Susie settled into her new role as James's nanny, her days filled with school runs, homework, and playtime. She took James to school every morning, watching as he grew more confident with each passing day. She'd wave goodbye as he disappeared into his classroom, her heart swelling with love and determination. There were times when she almost broke out of her role. One time.

As she drove back home, her before driver, Alfred dropped her.Susie couldn't help but think about the life she left behind. She had been a wife, a mother, and a partner in her own right. Now, she was a nanny, a role she had taken on to get close to her son. It was a sacrifice, but one she was living with the consequences of her ex-husband's infidelity and her own desperation to be with her child.

After dropping James off, Susie would return home to tackle the household chores. Natasha couldn't clean, but was particular about cleanliness, and Susie made sure to meet her expectations. As she vacuumed and dusted, she'd catch glimpses of her ex-husband, Jonathan ,working from home. He'd look up, their eyes would meet, and for a moment, the past would come flooding back.

Susie would feel a pang in her chest, a mix of emotions she couldn't quite process. She had thought she was over him, that she had moved on from the pain he had caused her. But seeing him now, in this new context, brought back all the memories she had tried to bury.

****

"Susie, the laundry needs to be done immediately before I come back from the salon." Natasha hesitated as she pointed at the pile of dirty clothes.

" But I already did some laundry." Susie whispered and picked up the clothes. She went down to the laundry room and started sorting the clothes, so that there wouldn't be any issues. Moments later, the laundry was done. She walked upstairs to her former room. Now Natasha's. As Susie walked into the room, she got startled to see Jonathan here, on his laptop.

" I'm so sorry sir. I didn't expect you home today..." 

" What?!"

I mean...I..." Susie staggered back. What did she just say. Things are getting out of hand.

" Working home today. It's okay." He continued typing. Susie closed her eyes. 'He was right in front of her'. She couldn't take it. 

" Why can't this just add up." Jonathan tensed up as he covered his face with his hands.

"I don't know how she used to do it," he muttered, staring at his laptop screen. "This software is driving me crazy."

Susie raised an eyebrow, her fingers moving instinctively to help. " Can I take a look," she said, her voice calm and professional. She began tapping. Moving the mouse cursor to places, while Jonathan just gazed at her , with his jaw dropped.

" How do you know this?"

" I learned this in college." Susie pursed her lips. It was true but an average nanny shouldn't know this.

As she worked her magic on the software, their hands touched, and a spark of electricity ran through her body. 

" You sound smarter than my wife." Jonathan looked up, his eyes locking onto hers, and for a moment, she saw a glimpse of their old life, many years ago when she would sit on his lap and do jer little magic on the laptop.

But the moment passed,when Natasha walked into the room, her eyes narrowing. "What's going on here?" she asked, her voice cool.

Susie stepped back, her hands behind her back. "Just helping Mr. Collins with his computer issues, ma'am," she said, her voice demure.

Natasha's gaze lingered on Jonathan,then Susie, looking more helpless than ever, before she nodded and walked away. Susie let out a breath, her heart racing. She knew she had to tread carefully, but she couldn't help the way she felt.

As the days went by, Susie found herself growing closer to James, and even Natasha began to thaw towards her. But the tension between her and Jonathan remained, a palpable force that neither of them could ignore.

Susie's plan was working, but at what cost? She was getting closer to her son, but she was also getting tangled in her feelings for her ex-husband. And what about Natasha? Would she ever suspect the truth about Miss Jennie Oliver?

One evening, as Susie was putting James to bed, he looked up at her with big, round eyes. "Miss Oliver?" he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes, James?" Susie replied, her voice soft.

"Do you think my mom is in heaven?" James asked, his eyes welling up with tears.

Susie's heart broke for her son. She knew he missed his mother, and she wished she could tell him the truth. But for now, she had to keep up the charade.

"I think your mom is always with you in spirit, James," Susie said, trying to sound reassuring. "She loves you very much, and she's watching over you from wherever she is."

James nodded, seeming to accept Susie's words. But as Susie tucked him into bed, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. She was lying to her son, and it didn't feel right.

As she turned out the lights and closed the door, Susie couldn't shake off the feeling that she was living a lie. She was a nanny, a fake identity, a secret keeper. But for now, it was all she could do.

The next day, Susie woke up early, determined to keep up the act. She made breakfast for James, helped him get ready for school, and drove him to his classroom. As she waved goodbye, she felt a sense of pride and purpose. She was doing this for her son, and she would see it through to the end.

As she walked back home, Susie couldn't help but notice the way Jonathan looked at her. Not the look of a boss to worker. It was a look of curiosity, of interest, and maybe even a hint of attraction. He might still love me. Susie's heart skipped a beat as she realized that she might not be immune to his charms after all.

She pushed the thought aside, focusing on the task at hand. Getting James back. Jonathan has made his decision. A message beeped on her cell phone:

~ Can we meet?

As Susie tucked James into bed, she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty that had been building up inside her. She had been playing the role of the nanny for weeks now, and it was taking a toll on her. But she knew she had to keep up the act if she wanted to stay close to her son.

