Chapter 5

Amy

I sighed as I plopped down on my bed after returning to my small apartment from the interview. I found the experience to be somewhat strange. Nannying was never part of my career plan, but when Mara approached me about it two weeks ago, I couldn’t help but feel perplexed. I probed her for more information, wondering how she even got wind of this opportunity. It appeared like the kind of position that required exclusive connections. To enter the building for the interview, I had to provide a mysterious coded message that Mara had given me. It all felt rather clandestine.

I knew I should be grateful for the opportunity, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Mara was keeping something from me. I mulled over the job offer, and there was no denying that I desperately needed it. My attempts at landing a teaching job elsewhere had been futile, as the entire district was grappling with severe budget cuts, resulting in countless layoffs. With a sigh, I reluctantly agreed to the interview, a decision that led me to embark on a 40-minute drive to the imposing corporate building.

Stepping into the building, I immediately sensed that I didn’t belong there. I had no desire to be part of the corporate world, with its artificial smiles and elusive agendas. I might sound judgmental, but past experiences with such environments had left a bitter taste in my mouth.

Take, for instance, my encounter with the receptionist at RC Enterprises. Dressed impeccably in a black pantsuit, she sported heavy makeup and a bitchy face that told me beforehand what to expect. The moment she spotted me, she rolled her eyes and condescendingly remarked, “How many times do I have to tell people like you that we don’t run a charity program here?”

I offered a tight smile. “Well, maybe people mistake your face for a charity case.”

“Excuse me?” she retorted, flustered, as I heard snickering from the two girls beside her.

“I’m here for an interview for the role of nanny,” I clarified. I was not interested in continuing this pointless conversation.

“You?” she asked, scrunching up her nose and casting a scornful gaze at me from head to toe.

“Yes, me. Any issues with that?” I shot back. The receptionist seemed taken aback by my response. As if I were going to back down from a showdown!

Fortunately, the situation was diffused by the kinder colleague beside her, who stood up and intervened. “Kela, please stop. I’m sorry about my colleague’s behavior. Miss, would you mind sharing the interview message or code you received on your phone with me?”

I handed her the message, and she guided me to the top floor for the interview, for which I was grateful. My anger towards Kela’s behavior had clouded my judgment, and I had even forgotten to ask for the helpful colleague’s name.

The interview itself seemed to go well, though it’s always hard to gauge these things accurately. However, if I were to secure the position, it would mean financial security and peace of mind, a far cry from the sleepless nights spent worrying about mounting hospital bills. Moreover, it would grant me the privilege of teaching and witnessing a child’s learning journey once again, a joy I found hard to put into words.

My stomach rumbled loudly, a harsh reminder that I hadn’t eaten since morning. My heart ached for my mother, whom I hadn’t been able to visit that day. I missed her dearly.

With a heavy sigh, I washed up and made my way to the kitchen, only to find a solitary can of fish in the fridge. My nose wrinkled in distaste. It seemed there was no other option.

I ran out of money yesterday when I had to get an injection for my mum. I was officially broke, and the impending rent payment due next week weighed heavily on my mind. I had never missed a rent payment, and the thought of starting now was daunting. I could only hope and pray that I’d land the nanny job. Otherwise, homelessness loomed as a stark possibility.

I groaned and made up my mind to go to bed. I’ve got a long day ahead of me. First, I needed to visit my mother in the morning, and then I had another job interview at the public library. Although I was uncertain about the latter position, my financial situation left me with no choice.

As I lay in bed, on the brink of sleep, my phone suddenly rang. Seeing Mara’s name on the screen, I couldn’t help but smile. I answered with anticipation in my voice.

“Hey, how did it go?” she asked.

“It was okay. I think I did well,” I replied.

“That’s great! I am sure you will get the job,” she said.

“I hope so. I really need it,” I sighed.

“I am confident that you will. Just stay positive,” she encouraged.

“I will. Thanks, Mara. For everything,” I said.

“Don’t mention it,” she quipped.

We said our goodbyes, and I hung up the phone. I placed my phone carefully on the bedside table, my thoughts consumed by the job offer. I couldn’t help but hope, even though it felt almost too good to be true. I truly needed this opportunity.

Just as I was beginning to drift off to sleep, my phone rang once more, and I groaned softly. What could Mara want now? With a mix of curiosity and annoyance, I answered the call without checking the caller ID.

“Hello,” I mumbled, trying to sound awake and composed.

“Hello, Ryan Crawford here. Am I talking to Miss Amy Castello?” The voice on the other end was commanding, and it sent a shiver down my spine. My blanket got tangled in my leg, and I ended up collapsing onto the floor in a clumsy mess. Great, just great!

“Yes, Mr. Crawford. How can I help you?”I replied, trying to regain my composure as I glanced around the room from my place on the floor.

“Ms. Castello, I have checked everything and I would like to offer you the position as my son’s tutor and nanny,” he said, his tone stern and unwavering.

The words hung in the air for a moment, and then the reality of the situation hit me. I had received the job offer I so desperately needed. Without thinking, excitement bubbling over, I blurted out, “Really? Oh, my God. Thank you. I am so happy I could kiss you right now. Ahh!”

My exclamation was followed by a brief, awkward silence. Panic washed over me as I realized what I had just said. Did I just state that I wanted to kiss him? When will I learn? He is going to retract the offer if I don’t correct myself.

