The Billionaire’s Nanny

Doors of Alabama

Sophia POV

It’s been a week since my mother passed, three days after the funeral, I tried going back to work, but when I got there, the manager said

“I’m sorry Soph, we’ve hired someone else already”

“You can’t do that to me, in just 5days?” I said desperately

“You know we can’t afford much manpower, so we can’t afford to have a space open even for 1 day” He said powerlessly

“But Sir, you know I couldn’t help it, I lost my mother, I’ve never been absent before, you know that” I tried convincing him

“I know, I know Soph, but this is completely out of my hands, it was an order from the top, I’m sorry dear” he answered softly.

I knew there was no going back and I’ve completely lost my job with no means of livelihood. I went back home defeated with my shoulder sagged. Laying down looking up to the ceiling, I heard Aunt Fehime’s voice outside with someone else, they seemed to be in an argument. I saw that the person my Aunt was arguing with is the landlord. Ever since my mom was diagnosed last year, we haven’t had money to pay for rent, yet the man has been patient with us despite the deficit.

“Hello good afternoon sir” I greeted respectfully, stepping out of the house.

“Hello Sophia” he replied with his deep accent

“Go back inside sweetheart, I’m handling it” Aunt Fehime said, but I knew I had to grow up and can’t put every problem on her. “It’s okay Aunty” I told her.

I faced the old man that was looking at me pitifully “Give me some time sir, I’m hunting for job at the moment, once I’m employed, I’ll settle our outstanding bill and the present one sir”

He looked at me gently “I’m sorry Sophia, you know how much I adore you and your mother, but I can’t help you anymore. The outstanding bill of over a year will be cancelled, you don’t have to pay me for it, in respect of your mother’s demise, but today, I’m not here for money. I’m going to stay with my son in London, I won’t be coming back, considering my age, I need someone to take care of me. So I’ve put the house on sale Sophia.”

“What?” I exclaimed terrified of being homeless in addition to my current joblessness.

“You can’t do that all of a sudden, without giving her time to even prepare Mr Clark” Aunt Fehime said to him.

“Even though the buyers will be here today to make payment, she still have a week to evacuate the place”

He turned to me, “Sophia, I’m sure you know my hands are tied and I wish I could do more for you, but I can’t. I’m sorry dear”

“It’s okay sir, thank you for everything, I’ll be out of here by that time”

I walked back into the house, looking around, defeated, lost, I didn’t know what to do, I held on to my mother’s picture. A few minutes later, Aunt Fehime came inside, she saw me and held onto me, which made tears well up in my eyes.

“Everything will be fine, we’ll sort things out” she tried to assure me. “You can move in with me Sophia, I told you that before”

I cleaned my eyes, looking up at her. “Give me time to think about it auntie and think of what to do next while basking in my mom’s scent too for a little time” I tell her

I hear a soft knock early in the morning, knowing it could only be one person, I stood up to open the door for her.

She walked enthusiastically, full of smiles, her joy rubbed off on me as well, making me smile a little while looking at her dimple prominent, as she’s smiling.

I sat down “Everything alright Aunty? Good news?”

“ In fact, a great news sweetheart. I spoke to my sister in Alabama, while we were having a discussion about you, she gave us an amazing offer that could solve all of our problems Sophia!!” She clapped her hands joyfully at the end of her speech.

“At her workplace, A rich household is in need of a nanny in Alabama for their 5yrs old son” she continued.

I took a while to digest the information. “ ookayy, but Aunty, they need a nanny in Alabama not South Africa, how does that work? Besides, how do I get the money to even travel to Alabama? And what if I get there and I wasn’t employed, then I’ll be stranded in a foreign land? No Aunty” I tried to point out all the cons of the information.

“Sophiaaa, calm down, the traveling expenses are on the employer, not on you my dear, you don’t need to bother. My sister said she’ll put in a good word for you, she’s sure you’ll be employed. Even if they didn’t employ you like you said, my sister is in Alabama, why on earth will you be stranded?”

“But my mum is here, Aunty.” I whined.

She pulled me closer, held my hands. “Yes she is sweetheart, but she would have wanted you to grab a life changing opportunity, to enlarge your coast. Besides who said she’s here in SA?” She said smugly looking at me.

“Honey, if I know my friend well enough, she’s exactly wherever you are. If you choose to go to Alabama today, trust me, I bet she’s packing her bag over there as well ready to go with you.” We both laughed at that.

“Think about it first, sweetheart” she said.

Aunt Fehime stood up ready to leave, “I’ll go” I told her

“Really Sophia? I know you’ll make a wise decision “ she hugged me. “You can start packing, let me go and make a call” She started heading to the door, but turned back, smooching my cheeks, smiling at me.

“I’ll miss you so much my baby, I’ve never had you far away from my vicinity before” she said cleaning her teary eyes.

“It’s okay aunty, you ain’t getting rid of me so soon, I’ll keep blasting your phone every chance I get.” I said hugging her.

“Enough of the emotions, start packing now before I keep you under my skirt forever.” Laughing, she left the room.

“Well, Alabama here I come I guess” I said to myself.