gone?” He asked. She quickly nodded.
“Of course I will.” She agreed. He smiled again.
“Write me about your travels. Tell me everywhere you go and everything you see.” He instructed. She nodded, now watching him drive. He was a millionaire. He had seen the world himself. He wasn't really interested in her travel stories. It was something else. She smiled to herself, looking out the window. She thought of all the beautiful moments of their blooming relationship. From the first time she saw him, to right now, with the wind blowing through their hair. His eyes were a deep as an ocean and as welcoming as a warm cozy bed. She thought of the yacht ride together, the wind blowing in her face then, too. She thought of the mornings they sat on the hood of this very car, laughing together about nothing and everything. She thought of the flowers he presented to her.