A Tip Of The Iceberg

She felt a bit nervous as she walked into the house that smelt nothing short of wealth. From the doorstep alone, she could tell the WELCOME footmat would cost more than she's ever earned.

A fruity fragrance hit her nose, the air conditioner feeling so new to her nostrils. She inhaled deeply and her eyes twinkled as they beheld the beauty before them. The luxurious sitting room was the prettiest she had ever seen. 

There was a woman on one of the couches, holding a small cup that steamed with what seemed to be coffee. She was adorned in a short black dress with jewelries blinking on her neck, ears and wrist. And although, she looked older, but she also seemed smart. 

"Good morning, ma'am" Stephanie bowed and greeted, guessing she was the grandma. 

"Good morning to you. How're you doing?" The sophisticated - looking woman asked, giving Stephanie a head - to - toe stare which she noticed. 

"I'm doing just fine, ma'am. Thanks", Stephanie answered a bit anxiously. 

She didn't want to sound offensive to her would-be boss. Besides, the woman looked like someone that could lock her up at the snap of her fingers. 

"Please, sit", she offered, and with another bow, Stephanie took the seat adjacent to her. 

And while the woman supped from her cup, Stephanie ran her eyes round the large room. She noticed a big frame on the wall beside the television - a picture of a young, pretty lady. Could she be the woman's daughter? 

"So", the woman dropped her mug beside her. "I heard your name is Stephanie".

"Yes, ma'am", she beamed with smiles. 

"And you're here for the job. You're aware you have to be a nanny to my grandkids, right?"

"Yes, ma'am. And that would be a pleasure".

The woman drew a deep breath and next from her coffee. 

"So, do you have any experience? Have you worked as one before?" She asked. 

"Uh... I've never worked as a nanny before, but I do have an experience because.... I'm a mother and take care of my son a lot", Stephanie responded, her blush rising immediately. 

"Oh! You have a son?" The woman couldn't conceal her surprise. 

Surely, the lady in front of her looked so young and beautiful, she couldn't believe she was already a mother. 

"Yes, ma'am. He's still very young, tho", Stephanie smiled.

The thought of her little boy was always something that could brighten her day. 

"Hm. I assume you're married, then?" That was the question that wiped every trace of smile from Stephanie's face. 

Her eyes drooped and lowered to the floor as her heart began beating rapidly. 

"Uhm..." she fiddled with her nails. "Actually, I am".

The woman could notice the drastic change in her emotions, she could tell something was wrong. 

"Are you? You don't sound too sure about that" she inquired. 

Stephanie sniffed and looked up at her. 

"The truth is - I am still married. But my husband is currently pressing for a divorce",her voice echoed with pain - pain she had been trying to conceal from the moment she walked through the gate.

"A divorce?" The woman mumbled to herself. 

She felt like asking more questions concerning the divorce but concluded the lady might not be comfortable with it. Now, she was beginning to doubt if she could let a divorcee work for her grandkids. 

There was a round of silence as the woman emptied the last content in her cup. 

"Sorry about that", she sighed. "Let's say... you get the job, you would have two options of working from here, or working from home. In clearer terms, you live here with us or you could come very early from home and leave very late at night when the kids would've been asleep. Also, I must warn you that the kids are... quite stubborn and hate the idea of having a nanny. But I sincerely wish they get to accept you".

"You don't have to worry about that, ma'am. I have my way around kids and will make sure they get to accept me", Stephanie assured. 

The woman bobbed and leaned back on her chair. 

"Their father is mostly busy and away during the day. Same with me. So, your job is to make sure they're safe and have everything they want. You're to prepare them for school, take them there, be responsible for their meals, hygiene - their wellbeing in general. If... you can take the job, your pay will be a thousand dollars per month".

That was the part that trickled Stephanie with excitement. A thousand dollars! If she works for a month or two, that would be enough to move to a different city with her son - just like she wanted! She was definitely taking the job, whether the kids liked it or not. 

"Thank you so much, ma'am. I can't wait to begin",she beamed. 

She truly couldn't wait. 

"Alright, then. The kids should be asleep, I'd have introduced them to you. But it's fine. You may leave now. I'll give you a call when I've made my final decision. Let me have your contact".

"Sure, ma'am".

Stephanie brought out a pen and paper and scribbled down her digits. 

"Thank you so much, ma'am. I'll be expecting your call", she said with so much sincerity. 

"It's fine. You may leave now",the woman replied and Stephanie stood up with her worn-out bag. 

She bowed again before exiting the room.  

Outside, she thought of how nice it would be to get the job. A thousand dollars would definitely go a long way for her as moving to a different city would help her forget quickly about Nathan. She could start a new life with her son. 

The pain of betrayal nearly visited her chest again, but it got interrupted when Stephanie felt something cold being poured on her. It was poured on her head and trickled down to her dress. What?

She flinched as she looked upward and to her surprise, found two kids at the balcony. One held a cup in her hand and Stephanie didn't need to be told they had spilled the liquid on her - on purpose!

They glared at her with detest. And at that moment, Stephanie realized they were the grandkids.