Babysitting

ChapterFour

I brushed through the tangles in my hair, dreading going out of my room in fear that Nathaniel stood outside. It was almost ten in the morning already.
I would have to suck it up to go do my daily nanny duties. My stomach had started grumbling almost an hour ago.
I didn't want to face Alex either. The harsh treatment I had gotten yesterday was obviously due to her older brother.
I sighed, standing up and pulling the hem of my shirt down a bit. I then proceeded to walk to my door, slowing opening it an inch and peeking out.
Nathaniel's door was closed and the passage was empty. I opened my door wider, stepping out.
When I got a few feet away from my door, I heard the elevator ping and the doors started opening. I immediately turned and was about to run straight back into my room.
"Hold it," the sharp voice bit into me like a whip.
I scowled slowly, squeezing my eyes shut.
"Turn," he ordered.
I sighed, reluctantly turning to him.
"Can I be of assistance?" I said in a fake polite voice.
He rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest which was covered in a plain grey shirt. He was also wearing black shorts and brand name sneakers. His hair was flopping onto his forehead slightly. I couldn't deny that this man was beautiful.
"It seems we got off on the wrong foot," he started. "I don't know what you've done to those kids, or Debbie, but they all love you and insist that you stay."
I smiled. Kira would've put up a huge fight for me to stay.
"But I'm here to offer you a deal," he smirked. "I'll pay you three times the amount you're going to get at the end of this. But in return, you have to leave. Like as soon as possible. I don't want you here and if you hadn't brainwashed the kids, they wouldn't want you here either."
I inhaled sharply. $450 000? I could pay off all of my parents debt, buy a house for myself, start my business and still have leftover money.
"It's a great offer right?" He grinned to himself. "I'll even add in a thousand bucks if you leave this week."
I bit my lip, looking up into his crystal blue eyes, the scowl suddenly forming on my face again.
"Fuck you," I spat. "Fuck you if you think I'm leaving these children. I've spent almost three weeks with them and I've grown to love them. I won't leave them just because their older brother doesn't like me."
It's funny how yesterday I wanted to go back home so badly but now I stood here, defending my title as their babysitter.
"I loathe you actually," he uncrossed his arms and took a step forward. "Foreign people shouldn't be here, looking after a strangers kids. You might get through them with your petite facade but I see right through you."
"Right through what?" I yelled. "I'm not putting up a facade so go fuck yourself! You're making up stories in that dumbass head of yours! Keep your opinion of me and my people out of your mouth! Stay out of my fucking way!"
I attempted to stomp passed him but he grabbed me, his hand lacing around the bruise he left the day before. I hissed in pain, struggling to pry his fingers off me.
"This is my goddamn house, bitch!" He shouted back, his fingertips digging into my sensitive skin. "You'll listen to me now!"
"This is Debbie and Clive's house," I spat. "You lost the right to it being your house when you moved out!"
"I wouldn't of moved out if they were actually my parents!" He roared.
I stopped struggling to remove his hand and looked up at his face. There was confusion in his eyes even though his face was hard.
"Let go," I demanded and he released me.
I winced when the blood rushed back to that part of my arm, pins and needles prickling me.
"Is that why you're so angry?" I asked.
He kept quiet as he straightened up, his fists clenched at his sides. He avoided eye contact with me.
"Fine," I said, a frown forming on my face. "I'm just being concerned and I could've helped you but you're too hard-headed."
I turned away from him, getting into the elevator. The last thing I saw was his detached face before the doors closed.
He obviously had a lot of anger building up inside of him because of being adopted. And he probably had no one to confide in. The kids didn't know about it and Debbie seemed too caught up in him being a high up CEO to take concern in his mental health.
I sighed, the frown disappearing from my face as I stepped out of the elevator.
"Ciana?" Sasha poked her head out of her room. "Kira isn't well."
"Why?" I asked, worry flooding me. "What happened? Where is she?"
