Two

Lacey wore a big smile as she walked through the double doors of the mansion. She was left speechless as soon as she entered the gates. She did her research on Hespsters but it felt more real with her eyes on it. 

How did she end up here?

After the accident, she was found by her granny three days later. Her granny was loaded some years back but she used up all money for her cancer treatment and donation to the orphanage. The only thing she had to her name was her two bedroom bungalow. 

Lacey had to finish her highschool here. She turned into a ghost after her parents death so she never had any highschool friends or memories. Sydney came along when she was applying for college.

Sydney's parent fell in love with who Lacey was and pleaded with her to share the flat that she would be renting.

Sydney paid for the year but Lacey promised to work her bone off to pay her half. Nobody was in support of that but Lacey had a drive to make money so that she would never be at the mercy of anyone.

Lacey got her first job over the summer after highschool grad. It was at a coffee shop but as her luck would have it, they were forced to shut down. Rumors were the prince found a strand of hair in his latte. That increased her hatred for the royal family even if it might not have been true.

Her next job was at a bakery but she messed up an order and got fired. She moved on to work at a bar. It paid well but her boss wanted to get in her pants and he made it too obvious. She quit the job after giving him the middle finger. Not the smartest choice but she was relieved. She needed money but she wasn't that desperate to take crap from weirdos.

That brings us here. She sighed before moving another step. She was applying to be the nanny for Mrs. Merinda's twins; Nathan and Josh. "Ah! You're early" Merinda smiled as she saw her. Lacey smiled back and nodded. She was suddenly nervous. "I was just setting the table", she said, "the boys never help with the table but hopefully, that would change. I'm sure you have a plan to whip them into shape, don't you?"

"Of course", she choked out. Once she found her tongue, the other words came naturally. "I'm sure your boys will have a positive response to me", she said confidently, "I'm young and they are teenagers. We understand each other". "I hope so. I am really in need. I want to be here for my kids but work has its requests from. I hope I don't come off as a materialistic woman to you?"

"You want to provide for your kids. I can't hold that against you and we live in a pretty expensive system. I get it".

"Thank the heavens!" Merinda let out a nervous laugh, "I was worried there for a second. First impression they say, lasts longer. Why don't we continue this..."

"Why haven't we heard the call for lunch?" A voice interrupted them. Two boys came into the room. The one on the left was in a blue shirt and the other was in red. The red shirt boy was wearing glasses so Lacey knew he was Josh. Merinda had shown her a couple photos of them earlier.

"What's she doing here?" Josh crossed his arms with a frown. "Mom?" Nathan said softly. Note; Josh is rude, Nathan is polite. Lacey thought. "Why does she keep staring?" Nathan snapped. On second thought, they are both mean when the need arises. She concluded in her head. "Hi. I'm Lacey", she smiled, "your Mom and I were in a discussion about you boys. We were almost rounding up. Do you know that she has no idea what Naruto is?"

The boys had excitement in their eyes as she mentioned the anime. "Mom's old school", Nathan chuckled, "did you watch the last episode?" "Watch it?" She scoffed, "I have all the seasons on my laptop". "It's official. She's an American angel". Josh seemed spell bound. "Kids. I want to hire Lacey as your new nanny. What do you think? I promise to listen this time". Merinda quipped.

Josh almost agreed but Nathan held him back and whispered into his head. "You're young and obviously fun", he said, "our former nannies were all programmed and they wanted us to grow vegetables on our heads. What about you?" "I promise that I'm flexible. I'm more than your nanny. I'm your big sister and don't worry about greens. We'll work something out". She added a wink.

Nathan looks satisfied with the answer. "What would you do when Mom says we can't have candy and we want some?" Josh questioned. "Josh!" Merinda scolded. Lacey gave her a look that said 'I've got this'. She moved closer to the boys. "It depends", she said, "would I have to remind you to brush your teeth before bed?" Josh sighed in defeat and turned to his twin, "she's good. Really good". He whispered.

Lacey gave the Hespsters space to make their decision. She tapped her foot anxiously and held her chin. She was worried. They were perfect and it felt natural when she was speaking with the boys. There was a space in her heart that they were filling.

Merinda came out with a smile on her face. "Well, well, Lacey", she started, "you wanted this job before I sang their praises which was surprising and I believe my boys are in perfect hands". "And we get to tell our friends that we have a hot big sister!" They chorused. "Nathan! Josh!" Merinda prompted. Lacey and the boys laughed at Merinda's distressed look.

Lacey was coerced into having lunch with them. She went back to the flat with a huge smile on her face. She dropped on the couch as soon as she entered. She didn't fail to notice that dresses were all over the place. "You're back!" Syd said as she came into the living room. "Yep!" Lacey smiled widely.

"I love that look and you're going to love what I planned next!"

"What is it?" Lacey raised an eyebrow. She was skeptic about Syd and her crazy ideas. 

"Nothing illegal. I am pleading with you to accompany me to a club this evening". "No" Lacey stated bluntly, "I'm not getting wasted tonight or any night". "IH please!" Syd stressed her accent, "it'll be tons of fun. Look at it as you last night freedom. You just got accepted into one of the richest families in England. You'll be in the papers soon enough".

Lacey actually took a breath to think it through. It was her birthday and Syd wasn't wrong about the publicity stuff. She sighed making Sydney's eyes bulge. "Just to be clear", Lacey gave her a stern look, "you didn't convince me. I'm going to save your ass from shit". "Yes!" Syd cheered tossing all the dress on Lacey, one at a time.

Lacey still smiled. She knew what she signed up for the day she agreed to room with the crazy girl.