The next day.
Shonee's POV
After getting the last of my things out of the shabby apartment I'd called home for the past six months, I handed the keys over to the middle-aged woman who smelt like she took a bath in cigarettes.
"Here you go, Tiffany. All four keys, including the spare."
"Great." She snatched them from me. "I'd wish you the best wherever you're going but...you know I don't like you."
"Yeah, you've made that clear a couple of times. So long, Tiff." I hooked my bag over my shoulder and descended the stairs. My suitcases and the rest of my boxes were right outside. All I needed to do was give the movers a call and...
"Oh shit!" My heart jumped into my throat. "Where the heck is all my stuff?"
"Hello, Ms. Coleman?"
I turned around to find a young man dressed in a well-tailored suit adjusting the cap on his head. Behind him, another man in the same outfit stood beside a sleek Toyota Camry.
"Uhm...yes?"
"My name is Dean, and that's Michael." He pointed to the gentleman at the back. "Madam Avril sent us here to help you with the move-in."
"Really?" My eyebrows flew up in surprise.
"Yes, everything of yours is already in the car trunk. Is there anything else we need to fetch from inside?"
I blinked. "Uhm...no, no, that's all of it." If I knew she was going to send help, I wouldn't have stressed myself, bringing everything down the stairs.
"Great. Shall we head out then?"
"Oh of course." I stepped forward.
Michael opened the door and I slipped onto the plush seating. The two guys also entered the vehicle and in a matter of seconds, we hit the road.
The drive to the Beckham premises was fairly short. In the next twenty minutes, we arrived at the grand gates, and they opened, allowing us access to the cobblestone driveway. A sprawling mansion loomed ahead with a majestic structure framed by meticulously landscaped gardens. Honestly, it felt as if I'd just entered fairytale land.
Dean brought the car to a stop at the entrance. The moment I stepped out, the imposing front doors swung open. Avril Payne approached us, flanked by two uniformed staff. "Shonee," She smiled. "Welcome to my humble abode."
If this was what she called humble, then I'd very much like to see what she called extravagant. "Thank you, Ms. Payne. You have a lovely home."
"Thank you, thank you. And please call me Avril. Ms. Payne makes me sound like an old hag," She chuckled, and I had to force myself to go along with it. "Come, come, let me show you around."
"Oh umm..." I turned to the guys, wondering what was going to happen to my bags.
"Don't worry about your belongings," Avril interjected. "The staff will take them to your room."
"Oh ok." With that assurance, I followed my new boss inside.
The entrance foyer was nothing short of breathtaking—marble floors gleamed under soft chandeliers, and tasteful artwork adorned the walls. As we entered the living room, the spacious area exuded an air of elegance. Plush sofas surrounded a coffee table, and floor-to-ceiling windows offered a lovely view of the garden. There, a middle-aged man sat with a little girl teaching her how to play the violin.
"That's Mirasol," Avril said behind me. "Vincent's daughter and your responsibility from now onwards. Mirasol is homeschooled so she spends most of her time here in the mansion, so you will be required to keep an eye on her at all times. You'll have the chance to meet her when she's less busy. Let's move on to the kitchen, shall we?"
"Sure." Walking through an extravagant dining room, we ended up in a state-of-the-art kitchen. Expansive marble countertops stretched across the room, adorned with gleaming stainless-steel appliances and utensils from high-end ovens to professional-grade cookware.
The kitchen staff were hard at work, preparing the family's dinner. Clad in crisp uniforms they seamlessly coordinated their efforts, each person assigned to a specific task, and it was all being monitored by a large woman who appeared to be in her late fifties. Avril summoned her over with just a flick of her hand.
"Madam Avril." She took a bow the moment she walked over.
"Gerta, I'd like you to meet Shonee. She's Mirasol's new nanny and she'll be staying with us. Shonee, this is Gerta, the head of the house staff," Avril said. "She's in charge of anything and everything around here and apart from you, she's the only other staff member allowed to live on the premises overnight. All other staff members head home and report the following morning. So, if you need anything, Gerta is the one you should ask."
"Right." I quickly extended a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Gerta."
"Likewise." Her grip was hard and firm almost like that of a man's. It was intimidating.
"Great, let's continue." The moment Avril turned on her heel, I was right behind as she led the way through a series of spacious halls before coming to a stop at an oak door. "Finally, this is your room."
My mouth just dropped open. Holy Mackerel! The size of the room rivalled that of a five-star hotel. A cosy bed beckoned in one corner, promising nothing but warmth and comfort. There was also a desk by the window, offering a serene view of the rest of the Beckham property.
"You have your walk-in closet." Avril stepped in and flung the doors open.
If I were a cartoon, my jaw would literally be on the floor right now.
"You also have your own bathroom and toilet. There's a spare one down the hall, just after Mirasol's room, in case of emergencies. I think that about sums it up." Avril clasped her hands.
Before she could turn and catch me in a state of awe and marvel, I snapped my mouth shut.
She walked to the door, gesturing for me to follow her. "We have a schedule for all of Mirasol's activities in the living room and her bedroom. Feel free to memorize it so you can help her manage her time profitably." She steered me in the direction of the living room. "Vincent is away on a business trip and won't be back until next week. When he returns, I will make sure to introduce you to him. Tonight, I have other engagements planned so it's just going to be you and Mirasol for dinner. Make the effort to bond with her."
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps wafted into our ears, pulling our attention to the little girl who just entered the living room, holding her violin. Her black hair was in the usual pigtails and that blank expression from the pictures I'd seen sat on her face. It felt sort of creepy seeing her like this.
Avril wasn't kidding when she described her as Wednesday Addams.
"Mira, sweetheart, hi," Avril chimed in an overly sweet tone. "How was music class?"
The little girl just stood there, blank expression and all.
"Glad you enjoyed it," she smiled, and I shot Avril a weird look. Thankfully she didn't notice. "Look who's here, it's Auntie Shonee." Avril quickly pulled me closer. "Auntie Shonee is going to be your nanny and play with you all the time. What do you think?"
Still nothing but silence and I found it a bit strange that she wasn't responding to any of Avril's questions.
So, I stepped forward in an attempt to make her acquaintance. "Hi Mirasol, I'm Shonee. I heard you playing your violin outside, you were great."
She just quirked up an eyebrow and I took that as a positive response. "It's wonderful to meet you." I stretched out a hand for a handshake.
Mirasol just eyed it and walked past me, carrying her violin.
Wow. Taking care of this kid is going to be harder than I thought.
A notification ping echoed in the room and Avril pulled out her phone. "Oh, Shonee. I've gotta go, Mirasol is all yours now."
Snatching her handbag from a waiting staff member, Avril made her way towards the exit, stilettos clicking on the tiled floor as I wondered what the hell I'd gotten myself into.