THE BILLIONAIRE BABY NANNY

CHAPTER 5

She was slightly gobsmacked for a minute before snapping out of it and trailing behind him to the dining area.

His mother, Mrs Washington, was already seated, grinning at Dorothy, who had already awoken in her arms.

Tessa watched Jerald take his seat before she did the same beside him.

“Son, Dorothy looks like she has lost some weight. Are you sure this nanny of hers is taking good care of her?” Mrs Washington suddenly uttered, staring from Dorothy to Jerald, not sparing Tessa a glance.

Tessa immediately became uncomfortable in her seat as she wondered what the baby losing some weight had to do with her.

“Mom, that has nothing to do with Tessa. She only began babysitting Dorathy today. She, losing some weight, might be my fault, and that’s why I hired a nanny for her.” Jarald spilt out on seeing her uncomfortable Tessa was beside him.

“Alright then. I just want my granddaughter to be well taken care of.” Mrs Washington said, smiling back at Dorathy while a maid began serving the meals on the table.

Almost immediately, sounds were heard from behind them. It turned out to be Mr Washington, Jarald's father.

Mr. Washington entered the dining room with a brisk stride, his sharp eyes scanning the room before settling on Jerald. His posture stiffened slightly, but he gave a curt nod of acknowledgement.

“Jerald,” he said, his tone clipped. He ignored everyone else as he sat at the head of the table.

“Dad,” Jerald replied flatly, cutting into his food without sparing his father a glance.

“And who’s this?” Mr. Washington’s gaze flicked to Tessa, studying her with thinly veiled suspicion.

“She’s Dorathy’s nanny. Tessa.”Jerald answered without pause, his tone sharp.

“A nanny?” Mr. Washington arched his brow. “And you brought her here?”

“Yes, I did. It’s her job to watch over Dorathy, and I didn’t have time to arrange for her to stay back. That’s all there is to it,” Jerald said, his words clipped as he continued eating.

Tessa sat stiffly, unsure whether to speak, but Jerald’s tone left no room for interruptions. She focused on her plate, feeling the tension in the room like a weight pressing down on her.

“Hmm.” Mr. Washington turned his attention to Dorathy, who was babbling happily in Mrs. Washington’s arms. “I suppose time will tell if she’s up to the task.”

“I don’t need your commentary, Dad. She’s already proven herself capable enough for me to hire her.”Jerald’s knife clattered against his plate as he set it down with unnecessary force.

“Not now, let’s not make this dinner unpleasant. Dorothy is healthy and happy, and that’s what matters.”Mrs. Washington quickly interjected, her voice cheerful but forced.

Mr. Washington’s sharp gaze lingered on Jerald for a moment before he leaned back in his chair. “For now,” he muttered under his breath.

The dinner continued in tense silence, broken only by the occasional clink of silverware and Dorathy’s giggles. Tessa kept her eyes on her plate, determined to stay invisible to avoid further trouble.

After a while, Mr. Washington set his fork down and folded his hands on the table. “Jerald, we need to talk. Privately.”

“I didn’t come here for one of your lectures. Say what you need to say and be done with it.”Jerald exhaled sharply, his jaw tightening.

“It’s not a request. It’s an order!” Mr. Washington said, his tone cold. He rose from the table and gestured toward the adjoining study.

Jerald shoved his chair back, his legs scraping loudly against the floor. “Fine.” He shot Tessa a glance, his eyes hard. “Stay here and keep an eye on Dorothy. Don’t go wandering around.”

“Yes, sir,” Tessa replied quickly, lowering her gaze back to her plate of food, which she had lost the appetite of eating.

Jerald followed his father out of the room, and the air seemed to grow even heavier in their absence. Mrs. Washington gave Tessa a small, apologetic smile. “Don’t let them bother you, dear. They’re always like this.”

Tessa nodded politely, but she couldn’t shake the uncomfortable knot in her stomach. From the study, raised voices began to filter through the house, muffled but unmistakably heated.

“…bringing someone into Dorathy’s life without consulting us first?” Mr. Washington’s voice was loud and accusatory.

“I don’t need your approval to make decisions about my daughter,” Jerald snapped back at him.

“You don’t? And yet, you’ve shown time and again that your judgment is questionable.”

“Enough, Dad! I’m not here to argue with you!” Jerald’s voice was rising, his frustration palpable even through the closed door.

Tessa tried not to listen, but she just couldn’t. Mrs. Washington shifted Dorathy to her other arm, attempting to distract her with a toy, but the baby started fussing.

A moment later, the study door swung open, and Jerald stormed out, his expression thunderous. Tessa quickly averted her eyes, unsure if she was allowed to look concerned or worried.

“Let’s go,” Jerald barked at her, his tone curt and leaving no room for argument.

Tessa stood quickly, glancing at Mrs. Washington, who was now holding out Dorathy. Jerald took the baby instead without a word, his movements snappy.

“Thank you for dinner, Mom,” he said without looking back.

Mrs. Washington hesitated, her smile faltering. “Jerald, don’t—”

But he was already walking out the door, Dorothy in his arms. Tessa followed silently, struggling to keep up with his long strides.

Outside, Clerk, Jerald’s assistant, was waiting by the car. He opened the back door as Jerald approached, and Jerald handed him Dorathy before climbing in himself.

Tessa slid into the seat beside him, her heart pounding. The car ride was silent, the air thick with unspoken warnings. Jerald stared out the window, his jaw clenched, while Clerk focused on the road.

When they reached Jerald’s mansion, the clerk parked and got out to retrieve Dorathy and handed her over to Jarald. Jerald didn’t wait; he strode toward the front door, leaving Tessa to follow.

Inside, Jerald handed Dorathy to Tessa without meeting her eyes. “Put her to bed.”

“Yes, sir,” Tessa replied, taking the baby carefully.

Jerald didn’t say any further word as he disappeared into his study, slamming the door behind him.

Tessa stood there for a moment, her arms full of a now-sleepy Dorathy. The house was quiet as the maids must have retired to bed.

As she carried the baby upstairs, she couldn’t help but wonder if this job was going to be more than she had bargained for.