Chapter 6
I stood in the doorway of my new office, feeling triumphant.
After a month of getting everything up and running, I was amazed by the turnout and how fast we were able to get nannies in place to serve our clients.
I honestly didn’t think we would get so many inquiries regarding our services, but with the help of my good sister-in-law, things took off like a rocket, and I couldn’t have been prouder.
Sheena worked for an ad agency up until she gave birth to Sahira, then started a work-from-home business as a web designer and content creator. Sis came through in a clutch, because she had my website, flyers, and the ad running by week one of my opening of the agency.
By week two, the app was posted on Indeed and Job Recruiter and had gotten an influx of applications. We were able to do background checks and interviews while I closed on my building, and by week three, we were open for business.
I sipped from my coffee mug that Korion, my assistant, brought me this morning, and spotted Sheena headed my way. Since the kids were in school, she had been coming into the office and unofficially hired her-damn-self as my manager.
“Snagged another clieeent,” she sang, flapping the paper in my face. “At this point, I need a raise.”
I chuckled. “Damn, already? You unofficially hired yourself, sis. I don’t think you should get a raise.”
She rolled her eyes. “I could always quit.”
I laughed. “Please, don’t. You’re the best employee I got.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
“What you got?” I asked, nodding my head at the paper in her hands.
“Alicia Hill. She chose Yara Dubois as her nanny. I’m about to go process the paperwork now and get her over there today.”
My ears perked up at the mention of her name. This couldn’t be a coincidence. This had to be a sign from God.
“Hold up. Let me see that,” I said, taking the paper from her. I looked over her information, and a small smile lifted on my face as my mind spun.
“Put Yara on another case. I’ll handle this one.”
Sheena squinted at me, trying to read me. “When you saw how many nannies applied for this position, you said that you were going to relax and let your employees do all the work.”
I smirked. “I know what I said, sis.”
“You know her, don’t you?”
I sipped my coffee, trying to hide my smirk, then answered, “I may have seen her around a time or two.”
“Oh my gosh! You’re smitten!” she exclaimed, smiling widely at me.
I waved her off and walked into my office. “Can’t be smitten by a woman I barely know,” I lied. I was definitely fucking smitten.
“Lies. You know more about her than you’re letting on, but hey. I ain’t mad at cha! It’s time you find someone special to court. You’re thirty-four years old. You fooled around all throughout your twenties up until now. It’s time for you to get back out there and find your dearly betrothed.”
“She’s married.”
She raised a brow at me and smirked. “Then why are you inserting yourself into her home?”
“Sheena.”
“Yes?”
“Please find Ms. Dubois another placement.”
She laughed. “A’ight, I won’t press you. But for real, Basil. You’re a good person and deserve a good woman to show you what real love feels like. I pray that for you.”
“I receive that. Thanks, She-She.”
She rolled her eyes playfully and walked out of my office. I knew I was probably putting myself in a sticky situation, but there was no way the woman kept popping up in my sights with no purpose. I had to believe it was God’s way of aligning us. She might’ve just been the woman who was made for me.
When I pulled into the gated community, I drove down the multiple streets until I found the home of Alicia Hill. The house was big and sat on a small hill. Her lawn was nice, but it could use some maintenance, and her flowerbed needed grooming.
I told myself I was going to remain professional. I couldn’t pursue her, knowing she was married with children. I wasn’t in the business of breaking up happy homes, so I turned those thoughts off completely.
Chino, my security, pulled up behind me as I shut the engine off and got out. He followed me up the two flights of concrete stairs to her front door.
I rang the doorbell and waited patiently to see her face. It only took her a minute to open the door, and when she saw me, her eyes ballooned in surprise.
“Good morning. Basil Cassidy,” I said, extending my hand for her to shake.
She hesitated for a moment before she took my hand. I knew she was shocked to see me standing on her doorstep, but I didn’t want to make it seem as if we had previously met. I wanted to remain professional.
“Alicia Hill.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Hill.”
She stood staring at me for a moment before shaking from her haze. “I’m sorry. Please, come in.” She opened the door wider as Chino and I entered. “I was expecting Yara Dubois. Is this a preliminary visit before she arrives?”
I smiled lightly. “Ms. Dubois has been put on another case. Some things got mixed up in our system, and all of our nannies are unavailable. I’ll be your manny for as long as you need service.” It was a small lie.
“Oh!”
She was quiet for a moment, and it had me thinking that this might have been a bad idea.
I didn’t think it all the way through when I decided to personally take the job.
I didn’t take into account that she may have wanted a woman to look after her children, which was why she chose Yara in the first place.
Way to go, jackass.
“My apologies. If you’re uncomfortable, I can try to find another replacement for you, but it may take a while to do so.”
“No, no, you’re fine. I’m just surprised. I don’t have much time to wait for a replacement. I don’t mind you being my manny. I just didn’t run the background check on you.”
I reached inside my satchel and gave her the information on me.
“Just to ease your mind, I want you to run it again for yourself so you can make sure everything matches up.”
She smiled lightly. “Noted.” Her eyes then went to Chino.
“This is my security, Chino Cruz.”
“Nice to meet you, Chino. You guys can follow me while I show you around and introduce you to the kids.”
