The Billionaire's Offer

Ella's POV “Are you the new babysitter for Kim?” I turned around to the direction the strange female voice came from. Standing just a few inches away from me was a tall, elegant, and sophisticated lady in a gay red top, hugging her body tightly. Even though she wore heavy makeup with artificial eyelashes, she looked stunning. But it wasn’t her perfect makeup that made me open my mouth agape, in surprise. It was her exposed, perky n*****s that protruded directly from her top. Why wasn’t she wearing a bra? “Are you deaf or dumb? Or are you both?” the unfamiliar lady blurted out with disdain. It was enough to bring me back to reality. “Yes, I am Kim’s babysitter. My name is Ella…Ella Tate. It’s nice—” “Hey, hold it there. I’m not interested in who you are. I don’t deal with peasants like you. I wonder what Andrew was thinking when he employed you. Anyways, you will be sorted later. Where’s my stepdaughter?” My brows twisted and my stomach formed a tight knot as her degrading words hit my ears. Yes, I admit. I am from a humble home but what gave this artificial-looking gold digger the right to insult me? I opened my mouth, ready to give this uncultured woman a taste of my sharp tongue when I remembered my ordeal back home. Squeezing my fingers tightly, I decided to let it slip. “Kim is taking a nap,” I responded dryly, fighting to remain cool-headed. “Hmm, I see,” she retorted with rolling eyes, scanning the impressive living room. She circled and continued. “What about Andrew? Is he back home?” I scorned her inwardly. What does this shameless slut take me for? Or does she think I ‘adult-sit’ Andrew too? “Not yet,” I responded, still struggling to remain polite with my hands firmly latched across my hips. I could tell that she was disappointed, from the way her brows dropped slightly. It strangely made me happy. “Let him know I came around. I’ll be back. Take good care of my stepdaughter, okay?” I nodded with a fake, wry smile. She walked out, swaying her small hips that looked like two golf balls. Slamming the door shut, I replayed what had just happened and hissed loudly. Some people are just so rude and annoying. Not wanting to spoil my mood, I sat down on the big, purple cushion. It was one of my favorite pieces of furniture in Mr. Andrew’s mansion. It was so soft and firm and I enjoyed studying while sitting on it. Kim was asleep, and her dad, my cold boss, wasn't back home yet. It was the perfect time to study some of my notes, especially since my exams were forthcoming. I grabbed my mini black bag and pulled out one of my study notes on Accounting. It has been my favorite subject since high school even till now. Suddenly, my phone beeped from my jeans' front pocket. I dipped my fingers in my pocket to take it out. The small irritation building up on my face disappeared as I saw the caller ID. It was Justin, my boyfriend. “Hey baby, how are you?” I said in an exhilarated voice with a bright smile on my face. “I’m good. I couldn’t stop thinking about you. What spell did you cast on me, pretty Ella?” I laughed hysterically. Justin always knew the right words to say to make me happy. It was one of the reasons why I loved him so much. “That’s because I’m nulli secundus,” I returned, my big smile still stamped on my face. “So you speak Latin now? I see. Who’s teaching you? Let me guess, your boss?” Suddenly, my smile disappeared from my face and I let out a soft sigh. “What are you talking about? You know how my boss treats—” I trailed off and stood abruptly at the sound of a car horn. My boss, Mr Andrew, was back home. “Baby, we’ll talk later. I’ve got to go now.” “C’mon, you didn’t even blow—” I didn’t let Justin have the chance to finish what he wanted to say. I could deal with him later, even if he got offended. But Mr Andrew? Hell no. I can’t even risk that. I looked around to ensure everything looked tidy. Well, not like it wasn’t tidy but I just needed to reconfirm. Working with Mr Andrew has taught me how meticulous he is. The door flung open and there he was, my boss with his mother. The duo spoke as they walked in but immediately kept mute when their eyes fell on me. “Welcome sir and ma,” I greeted warmly, stretching my hand to help Mr Andrew’s mum with her bag. Everything screamed classy and luxury. “And what do you think you are doing?” Andrew’s mum lashed loudly at me, her voice stern and steady. I raised my eyes to meet hers. She narrowed her eyes which were burning with disgust and rage. Oh well, I was in for another round of drama. Save me, Father, I cried inwardly. “I was just trying to help—” “Oh spare me, you petty thief. Did I ask for your help? I already told you your days here are numbered. Once my daughter-in-law gets—” “Mother!” My eyes flung to Mr Andrew. He just saved me from hearing those hurtful words his mother was about to pour on him. It's not like it was a new thing anyway. She had never liked me, right from the moment I stepped into this mansion. The reason remained unknown to me. Yet, I was happy that my boss dodged the bullet for me. I bowed my head, with my lips curved upwardly. “Please, let’s not get started with this drama of a daughter-in-law. I had a busy day at work today. And I am the one who hired Ella. If I no longer need her service, I’ll be the one to let her go. So please, let her be.” Mr Andrew spoke calmly and it was oddly pleasing to my ears. This was the first time he spoke of me kindly. And the way he called my name, Ella…Christ, I was beginning to lose my mind. “Son, I know what you need. You’ve been through a lot for the past two years. That’s why you need—” “I need nobody but Kim.” Mr Andrew tilted his head away from his mum, turning his cold gaze to me. His brows were furrowed and his lips were in a fixed thin line. This was his signature look whenever he was angry—a look that got me confused and scared, but not this time. “Where’s Kim?” “She is asleep. Let me check on her to see if she’s awake now,” I said. I was about to leave the living room when his voice jolted me. “Don’t bother. I will take over from here. You can go home but make sure you come early tomorrow. You were five minutes late today.” Late by five minutes? So he did notice when I stepped in. “Y-yes sir. I won’t be late tomorrow.” “Good and as I said, you can drop the sir. There’s no need for unnecessary formality.” “Son, you are spoiling this girl. She’s no class with us. If you continue—” “It’s fine. You can get going now, Ella,” my boss said, much to my delight. Again, he had spoken up for me. If he continues this way, working for him will be bliss. I scurried behind them, picked up my note, and tossed it in my bag. “Have a nice evening, Mr Andrew.” I headed straight to the door happily, not waiting for a response. Outside, I waved Philip, the gateman, goodbye. He was a cheerful, middle-aged man. Seeing him reminded me of my father, who was also a gateman but for a company. The only sad thing was that he got sacked three days ago. It was at the wrong time, especially now that my mum was not working too because of her health. At the moment, I was the only one working. Our rent was already due. My school fee deadline was fast approaching. And not to talk of my two younger sisters looking up to me. All these just added more pressure and more pressure means more chaos. I wished I had an apartment that took me away from the drama at home.