The Unexpected Heir

Chapter 3: The Wealthy Businessman

❤ Nathalie’s POV ❤

I arrived at the address Marie gave me an hour before I was supposed to be there. It turned out to be the address of the biggest house I'd ever seen. It was more like a mansion. I was expecting to meet my future employer (hopefully) in the office since it was an office number that I called. I wonder who I will be working for.

I nervously rang the bell, and a burly security guard came out and said "How can I help you, miss?"

I was surprised by the big man's mild demeanor. I smiled at him and said "Good morning. I am applying for the caregiver position. I was told to come here."

Mild Manner Security Guard: "What's your name, miss?"

Nathalie: "It's Nathalie. Nathalie Manansala."

The guard looked at the clipboard he was holding before letting me in the gate. Once I was inside, he pointed me forward and said "Walk to that big door over there and ring the bell."

Nathalie: "Okay. Thank you."

I walked slowly toward the door and tried to suppress my awe of the place. Aside from the huge mansion, the garden looks amazing, with flowers and other plants all around.

After a few minutes, I finally reached the big door. I let out a sigh and rang the bell. It only took a few seconds for the door to open, and I was greeted by a tiny lady who was probably about 10 years older than me in a maid's uniform. She smiled and said "Miss Manansala?"

Nathalie: "Uhm, yeah?"

Tiny lady: "Please come with me."

Nathalie: "O-okay."

I followed the lady as she led me to a room with a big door. She knocked and I heard a faint voice say "Come in."

The lady opened the door and told me to go inside. I thanked her and she bowed a little before leaving. I went inside the room and I realized that it was an office. There are floor-to-ceiling shelves all around, and the shelves are filled with books. There are long couches facing each other situated in front of the big desk. There's a table between the couches.

It's a pretty big office and I had to say "Hello?" when I didn't see the occupant of the room.

I gasped when a man in a wheelchair came into view and said "Hello."

I cleared my throat before saying "Uhm, hi sir. I'm Nathalie Manansala. I'm here to apply for the caregiver position."

Man In Wheelchair: "It's nice to meet you, Nathalie. I'm Miguel. Why don't you take a seat?"

I took a seat on one of the couches as Miguel wheeled himself across from me, essentially facing me.

Miguel: "So, Nathalie. Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

I smiled slightly as the old man's pleasant face made me comfortable. I've never met the man before, but he seems really familiar.

Nathalie: "I'm 19 years old. I'm a sophomore in college, currently studying nursing."

Miguel was waiting for me to say something else, but there was really not much I could tell him. My life revolves around my studies, and if I'm not at school, I spend my time with my mom at home.

Miguel: "So you're in school. Won't working interfere with your studies?"

I haven't really thought about it. I was more concerned about finding a job first.

Nathalie: "Uhm, well, I can adjust my school schedule based on the working hours."

Miguel: "Okay. I'm looking for a stay-in caregiver, meaning, you will be staying in the mansion if ever. Would that be an issue?"

Nathalie: "Oh. Yeah, that won't be a problem, sir."

This actually works to my advantage because it means that I could leave the apartment and I won't have to worry about rent and utility bills p*****t. I just hope I won't be asked to pay for rent to live in the mansion because I don't think I could afford it.

Miguel: "Don't worry. Board and lodging will be free. Food is included too."

I smiled and felt relieved after hearing that.

Nathalie: "That's good to know, sir. Thank you."

Miguel: "How soon can you start?"

Nathalie: "What?"

Miguel: "Can you start on Monday?'

Nathalie: "Uhm, yeah. Of course."

Miguel: "I will have Marie get in touch with you to take care of the details."

Miguel kept looking at me while smiling, and I felt like that was my queue to leave. I bowed and thanked Miguel before walking toward the door.

The whole thing seemed surreal, and I can't believe that Miguel hired me based on how I answered his question. I stopped before reaching the door and said "I'm sorry, sir. Is that it? Don't you have other questions for me?"

Miguel chuckled and said "I have people who already checked on you before you even came here. I just wanted to meet you and talk to you in person."

Nathalie: "Uhm, okay sir."

Miguel: "Have a nice day, Nathalie."

Nathalie: "You too, sir."

I walked out of the office and closed the door lightly. I left the mansion while suppressing the urge to celebrate. I don't even know how much I'm getting paid, or who I'm actually taking care of, but the fact that I already have a job is enough.

I got the call from Marie just as I was on my way home. She asked me for a copy of my class schedule and said that they would work it around my work schedule. She also said that I can move to the mansion this weekend so that I would be settled in by Monday. They would even send a car over to help me with the move. I don't have a lot of stuff, so I don't really need a car to move. Marie insisted that they would send over the car regardless.

When Marie told me that I would be paid 50 thousand a month, I thought she was joking. I thought that was too much pay, especially since I would only be working for four hours a day, five days a week. I felt a little nervous and got suspicious of the nature of the job.

When Marie said "Don't overthink, Miss Manansala. Don Miguel has three nurses on rotation. They get paid a lot of money too because he can afford it. He believes that a well-paid employee works better and is more loyal."

I smiled and said "Okay."

We finalized the details and I started packing my stuff as soon as I got home. When I was done, I went to talk to my landlady and told her about my moving out. She was a nice old lady, and she's always been considerate of me and my mom. I told her that I would settle any bills that would be coming but she said that I don't have to worry about it.

---------------------------------------------

When I arrived at the mansion, I met the head maid named Naomi. She's a pleasant lady in her fifties, and she gave me a mini tour of the mansion as she led me to the room where I would be staying. I was surprised because I was led to one of the rooms on the second floor. I was expecting to stay in one of the rooms for the servants.

When we arrived at the room, I couldn't help but say "Miss Naomi, are you sure this is my room? It's too big. I don't need this much space."

Naomi: "Yes, it's your room. Don Miguel wanted you to be comfortable."

Nathalie: "That's so nice of him."

Naomi: "Yes. Don Miguel is a very nice man. I'm glad he finally found you."

Nathalie: "Has he been looking for a caretaker for a long time?"

Naomi: "Uhm, yes, he has."

Nathalie: "Oh, okay."

Naomi: "I'll give you the full tour later. For now, why don't you settle in and get some rest? I'll come to get you later."

Nathalie: "O-okay. Thanks again, Miss Naomi."

Miss Naomi bowed a little before walking out of the door. I looked around the room and, still unbelieving that I will be staying here for as long as I am working for Don Miguel.

I can't believe my luck. It seems that things have fallen into place for me for the past few days. The only thing that's missing is my mom. I hope that wherever she is right now that she is proud of me. I feel that she's still looking after me and is somewhat responsible for all this.

I unpacked my clothes and put them in the closets. It's very spacious and my clothes didn't even fill a quarter of the space. I put away my other stuff as well and noted how unfitting my cheap possessions were relative to the expensive-looking room.

I wasn't tired yet, so I decided to walk out of the room and do a little exploring of my own. The mansion is massive, and I didn't want to get lost, so I made sure to take note of where I was going.

I decided to stay on the third floor. I noticed that there were eight doors. I didn't want to check each room as that would be intrusive, so I decided to go downstairs.

I decided to walk away from the front door until I reached a glass door at the back of the mansion where there was a pool. It's a massive pool. I don't know how to swim. I got excited as I thought that maybe I could use the pool if I asked for permission.

There was also a small house on the other side of the pool. I walked toward it, wanting to explore.

I squealed and jumped when I suddenly heard someone say "Hi Nathalie."

When I turned to look, it was Don Miguel. He was sitting on a lounge chair, and a tall man in a nurse's uniform was standing next to him.