The Nanny // Faye Yoko AU

Chapter 7 Ice cream

In Yoko's room

Early in the morning, Yoko sat on the edge of her bed, her body heavy with exhaustion. Why can't I sleep in this place? she wondered, rubbing her hands over her face, trying to shake the lingering discomfort that clung to her. The room was silent, but the feeling of being watched hadn't left her, a constant, gnawing sensation in the back of her mind.

I searched the room for cameras and found nothing... She had combed every inch of the space, looking for hidden devices, any sign that someone might be spying on her. But there was nothing—no logical explanation for the feeling that made her skin crawl at night.

Frustration welled up inside her. But the feeling hasn't gone away, she thought, her hands gripping her face in exasperation. It was as if the house itself was watching her, some unseen presence always lingering just out of sight.

She let out a heavy sigh, her eyes scanning the room once more. Something's off, but what?

As Yoko got herself ready for the day, her thoughts refused to settle. My room is perfect. Like everything in this house. But there's something ugly underneath. I just know it. The pristine beauty of the Malisorn estate couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something darker lurked beneath the surface.

Yoko stepped out onto the balcony, letting the crisp morning air wash over her as she inhaled deeply. "Sun's out," she muttered to herself, trying to find a distraction from the unsettling thoughts swirling in her mind.

An idea sparked, and she quickly turned back inside, addressing her laptop with newfound purpose. "Buddybook, look up local parks in Lyon."

In Mikey's room

Yoko walked toward Mikey's room, hoping to lift the little girl's spirits after the rough night. Opening the door with a cheerful tone, she greeted, "Morning, boss. Ready for breakfast?"

To her surprise, Mikey wasn't still asleep as she'd expected. Instead, the young girl was already awake, hanging her head off the edge of the bed. Her response was short and flat: "No."

Undeterred, Yoko stepped further into the room and approached Mikey with a bright smile. "After breakfast, I thought we could go to the park."

Mikey closed her eyes, her small arms crossed in front of her, clearly not interested. "I'm not eating your gross food, and I'm not going to—" she started, but then paused mid-sentence. Something in Yoko's offer made her reconsider, and her eyes opened with a hint of suspicion. "Which park?"

Yoko could tell that Mikey wasn't going to be easily convinced, but the fact that she was asking meant she wasn't entirely against the idea.

"How about the playground just down the street? Or Parc de la Tête d'Or," Yoko suggested, her voice hopeful as she tried to interest Mikey in a fun outing. "It's got a zoo and a lake. We could take a boat ride or see the animals."

Mikey's expression remained guarded, and she frowned slightly. "That playground is small, and the zoo is smelly," she replied, reaching for her duck plushie, pulling it close to her chest. She paused before adding, "I like Place Bellecour."

Yoko felt a small surge of relief and happiness, noticing that Mikey wasn't completely against going out. "Oh? Where is that?" she asked, genuinely curious.

"In the middle part of the city," Mikey responded simply, still holding her plushie tightly.

"Between the rivers? That's a bit far," Yoko said, a little hesitant about traveling too far into the city. But before she could fully protest, she saw Mikey's demeanor change. The girl hugged her duck plushie even tighter, a bit of shyness creeping into her voice as she continued.