Three

"Don't say a word!"

She mumbled to her younger brother as they crouched low under their treehouse.

"But what about mo..."

"Shh..." She interrupted him placing a finger on his lips.

"Oy! Let's get the hell out of here!!" She heard someone yell from afar.

The guy that was standing close to the treehouse turned around and strode away when suddenly her brother sneezed and all hell broke loose.

~~~~*

"Miss! We're here!!"

Natalie snapped her eyes open as she stared at the scowling face of the taxi driver.

Shoot! She had fallen asleep in a taxi.

"I'm so sorry, Sir," she apologized profusely, "how much is my fare?"

"Hmmph, it's not like you're paying me extra for watching over you while you slept," the man scoffed snatching her money and turning away from her.

Natalie got out of the car, rolling her eyes. She grabbed her bag and stared at the house in front of her.

The house had a huge black gate, towering high almost reaching to the sky. 

Maybe she was in the wrong address, she mused. Bringing out her phone, she saw she was at the correct address.

She rang the bell located at the side of the gate twice before she heard a voice through the intercom.

"Name and business." The voice sounded robotic.

"Natalie Tyson, I'm here for an interview," she responded politely.

The gate swung open and she stepped inside the massive compound, fear gripping her heart.

What if this place is a den for kidnappers or a drug dealer home or a high-class prostitute home?

Different thoughts raced through her mind as she took one step in front of the other trying to decide if this was a job interview or a trap, Lexi hadn't even told her anything about the job.

She admired the water fountain and the ice sculpture of a swan beside it. She caught a glimpse of the garage and her mouth hung open as she saw different cars inside.

Hastening her steps, she hurried to the front door, about to ring it when the door swung open and a 5ft6 elderly man with silver hair and brown eyes beamed at her.

"Welcome, Ms. Tyson I've been waiting for you," the man said in a friendly voice.

"Thank you," she smiled staring at his immaculate white shirt and pants paired with a black vest.

"Sir," she added after realizing that he might be the owner of this place meaning the new boss.

She was independent and hot-headed but she didn't want to come off as rude on the first impression.

The man chuckled softly, "I'm not a Sir my dear just call me Lee, I'm a butler."

She cocked her brows at him, "Uhh...I didn't expect that I'm sorry."

He smiled at her, "Please do come in."

She was ushered into the house and she had a hard time trying to pick up her jaw from the floor.

The sitting room was amazing. With a glass chandelier and double spiral staircase, a conference glass dining table, and a one billion dollar black leather settee.

She didn't want the butler or the owner of the house to catch her gawking at the house like this so she grudgingly broke eye contact with the beautiful hammock placed beside one of the staircases or the amazing bookshelves filled with all her favorite author stories or is that beach sand...

"Ms. Tyson, please take a seat I'm sure you'll have enough time to admire the house after your interview."

Natalie blushed as she hurriedly took a seat, her cheeks coloring slightly at being caught staring.

"I'm sorry, just call me Natalie."

He smiled at her before pouring her a drink then sat down on the nearest couch. "I didn't receive your resume from the agency."

She choked on the drink she was about to swallow, "R-resume?"

Oh dear, Lexi has killed her by sending her here.

"Yes, I sent a mail to the nanny agency this morning," he continued still smiling, "I didn't know they would send someone over so quickly."

"Yeah, I got called straight from home," she lied laughing nervously.

He laughed with her before narrowing his eyes at her, "You're not from the agency, are you?"

She gulped swallowing nervously before shaking her head slowly. "No, Lee."

This is it. She will be thrown out of the house without a job or worse...

"Marvelous!" She glanced up startled at the cry of the butler, a huge grin on his face.

"It is?" She asked confused.

"Yes my dear," the butler affirmed still smiling, "I've been wondering when someone outside that agency can finally come for an interview."

"You have? Then why put up the advert in the agency?"

