Page 5 of Balance

I scramble up and rush to my bathroom, grimacing at my reflection. “Where’s the location?”

She taps around, presumably on a keyboard. Or maybe she’s clicking her nails against her desk, it’s hard to tell. “It’s over by Pleasant Lake, North of Saint Paul. I think they’re technically located in Shoreview. If you do decide to go to the interview, I need you to sign the NDA forms before arrival. They’ve been sent your email.”

I frown and try to think of where the hell that is, I’ve barely been anywhere in Saint Paul. It’s been two weeks since I had my interview with this company and this is the first I’ve heard from them.

“All right, I’m hopping in the shower now.” I frown at my hair and sigh internally. There's no way I'm going to look professional or put together within the next twenty minutes.

“Thank you, Lillian! Read through the documents and send them back to me ASAP!” She hangs up and I jump in the shower before it even begins to warm up. I scrub my body, jump out and brush my hair, and braid it to the side. I don’t have time for makeup, so I just moisturize and brush my teeth, adding deodorant at the last second.

I drop my towel and race into my tiny closet, looking for something that is clean and not wrinkled.

Fuck.

Black leggings and mismatched socks, with a gray v-neck. Good enough. I tie up my Converse and grab my bag, shoving in my file with all of my certifications and credentials. I even toss in my damn diplomas. You never know.

Phone charger, iPad, and a book. I have no idea what I’m getting myself into here. How many kids? How old are they?

I hop in my Nissan Rogue and pull up the email. Reading through it and inputting the address into my GPS at the sametime, I skim the NDA documents and sign it, sending it back to Candy? Carol? Ah… Mandi.

It’s already 8:30 and I need to be there by 9, and with traffic it shows I’m not going to show up until 9:26. Shit. I weave in and out of other cars, ignoring the honks, middle fingers, and probably screaming out of their windows. I just hope I don’t get shot.

Well, fuck you, too. I need this job. My savings is running out too quickly for me to pass this up.

I follow the directions and pull up to a gated community, rolling my window down and waving at the elderly guard. There are large gates and trees around the entire place. Do freaking celebrities live here? Why does it look like I’m somewhere in the Pacific Northwest?

I can’t see any of the houses yet, but I imagine they’re going to be massive.

“Hey! Hi! I need to make it to my interview… in the next five minutes. I’m from Lindahl’s Nannies, my name is Lillian Sarsfield…”

He nods and shuffles to the front of my car to write down my license plate number. “Go on ahead ma’am. Who are you here to see?”

I frown and shrug. “No idea. I signed a ton of NDA agreements and only have the address… Umm… 7687 Evergreen Rd?”

He chuckles and opens the gate for me. “Good luck. Just head straight and it’s eight houses up on your right.”

I wave and notice the fifteen mile per hour speed limit. My body is sweating, I’m trembling. I hate being late.

It’s 8:59 when I park in front of a fucking mansion. A gray stone monstrosity that has floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere I look.

This looks like something out of a television show. Real Housewives or something.

Oh great, I’m going to have to deal with a damn psychopath, aren’t I? The mom is going to be insane, I just know it. She’s going to follow my every move and micromanage the hell out of me. It’s going to be so much worse than being a teacher. I just hope the pay is good.

I grab my bag and race up to the door, knocking my fist against the glass. I take several deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart.

I chance a quick look around and breathe in the fresh air. There are potted plants all around the front porch that are unfortunately dead or dying. The grass is overgrown and there are a ton of weeds everywhere.

The door opens immediately. A stern man is frowning at me and tilts his head. “I’m busy. I’m not buying anything you’re fucking selling… and I’m going to report you to security. How did you get in here?”

My brows furrow and I step back, glancing around for the house numbers. “If this is 7687 Evergreen, then I’m here from Lindahl’s Nannies. My name is Lillian. I was told to be here by nine and I live all the way down in like south St. Paul… so.”

He sighs and opens the door wider, allowing me to step in. It’s actually not too bad on the inside. I was expecting crystal chandeliers, glass and gold decor everywhere. Strange children staring at you around the corner that are dressed in silk and million dollar garments.

The reality is much better. There are toys everywhere and I hear some loud squeals, but after teaching first grade a few times, I can handle little ones.

“Follow me. I have to be out of here by ten for practice.” He mutters to himself under his breath and I follow him down a hall to an office. There are several halls off of the foyer, I’m totallygoing to get lost here. Maybe I can ask for a map for this damn labyrinth.

I blink away from him after he collapses into his desk chair and I plop down on the lone chair in front of him. I try to glance around really quickly, but his dark hazel eyes are so stern, I feel like I’m going to get reprimanded if I so much as move a muscle.

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