CHAPTER 001: *A sprinkle of magic*

I pushed open the cafè door and peeped in.

There was mom, standing by the counter, conversing with a certain silver-blonde haired, middle aged woman I couldn't recognize.

"Okay babe, gotta go now. I'm home." I said to Reuben who was also preparing for a class.

"Ok. Talk to you right after the class." Reuben hung up.

He was my boyfriend. We had known each other since high school. He was in college studying business while I wanted to be a chef. Since mom couldn't afford to send me to the culinary school I wanted, right away, I'd been working as a hotel cleaner at one of the hotels close by, to save up for my tuition. Reuben had been working hard too, studying and working odd jobs on the side. We both had big dreams, and were determined to make them come true. But sometimes it felt like we were worlds apart, even though we were still together.

"You're back." Mom said, regarding me as I stopped before both of them. "You look so exhausted." She added.

"Yes, I had a really stressful day." I groaned, frowning deeply. My head was throbbing wildly. What I needed at that moment was a cool bath and some rest, but I had to help Mom at the cafè.

"Hi!" I said to the other lady, who was watching me keenly, her gray eyes lit with interest.

“Your daughter looks exactly like you." She said, her eyes filled with admiration as she stepped forward and touched my face.

"She's Scarlett." Mom answered with a laugh.

"She's pretty." She said to mom, then turned to me and said, “Hello pretty girl."

"Hello ma'am.” I responded smiling.

"I'm Laura Gray, your mom's friend. Nice to meet you.” She said, taking my hands.

“Nice to meet you too, ma'am."

"Are you in college?” The woman asked, keenly staring at me.

“Uhm… not yet. I'm working to save up so that I can enroll in a culinary school. Hopefully I will, by next year.” I answered, a little bit uncomfortable by the sudden question.

"Where do you work?” She asked further, and I saw she was pretty much interested in knowing more about me.

“I work at a hotel." I answered reluctantly, looking away in embarrassment.

“What exactly do you do?" She arched a brow as she waited for my response.

“I… I'm a cleaner. There was no other vacancy available.” She wasn't even asking about my reasons for working as a cleaner, she was only asking about my job, but there I was explaining myself as I stood before her, embarrassed. It indeed sounded like the lowest job.

She nodded in response, “I see. That's fine."

At that time, Mom left us to attend to one of our patrons. I felt really uncomfortable and regretted stopping by in the first place.

“What if you were offered a better job, would you have taken up the opportunity?"

I didn't know what to answer. Was she offering me a job?

Mom emerged from the kitchen holding a brown paper package in her hands, “Laura, your package is ready!” She said, a smile lighting up her face, "I know Marissa will love it, and you'll be coming back for more."

“Thanks very much, Sara. In case she needs more of it, I'll send Jade to get some.” The woman responded.

"Alright, how about I add some apple cider juice?” Mom asked.

"Excuse me ma'am. I've got to go.” I said, taking my leave. I was in dying need of Panadol and rest. But before I could walk out, I was held back by the woman. It seems she had something to say.

“I'm not done with you, Scarlett. I really want to ask for a favor."

‘What could that be?’ I asked myself, as I sang into the stool beside the counter. My feet were threatening to give up on me. I decided to hear her out.

“Yes please. I almost forgot she wanted that too.” She chuckled. As mom left to get some apple cider juice, she turned to me and asked, “Would you work for me?"

I arched a brow in puzzlement, wondering what exactly she wanted me to do. ‘I thought she was asking for a favor?’

“I don't get you ma'am."

“I'll be traveling tomorrow, and I need someone to watch over my granddaughter. I couldn't find anyone else, and you happen to be in need of some cash. I promise the pay will be good."

I stared at her in absolute shock, my mouth a gape.

After a moment, I regained composure and asked, “You want a nanny for your baby?"

“Yeah. Exactly."

I thought about it for a while. I'd never watched over any child, and I was afraid I couldn't do it. I wasn't even good with kids. But I needed a side job.

I looked up at her, and she was obviously waiting for a response. I had so many questions to ask, if I was going to take up this job. Questions like, ‘how old is the child?’ because I wasn't going to cope with a grown, mannerless kid, nor was I ready to change diapers every two minutes. A kid between the age of three to eight was just fine.

“How old is this kid?" I asked, putting my handbag on the top of the counter.

“She's five years old.”

"Her name is Marissa. She's a lovely little girl." Mom chipped in.

"Al–right. What will be my income?”

"Oh darling, that's not an issue.” She said, smiling warmly at me. "You'll be paid enough. Can I have your account details here?”

I looked at mom for confirmation, and she was smiling back at me. I read out my account details to her. “Will I be resuming tomorrow?"

“Oh yes. I'll be away tomorrow, so I'll need you tomorrow morning.”

I was about to respond when my phone beeped, interrupting my thoughts. I glanced down at the screen, and my eyes widened in shock as I read the words on the screen: '2,500 dollars have been credited to your account.' I couldn't believe it - even with all the amount I was saving, it was no way close to that amount.

“Two hundred and fifty dollars ma'am?" I sprang up from my seat, asking in astonishment.

She responded with a nod.

"That's half of what I'll be paying you. You could use that to sort out some things so that you can resume tomorrow.”

“This is so much ma'am. I'm flabbergasted."

"I don't under-pay my employees.” She smiled as mom handed her the package. "Be ready by 8 A. M, tomorrow. I'll send my personal driver to get you.”

“Y-yes ma'am." I stuttered. "Thank you very much ma'am.”

"Alright. Take care of yourself, dear.” With that, she spun around and left with mom who escorted her to her car.