Chapter 3

• SOPHIE
• I nodded, a mix of excitement and nerves coursing through me. I still can’t believe this was happening.
• “Okay, get going now. Hand the note to my housekeeper at the front gate and she will give you further instructions.” He instructed.
• This was it! My life was about to change, I was A Babysitter for the Handsome Billionaire!
• The next day.
• The time was a few minutes past eight pm and I was already in a taxi, heading to the Bennett Mansion. Mami couldn’t be more excited for me, she was so happy last night when I told her of my new job and the pay Mr. Bennett was offering, although she asked me to be wary, she was not very trusting of wealthy fellas.
• I know it wouldn’t be of much help but I had pepper spray in my handbag. I really hope that I won’t ever need to use it, but the world has taught me that men can be vile monsters.
• As the taxi pulled up to the Bennett mansion, I couldn't help but feel amazed. The short, wrought-iron gates opened slowly, revealing a long driveway lined with neat hedges.
• The mansion itself was beautiful, with warm beige stone and big windows framed in dark wood. Colorful flowers spilled out of the flower boxes beneath the windows, adding a cheerful touch.
• I barely remembered seeing any of this the last time I was here. Speaking of the last time, I couldn’t stop thinking about Ethan’s words. Did I really do all that? Thinking about that night alone made me feel so awkward, he must have seen me naked, or even worse… Can I live with that?
• Stepping out of the taxi, I took a deep breath, the scent of fresh flowers filling the air. I could hear leaves rustling and birds chirping in the distance. The perfectly manicured lawn and pretty garden made it feel like a scene from a movie.
• “You are back!” A feminine voice cut me out of my imagination.
• I immediately recognized her. It was the lady from the other day.
• “Hi! The maid, right?” I blurted out, regretting it the very next instant.
• Her expression turned sour. “It is the housekeeper,” she said sternly. “And I hear you are the nanny,” she slurred.
• I squeezed my face with a mix of apology and regret. “I am sorry; I didn’t mean to say that.”
• “Yeah, whatever!” she scoffed. “The Boss told me that you would be showing up, and asked me to send you back if you were a minute later than 8:30.”
• I quickly stared at my watch and sighed in relief.
• “Yeah, you are lucky.” She huffed.
• I couldn’t tell she was offended by my statement. Damn, it is just my first day and I was already making enemies. Not good Sophie!
• “The Boss, sorry where is he?” I asked curiously.
• “Off to Work, of course, you didn’t expect to find him sitting around, did you? Moreover, your duty here is with Alex, so I suggest you go up right away. Last room, stairs to the left.” She instructed.
• “Thank you so much, and I am sorry once again.” I apologized quickly as I headed for the main door.
• I paused after just a few steps and turned back to her. “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name.”
• “Maybe because you never asked, it is Leah!” she said and then she walked away.
• “Okay, Leah… Thank you! I am Sophie by the way!” I half-yelled but she didn’t care enough to turn back.
• I let go of a breath I didn’t know I was holding and then I followed her directions to the boy’s room; Alex, right?
• I didn’t let myself get distracted by the sight of the grand sitting room that I walked into, there were two grand staircases leading up on both sides and they had shiny gold rails.
• I easily found the boy’s room, his door was wide open so I walked straight in. With his back turned to me, he was sitting right there on the floor, playing with his toys.
• “Alex?” I called softly, unsure of where to start.
• The kid slowly turned to face me, his dark hair tousled and his little hands tucked into his pockets. He looked just like his father, smart and serious, very cute with those chubby cheeks and gray eyes.
• “Hi! I’m Sophie,” I said with a bright smile, crouching down to his level. “I am your new… Um… Babysitter.” I muttered, not sure if it was the best way to introduce myself.
• The kid didn’t reply. Instead, he turned right back to his toys like I wasn’t even there. My heart sank a little; I could sense his reluctance to engage.
• “So… would you like me to play with you?” I asked, using a sweet tone, but he still didn’t spare me a second glance.
• Okay… Maybe this was going to be more difficult than I imagined. I went closer to the kid and squatted down on the floor beside him.
• “Um… How about we take a walk through the garden, and get to know each other better?”
• He shook his head in the negative, clearly uninterested in whatever I had to offer. I knew at that moment that this would be the most boring day of my life, I should have known something was wrong when he offered me ten thousand dollars to watch this kid.
• Just then my phone dinged. I checked it and it was a message from an agent who I requested should find Mami and me a new place to stay. The message read that he had found a few places he wanted me to check out. Sadly, I cannot leave until 7 pm.
• My attention was suddenly called back to the kid when he touched my hand. I noticed he was intrigued by the glowing bangle on my wrist.
• “You like that?” I asked immediately, trying to take advantage of the opening.
• “Yes.” He said and I gasped.
• He spoke!! The very first word since I came in here.
• I quickly took off the bangle. “Well, you can have it!” I said as I put it on him.
• I watched him admire it with a smile. “Pretty.” He muttered.
• “You think so? So we can be friends then, right?” I asked almost at the same time.
• He nodded at me and then he went back to admiring the bangle.
• “Actually, I have something else for you,” I announced as I brought out homemade cookies from my bag.
• They were supposed to be my breakfast as I had eaten nothing before leaving but I guess they would serve a better purpose if I fed them to him.
• Alex hesitated but I insisted and then he took it. He took a bite of it and looked impressed.
• “You like it?” I queried and he nodded, starting to chew it hungrily.
• This was progress, now I just have to find out what other things intrigue him and it is only a matter of time before he opens up to me.
• “Oh my God! What have you done?” I heard Leah scream as she walked into the room.
• She ran to Alex immediately, took the cookie from him, and threw it out of the window. “What have you done??” she yelled again.
• I sat there confused and scared, what was the problem? Was he allergic? Have I done something terrible?
• TBC!!