"First off," I say calmly, "yelling isn't gonna help either of us. Second, I'm just the nanny. I'm not here for whoever your boyfriend is." I say and turn back to the stove without waiting for her to keep going. But obviously, she doesn't stop.
"Of course," she scoffs. "They'd hire someone like you. You don't even belong in this neighbourhood. My boyfriend's the man of the house. He'll fire you after I talk to him." She says it softer this time, smirking, all proud of herself. I glance at her and nod.
"If thats what makes you happy," Just then, Seb and Niko walk in and hug her and let me tell you it's the fakest hug I've seen. I'm standing there wondering... am I the problem?
She smirks at me and sits next to Seb. After I finish setting the table, lay out the food. Mr and Mrs Armani walk in just as I'm wiping my hands. And this girl morphs instantly.
"Ohh, Émilie! When did you get here?" Mrs. Armani gasps, smiling like it's Christmas.
"Not long ago, I was around and came in to say hi,"
Her voice is suddenly sweet, and soft, like she's auditioning for a Disney Princess role.
"That's so sweet. Stay for dinner! Have you met our new nanny, Jordan?" Mrs. Armani beams at me, looking all proud. Emilie looks at me with the nicest smile and waves, ew. I nod politely and excuse myself before I commit a felony with a soup ladle.
Who even is her boyfriend?
I head upstairs to wake Aleyna, I help her shower and get her dressed. She's independent for her age, just needs someone to double-check she didn't wear her pyjamas inside out. Once she's dressed, she runs off to eat. I go knock on Siena's door next.
"Dinner's ready," I call and follow as she exits her room silently. Everyone in the family is quiet as heck.
⚬⚬⚬
"Jordan," Siena calls out as she finishes her food.
I turn to her, lifting an eyebrow.
"What's wrong?"
"Homework," She mutters, barely meeting my gaze.
"Are you asking for help?" She rolls her eyes and gives the smallest nod, still avoiding eye contact.
"ok," she runs upstairs, The others eat quietly while I sit on a tiny stool waiting for her. The others keep eating quietly while I sit on this tiny stool, waiting for her to come back.
The family dynamic is... honestly, boring. No real conversation. The only ones talking are Sebastian, Nikolai, and Émilie who's trying to drag Lev into it, but he either acts deaf or gives a dry half-nod. I think he's the boyfriend, cause it can't be Mr Armani or Sasha.
Suddenly, a familiar burning sensation spreads through my entire chest and lungs. I have a condition that causes heart palpitations, irregular rhythms, chest pain, shortness of breath etc. Sometimes it gets so severe I black out, and my whole body aches.
There's no cure, just treatment and I strive to avoid it cause it's painful, unpleasant, and honestly, I hate it. So instead, I just deal with it and I have asthma too. Fun.
I fan myself as sweat slides down the back of my neck, letting out a slow, steady exhale. This is definitely a call for me to start taking medication again, but will I? Prolly not.
"You okay?" Sebastian's voice pulls me out of my thoughts and is loud enough for everyone to hear. Perfect. Now the whole table is staring. Thanks a lot, Seb.
"Fine," I reply and wipe my neck with a cloth, mine. Siena walks in minutes later with her book and hands it to me. Let's hope my dyslexia doesn't fail me.
"language," she says flatly, her voice empty.
I skim through her homework after guessing half of the words. She's taking Romanian, Spanish and German and failing all of them.