As she closed the door to James's room, she felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had made it through another day without arousing suspicion. But little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn. She walked downstairs, she noticed her phone buzzing on the kitchen counter. She picked it up, and her heart skipped a beat as she saw another message from an unknown number.

"Meet me tonight at the old oak tree in the park at 10 pm. Come alone," the message read.

Susie's mind racing, she tried to process who could have sent the message and what they wanted. Alex. He must have found out. But she was in a different body.She looked around the kitchen, feeling a sense of unease. Was this a prank, or something more sinister?

She thought about ignoring the message, but her curiosity got the better of her. Who could be behind this, and what did they want with her? She couldn't shake off the feeling that this message was connected to her past, to Alex, or maybe even to her current situation as a nanny.

As she pondered what to do, she heard Natasha's voice behind her. "Susie, can you make sure James's lunch is packed for tomorrow?"

Susie quickly hid her phone and turned around, trying to compose herself. "Of course, Natasha. I'll take care of it."

But her mind was still reeling from the mysterious message. She knew she had to be careful and figure out who was behind it. She couldn't let her guard down, not now, not when she was so close to her son.

As the night fell, Susie found herself growing more and more anxious. She knew she had to decide whether to ignore the message or take a chance and meet the mysterious sender.

As she lay in bed, she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty. Who was behind the message, and what did they want with her? She knew she had to be brave and find out.

At 9:45 pm, Susie made up her mind. She would go to the park and see who was behind the message. She knew it was a risk, but she couldn't ignore the feeling that this was connected to her past, to her son, or maybe even to Alex.

She quietly got out of bed and made her way to the park. The old oak tree loomed in front of her as she walked through the darkness. She looked around, but there was no one in sight.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. Susie's heart racing, she tried to make out who it was. But the figure remained silent, its face hidden in the darkness.

"Who are you?" Susie asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

The figure didn't respond. Instead, it took a step closer to her. Susie's heart racing, she tried to step back, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot. She needed to know it was Alex that was behind this. A flash of light beamed at her face , causing her not to see clearly. And then, everything went black.

I woke up feeling so scared. My brain was foggy, so I couldn't even remember what happened.

I tried to stand up but I couldn't. My arms were tied to something . My legs too. I realize that I will strap to a bed and there was no way that I could escape.

I screamed for help but no one answered. 'who could do this to me?' I thought. Could it be my ex-husband?

No.

He hasn't found out who I really was.

At least, not yet.

I screamed for help but it felt like it was coming back to me like an echo.

There was no way out and I was all on my own.

I was in a sound proof room.

There was a click on the door knob and a figure stepped inside. The figure was breathing heavily all over my face. It's cold wet hands caressed my face like a priceless jewel. Even though the cloak it wore covered it's face, I could still see the sinister smile on its face. A mission accomplished. 

I scoffed.

I immediately assumed that it was Jonathan. I can't believe that he could be so crazy to stoop so low to even try to kidnap me. I should be doing that.

" Let me go Jonathan." I said confidently. But he didn't reply. He just switched on a light bulb. The sudden exposure to light hurt my eyes and I squinted in the light. Still I couldn't see his face. He still wore a mask.

"I know it's you now, let me go." I said.

There was no reply. 

I tried to drag the ropes out of my hand. It didn't work. Jonathan pulled out a top drawer on a small table that I never knew was there. He brought out a long syringe and injected it into a yellowish liquid;

" You know too much." He started fondling with the syringe. Droplets of the liquid splashing everywhere. He let out a star ge laugh and looked deeply into my eyes. Like he was searching for something. I gulped.

" Well I am your wife so, yes."

His eyes went back and forth, each studying my body movements:

" Susie, is that really you in there?"

I froze for a while. Scared to answer. How did he know that I was ME. I glared at him. Anger in my eyes. He let out a scary laugh.

" So it really is you. You are still alive..." He looked at my body.

"....In a way." I struggled to release my hand. I wished to slap him so hard. He caused my death. He killed me. Now he is acting so annoying.

" You ruined everything Jonathan. I will never forgive you for that." I said. He smirked.

" I made you who you are. My father did. I want my money and my son back." I ordered.

" James is my son." He shot back.

" You were never there for him. Even in his birthday...." I said.

"I was busy...." He cut me off. But I didn't let him finish.

"Busy sleeping with other women...." I cried.

"Shut up!" He said. He banged the table hard and the sound echoed around. I shook in fear. His temper is always horrible. He raised my chin high, and looked at me. Tears were forcing their selves down my cheeks.

"You can't do anything to me. You are just a mere lady." 

"Nothing is possible." I said.He let go of my chin. When he looked away, I tried to loosen myself once more. He rubbed his face with his hands, consequenyly looking at the syringe that he kept on the table. He smiled, picked it up and waved it at me like a fairy wand.

" That is if you ever remember." He said. I thought of what he just said until he tried to inject me with the liquid.

" It's better that you remain dead anyway..." His voice e hoed in my head. I tried to scream for help but the more I screamed, the more tired I became. My head suddenly felt heavy. Jonathan had removed his mask. He was smiling at me. I couldn't see him clearly; but his smirk ached my heart. Finally, I fell into a deep sleep. Hoping that I will wake up and realize that all which has happened,was a dream...