Page 4 of Care: Part 1

"Oh, right."

He cleared his voice before looking over her file once more.

"Tell me, Avelina, why do you go out of your way to care for others? One of your clients left a review stating, 'my children don't look after me the way Miss Santos does. The nights I can't sleep, she comes to my home to sing me my favorite song because she knows it helps me sleep at night. I will never forget her. That woman deserves a raise'," Johnathan read, then glanced up to look at Avelina once more.

She smiled as she immediately recognized the person that left the message. He was an older man, and she could remember the calls he made to her phone almost every night. She didn't mind putting him to sleep because it always caused a feeling of proudness to run through her.

"It's my job. Every time I take care of others, I think about how I'd want them to treat me. Most of the people I care for are lonely and don't have anyone to watch over them. The contract states I can only care for them for three months, so I make sure that it is the best three months of their lives. They deserve that," she answered softly.

"As you already may know. It's not usual for me to come directly to my employees for a job," Johnathan stated. "I told you on the phone that I had a friend who needed a caregiver and a nurse. I see that you planned to resign in the fall of this year to return to your home in Brazil. Miss Paola was supposed to be your last client, but I have a new proposition for you.”

He slid a piece of paper out in front of her.

She picked up the thin sheet as her eyes glanced over it. There was a large amount of money written on top in bold letters leaving her eyes to widen.

"You're going to pay me one-hundred-thousand dollars for one person?" She asked, sounding confused.

The highest she had ever made on a contract was a tiny fraction of that amount.

What was so special about this mystery person?

"Because there is more. This client takes confidentiality to the greatest extent there is. Everything said, seen, heard, discussed—cannot be disclosed to anyone. That includes me. The contract is the normal three months, and once that three months is over, you can return to Brazil.”

She looked down at the paper as her brows furrowed, and mind attempted to put the missing pieces together.

"Why is he so secret? I don't disclose any of my clients' information. It's a part of the caregiving policy. Why is the money so much for this particular person?”

He leaned back in his chair before grabbing a pen and handing it to her.

"He's a phenomenally successful businessman. He makes millions and just opened a new operation that'll make him a billionaire. He has a lot of power, and when you have power, everyone around you wants it. If people find out you know more about this man than anyone else, they will stop at nothing to get information out of you. This contract states that under no circumstances would you ever say anything to anyone," Johnathan answered.

Her eyes continued to quickly read over the lengthy contract until she saw the name 'Adrik Zolotov.’ She heard of his name before but could not exactly remember from where.

"Are you saying that someone would possibly kill me just to know what water temperature this man likes his baths?"

"I'm saying he's the most powerful man HomeCare has ever worked with; It's a susceptible case," he stated.

She nodded her head slowly in understanding.

"If you sign the confidentiality form in the back, I will be able to tell you more about him. It doesn't mean that you accept the job, but it means that what we discuss won't be talked about with anyone else.”

She flipped over to the back and made sure that he wasn't lying. After reading through it, she picked up the pen and signed her name on the line.

"The man's name is Adrik Zolotov. He's twenty-nine years old, owns casinos and a few companies. He is beyond intelligent. The last time I checked, Adrik was fluent in fifteen different languages. This man also can read people so well that it may scare you.”

"What is wrong with him? You said that he is twenty-nine. That is noticeably young to need a caregiver. Most of my clients are in their sixties," she pointed out.

"He's had it since he was born but didn't know until recently when a doctor diagnosed him with Asperger’s. Well, no one uses that term anymore—it's Autism Spectrum Disorder," he said.

Avelina's brows furrowed once more.

"ASD? He's a billionaire with Autism; that’s quite inspiring," she said, smiling slightly.

Johnathan let out a sigh. There was so much more to Adrik that he couldn't quite tell her because she would run away in fear.

"To take care of a man like Adrik Zolotov is amazingly easy. He's gone on business a lot, and he mostly takes care of himself. He only requires assistance on minor things.”

Nodding her head, she completely understood. "I can do it. How bad can it be?"

As she signed her name on the contract, Jonathan could only frown.

"Perfect. You get the money at the end of the three months. Mr. Zolotov will need to sign the contract at the end of the three months to release you to Brazil,” Johnathan began, “Also, the man lives extremely far in a secluded area, so it is expected of you to move in—if that's not a problem.”

"Not at all. I've moved in with a few of my clients before.”

He stood up and shook her hand, guilt trying to take over his features. She was making a deal with the devil and didn't even know it.

"Great. You start tomorrow. I will be sending you the address and going to your house at around ten to pick you up," he stated, ready to turn around a leave before she changed her mind.

"Wait, what about Miss Paola?"

“We already have the perfect person for her. She'll be okay."

He hurriedly turned on his heel and exited the coffee shop with one thing on his mind; Adrik would ruin her.