The Nanny Affair

After a few days of doing nothing but sleeping and binge-eating, Elena sat slouched in the sitting room. Her laptop was open in front of her, but she didn't touch it. She stared blankly at the screen.

"Anything yet?" Sienna asked as she walked in with a bowl of popcorn.

Elena gave a slow shake of her head. "No employment needed anywhere," she muttered, standing up only to flop beside Sienna on the sofa with a groan.

"That's crazy," Sienna said, offering her the bowl. "Let's just wait a few more days and see what comes up."

"Yeah. I'm not in a rush. I'll take my time," Elena said, popping a kernel in her mouth.

Sienna nodded, still scrolling through her phone. "Wait... Elena," she began, pausing. "I know last time you mentioned maybe taking a waitress job..."

Elena didn't even glance her way.

"I know, I know....having a Master's and ending up waiting tables? That's a tough pill to swallow. But hear me out. What if you try this nanny job instead?"

"Nanny?" Elena echoed, clearly uninterested.

"Yeah," Sienna replied, her tone brighter. "It's only for a month. You can do it while still job hunting. Keeps you active and sane."

Elena stared into the distance. "I'll think about it," she replied flatly.

"Please do," Sienna said, grabbing a handful of popcorn. "'Cause the pay is good."

Elena's head turned so fast it was like her battery just got recharged. "How good are we talking?"

Sienna smirked. "Eight figures."

"Whaaaaaaatttttt?!" Elena practically screamed, her eyes flying open.

.....................

"No, I'll make sure to put her in her place," the lady said with a confident flip of her hair.

Chris looked at her for a beat, unimpressed. He scribbled something on his notepad, then muttered, "Next."

The woman blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Thank you for coming," Chris replied flatly, already turning to the next applicant.

The next woman sat down, a bit too relaxed. "Well, what I'll do is super simple," she said, crossing her legs. "If the child misbehaves, a timeout. Or maybe a little clean-up punishment. Kids learn fast."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Not his kid," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Next."

He waved her off without another word, scribbling a big X beside her name....

The notepad in front of him was nearly full of crossed-out names.

A young woman with bright red lipstick and overly high heels sat across from him.

"Do you have experience with children?"

"Well, I watched my little cousins once at a party until one of them disappeared. But I found him eventually!"

Chris blinked. "Next."

A man in a suit three sizes too small leaned forward with a grin.

"I sing to calm kids down. Want me to... "

"Neeeeexxxxxxt."

........

A woman in a sparkly blouse held up flashcards.

"These are my custom-designed discipline cards. I invented a reward system based on zodiac signs."

Chris didn't even lift his head. "Next."

.........

A girl chewed gum loudly while texting.

"Kids love me. I let them do whatever they want."

Chris slowly raised his eyes, chewing back a sigh. "Neeeeeeexxxxxxt."

Finally, he looked at the clock and groaned under his breath. "At this rate, I might as well move in and raise the kid myself."

Chris's phone rang and he picked it up instantly. "Mr Damien Hughston."

His posture straightened. "Yes, sir," he muttered respectfully, already rising to his feet.

"I'll be at the airport soon," he added, snapping the notepad shut.

Without another word, Chris strode out of the room....

.....

A sharp knock hit the door. Elena, still in her hoodie and pyjama shorts, sighed and dragged herself off the couch.

She opened the door and froze.

There he was.

"Ray?" she breathed.

He gave a sheepish half-smile. "Hey... you look... good."

She didn't say a word. Just stood there.

Ray glanced down awkwardly, then back at her with his signature fake-sincere eyes. "Look, I know I'm probably the last person you want to see"

"You think?" Elena cut him off as she crossed out her arms.

"I messed up, okay?" he said quickly. "I panicked. I wasn't ready back then. But I never stopped thinking about you."

She let out a dry laugh. "Three years of silence and now you're suddenly haunted by my memory?"

"I saw your picture online," he added, as if that explained everything. "And I realised... God, I was such an idiot. You're the one that got away."

"No," Elena said coldly. "I was the one you let walk away."

He stepped closer. "Elena, I made mistakes, I admit that. We should've gone ahead with the wedding and all I know is I messed up and... "

Before Ray could finish, a sharp voice cut in.

"Do you know what else is going to be messed up if you don't get the hell out of here?" Sienna's voice rang loud and clear from behind him.

He barely had time to turn his head before..

SPLASH.

A full bucket of iced water drenched his back and shoulders.

Sienna stood there, holding the now-empty bucket like a weapon. "Your clothes," she muttered coldly, stepping forward to block Elena completely. "Do you even realise what you did? You wasted six years of her life just to show up three years later like some pathetic rerun?"

Ray opened his mouth.

"Bro, save it. Get lost before I call the cops," Sienna snapped her eyes blazing.

Before he could argue, the door slammed shut in his face..

Elena let out a slow breath. "Thanks."

Sienna exhaled too. "I swear, if he ever shows up again, I'm bringing pepper spray."