Because I Said So: Billionaires Nanny

Chapter 5

“Children, can you come in here, please? I have someone I would like you both to meet-,” Mr. Dawson gently shouted as he led me back into the living room. “Have a seat, Lara,” he ordered and waved his hands towards the couch.

Even though I am an elementary teacher and have been for years, for some reason, the thought of meeting his two children is causing my palms to sweat.

I don't know if it's because he is incredibly bossy, could be that he is so good-looking, or it could be the fact that I need this job. It was perfect for someone like be who was trying to make a fresh start in a different state.

Suddenly, I heard two sets of footsteps rushing our way, and two little children came running into the living room, the boy gently pushing his sister aside. “I beat you,” he nagged her and stuck his tongue out at her.

“Children, what did I say about racing in the house?” Mr. Dawson asked sternly, a disappointed frown forming on his lips as he looked at his children.

“Sorry, Daddy,” the little girl whispered.

“Yeah, sorry,” the boy said and rolled his eyes. “He kept saying she was faster,” he shrugged like that was more important than his father's rule.

“I have shorter legs,” the little girl whined and stomped her foot. “That's the only reason you won.”

I took a second to look at them, and my heart skipped a beat. They are twins. They both look so much a like, same green eyes, light blonde hair, same dimples on their of their chubby cheeks, and both wearing the same matching annoyed frown, with their noses all scrunched up.

“This is my son Ryder and my daughter Lucy. They are both six years old,” Mr. Dawson sighed. “I feel it is only fair to warn you. They have run away the last two nannies.”

“Mrs. Jackie was a mean old lady who didn't let me color in the kitchen when I was eating break,” the little girl cried like it was a crime.

“Mrs. Brooke spent all her time in the bathroom putting on makeup and would forget to fix us food,” the little boy complained and then added a little dramatic flare. “I couldn't allow my sister to starve.”

Oh well, that's not very good. Knowing that only causes more nerves to fly inside my belly like dragonflies. They clearly have had poor mannered nannies in the past and will only assume I will just turn out to be just like them.

“Why don't we start with you both telling me about yourselves? I want to know it all. Favorite color, favorite movie, and your favorite thing to eat. Most importantly, I would love to know what you both enjoy doing the most when you are home from school,” I smiled, and patted the two empty seats on both sides of me on the couch.

Mr. Dawson talking about the children won't do me any good. That doesn't allow them to get to know me.

The little girl happily skipped towards the couch, sat on the right of me, and beamed. “I love unicorns. My favorite color is purple. I love to watch Beauty and the Beast -”

“Oh really? I used to love watching that when I was your age. Belle was my favorite Disney princess,” I informed her honestly.

I wasn't lying to bribe her into liking me as her nanny, I really did love that movie. I used to want a library just like the one that the beast gave her.

“Mine too,” Lucy shrieked excitedly. “We can watch it together. I love the clock. He is so funny.”

“I loved her library,” I giggled. “What do you like to eat, Miss Lucy?” I asked her, raised my hand, and poked her nose. “ Yummy food, like in Beauty and the Beast?”

“I like eating ice cream, but Daddy doesn't let me,” she whispered and stuck her bottom lip out, looking sad. “The only time I can have it is on my birthday or my brother's.”

“Ah well, too much ice cream can make your belly hurt. I'm sure your daddy knows that and wants to protect you from having a bad tummy ache.”

“I guess,” she sighed unhappily.

I chuckled before looking up and seeing Ryder glaring towards me, not looking pleased seeing his sister and I getting along. I have a feeling that he's going to be a much harder nut to crack than his sweet twin.

“What about you, Ryder,” I suggested gently.

“What about me?” He asked, and his frown turned into an even deeper one.

Something was upsetting the little boy, and I'll have to find out what if I end up getting the job. A little boy should not be holding this type of hostility towards someone he has just met.

“Want to tell me about the things you like?”

“Not really,” he responded and rolled his eyes.

“Ryder, what did I tell you about rolling your eyes?” Mr. Dawson snapped. “Do you wish to be grounded?”

