Aphrodite (RDJ / Scar Jo)

Job offer

The tears streamed down Isabelle’s face ever since the alarm clock went off, that morning.

She was glad that her mother helped her waking up her little boy and getting him ready, while she finished packing some final things.

It broke her heart to leave her six year old son, Theo, and her mother, Lisa, back there, where she grew up. But she had to, she knew she would never get a proposition like that ever again.

She had grown up in a Californian neighborhood, and always had a relatively good life, with her parents. But ever since her father tragically died in a car accident, their lives had sunk. Her mother, as always, made a huge effort to make their life as good as possible, and so did Isabelle, as soon as she was able to work, trying to find small jobs around and earn some little money.

However, luck was not on their side, they were not able to get stable jobs and, with a few issues going on the neighborhood, they ended up having tons of difficulties.

After her little boy was born, they saw themselves in the need of even more money, obviously, to raise him properly and to give him all the best. As to his father, he didn’t seem to care he was going to be a father, when Isabelle told him the news.

So, she carried on with her life, and despite all the difficulties, she couldn’t complain, because she was happy with her mother and her beautiful Theo.

But when that proposition appeared, offering a good job, with an even better salary, in Island Paradise, Bahamas, at a hotel, she thought she could not say no.

For the sake of her family, the ones she loved the most in this world, she had to take it.

She would finally be able to buy Theo many things he wished, give him presents he always talked about. She knew how sad he felt for seeing other kids with tons of things that she was not able to give him.

She felt sad as well, more than anyone thought.

“Mommy?” her boy entered the room “Grandma is calling… we are ready”

Belle turned to Theo, smiling sadly “I’m gonna miss you” she hugged him

“I’m gonna miss you so much, mom!” he hugged her tight “Why can’t I go with you?!”

“And leave grandma here, alone?” she caressed him “I will be back soon, or, if everything goes well, take you both there. Why not?” she smiled “I just want you to be a big boy and be good to grandma, ok?”

“Of course mommy” he refused to let go of her

“Oh” she kissed his cheek “I love you, baby”

“Love you too, mommy”

It didn’t take them a long time to finally leave the neighborhood and reach the airport.

“Are you sure you want to go?” Lisa asked

“It’s for the best, mom” Belle spoke “I’ll send you money as soon as I can” she smiled “Let’s stop this life… shall we?”

Lisa smiled and hugged her “I’m so proud of you…”

Belle smiled “I’m gonna miss you so much…” she pulled Theo to them as well “Take care of each other, deal?”

“Deal” the lady and the little boy said.

That was when the loud speaker went on and announced her flight.

“Call me!” she shouted, starting to walk away, with tears in her eyes

“You too, Belle” Lisa sobbed “Please, be fine!”