I nodded as she turned on her heels and proceeded to lead us through the foyer. My eyes instantly went to her round ass, and I subconsciously licked my lips, wondering what she tasted like.
Get your shit together, nigga. This is business.
Her home was nice and smelled of apples and cinnamon. There were six bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a chef’s kitchen, a finished basement with a small gym, and a family room where the kids played.
“Come here, babies. I have someone I’d like for you to meet.” The three of them stood from playing and came over to her. She leaned down and picked up the smallest one.
“This is Mr. Basil. He’s going to be looking after you guys while Mommy works.”
“I remember you! You were in the LEGO store!” Chloe exclaimed, smiling brightly.
“That’s right. It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Chloe.” I extended my hand to her, and she placed her little palm in mine.
“This is my son, Carsyn. You already know Chloe, and this is Carlee. Say hi, guys.”
“Hi,” Carlee spoke.
“How are you, pretty girl?” I asked.
She smiled shyly and laid her head on her mom’s shoulder.
“Hi. Do you play video games?” Carsyn asked me.
“Carsyn,” Alicia reprimanded.
“It’s fine, Mrs. Hill. I do play, actually. What you got?”
He grinned. “You know how to play Mortal Kombat?”
“Man, what? I’m the Mortal Kombat champion!”
“Who’s your favorite character?”
“Liu Kane, but I like Shang Tsung too.”
“Scorpion is mine! He has reach.”
I chuckled. “A’ight, I see you, champ. We can play later. Cool?” I looked at Alicia, and she had a small smile on her face.
“Okay, you guys go finish playing while I talk to Mr. Basil.”
The kids hurried off, and she waved for me to follow her down the hall. I dismissed Chino after confirming that the environment was safe, and I followed Alicia into what I assumed was her office. Every room smelled like something different. Her office smelled like her—vanilla and something sweet.
“Have a seat,” she said, walking around her desk. I took a seat and waited for her to get comfortable. She fidgeted for a minute as I waited for her to speak. I could tell she was nervous by the way she kept running her hand over her hair.
I smiled at her. “Relax, Mrs. Hill. I promise, I am only here to supply your needs.”
Her eyes stapled to me, and as much as she was trying to hide her smile, I could see it forming on those beautiful-ass lips.
“It’s Miss Hill.” That information loosened something in my chest as she looked down in thought at the calendar on her desk. Hearing that she was now available made my decision to come here worth it. It definitely made my day. “Anyway, uh, I wanted to go over a few things with you, if that’s okay.”
“It’s perfectly fine, Miss Hill. I’m here to serve you.” I pulled out my iPad and went to my Notes app.
She smiled again before speaking. “My previous nanny would usually get the kids up by six a.m., feed them breakfast, then get Carsyn and Chloe to their bus by 7:05 a.m. Carlee is the only one who will need to be transported to daycare and has to be there no later than eight fifteen a.m. and picked up by four. When they come home—”
I cut her off. “I’m sorry to interrupt, and let me know if I’m overstepping, but will it be necessary for her to continue daycare? I have a degree in childcare and childhood development. I’m more than capable of the job to save you time and money.”
“Oh, well, I didn’t want to burden you with a terrible two-year-old. She just started going to day care a little over a month ago.”
“It’s no burden, Miss Hill. It’s part of my job to care for children.”
“You can call me Alicia.”
I gave a curt nod. “Noted.”
“And I guess that wouldn’t be a problem if you’re up for it.
When they come home, Ms. Shelly usually goes over their homework with them if they have any, and she makes them a light lunch.
Dinner is usually by seven, sometimes sooner.
Baths are by eight, and bedtime is by nine.
Carsyn and Chloe can independently bathe themselves, but of course, Carlee would need help.
“I’m usually home by eight, so I can take care of Carlee for that part.
I will post daily household tasks on the refrigerator so you can get familiar with their diets and routines.
I have weekends off, but I’ll still be working from home.
I try to only do a few hours of work so I can spend time with my babies over the weekend.
Also, their spring break is coming up in another week or so, and I’m taking them to Florida to Universal Studios.
I hope you are available since I know it’s last-minute. ”
I typed away on my iPad before giving her my full attention.
“Again, I’m at your service, Ms. Alicia.”
She smiled, and my eyes stapled to those beautiful lips.
There was no doubt that the Big Man made this happen for me.
Alicia wasn’t just beautiful, but I could sense her good energy.
The storm brewing in her eyes allowed me to see that she had been burned by love.
I only knew because I was a victim of loving someone who was never meant for me.
I could imagine how hard it was to sit in front of strangers while putting up a brave front, secretly breaking inside.
I could see a woman who worked hard and possibly loved hard as well, which was a blessing and a curse.
I didn’t know what happened since the time I first saw her in the deli, but each time I’d seen her after, her eyes had been losing their light.
I might have been there as her manny, but I was also going to be sure to bring that light back to her eyes because she deserved that.
She stood from her seat and walked around the desk. “I have some free time, so we can go over everything and mark the calendars.”
“Sounds like a plan.” I nodded and stood from the chair, following her out of her office. I watched her child-bearing hips sway with each step she took. I might have been starting out as her manny, but something told me that when it was all said and done, my time there would be permanent.