Chapter 3: The Interview from Hell
1073 Words
Lena stood outside the massive iron gates of the Blackwood estate, gripping the straps of her bag tightly. She had expected a decent-sized house, maybe something a little fancier than the usual, but this? This was a mansion.
The towering structure loomed over her, dark stone walls and high windows giving it a cold, intimidating feel. Even the air around the place felt heavier, as if it belonged to another world entirely.
She swallowed hard and checked the time on her phone. 6:58 PM.
"Alright, Lena, just be professional," she whispered to herself.
Taking a deep breath, she pressed the intercom button beside the gate. A few seconds later, a gruff voice responded.
"State your name."
"Lena Carter. I have an interview with Mr. Blackwood."
A brief pause. Then, with a heavy clank, the gates slowly creaked open.
Lena stepped inside and followed the long pathway to the front door. The mansion was even more intimidating up close, its dark exterior making her feel small.
Before she could knock, the massive double doors swung open.
A man in a black suit stood there, expression unreadable. "Follow me."
Lena quickly stepped inside, her shoes clicking against the polished marble floor. Everything about the place screamed wealth—gold-trimmed furniture, crystal chandeliers, and paintings that looked too expensive to be real.
She barely had time to admire anything before she was led to what appeared to be an office. The man gestured for her to enter.
She stepped in cautiously.
Behind a large desk sat Damian Blackwood.
Lena had imagined an older businessman with graying hair and a stiff posture. Instead, the man before her was young, sharp-featured, and ridiculously handsome—but his cold expression made it clear that he wasn’t someone to be admired for long.
He had dark, piercing eyes that seemed to size her up immediately, as if already finding her unimpressive. His suit was perfectly fitted, not a single wrinkle in sight. The air around him felt heavy, like a storm waiting to break.
"You’re late," he said flatly.
Lena blinked. "No, sir. It’s exactly seven."
Damian raised an eyebrow. "You should’ve arrived earlier."
Lena bit her tongue. What kind of logic is that?!
"Sit."
She hesitated but quickly obeyed, lowering herself onto the leather chair across from him.
Damian leaned back slightly, folding his hands together. "Tell me, Miss Carter, why should I trust you with my daughter?"
Lena straightened her back. "I may not have professional experience, but I’m responsible and good with kids. I’ve taken care of my younger cousins before, and I—"
"That’s not what I asked." His sharp tone cut through her words. "I asked why I should trust you. A stranger. Someone with no proper qualifications."
Lena’s jaw clenched. She had dealt with rude customers at the café before, but this man was something else.
She forced herself to stay calm. "Because I take my commitments seriously. If I accept a job, I do it properly. I may not have worked as a babysitter before, but I can assure you, I won't slack off."
Damian studied her for a long moment, his unreadable gaze making her squirm.
Then, suddenly—
CRASH!
A loud noise echoed from outside the room.
Lena jumped in her seat as the door flew open.
A little girl with messy brown curls burst inside, her dress stained with something red.
"Papa!" she whined. "I didn't do it!"
Behind her, a frazzled maid appeared. "Sir, I’m so sorry! She—"
Damian pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ellie, what did I tell you about running inside?"
The little girl completely ignored him and turned to Lena instead.
"Who are you?" Ellie asked, tilting her head.
Lena hesitated. "Uh… I’m Lena. I came for the babysitting job."
Ellie gasped dramatically. "You wanna take care of me?"
"Um. Yes?"
"Do you like playing pirates?"
"Pirates?"
Ellie grabbed Lena’s hand and pulled her up before she could react.
"Then fight me!" Ellie declared, swinging an imaginary sword in the air.
Lena nearly tripped. "W-What?!"
"En garde!" Ellie shouted, charging at her with her tiny fists.
Lena scrambled back, throwing a helpless look at Damian, who merely sighed in exhaustion.
"Ellie. Enough."
"But Papa! She has to prove herself in battle!"
Damian gave her a look.
Ellie pouted but finally let go of Lena’s hand. "Fine."
Lena caught her breath, glancing at Damian. Is this child always like this?!
Damian shook his head. "Ellie, go with the maid. Now."
"But I like this one!" Ellie pointed at Lena. "She’s funny!"
Lena didn’t know whether to feel flattered or terrified.
Damian waved a hand. The maid quickly ushered Ellie out of the room, her giggles echoing down the hall.
Once the door shut, Damian turned back to Lena.
"As you can see," he said, rubbing his temples, "my daughter is difficult."
Lena could definitely see that.
"Do you still think you can handle this job?"
Lena hesitated. Ellie was a lot to deal with, but at the same time… the pay was good. Really good.
"I… I think so," she said.
Damian leaned forward slightly. "Then there’s one condition."
Lena braced herself.
"You’ll live here."
Lena’s heart nearly stopped. "What?"
"I need someone available at all times," he said coolly. "That means you’ll move in. A room will be provided, and you’ll be free to attend university, but outside of that, your responsibility is my daughter."
Lena stared at him.
Live here? In this mansion?
With him?
She struggled to find words. "I… I wasn’t expecting that."
"I don’t care what you expected," he said bluntly. "This is the offer. Take it or leave it."
Lena felt trapped. She needed this job. The money would save her tuition, and she’d still be able to attend classes. But living under the same roof as this man?
She bit her lip. "Can I have some time to think about it?"
Damian’s expression remained unreadable. "You have until tomorrow morning. If you don’t accept by then, I’ll find someone else."
Lena swallowed hard.
Tomorrow morning.
Just one night to decide if she was ready for this insanity.
She stood up, heart pounding. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Blackwood."
He simply nodded, already glancing at his paperwork as if she was no longer worth his attention.
Lena turned and left the office, her thoughts racing.
What have I gotten myself into?
End of the chapter
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- Writer
