Mine To Claim

Chapter 2

Anna

I walked into my apartment or maybe calling it an apartment is a bit of an exaggeration because it is the size of a room that I share with my roommate Clare, who was a complete stranger, and in no time became my best friend and we both still hardly managed to pay rent. I think we bonded over both being broke.

Clare dropped out of college last year as she couldn't afford it any longer and now works as a full-time waitress while I am hanging on the last string of hope of being able to pay my next semester's fee.

That takes me back to how I threw away that job and walked out of the office like I was the queen of England and not a student c*m waitress with a pile of pending bills so huge that I could build a castle with it.

It was idiotic, I know that anyone with common sense knows that, but I am unable to feel regret, just because it was so......satisfying. I am used to rich people being arrogant, and behaving like the world revolves around them, but he was something else. I wanted to kiss and kill him at the same time. It's better that I didn't get the job or I would have to face him every day.

Yeah, it's for the best. I will find another job.

My chain of thoughts was broken by shouting, it was Clare and her boyfriend Mark. It has become a frequent scene nowadays. I tried to be sympathetic toward it, but lately, it has been becoming so annoying.

Mark was a nice guy and they have been dating for 3 months now. I was glad that their 'having s*x every time in every corner of our apartment' phase is over, but their constant fights have become a bigger source of headaches for me.

I entered the kitchen c*m living room and they were standing in there shouting. They both looked at me and then completely went silent.

"Hey, guys, what's the matter this time?" I asked, putting my purse down on the sofa.

"Anna, I want to ask something from you but she thinks it's wrong, " Mark said, moving towards me. He looked pretty serious. I haven't seen him like this before.

"No, there is nothing. He is just crazy", Clare said, blocking him from moving forward. It was becoming more awkward with every passing moment.

'What is it, just tell me."

"I want to move in with Clare here but she is afraid you will feel hurt if she tells you to move out,....so," Mark said in a single breath.

Now they were both looking at me waiting for a reaction as I stood there blank with no clue how to react.

This was the last thing I was expecting them to say. I sat on the chair beside me. I looked at them, they were in the same position waiting for a reply.

"Of course, there is no problem, you guys. I am so happy for you." I said in the happiest voice I could, and hugged both of them. Both to show them how happy I was for them and at the same time hide how terrified I was of being apartmentless.

"Let's celebrate," Mark said, kissing Clare.

I could clearly see they were so in love and I was so happy for Clare. She deserved all the happiness in the world and I in no way want to be the reason for her not getting it. The fact I am broke and now have no place to live is a matter I can handle later, but now it's time for celebration.

We celebrated this with a bottle of wine and Chinese takeout and watched Titanic. I was half drunk when my phone rang. I wanted to ignore it but it was 9:30 already. I don't usually get calls at this time.

Ignoring my better judgment, I went into my room. It was a private number. I picked it up. "Hello,"

"Ms. Steele," said the same deep voice that had me jittery all day.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself and tried to sound professional, "Who is this?"

"It's David Walton, you interviewed for the post of nanny."

"Yes Mr. Walton, but you didn't have to personally call me to tell me that I wasn't selected." I still can't believe he actually called, he is really something.

"You are really something, Ms. Steele, anyway, if you are still interested in the job you will arrive at the address I mailed you at 10 am sharp tomorrow."

Did I just hear that correctly or are my ears playing some tricks on me?

"Oh really, this is not some kind of joke?"

"No, it isn't and I expect you to take it seriously. If you want the job, be on time and I would prefer you behave this time like an adult and not walk out like a child showing a tantrum like you did last time ". There was amusement in his voice which really surprised me because he seemed to me like the guy you know, those alpha males who don't smile much and, most of the time, are serious.

"Of course, sorry sir. It was just a little unexpected, I will be there on time," I said, and the line went dead.

It wouldn't have killed him to say goodbye.

I am really sure that if I got this job he would be a real pain in the ass, but I don't seem to have much choice. With this moving out the situation, I can't say no to such a high-paying job. I have to suck it up, and anyway, it's not like he is going to be around all the time. He is a f*****g billionaire. I would probably see him once a month.

I don't know why that thought makes me a little sad instead of relaxing. I mean he isn't bad to look at, he is more like eye candy....uhh no no no stop thinking about him like that, he is your potential boss.

I have to impress him tomorrow and get this job.

For the next hour, I prepped myself for all the interview questions. I chose a white silk blouse paired with a black pencil skirt. This was my favorite dress, it fitted me like a second skin and worked like a charm.

It was around 11:00 when I got Mr. Walton's email, the address was in one of the poshest areas, of course, it is. I googled the address and picture that came up. It wasn't of a house, it was a goddam mansion.

One thing I am sure about is that this job is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I will not let it go from my hands.

I lay on the bed and I thought about this job. It became harder to evade, the face of that kid played on a loop in my mind. I just saw him for a few seconds and I couldn't help but notice how scared and sad he looked.

One thing I have learned as a nanny is, the richer the parents, the more lonely is the kid.

Or maybe I just met him at the wrong moment.

With that last thought, I set my alarm and went to sleep.