Chapter 4

Melissa’s POV 

 

My alarm rings at exactly 7oclock in the morning. I can’t wake up earlier than that. If I do, then I would look like a vampire. I swear, I love my sleep. 

I freshen up and tie my robe. I make my coffee just the way I like it: very sugary and creamy. Don’t hate. I believe coffee is meant to be enjoyed. 

I don’t understand why people drink coffee black and not sugary. I mean, is there any joy in that? Like I said, don’t hate. I am not going to judge. I feed Molly her treat and get ready for my interview.

I wear a black sheath dress and a white blazer, which I pair with red pumps. I put on some lip gloss and eyeliner, the only makeup I know how to apply correctly. I grab my bag and coat from the rack. The weather around here is unpredictable. 

It is 8 o’clock by the time I finish. I’m making good time. The office is just a thirty-minute drive from my place.

Crossing my fingers.

I snatch my car keys from the counter and waved bye to Molly. I lock the door behind me.

Well, here goes nothing. I hope today turns out well.

 

I enter the company’s building.

Just as I’m about to greet Barbie good morning, she waves me off. So I guess I won’t be greeting her in the future. Instead, I head straight for the elevator and use the access card she assigned me yesterday. 

Today is different. There are no baby cries. It is actually silent and sparklingly clean. 

There is nothing out of place here. Looking at it now, I can almost believe yesterday’s episode didn’t happen. I make my way to the secretary’s desk.

“Good morning. How can I help you?” she asks in a saccharine-sweet voice. 

What is with all the workers here?

“Good morning, I am here for the interview,” I tell her with a smile.

She eyes me with speculation. “Miss Brooks?”

The one and only. “Yes, that is me.”

“I will inform Mr. Edwards you are here.” She picks up the phone.

The mention of his name gives me goosebumps. I can’t help but worry about my behavior yesterday. Was I rude at all yesterday? Did I say anything I shouldn’t have said?

It really doesn’t matter, Melissa.

“He is ready to see you, Miss Brooks,” says the second Barbie, indicating at the closed door on her left.

“Thank you.” I walk away from her desk and go up to the door. 

Should I knock? I mean, Barbie already informed him of my presence.

Just knock, Brooks.

I knock on the door and open it without waiting for a reply. 

The space is bigger than my entire apartment. The walls are made of glass, and have a perfect view of the city. Yet, everything in here, down to the furniture, is plain white, like my presence alone might leave a mark. 

I focus my attention back on the real reason I am here.

“Good morning, sir,” I say as politely as I can. I even add a little saccharine sweetness. 

“Good morning to you too, Miss Brooks. Seeing as you are not the least bit shocked to see me, I presume you have done your research,” he drawls.

I duck my head. “Yes, sir, I am sorry for not recognizing you. I apologize if I said anything inappropriate yesterday.”

I’m not feeling sorry at all. I just thought I should clear the air, so I know that whatever I might have said yesterday won’t hinder my chance of getting the job.

“It is fine, Miss Brooks. Please take your seat.” He points to the chair directly in front of him. 

I sit down carefully, making sure no part of my body touches the white seat. I mean, who uses white furniture in an office?

“You applied for the position of my personal…” 

He’s not really asking, but I answer, anyway.  “Yes, sir.”

“You attended Harvard?” he asks, raising his eyebrows. 

I don’t blame him. I would be surprised, too, if I weren’t me. I never really cared about my education at Harvard, but it was a massive deal for my dad, so I had no other choice. “Yes, sir.”

“Why did you choose my company?” 

“Because I need a job. Besides, your company has great growth potential. I think it will be a good working experience. Being your employee will look good on my CV,” I answer truthfully. I might have been too truthful.

He nods, but appears distracted. “I have an offer for you, Miss Brooks, and I need you to think about it before saying no to me.”

I worry immediately. He wouldn’t ask me to kill someone for him, right? Do I look like a goon? Shut up, Melissa. You really need to stop watching horror movies.

“Okay, sir,” I say after a brief moment of hesitation.

“You met my daughter Lucy already….”

“Yes, and she is adorable,” I gush.

He smiles, again seemingly distracted. “Thanks. I need a nanny for my daughter, and I need one urgently…”

I cut in once more. “Why are you telling me this, sir? Do you want me to search local agencies for you?”

He frowns and shakes his head. “Just let me finish, Miss Brooks, and please do not interrupt me anymore.” 

My face reddens with embarrassment, but I nod.

“I have tried the agencies, but no one wants to be my baby’s nanny. Truth be told, she has gone through a total of ten nannies in just one month.” He seems to consider his words and pauses. 

Ten nannies in one month. Just wow, Lucy. 

“Nobody could last longer than three days with her, and I am in a really tight situation here. Which is why I am offering you a position as my baby’s caretaker.” 

I gotta admit, I didn’t see that one coming. What the hell does he mean by: be my baby’s nanny? Do I look like I'm somebody's nanny? I went to Harvard. I am very sure I applied for the post of assistant. So why the hell is he asking me to be his daughter’s nanny?

“I’m not sure I understand, sir.” I give him a chance to clarify himself.

“I am asking you to be my daughter’s nanny.” He says it slowly this time. 

I wrinkle my nose and shake my head in bafflement. “I don’t understand. You don’t even know me. Why me?”

“Because you were fantastic with her yesterday, and it looked like you know your way around, babies,” he explains, spreading his hands before him. 

I knew yesterday’s episode would come back and bite me in the ass.

I open my mouth to reply, think better of my response, close my mouth, and come up with an alternate one. “Yeah, but… I am not a nanny.” 

“I know. Here is the catch: the pay for the nanny position is double the pay for the personal assistant position,” he says with a shrug.

I clear my throat. “What happens if I refuse?”

“You have a good CV, so you’re still a viable candidate for the personal assistant spot, but it’s not a guaranteed hire. But if you accept this caretaker position on a trial basis and find you can’t manage Lucy, there will be a job waiting for you here in my company,” he says in a perfectly reasonable manner.

Cunning bastard. He knows exactly how irresistible his offer is. Well, how hard can it be to take care of a nine-month-old child?

“You don’t have to give me your answer immediately. You can go home and think about it.” 

I readily agree. “I would like that.”

He hands me a business card. “Call me when you make your decision. Until tomorrow, Miss Brooks.” 

Well, you just got dismissed, Melissa. So get your ass out of his office.

“Have a nice day, sir.” I get up and walk out without waiting for his reply.

I sure hope you have a nice day, Mr. Edwards, because you just ruined my nice day with that offer of yours.