The Billionaire’s Babysitter

Lena Carter stood outside Professor Warren’s office, her fingers tightening around the strap of her worn-out backpack. Her stomach twisted with anxiety as she stared at the wooden door in front of her. She knew what this meeting was about. It wasn’t the first time she had been called in, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last—unless, of course, she found a way to pay her overdue tuition. Taking a deep breath, she knocked lightly before pushing the door open. Professor Warren sat behind his large oak desk, flipping through a thick stack of papers. He barely looked up when she entered. "Miss Carter, take a seat." Lena obeyed, lowering herself onto the chair opposite him. She tried to ignore the tension in the air as she adjusted her bag on her lap. "You know why you’re here," the professor said, finally looking at her over the rim of his thin glasses. She swallowed hard. "Yes, sir." He sighed and set his pen down, lacing his fingers together. "The administration has been more than patient. Your tuition fees are past due, and you have already exceeded the university’s grace period. You cannot continue your studies if this remains unpaid." Lena's throat felt dry. She had heard these words before, but this time, they carried more weight. The deadline was no longer in the distant future—it was now. "I just need a little more time," she said quickly. "I’ve been working extra shifts. I promise I’ll have the money soon." Professor Warren leaned back in his chair, studying her with an unreadable expression. "Lena, this is not the first time we’ve had this conversation. The university cannot operate on promises alone. If the payment is not made in full within two weeks, you will be automatically withdrawn from your courses." Two weeks. Her heart pounded. She had barely managed to scrape together a fraction of what she owed. How was she supposed to come up with the rest in just fourteen days? "I understand," she forced herself to say, though the words felt like shards of glass in her throat. The professor sighed again, tapping his fingers on the desk. "I know you’re a hardworking student. I’ve seen your dedication. But my hands are tied. This is an academic institution, not a charity." Lena wanted to scream. As if she didn’t know that. As if she wasn’t already working herself to the bone to afford an education. "Is there any way to get an extension?" she asked, though she already knew the answer. Professor Warren shook his head. "I’m afraid not. The rules are clear." She bit the inside of her cheek. "Do you have any family who can help?" he asked. Lena let out a humorless laugh. "No, sir." Her father had disappeared when she was a kid, and her mother… well, she had her own problems. There was no one coming to save her. Professor Warren sighed. "Then I suggest you start looking for a solution immediately. Two weeks isn’t much time." Lena nodded stiffly and stood up. "Thank you for your time, Professor." He gave her a small nod, and she walked out of the office, her legs feeling like lead. As soon as she stepped into the hallway, the noise of students chatting, laughing, and hurrying to their next classes surrounded her. It was a cruel contrast to the storm raging inside her. She had two weeks. Two weeks to find a way to pay her tuition or lose everything she had worked for. She pushed through the crowd, heading straight for the campus café where she worked part-time. It wasn’t much, but it was the only job she had managed to hold down between her classes. The moment she stepped inside, the scent of coffee and fresh pastries hit her, but it did little to calm her nerves. She threw her bag into the backroom and grabbed an apron. "Lena, you okay?" her coworker, Mia, asked as she wiped down the counter. "Yeah," Lena lied, tying her apron around her waist. "Just a lot on my mind." Mia gave her a knowing look. "Tuition?" Lena exhaled sharply. "What else?" Mia frowned. "Did you ask for another extension?" "They gave me two weeks." Mia winced. "Damn. That’s rough." "Tell me about it," Lena muttered, forcing herself to focus as she stepped behind the counter. The evening rush came in, giving her a temporary distraction. She took orders, made drinks, cleaned tables—anything to keep her mind off the looming deadline. But no matter how hard she tried to push it away, the anxiety sat heavy on her chest. By the time her shift ended, her feet ached, and exhaustion weighed down on her shoulders. She collected her tips—barely enough to buy groceries for the week—before heading out into the chilly night air. She checked her phone. A few missed calls from an unknown number, probably another reminder from the university’s billing office. With a sigh, she stuffed her phone into her pocket and started walking home. The streets were quieter now, the city lights flickering against the dark sky. As she reached her tiny apartment, she unlocked the door and stepped inside, greeted by silence. She tossed her bag onto the couch and collapsed beside it, rubbing her temples. She needed a plan. More shifts wouldn’t cut it. Her paycheck barely covered rent, and she couldn’t afford to work extra hours without falling behind in her classes. She ran a hand through her hair, frustration boiling inside her. There had to be another way. She just didn’t know what it was yet. And with only two weeks left, she was running out of time. end of the chapter ---