Nanny ___ Chaesoo

Chapter 4

Rosé. 
                     

The lobby of the Imperial building was as imposing as it was beautiful. It was obvious to me that I didn't belong, and I was sure the others milling around the area realized it too. An older, portly gentleman opened the door for me, bending his head. "Good morning, miss." 

                     

"Uh, hi." I walked through the doorway and stood hesitantly for a moment. "I'm here to meet Mrs. Kim. I guess I'll be staying here. I mean..." I trailed off with a shrug, not sure what else to say. 

                     

"Wonderful. My name is Bill, Miss...?" 

                     

"Park, but please call me Rosé." 

                     

He nodded again. "Thank you, Miss Rosé. Go straight to the door marked Security down the hallway. I'm certain Mrs. Kim will have left the information with the office, and they'll process you." 

                     

That sounded official and slightly daunting. Managing a shaky smile, I thanked him and turned in the direction he pointed. I found the security office easily enough and opened the door gingerly. When I stepped inside, a blond man in a dark uniform looked up from his bank of monitors and frowned at me. 

                     

I cleared my throat. "Bill sent me here." 

                     

He looked impatient. "I see that. For what?" 

                     

"Mrs. Kim is expecting me. I'm the new nanny, I guess." 

                     

He arched his brow. "You guess?" 

                     

I shrugged. "I think it's a done deal, but um... maybe it's an interview." 

                     

He slid his chair to reach a computer and typed for a moment. "Nope, looks like you got the job. Here you are. Mrs. Kim has requested the full-access package for you. Let's get you set up. ID?" 

                     

He waved me over, and I spent the next few minutes obeying his instructions. He took a picture, recorded information about me, and finished up by having me place my hand on a panel. "What is this?" 

                     

"It's taking a biometric print of your hand to allow you easy access through security checkpoints." 

                     

Hesitantly, I pressed my palm fully against the black panel. "Will it hurt?" 

                     

"Nope." He pressed a button on the computer. 

                     

With a brief flash of light that reminded me of the scanner on my computer at home, it zipped down the length of my palm. No pain. 

                     

"All set." 

                     

I lifted my hand and had barely done so when he held out a plastic badge to me. I looked down at my picture, which wasn't half as terrible as the one on my school ID card. My name was printed there, along with Mrs. Kim's address and apartment number, and the designation of "Staff."