sir?”
“Then I want you to show up at my mansion at 8 A.M. sharp. I will send a company car to your address, which will drop you off at my mansion. You are on trial for a month before I make a final decision about your employment. Just take all the details from Mr. Jones and he will tell you all the details,” he said. “You are dismissed now, Miss James.”
“I-. Yes, thank you, sir,” she said nodding her head, unable to believe that this was happening.
She had never thought that the richest man in the country would even consider her for the job. Especially since he had rejected every nanny that the agency had sent before. They hadn’t even planned on sending Pearl because of how new she was, but they had run out of people and here she was. She had been worrying about her father and the money she already owed despite just moving into this city. Maybe fate was finally on her side.
He waved his hand dismissively, and Pearl got up from her chair. “Thanks,” she said one last time before walking out of the door, still in a state of shock. She would finally be able to get her father the medicine he needed and find him a better place to live.
“Hi! Miss James. Let’s complete all the formalities,” Jones said as he smiled slightly. Pearl nodded and followed him.
She remembered the handsome man that she had just met, and she shivered at the memory. The aura and power he exuded still had her awed. She licked her lips as she thought of how sexy and attractive he was. She sighed as she realized that this was going to be harder than she thought.
After completing all the formalities, she started to make her way down the street, feeling a sense of elation at the thought of sharing the news with her father. She was feeling relieved and happy. After a long time, she had found a reason to smile a little. Her life had been a struggle since her childhood. Pearl and her father had stayed at multiple places after running away from home before finally settling here. It was always a challenge for Pearl to find a job and a house again and again.
She was passing by a telephone booth and she decided to call Mrs. Hayes. She was one of the neighbors in Pearl’s last apartment. She was one of the kindest people that she met on her travels.
“Hey, Mrs. Hayes!” Pearl said as the phone was picked up.
“Oh, hello darling,” the cheery voice replied. “How are you doing? How is your father?”
“All fine. We are finally settling in over here. I have even managed to find a new job,” Pearl said.
“That is wonderful, dear. I remembered how much you used to worry about it all.”
“Well, things seem to be looking up. What about you, Mrs. Hayes?”
“We, it’s mighty lonely without you, dearie. My knee has been acting up again but there is little I can do. The loneliness bothers me the most, you know.”
“I am sorry. I will come to visit as soon as I can.”
“Thanks a ton, darling. Oh, by the way, a young man stopped by asking about you and your father. A rather odd sort of fellow.”
Pearl felt the blood drain from her face as she whispered, “What kind of man? What did he look like?”
“The military crew hair cut is what I remember. He was rather normal looking, if you know what I mean. The scar on his face was odd though.” Mrs. Hayes chatted on, but Pearl was barely listening.
He was slowly getting closer to finding her and there was no way out. Her smile had already vanished.
Chapter 4
“Stop, Uncle Rio!” Laura giggled as Rio continued to tickle her. “Stop!”
“What?” Rio said, picking her up. “The little baby can’t take a bit of tickling?”
“No, I am not a little baby!” Laura said, laughing as Rio swing her around. “I am a big girl, Uncle Rio! I can brush my own teeth now!”
“Oh? So, you are a big girl? Is that so?” Rio said, looking down at the beautiful little girl. Her bright eyes glowed with happiness as she smiled at him warmly. Her tiny little hands clutched his shirt as he held her in his arms.
“Yes, I finished my dinner last night and now I am big,” she said, laughing. “I am going to be as tall as you, Uncle Rio.”
“I can’t wait to see that,” Rio