“Hmm. I am so sorry, Mr. Crawford. I just blabbed out in excitement. But thank you so much for the opportunity,” I quickly added, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I desperately hoped I hadn’t ruined my chances with my unfiltered response.

“Yeah. Report at my house at 9 am sharp. My assistant will send you my address and the rest of the details,” he said curtly.

“Thank...” I began, but before I could finish my sentence, the line went dead. Rude!

I squealed as I glared at the phone. I got the job. I will finally be able to pay my mother’s hospital bills and my basic necessities. I gathered myself and texted Mara to express my gratitude. She had played a significant role in this opportunity, and I owed her immensely.

As I placed my phone back on the nightstand, I couldn’t help but reflect on the magnitude of what had just transpired. I was going to be the nanny and tutor for the son of one of the most renowned and private men in New York City. The weight of the responsibility and the uncertainty of the situation began to sink in.

I couldn’t sleep the whole night because I was so excited. I couldn’t stop thinking about Ryan Crawford while I tossed and turned in bed. I have rarely seen him in the media, as he is a private man. He is one of those geniuses who, according to rumors, can alter the course of history. His company, RC Enterprises, was a global IT powerhouse. Yet, despite his fame and fortune, he had managed to stay mostly hidden from the public eye.

I attempted to research him online, hoping to glean some information, but the search yielded little more than a few images and vague references. It seemed that Mr. Crawford valued his privacy. I couldn’t help but wonder why he had chosen me for this role.

Unable to contain my excitement and anxiety, I finally gave up on sleep and decided to take a cold shower. The shock of the cold water helped clear my mind, and I emerged feeling more alert. I dressed in my most comfortable yet presentable clothes, added a touch of lip gloss and mascara, and nodded at my reflection with a hint of satisfaction.

I checked my phone and saw the text. I grimaced as I realized it would take me about an hour to get there. I jammed to Beyonce songs while driving towards the richest part of town. Singing loudly in the car is like a form of therapy for me. It calms me down, which is certainly needed for my anxious mind right now.

I double-checked the address when I got there to be sure that I was where I was supposed to be. I was in the appropriate spot. I accelerated toward the massive black gates, where a guard was standing. 

“Please give your name and the reason you are at Crawford Residence,” the guard demanded, his tone matching his stern demeanor.

“I am Amy Castello. I am the nanny to Mr. Ryan Crawford’s son,” I replied, mustering a polite smile.

The guard uttered a few words into his walkie-talkie, and the gates slowly opened, granting me entry into a world of opulence and grandeur.

I gasped in awe as I beheld the modern castle that was the Crawford Residence, nestled amidst acres of pristine land with no neighbors in sight. A meticulously trimmed row of miniature trees lined the long driveway, leading up to the entrance, where a magnificent fountain stood as a welcoming sentinel.

Wow! I felt as if I had walked into a movie scene.

It was a stark contrast to my modest home, and I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nervousness. What had I gotten myself into?

With sweaty palms and a racing heart, I approached the massive front door. After ringing the doorbell and receiving no immediate response, I rang it again, my anticipation building with each passing second.

The door finally swung open, revealing a small boy with light brown hair, a round, cherubic face, and mischievous brown eyes. He stood before me, grinning impishly.

“Hi, I am Amy,” I said with a smile.

“Yes. You must be my new nanny. I am Liam,” he replied, his smile widening.

The cute face plastered with a naughty smile confused me. “Yes, I am. Nice to meet you,” I replied, extending my hand. Liam shook my hand enthusiastically, his chuckles filling the air.

“May I know where your father is?” I inquired, concerned that a 5-year-old boy should not be left alone.

“Oh, he is busy. Come, I will show you my room,” he said, trying to hide his smile.

“Are you alone?” I asked, worried about the situation. How could someone leave such a young child unattended?

“Nah. Jim is in the bathroom. Come fast, catch me!” he giggled mischievously and darted towards the stairs, inviting me to chase after him.

My heart raced as I chased after Liam, trying to catch up with his youthful energy. I called out to him, my voice filled with concern, “Liam, stop running. It’s not safe!”

He giggled and sped up his pace. I puffed out a breath, ready to give chase, but soon, my lack of physical activity became apparent as I struggled to keep up with Liam’s energetic sprint. I huffed, trying to catch my breath. I definitely needed to start exercising if I was going to keep up with this little whirlwind.

Bending over slightly, I tried to calm my racing heart, but when I finally looked up, I found myself in an empty hallway. Panic crept in as I called out, “Liam?” but received no response.

Surveying the hallway, I noticed a few visible rooms, but one in particular had its door slightly ajar. A smirk crossed my face as I thought I had finally cornered the elusive Liam.

With a triumphant squeal," I caught you," I swung the door open, fully expecting to find the young boy on the other side. However, what met my eyes halted me in my tracks.

My throat went dry, taking in the sight before me. There stood a man, tall and extraordinarily handsome, with only a towel around his waist. Water droplets clung to his bare chest, forming rivulets that flowed gracefully along the contours of his well-defined six-pack abs. His dark, wet hair contrasted sharply with his fair skin as he vigorously rubbed it with another towel.

Unable to tear my gaze away, I felt a lump form in my throat. I had never seen a man this attractive in my life, and my cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson. My heart pounded erratically, like a drumbeat of shock and embarrassment.

“Miss Castello?”