Chapter 3: You're Hired

For a few seconds, Sarah didn't know what to do. It was like time had frozen. He was walking towards her in slow motion, his dark hair perfectly combed, his honey-colored eyes bright as the sun, his sharp jawline covered with a very thin but neat beard.

He looked like a Hollywood movie star. And then she realized she was dressed like a teenager. Not that she wasn't young, because she was, but she suddenly wished she had dressed better for the occasion.

She wasn't fitting in the scenario; her Converse sneakers, her old jeans, and her loosen ponytail. Her golden-red hair and her green eyes were the only things she could be proud of at that moment. All of a sudden, she wished she looked more like a woman and less like a girl. That would probably make her feel more professional in front of a billionaire CEO.

"Good morning, Miss Johnson." His hoarse voice invaded her ears like he was some type of god. It definitely suited him.

"Er… Good morning, Mr. Reed," she replied, getting up abruptly and bowing to him as a sign of respect. She felt ridiculous immediately after that, but kept her well-mannered etiquette.

He scanned her from head to toe, probably analyzing her choice of clothing for a job interview. It wasn't that bad, Sarah thought in her defense, even though she was the one criticizing it a few seconds before.

He pointed to the chair behind her, and she seated again, swallowing with difficulty. Why was her mouth dry all of a sudden? She was more nervous with his presence than with the interview itself.

"Do you have any experience with being a nanny?" He asked straightforwardly, not even introducing himself or offering her a cup of coffee.

"Er… I don't, but I take care of my grandmother. And I love kids," she added, seeing that her answer wasn't probably what he was expecting.

Mr. Reed crossed his arms in front of his chest, unaware of why that girl caught his attention. She wasn't anything special at all. She even dressed like a college girl.

"No experience then?" he repeated, still looking at her.

His gaze was making her feel embarrassed. It was like he could strip her soul with only his eyes. Beautiful and shining eyes, but still.

"I'm really good with kids. I'm sure you will give me a probationary period to see if I fulfill your requirements."

Victor raised his brows.

"Of course," he answered. "The last nanny was fired because she hit my nephew."

"So I heard," Sarah replied, trying to understand where she took the courage to talk to him so calmly now. It was like his eyes were defying her, and that was making her very angry somehow.

"Good. So I'll be much more strict from now on, to whoever gets this position."

"I understand. You can rest assured that I'd never hit a kid, especially one that's not my own." Sarah locked her eyes with his, even though her whole body was shivering inside.

How could someone be so imposing and exhale so much power without even moving? He was definitely distant and cold, but for some reason, she couldn't take her eyes off him.

Victor analyzed her for a few minutes without saying a word. And when he did, he was even ruder than before.

"What is it that you do? Do you work?"

"I work at a coffee shop. I need to pay the bills from the hospital. My grandmother is sick, so…"

"I didn't ask about your family. I just asked about your professional life," he interrupted her, making Sarah gasp in surprise.

"I'm sorry. I thought you'd like to know that I'm a good person, for professional purposes, of course. Guess I was wrong," she concluded, looking at her hands and trying hard not to cry.

"Yes, you were."

Why did he have to be so rude?

But Victor kept his eyes on her the whole time. Something that was really bothering him. Why couldn't he simply look away from that woman? What did she have that could possibly be special?

It was true that he did enjoy the way she talked to him, from equal to equal, trying to make conversation. He was used to people being scared of him and he didn't care, to be honest.

He could feel that she was intimidated by his presence, but she didn't look scared. It was more like she was nervous to get the job. Did she really need it that much? Now he regretted not letting her speak about her grandmother.

"The job requires you to live here. I'll pay you very well, of course. But I need you to be with my nephew the whole day. Would that work for you?"

"How much would you pay me?"

He raised his brows again. Victor pondered if he should say it right away or test her a bit more. He was actually enjoying this particular interview, even though he didn't know exactly the reason for that.

He got up and grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and wrote down a few numbers. When he handed it to the woman, he saw her eyes widening in shock and her hands slightly shaking.

"That… That would work for me. I could treat my Nana…" She whispered the last part to herself, but he heard it.

Why was he so curious about her?

"Benjamin takes his classes here. I heard you know Spanish and French?" Victor changed the subject, ignoring the questions inside his mind.

"I do know Spanish, but my French is not very good," she answered honestly, finally taking her eyes out of the paper and looking at him.

"You can teach him as well. I'll ask Carter to give you Benjamin's schedule."

"Who's Carter?" she asked, a bit more excited now. Even though they didn't sign any contract yet, it sounded like he was willing to hire her.

"The butler." He simply said.

"Is there anything else I need to know, Sir?" she completed, already annoyed with his temper. Didn't they teach important people that you can get much more by being polite and nice to others? Were rich people always that rude?

"You'll have a three-month probationary period. After that, we can talk again and see if you still want to continue here. If you don't screw up before that, of course."

"I won't screw up, sir. Don't worry," she answered sharply, but regretting right away.

Mr. Reed was going to pay her really well, enough for her to pay the bills for her grandmother's treatment. She could even put her in a very good nursing home, with medical assistance. Nana would finally have a good life quality. And perhaps even be cured.

Sarah could barely keep her excitement inside. But Mr. Reed was making it hard for her to externalize that. She understood that they were only employee and employer and their relationship would be strictly professional, but it would be nice to have a rational talk for a change.

"Good." Victor got up and closed his suit blazer in a very businessman pose. "I'll have someone sending you the contract then."

"When do you want me to start?" Sarah asked, also getting up from her chair.

"I'll give you the weekend to get things ready on your end. I'll expect you here on Sunday."

"Okay," Sarah said in a low voice. She didn't have a lot of time to find somewhere good for her grandmother, but she would do her best.

She definitely couldn't screw that up. Not only because she needed the money, but also because she didn't want to give Mr. Reed the satisfaction of knowing he was right and she couldn't handle it.

She would prove to him that she could be the best nanny in the world. Even if he made her life a living hell.