THE BILLONAIRES NANNY

When Olivia Reed found herself standing outside the iron gates of the Hayes estate, freezing, it wasn't necessarily the brisk autumn wind that sent a chill down her spine when it grazed her bare shoulder—was it the cold or the mansion? Never had she seen anything like it—this was a mansion, not that she had been privileged to see so many mansions, but she knew that this one would qualify to be in the top five. This was a multimillion-dollar glass and stone palace; from the hedged bushes to the glimmering windows, wealth and power dripped from its existence. She exhaled, trying to rid the knot in her stomach. Olivia has been in a fight-for-her-life situation for the past year or so. She's not had the easy way—she's had to claw and grasp to get at life herself ever since her parents passed away at a young age. She's done all courses and all work and then some things she never wants to recall. They hurt like a mother to endure, but little can discourage her. So when the agency called that a position for a nanny opened, she did it in a snap decision—no thinking, not even knowing who her new eventual boss would be. And now she learns who it is and buzzes up the intercom—the classified, put-together, stringent boss lady tells her to come up. Is she in over her head with someone too high and mighty for her range? Before she could rap on it, it almost rapped itself; the door was so heavy that it seemed to swing on its own accord. An old lady stood behind it in a pressed gray uniform. "Miss Reed, I presume?" Olivia nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I'm Olivia." “I’m Mrs. Hawthorne, the housekeeper. Follow me, please." The mansion was just as beautiful on the inside as it was outside. The floors had marble beneath the chandelier, it all looked expensive, the light spilling warmth over the sweeping pedestals. There were arts worth thousands on the walls, and the smell of fresh lilies filled the air. Olivia had been completely out of her element. "You are going to take care of Miss Emma,” said Mrs. Hawthorne as we walked down the very long corridor that seemed to have no end. “She is five and very bright for her age. Mr. "Hayes has very high standards for the care of his daughter," So do your best." “Absolutely,” Olivia said, clutching her small handbag nervously. "I will." Mrs. Hawthorne paused at a pair of double doors, knocked lightly, and then opened them. Emma hesitated before coming closer, a small sign of trust that made Olivia's heart soften. That made things a bit easier. As she started reading to Emma, she became so engrossed in the story that she didn’t notice the presence in the doorway until a deep voice interrupted her. "You're early." Olivia turned, startled, and her breath caught as she locked eyes with Alexander Hayes. The man standing before her was striking, not at all what she had expected. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with sharp cheekbones and an air of authority that made the room feel smaller, made her feel smaller. His dark, piercing gaze settled on her, assessing her in an instant. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, exuding power and confidence with every controlled movement. Olivia quickly stood, trying to steady her nerves. "I-I hope that’s alright, Mr. Hayes." "Punctuality is preferable," he said, his tone cool but not unkind. That was good, she thought. His eyes flicked toward Emma, who was watching him carefully. Something softened in his expression. "Emma," he said, kneeling before his daughter. "What do you think of Miss Reed?" Emma looked between them before giving a small nod. She let out a deep breath, imagining her life being in the hands of a five-year-old. "Alright then," Alexander said, standing. "Mrs. Hawthorne will go over your duties in the house. If you prove competent, then we’ll discuss a more permanent arrangement." Olivia swallowed. "Understood, sir." At least she was out of the hot seat for now. He gave her one last unreadable glance before striding out of the room, leaving Olivia to wonder just what she had gotten herself into.