A Nanny's Love Story (Office Romance Series) Read online

  A Nanny’s Love Story

  Irene Bolton

  Translated by WHO

  Copyright © 2018 Bolton Publishing Ltd.

  All rights reserved.

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this eBook with another person, please purchase another copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this eBook and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1

  “Are you really that highly qualified? You look too young, to tell the truth...”

  This ‘interview’ had already been going for an hour. If you could even call it that, of course. Rather, it was a meticulous interrogation, and I myself was no longer able to think of it as merely an interview. The man seated in front of me had already asked, it seemed, about a thousand questions. Perhaps even more – I wasn’t counting. And he did not like simple and concise answers – he was hungry for details. Before I had even entered the office, he knew everything about me, apparently even more than I knew about myself. He was not only aware that I was finishing my bachelor’s to become a teacher, but also of my performance in college and who could confirm my abilities. He also knew the names of my two previous employers and their children, all their distant relatives, all the servants and additional workers, even the dogs and cats along with their nutritional information and vaccination history. He was not interested in recommendations:

  "You can write anything on your resume!” he said, pushing it aside. Yes, that's exactly what he said. "Tell me: why did you decide to leave your previous employer?" And he looked at me intensely, as if I was doing something completely inappropriate. It was as if he were hiring me not as a nanny, but as an authorized ambassador with access to confidential information. I was frustrated and exhausted but still tried to be polite; I smiled and presented as patient and respectful. In the end, that is what parents expected from people who would spend a lot of time with their offspring in the near future.

  And of course that was plain to me. As the employer, it's important to be secure in the knowledge that any nanny you hire will be patient with your children. So, if a nasty little girl throws a plate of pasta against the wall, for example, this very dish will not be thrown back at her, soaring a couple of millimeters shy of her ear, nor will the nanny up-end a pan with the remaining pasta over her head, but instead calmly say with a smile:

  "You almost hit the bullseye! Such marksmanship! I think you should register for shooting courses!”

  I wouldn’t say my previous employers and pupils were ideal. But for some reason, this man was driving me crazier than the children and their parents together. I could not believe that I had liked him at first. Swarthy skin, strong-willed chin, stubborn lips and eyes... Oh the eyes ... Darker than night, that’s death for females. You look into them once and you are lost. Broad shoulders, strong arms, defined muscles that could not be concealed under the perfectly sewn jacket. I could not see whatever was under the table, and it seemed, I would not ever have the chance to see...

  "You're right," I said. "I think I'm way too young to be that qualified." I rose from my chair. "I will come back to you later, in five years, when I'm old enough to match my qualifications."

  "Sit down," he commanded. He said it quietly, but there was something in his voice that I did not dare to disobey and so, I instantly sat back down. He had the knack for commanding troops, not hiring the nurse.

  "Do you think I'm asking stupid questions?" He frowned, boring into me with his impossible eyes. I really wanted to be honest with him, but for some reason I found it difficult to speak. I couldn’t stand it.

  "Well ... I think you have good reason for them..." I muttered. "Otherwise you would never ask them in the first place..."

  “Karina will be with me for three months. Her mother has to go to hospital, and so our daughter will live with me for a while.”

  He paused, and then he looked thoughtfully out of the window and continued in a distant tone, as if he were talking to himself:

  "Over the past year, we haven’t spent much time together – since her mother left and took her away. I would really like to become closer to my daughter in these three months, but... But I'm a busy person, and I cannot afford to…”

  He shifted his cold look at me and minted each word, as if embedding them into my head:

  “And if, in order to choose the right person, I have to ask stupid questions for several hours at a time, so be it”

  I did not know the story of him and his former wife or what problems they had, or how he liked to torture those who wanted to get a job, but I would not let anyone speak to me like that!

  "I'm sorry, Stan!" I said firmly, referring to the failed employer by his first name. "I'm sorry if I do not suit you. But I will not be able to stand this for a few more hours. I’d prefer not to waste my time.”

  I got up and left, horrified to think what my headmistress would do to me.

  Lauren could have sent more experienced candidates to this interview, but she gave me a chance, because, as she put it, “you have the potential". And again, just as last time, I did not live up to her expectations.

  Looking cute is a great thing if you're not trying to get a job as a governess (or a nanny, or a maid, or a housekeeper, whatever you want to call it) in a family. And if you are trying to, this is ultimately your downfall. I tended to lose most potential clients at the interview stage. In general, fathers were very enthusiastic about hiring me. But the more enthusiastic they became, the less their spouses wanted to hire me.

  No, in this industry, gray middle-aged mice are much more valuable. If you are young and not thoughtful enough, then sorry... Headmistress Lauren had sent me here because the client was a lonely father – no nice lady alongside, gazing at the future nanny with jealousy and contempt.

