GRACE
‘You what now?’ Samantha’s voice reeked of surprise.
I looked out of the fast-moving car as it drove past the Empire State Building, a place that recently causes my heart to ache each time I set my sight on its grandness. I quickly looked elsewhere before my eyes could have a reason to start welling up.
“I am looking at getting a babysitter’s job,” I repeated to Samantha who had initially called to apologise for not making it to my place the previous day.
‘A... A.. Ba... Babysitter?’ It was as though the words were choking her. ‘Grace, you are one hell of a hotcake in the publishing world. But you want to become a babysitter?’
“I don’t want to deal with that life for now. I need a huge break from reading lengthy manuscripts.”
‘And babysitting is your option? If you want, you can decide not to get a job, you are that well-to-do.’
My sigh ran deep, so much that it sank my shoulders. “Samantha, I can’t sit around doing nothing. You know too well that I hate being idle. I want a distraction and babysitting is that distraction. Well, that depends on whether I get the job.”
‘So, if you don’t get the job, are you going to take up working at Mcdonalds’?′
“Samantha, just trust me on this one.” I didn’t appreciate her sarcasm and I failed to understand her way of viewing the issue. Why can’t she be more like David? He didn’t question my decision too much and even called me this morning to wish me luck at the interview.
I have to say that it is cool that David has eased his way into my life in a way that I can’t help but admire. If it were someone else, I doubt I would still be talking to the person.
‘Okay, girl. Whatever you say. So who are you going to babysit?’
“I don’t know. They didn’t exactly specify.”
I could almost see Sam roll her eyes. ‘What if he is an old man?’
“Well, we will see how that works out, won’t we?”
Samantha exhaled loudly into the phone, as though trying to say- I am tired of you, but I love you anyway.
‘Okay, Grace. As long as this distraction guarantees that you don’t spend all night drunk in a bar, it is not so much of a bad idea.’
“We are here, ma’am.” My Uber driver notified me as he sleekly stirred the wheel and found a parking spot just in front of a huge, black gate. After ensuring that my automatic payment was successful, I appreciated the middle-aged man and got out of the car, while I partially listened to Samantha giving orders to one of the new interns at work.
When her attention returned to our call, I said, “Well, I have reached my destination and...” I moved forward to look through the gate bars of the house I was about to enter. My line of sight almost reached the sky and I frowned. “...uh the house looks like a hotel. It is huge as fuck.”
‘Maybe they are just in town for a while and decided to lodge at a hotel. It is obvious they are rich, at least you won’t be getting crappy pay.’
I rolled my eyes at her words.
I was almost cursing my limited sight of the building when a security guard popped out from nowhere and questioned my presence. Once I told him what I was there for, he didn’t hesitate to open the pedestrian gate. I stepped onto the other side and I instantly felt the intensity of the breeze around me change.
That was understandable.
The not-so-distant, enormous building I was staring at made chills wrap my soul so much that my eyes widened while my skin suffered goosebumps for some seconds.
Without a proper grip on my senses, I blindly followed the guard who said something about leading me to my destination.
‘Uh... Grace are you there?’
That voice made me return and I managed to tear my eyes off the almost-glassed skyscraper which simply yet artistically carried the name of the hotel in its middle.
“Sam... You are not going to believe it.” I didn’t give her the chance to question my hushed excitement. With my right hand cupping the air around my phone, I said, “I just walked into the premises of Hotel Pierre.”
‘Girl... Shut up!’
“I wish I could. But I am not lying.”
It was taking me a lot of self-control to hold back the shriek that was itching to jump out of my cords. And thank goodness I was able to hold back, my scream would have ruined the ambience of the hotel.
To explain my excitement, Hotel Pierre is one of the most exclusive hotels in the country.
It is located in an easily accessible area yet it’s not somewhere just anyone can go. It is the kind of hotel that caters to the likes of the one per cent of the rich universe.
I might be well to do, but I would never be able to afford to step into the lobby. The place is that expensive.
