PROLOGUE
1737 Words
(2 YEARS AGO)
Tatiana's POV
“So it says here that you have a Master's degree in child psychology... so tell me, why should I hire you? Because I'm certainly not convinced that you can handle this job, miss Tatiana.”
Cyril asked me in a condescending tone, while he scanned through my CV. Had it not been that I needed this job so badly, I probably would have taken to my heels, but I couldn't, so I didn't and I stayed.
I tried to find my words, but my eyes were fixated on his stern face, with my mouth wide open. I had gotten a crush on him the moment I saw him. I was captivated by his sharp oval-shaped jawline, and his dark brown perfectly styled hair. His piercing blue eyes, which seemed to bore into those he looked at, had made me speechless.
But could you blame me for my blank stare?
His face and body screamed years and years of consistent workout routines which had been dedicated to sculpting his physique to perfection.
I was too stunned to speak. I had previously scrolled through his i********: page and Google searched a few of his pictures online while I was learning more about his company and all. But I still couldn't believe my eyes. He looked way more attractive in person than I could ever imagine.
It seemed too good to be true. My first instinct was to walk out, but I managed to maintain composure.
Was I really in the same space as “THE Cyril Walker?”
I had heard a few rumors about his selective iciness, but I hadn't taken them seriously.
How on earth could he be this mean with such a perfect face? Such a mean jerk I felt he was.
I had just graduated from college and I needed to raise some money to support myself and my dad. Upon researching and surfing the internet, I saw an ad online about his company looking for a nanny to hire, and I thought to myself,
“Hey! Why not grab this opportunity? What's the worst that could happen?”
And now here I stood looking confused and acting like a shy high school teenager going to ask his crush on a date, instead of boldly expressing myself.
I was finally about to speak after gathering enough courage, but he interrupted, his sharp tongue cutting through my chest like a sword. His voice dripped with rage and disdain, and I was shaken. Nobody had ever spoken to me like that before.
“ Hey young lady! I'm talking to you. Are you deaf???”
“No sir... I...I” I stammered, trying to defend myself, but he cut me off before I could end my sentence.
“Look, I don't have time for any nonsense right now. I'll let you know that I do not work with dumb folks...so if you are not ready to prove yourself worthy of my time, I'll advise you to leave immediately... Besides, how the heck did you get to be shortlisted anyway?” he harshly gushed at me.
“I'm sorry Mr. Walker, it won't happen again.” At that moment he rolled his eyes at me and signalled me with his hand to continue talking.
“So to answer your question, I believe I'm capable of being your nanny because I love children and I have always wanted to take...” he interrupted me by holding out his left hand in a stop sign.
“Halt!” he blurted out, staring at me with his piercing blue eyes. I instantly felt I was running out of breath in that split second.
“You must think this is a joke, right? Right? Does this look like an audition for a talent show or beauty contest?” his cold voice barked at me as I stood there silently, unsure of what to say.
“ I asked you why I should hire you. I didn't ask for what you love about kids or all that gibberish you were speaking about. In fact, I'm getting tired of this meaningless back and forth with you. Do you have kids? Or do you even have any experience with kids at all?” he continued while he stared at me steadily.
“No please but I...” before I could finish my sentence once again, he cut me off. This time he wanted me out of his office.
“Are you insane??? Get out of my office now!”
He yelled at me and reached out to his office landline which was installed on the wall beside his desk, to make a call.
“I need to know who with the audacity allowed an amateur into my office? Let the i***t report to my office this minute.” And with that, he ended the call and turned to me.
“What are you still doing here, you dumb-ass? Did I not ask you to leave? Or are you waiting for me to escort you on your way out?” he demanded.
I shook my head in response and walked out of his office. I was taken aback. I was angry and hurting, holding my tears before I caused any scene.
Why is he so cold? Why didn't he let me finish? What an egoistic prick he is! I hate him but I needed this job.
I settled on a mini-exotic sofa that was reserved for guests in the hallway. I sat there for a couple of minutes with my hands akimbo, contemplating whether to just go home or go back there. Well, I eventually chose the latter. But then, before I had left, I saw a young man enter his office. I didn't see his face, but I could tell from his stature that he was quite old.
It's do-or-die Tatiana, c'mon girl ! Go back there and plead with him again. You know how badly you need this job. Sure he is mean, but I'm sure he'll be easier to tolerate with time.
I did a few breathing exercises, inhaling and exhaling to calm myself down, while trying to convince myself to go one more time.
I had already taken the elevator to the first floor, as his office, since he is the CEO, is on the 10th floor, which is also on the last floor. I was about to step outside the company, before I changed my mind and decided to take an elevator back up to the top floor, to make another attempt.
At that point, I was feeling a mixture of anger and anxiety. My mind was full of so many “what ifs?” I rubbed my shoulders as a way of motivating myself as I walked through the hallway.
You can do this!
I finally summoned the courage when the bell of the elevator dinged, signalling me to step out. When I walked straight up to his door and knocked, he responded and I entered.
I immediately apologised and pleaded with him to hear what I had to say. But he didn't seem amused seeing me back there at all. In fact, I was convinced he was expecting me from the way he looked at me.
He asked me to grab a seat and warned me not to waste his time again in a very demeaning manner.
“ Mmm! Very typical.” He murmured.
“Take a seat and say whatever you have to say. Make it quick.” He lashed out, pointing to the swivel chair in front of him, while he glanced through a set of documents on his desk.
I cleared my throat and went on to share reasons why I believed I was qualified for the job.
“So as I was stating earlier, I’ve always loved kids and that's what drove me into studying child psychology. I promise you, if you give me a chance, I won't disappoint you”, I spoke as confidently as I could.
“Mmhmm” he muttered, still glancing through the files on his desk.
“Interesting speech but I'm still not convinced. Studying whatever psychology and having practical experience are two different things... Of course, how could I expect a dimwit like you to know that?” His eyes were now fixated on his laptop, as he browsed the internet.
“I still maintain my position...I commend your determination, but I doubt it's good enough for this job... You may leave now”, he gestured with his right hand toward the door while intently watching his laptop.
“Okay, how about I work for you for just 3 months, and if you don't think I'm still capable, then you can fire me and hire someone new?" I managed to say, hoping to convince him.
“3 months?” he asked, this time, looking at me straight in the eye.
“Fair enough! But on one condition”, he added, and resumed his work on his laptop.
I suppose he expects me to ask him what condition it is before he says it. A very haughty son of bi**h.
I thought to myself, smiled before I asked.
“Okay sir, on what condition?”
Without looking at me, he replied. I found his condition unfair and unreasonable, but I certainly was not in the best position to say that to his face.
“No salary, no allowance. Deal?” he let out a chuckle and his words kept ringing in my head like a morning wake-up alarm.
No salary, no allowance...no salary, no allowance... no salary, no allowance.
I wished it was a joke. It wasn't. He meant it.
I couldn't believe he was going to be my boss. Why else did he think I was taking this job? How can I work without a salary?
So many questions popped up in my head. He had also guaranteed me that I wasn't going to last up to a week with his daughter.
If that happens, does it mean I never get a salary? I just hoped this wouldn't end badly, because if he did, he was going to win, and I was going to lose.
Anyway, “Deal” I took up the challenge.
After all, the point was to prove to him that I was capable, right?
With my fingers crossed, let's see how it goes.
I whispered to myself.
- Writer
