Chapter 2: Failure

Ivy POV

“Mr Maddox, I can explain,” my voice shook. “Those past positions did not play to my strengths. I assure you that I am more than capable of becoming your nanny. I am excellent with children.”

He arched a brow at me, clearly not believing a word I said. 

"You shouldn't judge a book by its cover," I blurted out almost hysterically. 

God kill me now. At this rate, I might as well kneel and beg. 

Something told me he would not appreciate it. In fact, I suspected it would only further provoke him. 

“It says here that you spilled soup on a billionaire on your first day as a waitress.”

I winced. 

“I tripped on my own two feet,” I admitted guiltily, “but the man was very understanding.”

Thank god because his suit had cost more than I could ever earn in ten years. 

Silence. His look turned even more condemning.

You would think he had never made a mistake in his entire life. I mean, come on, who doesn't have something in their past they would rather forget?

“You were dismissed as a librarian for colour coding books and confusing the patrons of the library.”

I could not deny it. 

“I thought that sorting the books by colour would make the place look more cheerful,” my voice was barely above a whisper.

It had looked good too, right up until the patrons complained they were unable to find any of their books and those who were colorblind could not appreciate the beauty. 

“You were fired as a dog walker when you brought back five extra dogs with you.”

I swear I saw his lip twitch, but when I looked again, his lips had flattened, giving the impression I had been imagining things.

I was well and truly screwed by now, but I didn't stop hoping he might take pity on me and give me a chance. 

“They were strays, and I didn’t have the heart to shoo them away. Doesn’t that prove I have a big heart?” I appealed to him.

I mean, honestly, anybody who shooed away hungry and affectionate dogs could only be a monster at heart.

His eyes narrowed further.

I swallowed hard, sensing my pleas were getting nowhere. 

My mouth went dry. Alpha Maddox wasn't finished yet, studying my resume as though it contained some sort of disease as he continued.

“You set off the sprinklers in a bakery and caused damage to the store.”

“Minor damage,” I corrected lamely, “and they were covered by insurance.”

The worst thing was that nobody could figure out how I had managed it, not even me. 

I just had a knack for causing chaos, but was that really my fault?

“That does not fill me with confidence, Miss Hart. Let me be blunt. The thought of trusting you with my most prized possession, my daughter, makes shivers run down my spine. I truly believe if I were to put you in charge of her, that I would find my child seriously injured by the morning.”

I was highly offended and yet forced to admit, given my track record, he could very well be right. 

“I understand your concern, but I grew up raising my younger brother, and I’ve always been great with children. I’m more suited to childcare than any other job. The agency wouldn’t have sent me if they didn’t think I was capable.”

Lies. The agency had only sent me because they had no one else. I had been the last resort, something Mrs Benson had emphasized more than once. 

I was clutching at straws. Begging the moon goddess to give me a break. 

“Your employer was quite straightforward when they gave me your information. This is to be your last chance. I either give you the job or you go back unemployed.”

He was blunt. It stung. There was no compassion, no mercy in his voice, just cold detachment. 

“That’s true,” I wanted to sink into the floor, “but if you give me a chance, you will see that I’m not lying about my skills.”

He gave a bitter laugh. I stiffened. 

“Everyone lies, Miss Hart. I haven’t got where I am today by trusting other people blindly. Your record screams that you are incompetent and quite frankly a danger to anybody or anything that has the misfortune to get close to you."

Ouch. He'd gone right for the jugular. Exactly like the cold businessman and ruthless Alpha he was rumored to be. 

I gathered up the minuscule amount of composure I had left and abandoned all sense of pride. 

“One day,” I implored, “just give me one day to show you just how good I am."

He shook his head, his expression resolute.

I deflated like a lead balloon, and my body grew chilled. 

It was over. I'd failed. The moment I walked out of this mansion, my employment with the agency would be terminated, and I would be left with absolutely nothing. 

“Regretfully, this interview has come to an end. I will inform your employer that I am dissatisfied and request another nanny instead. You may go now,” his voice was dark and completely unapologetic.

I blinked back tears and straightened my shoulders, refusing to let him see how defeated I was. 

I didn’t blame him. I was a walking disaster. A klutz. I’d spent my entire life getting myself into all sorts of situations that would never happen to normal people. No amount of apologizing or begging was ever going to fix that.

I was a liability and an expensive one at that. 

I sighed and stood up, my smile tremulous. I politely bowed my head towards him. 

“I’m sorry for wasting your time, Mr Blackthorn. Thank you for speaking so frankly. I’ll take my leave now,” I finished glumly.

I was not looking forward to informing the agency that I had not gotten the position. 

He waved a dismissive hand at me, and as I opened the door, the housekeeper came bursting in, her hand to her chest and a panicked expression on her face.

I stopped in my tracks as she pushed past me.

“Alpha Maddox,” she gasped, causing him to stand up immediately, “your daughter, she’s gone missing.”

Just like that, chaos ensued.