  It was a pity... I’d almost believed that I would find a good place.

  Anyway, I could understand the wife who’d fled from him to the other side of the world. Living next to such a bore would be quite a challenge. Even if he was a swarthy athlete with a strong-willed chin and eyes that could kill with their intensity…

  I walked through the front gates of the mansion, waved my hand to catch a taxi and thought sadly: If I do not find a job soon, I'll have to forget about taking taxis. And the bus as well I think.

  I was in no hurry to report this failure to Lauren – such news could wait until tomorrow. Besides, it was me who left. It was not Stan who kicked me out of his house. Therefore, we could assume that our interview ended on the usual, "We'll call you soon."

  I was already approaching my flat when a message came through on my phone: ‘Alexandra, you are hired. I will be waiting for you tomorrow at nine to sign the documents and receive instructions. Karina arrives the day after tomorrow.’

&nbs
p; Chapter 2

  I entered the mansion at five to nine. Coming too early would mean boring yourself to death while waiting by the employer's office, in order to demonstrate an excessive interest in the position. Being too late though, is even worse. Irresponsibility and an inability to manage your time effectively are not qualities that should be included in your resume let alone demonstrated on the first day. Five minutes before is the best time to arrive, allowing you to gather your thoughts and, if necessary, to put yourself together.

  Well... I know everything about it. Even more than that. I could write a book – The Best Techniques for landing that Dream Nanny Job. Alas, my knowledge does not seem to help me very much…

  The doors to Stan's office were wide open. That was good, that was nice. For some reason, I always felt awkward if I had to knock and then peek inside and ask, "May I?"

  You were always waiting for a barked, "Busy!" or "Close the door!" Probably because this was what the head teacher in our school used to do and so my child's fragile psyche had suffered.

  My new boss, apparently, did not like to waste time, and even at this early hour was already working. At least, his loud voice was coming from the office. He was obviously giving somebody orders or scolding them their mistakes. Most likely the latter. Also, most likely on the phone, because you could not hear anybody replying to him. That is of course given the second person was not also in the room, just numb with fear.

  It was getting closer to nine, so it was time to indicate my presence somehow. I planned to appear in the doorway. Let the boss notice that the new employee arrived exactly at the appointed time. As I approached the door however, another voice rang out. It was female.

  “Stan, honey, you are wrong. Honey?!”

  I froze in shock. The man I had spoken to yesterday definitely did not look like ‘honey’. Unless of course there was a second, different Stan in the office. I took one more step without giving it a thought and peered into the office. No, there were only two ... The boss sitting at the table, holding a pen in his hands and next to him a tall, slim girl clad in a business suit.

  "I've been working so hard to get this contract done..." she shook the heap of papers in front of his face with indignation."...And now you start to act like this and refuse everything!" Yes, these people were not perfect ... Well, who is perfect nowadays?

  I backed off, dreaming of becoming invisible. The scene, so unexpected and private, was clearly not intended for prying eyes and ears. I was horrified, as if I’d broken into his bedroom or spied through the keyhole. Although, they were to blame themselves – if you do not keep the door wide open, nobody will be able to accidentally eavesdrop. Stepping away from the office, I reached the corner and only there was able to breathe a little bit. I hadn’t planned on unwittingly becoming a witness... But yet I was a witness... To what exactly? A work conflict, or a quarrel between lovers. Or both. I remembered how she’d called him ‘honey’ and shuddered.

  I stood by the hall corner, sincerely hoping that the little girl hadn’t arrived yet. Children had a tendency to appear at the most inopportune moments and interfere in what was happening with their naive thinking. So, if she were here, I would probably have a few uncomfortable questions to answer: “Miss, what are you doing here? Are you hiding from my dad? Are you afraid of him?”

  I imagined how the couple from the office would turn to me at the same time and what expression they would have... I sighed convulsively. I’d have to then prove that I hadn’t intended on it, and that I’d simply happened on it by chance. No, no, no... The fact that I overheard someone else's conversation would remain my little secret.

  I could still hear their voices from the hall. But it was now impossible to make out what was being said. Stan spoke confidently, but quietly. His subordinate, or girlfriend, however, constantly lost control and shouted, “Honey, you’re acting like an idiot! You cannot just refuse such an offer!”

  Chapter 3

  The long hand of the clock on my wristwatch slowly drew nearer the top, and the mystery woman had still not left the boss's office. I did not want to interrupt their sensitive dialogue, full of words such as ‘honey’ and ‘idiot’. At the same time, I did not want Stan to think that I was late. For some reason, it was important for me to make a good impression. Although, what was wrong with that? He was my employer, so the desire to impress him was quite understandable.

  After a couple of minutes, I clearly heard, “Let's continue next time, I have an appointment”. It was my boss’ voice.