"She's in her room," Sasha fell into step beside me as I made my way there. "It started last night. She didn't eat. She refused to. She refused to eat breakfast as well. She didn't sleep at all. Her temperature started rising."
Nathaniel. I felt anger slowly push into the back of my head.
We got to her room and I knocked, opening the door slightly.
"Go away, Sasha," I heard her hoarse voice.
"It's me," I said, stepping into the room. "What's wrong?"
She threw her blanket over her head, curling her legs into her chest.
"It's worry," Sasha said softly from behind me. "She does this when she's worried. She's not going to stop."
I walked towards her bed, sitting next to her.
"Kira, what's wrong?" I asked softly.
She peeked out before covering her face again.
I sighed.
"How are you supposed to be a princess if you don't want to eat and you sleep all day?" I asked.
"I don't want to be a princess," she mumbled.
I threw a worried glance to Sasha. She shrugged, turning and walking out the room.
"Is this about Natie and I having a fight?" I asked, gently pulling the blanket down.
Kira sniffed, avoiding looking at me.
"We didn't fight, I promise," I told her.
"You did," she raised her voice. "He hurt you!"
"Where would you get that from?" I turned slightly to hide my arm.
"You have bruises," she muttered. "And he called you the b-word. He was shouting at you."
I smiled ruefully.
"It was just a little disagreement," I shrugged. "Come on, you need to eat."
"No," she crossed her arms, turning onto her side.
"Kira," I groaned.
She ignored me, staring out of her window.
"Kira?" I asked again.
She continued to ignore me.
I sighed, getting up and going to the kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of chocolate milk and a pack of jam biscuits for her before returning to her room. She was still in the same position.
"Eat please," I held out the food in front of me.
She breathed out before closing her eyes, still ignoring me.
I placed the milk and biscuits on her bedside table before walking out and heading in the direction of Sasha's room.
"How do we get her out of this?" I asked.
"You don't," Sasha shrugged. "Mom has only gotten her out of it once. The other two times she wound up in hospital for dehydration."
"Oh god," I muttered, pressing my palm to my forehead. "No, no, no."
Would I actually have to accept Nathaniel's deal? I didn't want to leave but if it meant Kira would get out of this stage, I would have to.
My shoulders slumped. Nathaniel had won in less than a day.
I trudged out of Sasha's room and decided to check up on Alex. I knocked on her door before letting myself in.
"You aren't allowed in here," she said blankly.
"Why are you being like this?" I snapped, crossing my arms. "I've done nothing."
She scowled slightly, her eyes darting to the floor.
"Is he making you be like this? To drive me away?" I asked, a lump lodging in my throat. "Kira already isn't eating. You're being like this. He's left bruises on me. Must I leave, Alex?"
Her face softened slightly as she glanced at me.
"Left bruises on you?" She asked softly.
I gestured to my upper arm, a new set of bruises forming around the previous ones. More than half my upper arm was covered now.
Alex bit her lower lip, turning away from me.
"Yes," she swallowed. "You should leave. You don't belong."
It felt like a punch in the gut even though I was expecting the words. I forced the tears back and turned, slamming the door behind me.
I walked back to the kitchen, getting a chocolate milk for myself before going back to Kira's room. I sat next to her again, she was still in the same position, her eyes closed.
"I'll leave," I said softly, afraid she was asleep. "To please everyone."
I downed half the milk on my way to the elevator, wanting to go to my room and pack. Maybe I could just stay a few more days though?
I thought of Kira not eating for a few more days and immediately rejected that thought. I'd have to leave tomorrow to keep the peace with everyone. I was grateful I was not coming out of this empty handed. I would ask for the money first though.
Nathaniel's door was open as I opened my door.
He poked his head out.
"You got what you wanted," my voice cracked. "I'll leave tomorrow."
As the tears started rushing down my face, I turned quickly to hide it from him but he saw already.
"That's... Good," he said, breathing out. "I'll drive you to the airport."
I nodded once, wiping my cheeks as I stepped into my room. Confusion was etched on his face as I closed my door.
