15. Noree Marcell
We were just ending the tour of the house when Opal took me over to the guest house. We actually had to ride a golf cart to get to it, and once we got inside, she handed me the key.
“Here, this is for you. This is the guest house where you’ll be staying.
If you ever need anything, let me know. As I mentioned prior, I’m in charge of all house activities, mainly with King and Mr. Love.
If there’s ever anything you need to add or change for the day, week, or even the month, just let me know.
We run a tight ship, but once you get the hang of it, it’ll become second nature. ”
I nodded. “Okay, I definitely understand.”
She smiled. “Well, welcome in. King is such a good child. You’re gonna have a good time with him. He can be a little hyper sometimes, but for the most part, he is just the sweetest little pie.”
She showed me the bedroom.
“This is where you’ll be sleeping. You can utilize anything in this house.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
She stood there for a few seconds longer, and we kind of just looked at each other awkwardly.
“His girlfriend isn’t here right now,” she said, “but I’ll let you know, she’s a little peculiar. They do have some disagreements at times, so expect a little arguing. Sometimes she can be a bit much. I just wanted to give you a heads-up before she gets back from her trip.”
I kept my thoughts to myself, but I was a little thrown because he never mentioned having a girlfriend. But then again, I guess I didn’t ask.
I gave her a fake smile. “Oh, that won’t be a problem. Trust me.”
“Okay, well then, it’s settled. I’ll meet you in the main house in about ten to twenty minutes so you and King can get acquainted. He loves the game room and swimming, so heads-up, nine times out of ten, your hair is probably gonna get messed up.”
I laughed. “Trust me, it’s okay. I can handle going to the pool every day. It’s hot outside anyway.”
“Okay, well, I’ll see you in a little bit. Get situated. There are refreshments and water in here for you, and there’s a minibar. Of course, no drinking on the clock.”
“Oh, absolutely not. I would never do that.”
“Good. You are definitely a breath of fresh air around here, and I feel like things are gonna go really well.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate that, Opal.”
“My pleasure.”
She left, and as soon as that door closed behind her, I screamed and jumped up and down before falling back onto the bed.
The guest house was fucking amazing. It didn’t even look like a guest house. It looked like somebody’s main house.
I walked around, did my own little tour, took pictures, sent videos to my sister, then called her.
“Bitch, did you look at the pictures?”
“Girl, yes,” Nourah said. “It looks good in there. That man got that money money, okay? That guest house looks like somebody’s main house.”
“I know. I said that to myself too.” I flopped back down on the bed.
“I gotta go meet with King in a little bit, probably end up taking him to the pool. But girl, tell me why the house manager was telling me this man has a girlfriend. Said she’s a handful and does too much sometimes.
He ain’t tell me he had a girlfriend when we were at Waffle House. ”
“Damn, that’s probably ’cause them damn bullets started flying.” She laughed. “We had to get the hell on. Oh, and speaking of Ozy, I ain’t even tell you, I’m meeting up with his persistent-ass, big-head-ass brother today.”
My eyes went wide. “Girl, meeting with him to do what?”
We both laughed.
“He wants to take me out, but PB told me his baby mama lives with him, so I’m confused on why he’s trying to take me out instead of her.”
“What?”
“Yeah, girl. His baby mama lives with him, and they still fucking. According to him, he’s not interested in being a family with her, blah, blah, blah.
So I guess this is gonna be one of them real friendly dates because I’m about to friend-zone the hell outta his ass.
I’m actually heading out to meet him now, so I gotta call you back. ”
“Alright, have fun on your date with your friend.”
“Girl, you so petty.” Nourah laughed. “Love you. Have fun unpacking in your mini mansion.”
“Love you too. Bye.”
We hung up.
I put away some of my clothes and changed into something more comfortable that I could wear by the pool. Then I headed over to the main house.
King ran straight over to me as soon as Opal walked me in.
“King, this is gonna be your nanny,” Opal said. “Her name is Miss Noree.”
“Oh, I remember you from the other day.”
“Yes, that was me.” I smiled down at him. “I know we’re gonna have a great time. All I ask is that you be respectful to me, and I’ll be respectful to you, okay?”
He nodded hard. “Yes. I will be respectful.”
Then he did a little dance, flipped, and ran off. I laughed because it was so random.
Opal laughed too. “Well, my job here today is done. I sent over an email with all his activities, times, and dates. It’s color coordinated, so it should be easy to follow. If you need anything, just call me.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
She said her goodbyes and headed out, and before I could even get settled, Ozy walked in.
Damn, he looked good.
Like, really good.
