KAPITEL EINS

Nicole's perspective

"Are you saying that this is my last hope?"

I gripped my phone tighter as I stood in front of the small apartment I shared with my foster sister Sarah.

“You need a stable job, Nicole,” Sarah said. “Not another temporary one. This nanny position is perfect for you.”

That almost made me laugh. Nothing in my life had ever been perfect.

By the time I was twenty-six, I had worked as a waitress, sales assistant, tutor, and even a receptionist. Every time I thought things were finally getting better, something unexpected happened, and I found myself back at square one.

The rent was due in two weeks, my savings were almost gone, and my current part-time job barely covered food costs.

So when I saw an ad for a full-time nanny for twin girls, I applied immediately. Aside from the fact that the salary was higher than anything I had ever earned, the benefits were incredible and very tempting.

The only problem was the employer. Kelvin Thornton.

Everyone knew his name like the back of their hand. He's one of the country's youngest billionaires, a business genius. But he's also known for his cold, demanding, and intimidating manner.

The internet practically idolized him. The stories told by his former employees were far less flattering.

“He can’t be that bad,” Sarah said.

I snorted. "That's exactly what the last nannies thought." I groaned. "Thanks for the encouragement."

“I mean it, Nicole. You need this job.”

I knew she was right. I needed this job like my life depended on it. What I really needed was the salary, but that wasn't available without the job.

I looked at the email on my phone.

Invitation to the final discussion: Thornton Estate tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.

I took a deep breath. This was exactly what I needed. A fresh start and a stable income, a chance to build something for myself. I had no idea how wrong I was.

***********

The next morning I stood in front of the biggest building I had ever seen. Calling it a building felt ridiculous, because it looked more like a luxury hotel.

The black gates alone were bigger than my entire apartment building. A security guard checked my ID before letting me in.

As I walked down the driveway, my stomach clenched with nervousness. I reminded myself that this was just a job interview and nothing more.

The front door opened before I could knock. A woman in her sixties smiled warmly at me.

"You must be Nicole."

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied promptly.

“I’m Margaret Thornton,” she paused briefly. “Kelvin Thornton’s mother.”

I blinked several times. I hadn't expected that. She welcomed me before I could say anything.

The interior of the mansion was just as impressive as the exterior. Everything looked expensive, elegant, and immaculate, but strangely empty.

Margaret seemed to notice my expression. “The house gets lonely sometimes,” she said.

I didn't know how to react. She led me into the living room.

"Kelvin is in a meeting, please wait a few minutes."

I nodded in agreement.

Then I heard children laughing; the sound came from the hallway. A moment later, two little girls appeared. They were obviously twins.

They looked exactly the same, except for their hairstyles. One wore braids, the other a ponytail. They stopped when they saw me.

I smiled at them, but they just stared. For a moment, neither of them spoke, and I was surprised by their reaction.

Then the girl with the braids grinned. "You're pretty."

I smiled broadly. “Thank you.”

The second twin stepped closer. “Are you the new nanny?”

“Maybe,” I shrugged.

“We like you,” they both said at the same time and giggled.

I exchanged a surprised glance with Margaret. The twins had known me for less than thirty seconds.

The girl with the braids took my hand. “I’m Ava.”

The other twin took my other hand. “I’m Emily.”

“Nice to meet you both,” I said with the broad smile that was still on my face.

The twins looked at each other at the same time and both smiled.

That should have been my first warning.

***********

Thirty minutes later I was sitting in a large office. Kelvin Thornton was standing next to the window blind, holding my file.

The first thing I noticed was his height. The second was that he wasn't smiling. I shrugged it off—that's not why I'm here.

His expression remained completely unreadable as he studied my file. I tried not to fidget, but I couldn't.

His eyes lifted, sharp and cold. I suddenly felt as if I were being interviewed for a government position instead of a nanny job.

He got straight to the point. "You've had six positions in four years. May I ask why?"

“Most of them were temporary positions,” I said.

He seemed unimpressed; his gaze returned to the file.

“They also have no formal training in childcare,” he said again, without looking up from the file.

“I have experience, Mr. Thornton.” I defended myself.

“Experience is not training.”

I almost bit back a reply. This man's attitude bothered me. I don't know, maybe it was his tone or the way he looked at me, as if I had already failed. The conversation continued anyway.

Every answer I gave seemed to disappoint him. Every question he asked sounded like a challenge. By the end of the supposed conversation, I was exhausted.

Finally, he closed the file. “We’re finished.”

I stood there. “Should I expect a response from you?”

“I’m sorry, but no. I can’t hire you.”

I froze; the words hit home. Aside from the fact that I desperately needed the job, it was disturbing how easily he'd uttered those words. He hadn't even tried to hide his distaste.

I straightened my shoulders. "May I ask why?"

His expression remained unchanged. “You are not suitable.”

I wanted to object, I wanted to defend myself. Instead, I forced a smile. “Thank you for your time.” And I left the office.

****************

I was already halfway across the front lawn when I heard screaming, very loud little voices. I turned around and the front door flew open. Ava and Emily came running towards me. Margaret followed behind them at a much calmer pace. The twins reached me first.

"Where are you going?" they asked in unison.

I knelt down. “Go home.”

Emily crossed her arms. “No, you won’t.”

Ava nodded in agreement; I tried not to laugh.

"I'm afraid that's not within your power to decide."

Emily grabbed my hand, Ava grabbed the other. Neither of them seemed interested in letting go. I looked to Margaret for help, but she just looked amused.

“Girl!” she shouted.

“We want Nicole, Grandma.”

I sighed; my rejection of the job interview had become public. Wonderful!

“You will find another nanny,” Margaret told them.

“No, we won’t,” they shouted in unison.

My mouth opened in astonishment. The twins had apparently decided they would keep me. Unfortunately, their father had other plans.

A deep voice interrupted us. "She's leaving."

I looked up; Kelvin was standing on the entrance steps. His expression was darker than before.

Ava immediately frowned, and Emily looked equally unhappy.

“We want Nicole.” Their small voices were sharp and definitive. The girls looked ready to discuss it.

I stood up gently. “It’s okay, girl.”

The twins looked at me and I forced a smile. "Your father makes the decisions."

Judging by their facial expressions, they definitely didn't agree. Kelvin approached us, and the closer he got, the more intimidating he became, and I hated that. No one should make another adult feel like a child.

He stopped in front of us; the twins still refused to let go of my hands.

“Perhaps we should reconsider this,” said Margaret from where she stood, observing the whole drama.

Kelvin looked at his mother. “No, Mother.”

Ava moaned dramatically, Emily rolled her eyes. The whole situation was becoming ridiculous. I gently squeezed her hands.

“You two should go inside.” But neither of them moved.

“Ava. Emily.” Kelvin called, his voice softening. The girls looked at him. “In.”

They obeyed reluctantly. As they disappeared into the house, I turned to leave. Then I heard his voice behind me.

"You can start on Monday."

I stopped abruptly. Did I hear that correctly?

Five minutes ago he practically threw me out. And now I'd been hired. This man is clearly unpredictable.

Before I could answer, he turned around and left. Then, just before he was about to open the front door, he paused, turned around, and looked intently at me.

“I hope I don’t regret making you this offer, Miss Hayes.”

And somehow that sounded less like a warning and more like a challenge.