Babysitting Or A Secret Mission?

Esther's POV.

“This has to be fake. No one would pay someone that much for a babysitting position.”

“What if it isn't? What if they were impressed by my portfolio?”

My mind warred with itself as I walked into the lounge of the hotel, preparing to meet my employer.

I'd selected a corporate outfit– a white shirt and brown fitted skirt–because I hoped to impress her with my appearance just before I opened my mouth.

As I reached the lounge, I scanned the place. Just like the first floor I took up here, this place was just as luxurious.

Everyone around here looked like money, power and elegance. Even the chattering was so hush, you'd wonder if there was a strict rule against speaking at the top of your voice.

The only familiar thing between this lounge and my home were the Christmas lights flickering between red, green and blue.

My eyes soon landed on the couch by the glass view and I recognized the woman clad in an emerald green gown with a vintage scarf rounding her neck.

Her dark hair had a small hump in front and the rest of her hair was slicked back into a tight bun. And to top it all, she had two hefty bouncers clad in all black on either side of the space she occupied.

I swallowed hard, taking careful steps towards her.

She spotted me while I walked and her expression softened. That little act made my shoulders square higher.

“Good day Mrs Silver. It's so nice to meet you,” I greeted politely with a firm tone.

Her face lit up suddenly and she flickered a hand in the air, “oh don't do that. You can just call me Madam Patricia.” She said, gesturing for me to sit.

I sat across from her, maintaining the smile on my lips as I studied her. This was my first time meeting her but the way her eyes glowed made my insides twist with an unnerving feeling.

“I know the job description was babysitting but while you're watching over my granddaughter, you'll also be doing something else for me,” she started, leaning backwards.

My breath slowed, my brows pushing upwards. Of course there had to be something else. That was why she was paying this much.

But what other job would I be doing for her?

Curiosity tore through my insides.

“What else will I be doing Madam Patricia?”

She leaned forward, her dark eyes glistening with something I couldn't name.

Urgency? Desperation? It was difficult to figure out which one it was.

“You'll help me make my son fall in love with Christmas again,” she paused, her tone laced with a motherly plea that made my heart palpitate, “I need you to get him so interested in the holidays that he attends the family Christmas dinner. If you succeed, you'll get the rest of your pay. If not, you won't get paid.” She explained, leaning back.

My stomach bubbled with anxiety. I couldn't lose the rest of my pay because I already had plans for it.

At the same time, I wasn't sure if I could do it. Hell, I hadn't met her son but if she wanted me to make him love Christmas, that meant he hated Christmas.

What kind of sorcery would I actually perform to get him interested in the holidays? The thought of it made me bite the insides of my cheeks.

“Girl, you need this money. Stop panicking. You got this.” I reminded myself, refueling my confidence.

I mean, it was just to get him to attend the Christmas dinner and that was it.

It couldn't possibly be that hard right?

I nodded curtly, “consider it done ma'am. I'll do both jobs beautifully. I'd let your son know why he should celebrate Christmas and–”

“No. You cannot do that. As a matter of fact, he cannot find out that I hired you to do that. Okay?” She warned, her expression stern.

Damn.

That felt a little odd but I nodded anyway. If she was hiding it from him then there were probably good reasons for that.

“Sure thing madam Patricia. I'd never let him find out why I was hired.”

“Delightful,” she clapped softly and one of the bouncers moved closer to her, handing her a document. She took it and passed it to me, “this is the contract. Fill your signatures in the appropriate spaces and you'd be credited with the advance payment.”

Excitement licked up my spine as I reached for the pen, briefly glancing through the document before scribbling my signature where it was necessary.

This job was going to change my life and I honestly couldn't wait to start!

~~

The next morning I arrived at the Silver Mansion. The cream two-storey building had my jaws dropping. I'd never imagined this kind of mansion in Snowdonia.

As I passed through the big gate, a butler was already standby and he led me to the waiting room. The only time I'd been in a waiting room was in a company and a hospital.

These people were filthy rich and the thought of it made my stomach clench. I had to do my best to keep this job, for future connections.

“Madam Patricia would be out any minute,” the middle aged butler informed me, bowing with a smile before exiting the area.

I glanced around the waiting room, already imagining what the inside of the mansion would look like.

Just then, I heard footsteps from the staircase. I rose from the chair instantly, adjusting the length of my skirt as I glanced at the staircase across from me.

The first thing I saw were the shiny black shoes coming down the stairs and then I noticed the black pants and little by little, the frame became more visible.

My eyes met his face and my breath hitched. His eyes were a striking shade of blue, his mouse dark hair arranged in a side part. He looked like one of the models in a freaking Vogue magazine.

And he looked nothing like Madam Patricia.

His head jerked back slightly, his brows creasing and then his eyes narrowed.

“Who are you?”