Chapter 3
1067 Words
Caden's pov
Crazy wasn’t a word I tossed around lightly, but the girl sprawled on the ground in front of me? Yeah, that was pure insanity wrapped in a ponytail and bad decision-making.
I glanced at my watch, irritation bubbling up. My flight had just landed, and I wasn’t in the mood for theatrics. Yet, here I was, dealing with some stranger who thought I was her personal lifeline.
The dog, a massive German Shepherd named Max, had stopped barking and now sat obediently by my side, wagging his tail like nothing happened. Traitor.
I folded my arms and looked down at her. “Who are you, and why are you trespassing on private property?”
She glared at me, her eyes practically shooting lasers. “Your killer dog chased me! What was I supposed to do, huh? Just stand there and let it eat me?”
Max barked once, almost like he was laughing at her. I sighed. “Max wouldn’t hurt a fly unless it deserved it. Maybe don’t sneak into people’s homes next time.”
She shot to her feet, brushing dirt off her pants with exaggerated annoyance. “Sneak in? I knocked, okay? No one answered, and I have an appointment here!”
“Appointment?” I raised an eyebrow, studying her more closely. She was wearing casual clothes—too casual, honestly, for someone who wanted to make a decent first impression. But then again, there was something oddly confident about her stance, even as she fumbled to explain herself.
“Yes, an appointment!” she huffed, thrusting a crumpled flyer in my direction. “For the babysitting job. Are you going to interrogate me, or can I go inside now?”
Babysitting job? I thought, that was when it was down on me that no one is capable of this flyer except for my sister, Mia.
I have warned her not to do the flyer when she bought up the suggestion.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaling slowly. “You’re here for the babysitting position?”
“Duh,” she said, rolling her eyes like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Max barked again, and I gave him a warning glance before turning back to her. “First of all, it’s not my job to hire you. Second, if you want anyone to take you seriously, maybe don’t scream like a maniac and throw yourself at people.
Her cheeks flushed, and for a second, I thought she might actually apologize. But then she crossed her arms and glared at me again. “Listen, mister... whoever-you-are, I didn’t ask for your opinion, okay? I’m just here to do a job, make some money, and leave. So can you move aside and let me get this over with?”
I opened my mouth to fire back when a familiar voice rang out from the front door.
“Caden, what’s taking so long? Who’s causing all this racket?”
Mia. Of course. She appeared at the top of the steps, dressed in a silk robe and sipping what I could only assume was her third mimosa of the day. She squinted down at us, her perfectly plucked eyebrows rising in curiosity.
“Who’s the girl?” she asked, pointing her glass at the would-be babysitter.
“Your new hire, apparently,” I said dryly.
Mia’s eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands together. “Oh, wonderful! I was starting to think no one would show up. Come in, dear!”
The girl—what was her name again?—shot me a smug look before marching toward the door like she’d just won a battle.
I checked the time again to ensure I wouldn’t miss my flight. I still had a little time, so I decided to follow them. There was no way I could let Mia hire a lunatic to watch over my kids.
“You can go. I’ll hire her,” Mia said, taking a seat, completely unbothered. The young woman stood before her, looking both defiant and unpolished.
“I can’t allow you to hire someone like her for my kids. She’s not professional enough,” I said, crossing my arms.
The girl’s eyes narrowed as she shot back, “You just said you’re not the one hiring me. So what gives you the audacity to say I’m not professional enough?”
Her retort left me speechless for a moment. Regaining my composure, I snapped, “Get out of my house before I call security. I don’t have time for this. I’ve got a flight to catch.”
“Why should I get out?” she challenged, folding her arms defiantly.
“Because I said so! And just because I’m not hiring you doesn’t mean I don’t have a say in this decision,” I retorted, exasperated.
Mia, of course, was just sitting there, thoroughly entertained by the chaos.
“Mia, don’t hire her,” I said firmly before walking out.
The girl ran after me, yelling all sorts of things, but I didn’t stop until I reached the car park.
“Okay! Let’s make a deal,” she said, breathless.
“I don’t make deals with people,” I said curtly, trying to open the car door.
But she held onto the door. “Give me a week,” she pleaded.
“A week? For what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Give me a week to prove I’m capable of babysitting your kids,” she said, her tone determined.
I sighed, glancing at my watch. I didn’t have time for this. “Fine,” I said reluctantly, but as I tried to close the door, she held it again.
“What now?” I asked, my irritation growing.
“If I prove myself to you—that I’m professional—you’ll give me a second job in your office. Two jobs,” she said, a sly smile on her face.
I smirked. She thought babysitting my kids would be easy? Let’s see how long she’d last. “Fine. A week. But only on a contract,” I said, stepping into the car.
“Mia, she’s hired for a week—but put it in writing,” I called back before driving off, amused by the chaos I was about to unleash. There was no way she’d last long with Erica and Emily.
- Writer