‘Grace...’ Sam shared my excitement and that dragged me out of my thoughts. ‘This can only mean that this family is extremely rich. Go get that job, girl!’
“I thought you said the job is not for me.”
‘Well, now it is. You might even make more than you made at Elite.’
Scuffling noises filled the background of our call and I think I deduced a hint of my ex-boss’s voice. As I listened, I saw that the guard was leading me past the main entrance of the hotel where some exotic cars were packed and waiting for their owners.
“Uh... Sam,” There was a need for me to be extra watchful of the path we were taking, “I need to go now. Take care of yourself.”
‘I will. Have a great day and we have to gist about everything when you are back.’
I smiled and ended the call.
And seconds later, the young man leading me faced me to explain our choice of route. “We have to enter from the back doors since you are not here as a guest. Besides, no one would question you so much if you take this route.”
“Oh, I see.” I nodded and appreciated his explanation.
We continued walking and my imagination sprung into action. I started to create images of the exquisiteness I expect to see inside. I wouldn’t be surprised if the use of gold is prominent in the build-up of the structure.
GRACESeconds later, we were walking past a huge car park and our feet led us to the rear of the building. We entered through one of the revolving doors and faced an elevator moments later. The fanciness in that space met my expectations and as we waited for the ting of the elevator, I kept my eyes glued on the red rug that ran its length and breadth over the entire ground in that empty room.The elevator opened without wasting much time.“After you, ma’am,” The guard ushered me in before he walked in.Once we were settled and the doors were closed, he pressed one of the buttons.PH 5.That could only mean that we were heading for a penthouse.Damn...This family is without a doubt, rich. Because residing in a penthouse in the great Hotel Pierre can only mean that these people are the true meaning of super-rich individuals.Soon the elevator stopped and vomited us into an open room that had a dark green carpet decorating its floor.As the guard and I stepped out, the elevator adjacent
GRACE“It would be amazing if you got that job!” I glared at Sam. “What?” she asked, her mouth filled with popcorn.“The other day, you were against babysitting. You didn’t think it was so befitting for someone like me.”She rolled her eyes as though I was lying against her.“Of course, it does not fit you. But since you’ll be babysitting in a rich home, it is the best job you could probably have.”“Money does change people’s minds faster than a snake bites.” As I threw some popcorn into my mouth, the movie playing on the television became distant to my ears because I recalled something. “It has been two days and I have not received a call. What if I didn’t qualify for the job?”“You have to chill, girl. Whether you get the job or not, you will be called or texted at least.”I agreed with her with a nod and assured myself to stay calm. I have been acting out of place because I keep worrying about not getting the job.It seems as though I am sure that I will fall into devastation again
GRACEFiona got off the stool and walked towards the exit. “It is almost three o’clock, Ruby should be on her way now.” I stood up and followed her. And when she stopped walking and raised a finger in mid-air, I stopped as well. But I didn’t raise my finger.“Ruby’s father will be back around seven pm so you have to stay till then. But make sure that you resume early tomorrow. You need to be here by seven AM. If you can come earlier, that would be nice.”“Thank you, Fiona.”Our walking resumed and as we reached the grand living room, the front door opened and a little girl appeared.She fully walked into the room, and my entire face lit up with a huge smile.The little girl was very pretty. Donned in a black gown top that carried a pink flower in its centre and blue leggings, the girl made noise with her flip-flops as she ran towards Fiona.“There is my baby.” Fiona hugged her to her bosom, almost burying the girl with her love and... her chest. When she dropped her, Ruby faced me. He