“No sir,” Ryder mumbled and looked down. “Blue. Transformers. Hamburgers. I enjoy playing basketball after school. You're going to tell me you also like playing basketball?”

Oh, sassy little one, I see.

“Ryder-,” Mr. Dawson fussed at his son again, but I talked over him and hoped this wouldn't cause me not to get the job.

“No, sorry, but maybe you could teach me?” I shrugged. “I played baseball. It's kind of the same, right?,” I asked and faked, not knowing.

I knew the truth, I just wanted to ease up some of this tension between my potential new boss and his son, who apparently had a bone to pick with someone, possibly his father.

“No,” Ryder growled and looked up towards his daddy in shock. “Who thinks that's the same sport? Nothing is the same,” he said aggressively, and I guess my plan didn't work on easing the tension.

“Son, I have had enough. Go to your room. You are grounded for the rest of the night. No TV and no PlayStation.”

“Whatever,” Ryder shouted, and I heard his little feet stomping all the way down the hallway.

“Don't be mad at him, daddy,” Lucy whispered, climbed off the couch, and went to hug her father's legs. “He doesn't mean to be bad.”

“Sweetie, your brother is old enough to know better now. Why don't you go ahead and go to your room? I need to speak with Lara here for a few minutes. I'll be up to read you a story in a bit,” Mr. Dawson told her softly, bent down, and kissed the top of her head.

“Okay, Daddy,” Lucy said and turned around to face me once more. “Bye Miss Lara, I can't wait to watch Beauty and the Beast with you. Nobody ever wants to watch it with me,” she informed me before skipping out of the living room and leaving her and Mr. Dawson alone.

That girl definitely has a lot of energy.

“I'm sorry about my son. Ryder's been having a hard time with things,” Mr. Dawson explained but didn't explain enough to further help me with the child.

“Can you tell me about what exactly? I'm not trying to be nosy and pry into your business,” I hurriedly assured him before continuing. “I would like to better understand him if I'm able, and maybe I could help him work through it because no offense, Mr. Dawson, but a child has to talk about what is bothering them.”

“I talk to him about it,” Mr. Dawson defended himself and crossed his arms.

“Yes sir, but occasionally, it helps for someone who isn't a parent to speak with the child. That's what a good teacher does,” I educated him.

“I don't think he would appreciate someone not in the family talking about our business,” he scolded, apparently not like that idea too much.

“That's also what I'll be doing if I get the job. You may not appreciate that, so I'll just let you know that before you hire me. I won't be able to stand by, see the boy hurting over something, and not try to talk to him about it. I don't have it in me to ignore a hurting child.”

“Their mother and I divorced last year. She has issues, and he hasn't yet come to terms with his parents not being together. She has a bad drinking problem, and when she finally gets wild hair to see our children, she blows into town and then disappears for weeks. It causes both of my children to become distressed, but more so, my son.”

“That's completely understandable. I'm sorry that you must deal with that. I'm sure that is the reason for Ryders um,-” I paused and tried to find the correct word.

“Attitude?" Mr. Dawson suggested.

“Well, I was not going to say attitude. I would instead use the words' mood swings,” I shrugged. It was true. The little boy had too much attitude inside his tiny body, but his mood got all messed up over his mother, so I decided to just use that word instead.

“Look, my daughter seems to like you, and my son could learn to tolerate you. I can't make them both happy with a nanny and being my daughter is excited to watch that Beauty and the wolf-,”

“Beauty and the Beast,” I amended.

He lifted one eyebrow at my correction. I don't think a man like him appreciates being corrected. I wasn't making things up when I said that was my favorite movie to watch when I was a kid. Therefore, my inner child demanded I correct him about my favorite movie.

“She is looking forward to watching Beauty and the Beast with you. I haven't seen her look that happy in a while. You seem like you are good with children. I'm willing to give this a try if you are still interested in working for us.”

“Absolutely. When can I start?” I asked him with a huge smile on my face.