  Apparently he had come closer to the door because there was no mistaking his words. It was amazing that he was so punctual! Well, tediousness has its advantages...

  “Let's stop being fools. You'll just sign the papers, and we'll have an entire evening free,” the girl said coyly.

  “No!” snapped the boss. “This transaction will not take place. And this evening, I'm busy…”

  She mumbled something, clearly offended, and a moment later she stormed past, glancing at me briefly. When she had almost left the hall, she then stopped abruptly and turned sharply. It appeared as if it were only now that her brain understood that she’d seen me at the door.

  The girl looked at me intensely. Her gaze was easy to read: surprise and dislike. That was what she was feeling. I did not turn away and instead pretended that I had not heard any of their earlier quarrel. I nodded at her slightly in greeting. I had wondered what the person who was allowed to call Stan ‘honey’ looked like. We would probably meet a lot in the house in the near future, so it was better to be prepared for this.

  The girlfriend (at least as I thought) of my boss looked quite presentable. ‘Extravagant’ was the first thing that came to my mind. Even if she were covered from head to toe with gold and diamonds, she would not look more luxurious than she did now, in this strict suit that perfectly complemented her slender figure. She was wearing jewelry, but only small pieces. One would hardly notice them if it weren’t for the stones that shone so brightly, reflecting the artificial light. Black, smooth hair shone with blue color, evoking the tribal beauty of Native Americans. She was very beautiful. But not very friendly. The girl did not seem to register my greeting and clearly had no intention of nodding in kind. Her noble face remained impassive, only the wings of a thin, aristocratic nose slightly moved. She turned away just as sharply and left, slamming the door after her.

  Despite all the outer glory, she certainly lacked manners and education. At least that was my professional nanny evaluation. A person who combined their private and working lives could not behave the way she had and show that kind of superiority.

  “Alexandra, come in,” the boss's voice dragged me out of my thoughts.

  So, he had seen me. A pity. It would have been far easier to speak to Stan if he’d been naïve to my presence during his morning meeting, one that was both business and personal in nature. Well, at least he knew I arrived on time.

  The boss was sitting at the table. He frowned as I approached. He looked indifferent, cold and powerful. As if nothing had happened between him and the woman. His face gave no impression, revealed nothing.

  “Good morning!” I said softly, trying not to betray incomprehensible shyness. What's wrong with me? I do not behave like this usually.

  “Good day,” Stan nodded to the chair near his desk, calmly waiting for me to sit down.

  Same as yesterday. Déjà vu...

  "Before we start, I want to clarify one thing..." he said, his stare of annihilation on me. He did not blink. He continued, his voice cold as ice, “If you ever again allow yourself to leave and end our conversation without listening to me in full, we will immediately stop our working together. It’s me who decides when the conversation is over. Clear?”

  It’s him who...what?! He was not only a bore, but also a dictator? Who does he think he is? No job in the world was worth this! I'd rather live in poverty than... than... I opened my mouth to voice it all, but for some reason my mouth said timidly, under the impossi
ble glare of the boss, “Excuse me, sorry…”

  Stan nodded, as if concluding the topic, and continued in a less cold tone, “Let's discuss all the conditions once again.”

  We began with the meeting. He told me about my duties and named the amount of monthly payments. It surpassed my wildest expectations and I could hardly contain my joy. It would be unprofessional and I did not think Stan would be happy if he found out that the nanny he hired for his daughter had previously worked in only poorly paid positions.

  I quickly put a small neat signature on the documents. An attentive person can learn a lot by observing another person’s handwriting. Judging by my signature I was calm. It revealed that I was a balanced person with high concentration and integrity.

  "Well, now you have to get acquainted with Karina’s schedule," for the first time I caught something that looked like doubt in his voice.

  And the next second, I realized why. He put a very thick folder in front of me.

  "Check it now, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me," the boss rubbed his forehead wearily and winced.

  After our discussion yesterday, I didn’t wish to ask him anything. He could get mad again. And I decided that there was no need to start a dialogue. But after running my eyes over the contents of the first page, I couldn’t help but look up at him and ask, with hardly concealed surprise, “Chinese?”

  “It gives a lot of opportunities,” he shrugged. “Half the world speaks Chinese nowadays. Do not worry, you just have to take her to the tutor.”

  I went back to reading, and as I turned over the pages, I felt more and more sad for Karina. Her days were almost fully scheduled with activities. Reading, playing chess, playing musical instruments, several foreign languages, gymnastics...

  An image of an unhappy girl was forming in my mind; a girl sitting glumly and staring longingly at her doll. She wanted to play with it but there was absolutely no time left. And she did not have time to play ball or run barefoot on the grass. And her father had such a splendid glade in the yard in front of the house...