I had to admit, I had grown to love these children in the past three weeks. Kira especially. She was like a leech but in a good way. Her laughter kept the house alive.
Alex was slowly becoming my friend. I felt like I had someone to confide in and just act like a girl with. I would miss that. I shut people out after Cristiano died.
Even though Sasha was quiet, she always laughed and smiled, showing her true self. I hoped she would become more confident one day.
Jake was a typical boy. Video games and food all day every day. It was entertaining watching him. It was like he replaced Julio for now.
I doubt I'd find anything like this back in Portugal. Everything was so different here in New York and in this house. People were always so busy here, rushing around. It seemed as if everyone was part of a higher status.
I ran my fingers through my hair, tugging at it slightly while blowing a long breath out. I willed myself to walk into the cupboard and start packing but I didn't have it in me. The sound of my phone beeping pulled me from my internal argument.
"Mamãe," I tried to sound as chirpy as I could. "How are you?"
"Luciana, it's so good to hear your voice again," I could hear the smile in her voice. "We're all missing you. The house is so much more quieter without your and Julio's quarreling. How are you, querida?"
"I'm alright," I breathed, forcing myself to not tell her anything. "Just very busy. The kids are very nice."
"I hope they're not working you to death," she murmured.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me," a lump formed in my throat as I spoke.
"If you're fine then why are you about to cry?" She asked calmly.
"It's nothing, really. I just had a bit of a disagreement with the eldest child but it's sorted out, I promise," I told her. "I'll be home soon, mamãe."
"Soon?" She asked. "Soon? Three years is not soon, Luciana. What's going on? Did you get fired?"
"No! No," I said quickly. "I'll be coming back for a holiday for a few days soon is what I meant."
And then staying and never going back, I added in my head.
"Oh," she sounded suspicious. "Well let me know when, querida. I'll make sure your room is ready."
"Thank you," I murmured. "Eu te amo, mamãe. Tell papai and Julio the same. Tell them I miss them as well."
"I will," I heard her smile again. "Be safe."
I pulled the phone away from my ear and watched as the call ended.
At least I wouldn't be disappointing my parents. I was bringing home more money.
But I knew my mother would be angry that I didn't stand up for myself like she taught me to. I had tried though, but after seeing what it was doing to Kira, I had to back down.
I sighed, finally walking into the cupboard and getting out my suitcases. I packed my stuff slowly, wishing I could stretch the hours between now and going home.
I couldn't believe I had let some asshole get the best of me. Speaking of the asshole, I needed my money before I even stepped a foot out the front door.
I jumped up, half my clothes packed already and opened my bedroom door. Nathaniel's door was wide open and I stepped over the threshold.
"I want my money first," I spat, glaring at him.
He raised a brow before leaning to his bedside drawer and pulling out a cheque book.
"Three times what?" He raised an eyebrow.
"$150 000," I said. "Plus the extra thousand."
He gawked.
"You're getting paid that much for just being company to a bunch of spoilt kids?" He asked.
"Debbie obviously loves them," I shrugged, stepping into the room a bit more. "And I guess she knows that I'm a nice person and will do my best. And I did do my best for the time that I was here. Until you showed up."
He nodded, a frown on his face as he wrote on one of the slips. He tore it out, getting up.
"Well here," he said, holding it out for me. "Thank you for looking after them."
"$750 000?" My eyes widened.
"You deserve it," he said softly. "Even though I hate you, I can see you're a good person."
I flinched slightly when he said that he hates me.
"Well thank you. You'll be doing my family a huge favor. My father won't need to work his hands to the bone anymore," I stared at the seven digits. "I'll be able to start my life. Thank you. And I'm sorry for making you hate me."
Before he could respond, I turned and walked back into my room, shutting the door and walking back to my cupboard. I laid the cheque carefully on one of the shelves, too scared to crumple it even the slightest.
I continued packing my stuff in silence.

Jake Johnson