"Because between me and you, my boss is a stubborn person," the butler replied in a whisper.

Natalie laughed. She could see the love shining in the man's eyes and she could tell that this old man was fond of his boss.

"I'm sorry for lying earlier my friend was the one that gave me the address for this interview," she apologized.

"It's okay, Natalie," he waved her off, "Have you ever done a nanny job?"

She lowered her eyes, "No."

He nodded, "So that means you don't know how to handle kids?"

Natalie raised her head sharply, "Of course, I do. I have a sick twelve years old brother whom I've been taking care of since he was born."

The man gave her a sympathetic look but did not comment instead he produced some documents.

"Please sign here."

She read through the document and gave him an odd look, "You're hiring me?"

He nodded.

"Without an interview?" She stressed on.

"Of course, not. The interview started the moment you arrived at the gate and rang the doorbell. One thing is for sure though you're not after my boss."

She cocked her brow at him, "Is there any particular reason why I should be?"

He chuckled, "You'll see."

His answer left her in awe but she went ahead and continued reading the contract. When she got to her monthly allowance her eyes almost bulged at the number of zeros she saw.

"The salary..." She trailed off staring at Lee.

He chuckled. "Well, our boss is a very generous man and the kid is special."

She looked back at the contract and nodded, joy swirling in her heart.

Finally done reading she picked up the pen to sign it when an ear-splitting scream interrupted her.

Turning her head around she saw a little girl of six years standing at the foyer glaring at her. She was dressed in a pink short dress and her black curly hair was pulled in a ponytail. Her emerald eyes continued glaring at her even as she advanced from the foyer till she stood before her.

"Don't. Sign. It!" She yelled grabbing the biro from her.

"What's wrong with you Chloe?" Lee asked confused.

"What's wrong with me or what's wrong with you?" The little girl fired back glaring at the butler now.

"I'm sorry Natalie but she's not usually like this," the butler apologized his brows furrowed in concern.

"Why did you let her into this house, Lee?" Chloe asked in a tone that kids were not supposed to use.

So this kid thinks she's gonna run for the hills after getting this job? Ha! Not a chance, Natalie congratulated herself and conceding a small smirk. 

"She's your new nanny, Chloe," the butler replied in a stern voice.

"Oh puh-lease!" Chloe rolled her eyes in a not so childish manner.

"Go to your room, Chloe," the butler said calmly.

Chloe pouted, "Daddy said he doesn't need a nanny again so I don't want one."

Oh no, sorry princess but I'm not losing my job, she taunted mentally while observing the scene unfolding before her.

"Your dad asked me to get a new nanny before he gets back," the butler tried desperately to explain.

"I'm gonna call daddy right now and have him fire her butt."

Natalie looked surprised when the kid pulled out her iPhone—the latest model—and proceeded to call her father.

No way I'm letting a six years old best me, she growled inwardly.

"Hey Chloe, there's no need to do that," she said giving her a big smile.

"Stay out of this, daddy stealer!" She yelled in her face.

Natalie snorted. "I have no intentions of stealing your daddy, little girl."

Lee gave her a small smile before turning his attention back to Chloe, "He's in a meeting, honey he's not gonna..."

"Shut up, he picked up!" She squealed happily then frowned suddenly pulling her phone from her ears, "and he hung up."

Natalie felt sorry for the little girl. She could understand how it feels to not always see your loved ones around.

"Hey, what did he say?" She asked in a soft tone, holding her hands gently.

Natalie noticed how the little girl blinked rapidly trying to hold back tears before giving her a small shrug.

"He said he's in a meeting, he's gonna call me back."

"I'm sure he's gonna call, Chloe," she gave her a wide smile but the girl instantly jerked away from her.

"Keep your hands to yourself, Miss!"

"Chloe, don't talk to your nanny like that!" Lee scolded.

"She's not my nanny, Lee!" Natalie groaned as the girl glared daggers at her.

This was going to be a long job!

"Chloe!" Lee called in a warning voice.

"I'm serious Lee, she's a murderer!"