No Filter

Chapter XXXVI (36) (Part II)

I gesture my hand at a seat for her. "Sit down," I said. She blinks a couple of times as I walk passed her. She turns around and sits on one of the chairs, and I take seat behind my desk and rest my elbows on the arms of the chair.

I look at Ally and the files she was holding on her lap. I lift my eyes and caught her staring at me. She shakes her head once she notices I was staring back and turns to her files. "I'm sorry," she says, "I'm just really nervous." She picks up the files and hands them to me.

I take them and lay them out on my desk. I flip through her portfolio and skim through each section. I was amazed by how much she has done. I knew she would have done a lot after she left. I read through her objective and look at her work experience. She worked at a pet clinic for three years before she worked at an animal shelter. She was a teacher aid for a majority of her latest job, and she did a theater play. I was impress.

"M-Mr. Payne," Ally stutters. I look at her and see she was fidgeting with her fingers. "You haven't spoken for a while. Is everything alright?"

I nod my head. "Yes, I was, um...I am impress," I said. I scoot the papers back and clear my throat. "Ally, this isn't an interview, so don't be scared. You already got the job. I just wanted to talk to you and know a little bit more about you."

She looked skeptical. Her cheeks redden, but she moved swiftly. She probably thinks that I was probably wanting to know what happened after she left, and I don't mind her thinking that. I was curious myself, I admit.

Ally states, "I will answer if I feel comfortable enough to answer. I don't want any bizarre questions or reactions."

I nod my head and begin to think of a question I should ask first. There was so many. I swallow and ask, "How you've been? Is everything going well?"

She nods her head. "Yes," she said, but I hear a hint of hesitation in her voice.

"You sure?" I ask. "Why exactly are you taking this job?"

She sighs and makes the face when she was ready to confess. She still has it. She answers, "I am doing this because my dad is sick. I need money to pay for his surgery."

I smile a little, remembering the time Ally helped her mom. In the end, her work did pay it off but it didn't paid off. The memories still taunted me.

"How much do you need?" I ask.

"Whatever you pay me now is enough," she answers.

"Fine," I reply. "How many times do you go on vacation? And you're not an alcoholic right?"

Her brows crease, "Pardon?"

I continue, "And you're not one of those party-ers, right? And aside from drinking, no smoking, no guys, and no cursing. He's only seven after all."

She shakes her head, looking mildly confuse. "W-why are you asking me this?"

"Well, it's been years since I've seen you. I don't know how much you've change in the ten years," I remark.

She opens her mouth but catches her breath. Her brows crease once more. She closes her mouth and remains puzzled.

I clear my throat and explain, "Ally, I need you to be more than a teacher. I need you to be a nanny to my son when I'm not at his side, so I invite you to stay here with me and my son when he comes. You will have the authority over the servants in this household."

She remains quiet. She frowns a little. "What?" I ask. "You don't like my offer."

She shakes her head. "No, I'm grateful, but..." she pauses and thinks about it. After a second, she smiles and nods her head. "I accept."

"Good," I said. "I need you to be here Saturday. My son will be here Sunday. I'll send you the curriculums, and you have one week to plan."

Her eyes shot up. "One week," she mumbles.

"I do hope that is not a problem," I said.

She shakes her head. "No. I'll get it done."

I nod my head. "I trust that you will." I lean forward and said, "You may now go."

She stands up, and I hand her files back to her. She takes them and walks to the door. She opens the door, and before she walks through, she turns and looks at me. She says, "You might want to fix your collar." She smiles and walks off.

I lift my head and bring my hands to fix my collar. A smile arise on my lips. But I shake my head, not giving into the emotion.