At five thirty on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Elena changed clothes in the staff room and took a bus across Charlotte.
She was studying to become a certified nursing assistant.
Her mother, Lucia, had developed severe rheumatoid arthritis two years earlier.
Elena helped pay rent.
She was also raising her thirteen-year-old brother, Mateo, who lived with their mother.
She never mentioned any of it unless someone asked.
So Adrian called the estate manager.
“Mr. Cole?”
“Graham, I want Elena’s schedule adjusted. She leaves at five on class nights.”
“There may be some resistance from Miss Warren.”
“From Natalie?”
“She prefers the evening staff unchanged.”
Adrian looked through his office window.
“Change it.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And increase Elena’s salary fifteen percent.”
A pause.
“Immediately?”
“Immediately.”
“May I ask why?”
“Because we should have done it months ago.”
The next evening, Natalie approached him in their bedroom.
“I heard you changed Elena’s schedule.”
Adrian glanced up from his laptop.
“She has classes.”
“I know.”
“Then?”
Natalie sat beside him.
“Nothing. I just wish you’d discussed it with me.”
“Why?”
“Because I manage the household.”
Adrian almost laughed.
“You plan events. Graham manages the household.”
“You know what I mean.”
Her smile tightened.
“I’m trying to prepare for a wedding with three hundred people.”
“So we’ll get additional temporary help.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“What is the point?”
Natalie studied him.
Then her expression softened.
“You have such a good heart.”
She touched his cheek.
“I love that about you.”
She kissed him.
The subject disappeared.
But the next morning, Natalie began behaving differently around Elena.
At breakfast, Adrian’s father, Richard, joined them.
Natalie entered the dining room and smiled brightly.
“Elena, my dear, these flowers are lovely.”
Elena froze.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
Richard smiled.
