Taint Me

The beginning

With a brief smile, I thank the stewardess for her help to get out of the mess at the plane door, a narrow space from which we all seem to want to flee.

I am finally in Malaga, at its airport. I'm surprised by how muggy it already is in the city being so early, although the day doesn't look bad at all, except for what I have to do and where I have to go.

It's eight in the morning and before anything else, I take out my phone and send a short message to my parents.

I have almost reached my destination, where I will spend the three summer months... I sigh resigned. In less than an hour I'll be in the famous Campbell family home, at my new job, one I already hate before I've even started.

Gisele's message to Isabel. At 8:00:

I've just arrived. Fatigued and tired. I have taken the pill. With encouragement... you understand me. I love you.

Changes are not my thing. Leaving Lugo, my house, my family and my peace of mind makes my heart skip a beat, even more so when I think about why I am going to spend the summer at the house of those wealthy people.

The word "plugged in" resonates in my ears, something that I don't usually do at work...

My friend Noa is in charge of looking after the family's summer house, their housekeeper so to speak, and when she saw me desperate not to find a job, a job that I need to continue studying and do a master's degree, she told them about me. to Messrs. Campbell.

Noa is a great, if demanding, friend. I met her seven years ago during one of my stays in the city, when I came to visit my brother Scott, who settled here looking for changes in his life. Thanks to him I have been able to make new friends and spend a few seasons in Malaga. Unfortunately, never in summer.

The Campbells have been living in this city for five years now and it seems they intend to continue doing so. It helps them to disconnect from the hectic life they have in New York and they even consider moving permanently, since, apparently, their business here is going quite well... Or so I think, because we have never met and I had not been interested for them until four days ago, when I agreed to be the maid.

Noa needed new employees for the house and I, after finishing my journalism degree and unsuccessfully looking for work in my profession, was forced to accept her offer...

Although following orders is not my thing, I will try to learn to submit to people I don't quite like.

I load my few luggage and stop at the airport cafeteria, from where I call Noa, while I prepare to recover my strength.

- Chalk? she asks, worried.

"The same, to serve you," I scoff, knowing how much she hates him. I have arrived. I'm going to have a good boost at Coffee & Tea, the flight has left me groggy, and then I'm going there. I was just calling to let you know and for you to be calm.

—Here everything is already underway, don't be late and make me look bad the first day, understood?

"Can I at least have breakfast without choking?" I am dehydrated. —I smile and get ready to chop it—: What awaits me...! I haven't arrived yet and you're already rushing me.

"Gis, don't start complaining, this isn't just any job," she scolds me seriously. Especially yours, that you will be the one to serve the family. Also, it will only be three months and then you will have enough money to be able to continue with your studies without worries; the amount you will earn is very good.

-In exchange for? Noah, from eight in the morning until eleven at night! That is abuse! I yelled unintentionally, drawing curious glances. Having free Sundays is very little. I won't be able to see Emma or Thomas.

When he hears me, he stays silent. I imagine her disgruntled expression, her reproachful eyes.

"Is that really what you want?" She scolds me annoyed. Do you want to spend the rest of your life with a man who only thinks about going to the gym? We are tired of telling you that he is not worth it, that he is not for you. I grind my teeth and order an orange juice accompanied by toast. I don't understand what the hell is wrong with Thomas. Why do you hate him like that?

He and I met two years ago, on one of my visits to Malaga, and since then we have become very close, but both Noa and my brother Scott hate him intensely. I do not understand. It's true that Thomas loves to stay in shape, but what's wrong with that? He's a handsome guy, twenty-six years old, why wouldn't he take care of himself? "Noa, don't talk about Thomas like that," I scold her seriously. You know we're just friends and there's no love interest between us... I don't understand

the dislike you have for him.

"He eats you with his eyes!" she exclaims in exasperation. I don't know how you don't realize that he only intends to take you to bed. And I'm not going to let you be his toy! Scott would kill him.

Reluctantly, I laugh at his comment. What do you think, that because you are two years older than me, you can manage my life? That's not gonna happen. I snort loudly. I'm not the kind of woman who accepts any order, especially one that's so ridiculous... Both my brother and Noa take care of me like a girl and, although it sometimes seems so because of my outbursts and stubbornness, I'm not.

-You shut up? he asks quietly. There won't be something you're not telling me, right? Come on, Gis, I can't believe it. Have you seriously sunk that low?

"You'll be a bug!" Come on, shut up already. Poor Thomas.

—The other day I ran into him, or rather, he came to the Casita and asked me about you. I told him I didn't know anything.

I let out a laugh without being able to help it.

—Well, it didn't help you much, because yesterday we talked on the phone and I told him everything. We'll see each other in a few days, or rather, when the Campbells give me a break.

—A breath to see a tormentor. What a heavy man. Noa and I have a very good relationship, very complicit. But for several days things have been a little tense, because she seems too obsessive with my work at the Campbell house. Since we met, he welcomed me and protected me, now I think in excess. Maybe he sees me as the little sister he never had.

"Noah, we'd better drop the subject." I'm going to have breakfast with what little peace I have left and I'll see you in hell in no time. And relax, it's going to give you something.

—Gisele...

"Wow, you're already mad. If you call me by my full name it is to fear you. I laugh as I sit down to eat breakfast. I have missed you too. Give Manu kisses. I'll call my brother later, I guess he'll be at work.

—I'm going to give Manu a shit.

-What are you saying? I can't believe you're still like this...! His silence confirms that I am not mistaken. What is it for this time?

"I'll tell you, but my marriage is sinking," he confesses with a small voice. I think there is no going back, even if I want to avoid it. I've given him an ultimatum, but I don't think he'll listen to me.

—I already told you that you were getting married very young, but, well, as you say, there's no turning back.

"That's right, thank goodness that your affair with Álvaro came to nothing," he suddenly recalls, making me gag. I don't think I know a dumber and more ridiculous man than him.