GRACE“Huh?” Samantha did not hide her surprise.Okay, right now, I might be shooting myself in the leg. I need to resume by seven am and I’m yet to be in bed even though it is a few minutes to midnight.I am currently chatting with Samantha and David, empty boxes of pizza sprawled on the table in front of us.The two of them surprisingly showed up at my door a few minutes before eight. Though it took them a few minutes to get used to each other, they were soon bonding over small talk and pizza. And I quickly forgot about my desire to fall asleep.In the midst of all that was happening, I told them about my boss. It was that information that Samantha was reacting to.“The very Dominic Powers?” Samantha was close to jumping off the couch.“Dom, Dom, what now?” I sounded uninterested but my insides were desperate for some information. It seemed Samantha knew something huge about my new boss. But Sam didn’t appreciate my tone and smacked my arm in a flash. “Ouch.”“That is what you get f
GRACEA short laugh and I gave in to her pulls. I hurried after her little figure and as we approached the elevator after closing the door, I wondered what could be so exciting about the pool.And when we arrived at the pool site, I saw what the rave was about.The swimming pool, while having a bit of gold in its features, was accompanied by a freaking huge slide that was positioned at a height I would not dare to reach without the assistance of the attached ladder.As my widened eyes scanned the grandeur of the indoor pool, I began to wish that I brought my swimsuit. The peaceful water was tempting enough to pull me. But so was the largeness.Gosh... This is what I’d like to call a proper display of money.“I don’t think you will shwim,” Ruby commented as she put down her juice box.“I wish I could right now,” I mumbled to myself. And when I realised Ruby was still waiting for an answer, I looked down at her. “I wish I could. But, don’t worry, I’ll roll up the legs of my trousers and
GRACE“I feel like I should prank Daddy.”Swiftly, I faced Ruby who sat still, nibbling on what was left of her cookie as if she just didn’t say something about pranking her father.We were at her ballet academy, waiting for her session to begin.“Ruby, why do you want to prank your Dad?”She clapped her hands to shake off the cookie crumbs, swinging her legs which barely touched the ground.“He doesn’t play with me at all. And I want him to. So, I’ll prank him to get his attention.”Aww. That’s weirdly... cute.“But, do you have to prank him?”She frowned and looked up at me. “Uh?”“Why don’t you try talking to him first? Tell him how you feel.”After looking up thoughtfully for some seconds, she faintly groaned, “I don’t know. Daddy doesn’t talk to me after he comes back from work.” Her gloomy expression saddened me but when it briefly wore some brightness, I became intrigued. “When Fiona was here, I talked to her about many, many things. But my Daddy doesn’t talk to me.”I reached
GRACEI faced Bethany who stomped her foot on the ground because others in the room agreed with the voice that replied to me.“Listen to me, Bethany. If Ruby tells me that you pushed her again, I will do the same to you and you will not like a bit of it.”I don’t like that I am speaking to a child this way, but this Bethany girl was able to get on my nerves with her annoying attitude.“Miss Sands! How dare you threaten my student?”“Well, freaking tell your students to stop pushing people their size.”I spat at the woman beside me, snatched the box in her hand, and walked back to Ruby.But before I made it to Ruby, a force pressed against my back, and before I knew it, my forehead was kissing the tiled floor. My entire body felt intense pain for some seconds but I was able to get rid of the feeling after seconds.While I swore at the person who pushed me within my soul, I managed to get up.I maintained my grip on the nod and turned to see a huge smirk on both the teacher’s and Bethan
GRACESince rushing up the stairs with an injured child was not advisable, I left Ruby on the couch and found my way to the upper floor to find out what could have warranted my name being shouted the way it was.“Miss Sands! Fucking come up here this minute!”Uh...okay? Now I am more than curious.And that made me hurry my steps. I skipped some of the stairs to that effect.“Miss Sands...” The man in front of me was very, very angry and... covered in flour and egg yolk!It took every inch of self-control in me to not burst into laughter at the sight of my employer.From the top of his head to his face, he was covered in the whiteness of flour and some drippings of yellow decorated him here and there. The gooey part of the egg trickled down his chest which he had somehow managed to make bare in barely a minute after walking out on me and his daughter.The strange thing was that he looked sexier.How on earth does one still manage to have such sexiness even after being furiously attacke