18

Chapter 1- First Day

Entering the house, now employed, Quinn felt a sense of accomplishment. Scanning the house for Rochelle, she heard her familiar voice in the kitchen with the phone seemingly super-glued to her ear. Upon seeing Quinn, she smiled and requested she would have to call her contact back as she moved around the house, showing each individual room. Everything made Quinn fall deeper and deeper in love with the house. The large shower, the crystal chandeliers, even the stone fireplace made her swoon.

"I take it you are living on campus?"

She nodded.

"Good. You can work immediately from school then. I have a meeting in ten minutes so I have to run everything by you fast, can you manage?"

Quinn nodded, paying close attention; "Good. So, Quinn has volleyball at five, and Roderick has soccer at five thirty-dinner is at seven-and homework MUST be done before bed. The only chores you have to do is clean up after dinner and any messes the kids make. There is a maid to take care of the rest. They do not have to sleep, but MUST be in their rooms by ten, teeth, dressed-all that." Quinn nodded once more as Rochelle walked back into the living room. "Hudson will be the one home most so if you need anything, you can ask him in his office with is the third door on the left past the entrance to the pool. Or he may be in his gym on the other side of the pool-if in there, leave him be." Rochelle gave a more demanding look. "As far as you, you may not wear anything provocative- nothing showing anything more than a centimeter of cleavage, I suggest for your own safety to wear your hair up and minimal perfumes and lotions as our cat has allergies to both. They do not have any medications they need; list of numbers are on the board on the fridge. They are not allowed any processed sugar because it makes them incredibly hyper. Oh, and as far as having people over and being on your phone-I believe you can make a mature call on both."

"Yes mam...no friends, minimal calls-only emergencies."

"Very good. You can stay as late as you wish and feel free to use anything at your disposal. If you could also feed the fish. Two pinches, one on each end of the tank when you get here and when you leave. I believe that is everything. If you have any questions, text me or ask Hudson."

"Well...good luck-" She turned quickly on her heels. "Oh...last thing. If you need use of a car for their practices or anything, the keys are hanging up near the fridge with the message board. Return them each day and there shouldn't be any issues."

"Yes ma'am."

She nodded. "I will be home a six. Have a good day." Without saying goodbye to her children-which is something that bothered Quinn, she left for the day as Quinn made her way to the children. Bonding with Roderick first, she found he had a soft spot for superheroes and anything red-and Olivia tried to play the part of a bad ass, but she was navigating her way through puberty and adolescence.

Everything went swimmingly until two. Having just eaten lunch, Roderick began wheezing incredibly fast and quick as Olivia told Quinn he experienced bouts of anxiety. The reason for this was unknown by doctors, but he was given an inhaler to ease his breathing. But this was not able to be found in any cabinet or drawer. Making Quinn realize perhaps Hudson had had it. Knocking on his office door, it came open in a quick motion as he looked at her with surprise.

"Everything alright?" Based on her pale complexion, she explained the series of events as he took an inhaler from his office drawer and quickly allowed Roderick the relief he was begging for. Rubbing his back after the ordeal, Hudson slowly analyzed Quinn without her knowledge. Her dark red hair and light complexion oddly complemented one another. Her skin was riddled with beauty marks and a scar on her hand that went from her thumb to just before her middle finger. A small tattoo had also tried to hide its way on her wrist, and despite each angle he tried to read it, he couldn't discover what it said.

"How is your first day?"

"Eventful." She said truthfully.

"I bet. If you want, I can take the kids to practice."

"No. That's alright."

"Well I actually kind of need help with groceries. I have some stuff to make tonight and I don't have much of a creative bone...would you mind?"

"Oh. No."

"Great. I'll drive. I'll see you at six." And with that, she pushed her way through the rest of the day. When six o'clock rolled around, she found herself incredibly excited. Feeling as if she had already been one with the house, she went to take the passenger's side of the car before feeling Olivia to squirm her way there first.

"You can sit in back, let Quinn sit in front, she had to deal with you monsters all day." He playfully teased as Roderick glared and Olivia rolled her eyes. Quinn quietly thanked him as they all buckled their belts and headed to the designated locations. Dropping off the final child, Hudson turned to Quinn before offering a kind smile.

"Now you can be truthful on how your first day went." Backing up in the parking lot, he began driving to the market which was about ten minutes away. "What are you going to school for?"

"Psychology."

"Very intriguing. What is it you want to do with it?"

"Social working. I went to help kids that can't help themselves." Speaking this honestly, she was suddenly thrown back to her life before the death of her father.

"That is incredibly inspiring. I am sure this is not the proper time to bring something like this up, but...I am incredibly sorry to hear about your father."

"You knew him?" Her face turned pale as Hudson nodded.

"He was quiet an interesting character....but he did do a lot for the school-"

"Are you involved with the school?"

"I tutor sometimes...when I'm not working-"

"If you don't mind me asking, what is it you do?"

"I am actually a volunteer firefighter...but when I'm not doing that...I am researching and helping find ways to help kids pay for tuition. Kind of an ironic thing since you work for me now." The way he said 'work for me' sounded so much more sensual then it meant to, making Quinn's cheeks turn red.

"So do you have a boyfriend?" And to add fuel to the embarrassing fire. "I am asking to see if you will be bringing anybody by."

"Not really."

"Not really?"

"Well...it's an on-and-off again sort of situation..."

"I see. Dramatic lives of college students."

She nodded and gave a polite smile as they pulled into the market.

"What is it you need my creative outlook on?"

"Oh, nothing. I just wanted to get your honest thoughts."

They made their way to the store as they shuffled through the aisles-grabbing whatever was on the list before moving their way to the front.

"How long have you and Rochelle been married?" Quinn asked, trying to keep the conversation as well as find out what she wanted to know.

"Eighteen years. Almost as long as you've been alive." He teased. Inside, she scowled at the comment, before realizing he was right. Any hope she had for a torrid relationship was ceased with that comment. She internally beat herself up on the entire way home-even when she got back to her dorm.