He walked over to the table with the fruit laid out, grabbed some grapes, and tossed them into his mouth.
“What’s up, y’all?”
I waved. “Hey.”
“How you liking everything so far?”
I smiled. “Uh… good. Your house and guest house are beautiful. I’m excited.”
“I’m glad you’re getting adjusted. If you need something, you can text me.”
There was something about the way he said it that made my stomach flutter a little, but I just smiled.
“Okay. Thank you. I appreciate that.”
“Welcome back, Ginger,” the chef said.
I froze.
What? His damn girlfriend is Ginger?
I turned around and saw her in red-bottom heels, sunglasses, a Chanel purse, and a Chanel two-piece set that filled out her slim figure nicely. She was more tan than the last time I’d seen her, and her long, straight, ginger-colored hair was parted down the middle.
That’s when King came running straight to me.
“Miss Noree, can we go outside? I wanna go to the pool!”
“Yes, sweetie. Give me one second, okay?”
Ginger looked around, confused, right before Ozy walked over and kissed her on the cheek.
“Oh shit, I ain’t know you were coming back today, bae.”
“I felt bad about being in Costa Rica without you, so I cut the trip short. I wanted to spend some time with you. But…” She pointed at me with a disgusted look. “Why is she here?”
“Aye, don’t be rude.” Ozy said.
“I’m not being rude. I just wanna know why she’s here. Y’all doing another contest or something?”
He laughed. “Nah. She’s the nanny.”
“The nanny of what?”
He turned to King. “Go head to your room and put your swim trunks on. Miss Noree gon’ come get you in a minute and take you out to the pool, aight?”
“Okay, Uncle Ozy!”
King ran off, leaving me, the chef, Ozy, and Ginger standing there.
The chef broke the awkward silence.
“I’m Chef Marcus, but you can call me Unc. I’m Ozy and PB’s blood uncle. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard good things.”
We shook hands.
“Aww, it’s nice to meet you too. I heard you throw down.”
“You better know it.” He winked before walking away.
“Uh… somebody better tell me something,” Ginger snapped.
“She’s King’s nanny,” Ozy replied. “Opal hired her.”
She put her hand on her hip. “I know the fuck she didn’t.”
“Yeah. She’s got the credentials, went through the interview process, and all that shit. This is who Opal picked.”
“Babe… you were supposed to hire an old-looking nanny with wrinkles, a turkey neck, Alzheimer’s, or something. Not her fa––.”
I inhaled and exhaled slowly. “I can still hear you. I’m standing right here.”
“I don’t give a damn where you’re standing.”
I laughed. “You know what? I’m here to do a job. We’re not about to do this again. I don’t wanna end up grabbing one of those cakes over there, so excuse me.”
I walked off and heard them arguing behind me.
“Are you out your fucking mind?” Ginger asked Ozy. “Why would you hire her, and where is she staying? I hope not here.”
He paused. “The guest house.”
“So you let this bitch, who smooshed cake in my face stay in the guest house, and you don’t see a problem with that?”
“No, I don’t. Like I said, she got the credentials. You tripping. I’m not hiring nobody else, and don’t nobody have time for your temper tantrums, Gin. You need to grow the fuck up.”
I kept walking toward King’s room, and something told me this shit was only getting started.
I got lost a few times since the tour had been so quick, but once I finally found his room, I shot my mom a quick text to check on my baby, then spent the rest of the afternoon being a nanny.
“You got something on your shirt.”
Nourah looked down. “Where?”
I took my index finger and flipped her nose.
She smirked, then a smile came across her face before she laughed.
“Boy, you are so damn corny.”
“Okay. Let me be that.”
“I will.”
And we went right back to eating at this new Italian spot she had recommended. We’d only been there about twenty minutes, and since it wasn’t too crowded, our food came out pretty quick.
I got the Cajun chicken Alfredo with broccoli, and she ordered the shrimp, chicken, and sausage Alfredo. There was a basket of bread between us, some low music playing in the background, and the whole place had a real laid-back vibe.
She looked good as hell too.
She claimed she had just thrown something on since she was mostly gonna be working at the shop today, but I could tell she had put a little thought into it.
It was simple. Dressed down. But she was fine as hell regardless, and I had already told her that enough times for her to complain that I was making her cheeks hurt from smiling.
“So you know this is only a friend date, right?”
I chuckled and took a bite of my food.
“Why do you keep saying that?”
“Because it is.” She pointed her fork at me. “And I just wanna make sure that you get it through your skull that you and I are just friends. Especially after you told me what you had going on. That’s a no-go for me.”