Chapter 4 4 Messy Battle

• “I need you to take care of my kids,” he said, pausing for a bit. “I want you to work as a live-in nanny for my kids.”
• I went silent for a minute after listening to his words. “Are you crazy or not?" I couldn't help but feel a mixture of shock and disbelief at his request. The thought of being responsible for someone else's children on a live-in basis seemed overwhelming and daunting.
• He shook his head at my words. “I’m just stating the facts. I want you to take care of my kids, and for that, I can pay any amount you wish.”
• I sighed loudly, trying to calm my mind. “For the last time, I didn’t care about money. You are a piece of sh*t, and I don’t want to work for you.”
• Hollis smiled while listening to my words. “Why don’t you care about money? Are you that rich?"
• I chuckled at his assumption. Rich, and me... What a joke! “I’m anything but rich."
• “Then you are a fool to let go of such a great deal," he said, his eyes not leaving mine.
• "Maybe..." I replied with a hint of sadness in my voice. “But for me, self-respect is far more important than any amount.”
• Not again. I will never let anyone treat me like that again.
• Hollis raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued by my response. He leaned in closer, a smirk playing on his lips. “What can I do to make you work for me?" he said, still as stubborn as before.
• I sighed, realizing that Hollis was not going to give up easily. "There's nothing you can do," I said firmly, maintaining my stance. “Let me go,” I said, staring at him. “You can’t expect me to work for you after you kidnapped me from the airport.”
• Hollis chuckled, his smirk widening. "Kidnapped? That's a bit dramatic, don't you think?" He replied, his tone mocking.
• I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling within me. "Whether you call it kidnapping or not, it doesn't change the fact that, because of you, I missed my flight." I retorted with determination in my voice.
• "Look…. I want you. And I will make you work for me, by hook or by crook. You don’t want more money. Then what else do you want?” Hollis said, his voice dripping with arrogance.
• Isn’t he overconfident in his abilities?
• I took a deep breath, my anger simmering beneath the surface. "Fine, but you have promised to give me anything I want,” I said, a small smile plastered on my face.
• “Just ask for money, property, fame, anything.” He said, smiling slyly.
• I could tell he thought he had the upper hand, but little did he know that I had a plan of my own. "Nah, I want nothing like this," I said, shaking my head.
• “Then do what you want,” he said nonchalantly.
• I shook my head again, my smile widening. “I want you to let me go.”
• “That, I can't do..." He sighed, hearing my words. “What are you crazy? I’m here trying to give you a life-changing offer, only to care for my kids, and I refuse.”
• “Why is it so hard to let me go?" I said, annoyed at the end.
• He scoffed, clearly frustrated by my refusal. “Because my kids like you," he said with a sigh. “I haven't seen them so happy with anyone... That’s why I can’t let you go.”
• Damn, is he trying to play his emotional card? I don’t know, but his kids do seem depressed, and I am not qualified to take care of them. Having a conversation at the airport is different, but watching it all day and night is different. They don’t need a fool like me who does nothing but make wrong decisions in his life.
• "See..." I paused, sighing out loud. “They don’t need a good nanny; they need a father who loves them," I said with a heavy heart.
• “I know... but still, I want you to take care of them.” I could sense the desperation in his voice as he pleaded with me.
• “Why are you so stubborn?" I said. I was tired of this messy battle.
• “Work for me, and trust me, you won’t regret it," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
• I don’t know what to do. I’m just so confused right now. This man ruined all my plans, and now he is offering me a life-changing opportunity. And even if I shout out loud that I don’t care about money, But who am I lying to? There is no one in this world who doesn't care about money or doesn’t want more of it.
• But can I be a good example for the kids? I have not once witnessed the love of a parent, not once seen a family, or even known how to take care of kids. Am I doing the right thing if I say yes?
• God, I'm so confused right now.
• Just as my mind was engaged in my thoughts, the car stopped. And a man stood in front of me, opening the door for me as he pulled his hand out for me to hold.
• What is happening here? I thought as I decided to remain silent, ignoring his gesture.
• "Come,” he said, taking me with him to a fancy elevator.
• I stood silently beside him, not knowing what to say and losing all my strength in the messy conversation in her car.
• I sighed loudly, and as the door closed, there was nothing but silence surrounding us. I tried to gather my thoughts and find the right words to break the tension.
• His phone beeps loudly as he pulls it out of his pocket and starts scrolling through it. I leaned back, my back resting on the wall. I don't know why, but I’m feeling a bit dizzy somehow. Maybe it is because I haven’t eaten anything since the morning, or maybe this man beside me is the reason for my brain having to function well enough.
• I closed my eyes for a few seconds to rest, but a voice disturbed my peace.
• "Are you okay?" he asked, staring at me with concern in his eyes.
• I opened my eyes, staring at him in anger. “How can I be when you’re standing beside me?" I shouted, but I guess that was the wrong decision to make as everything in front of my eyes started to shake for a second, my legs became noodles, and as I was about to lose my balance, two strong arms wrapped around my waist stopped me from falling.
• "Hailey..." was the only word I could hear before everything turned black in front of my eyes.