Page 7 of Alien Protector's Nanny

“First off, though, you and Katie need to discuss the child. What does she need to know, what are your expectations, routine, and so on? I’m here to be a part of it and make sure the settling in goes smoothly since this was so rushed, but please pretend as if I’m not here. This will be strictly between you two.”

Axur leaned back into his tall chair.

“I see. Katie, is it?” he asked, forcing himself to look at the human.

She seemed irritated at his question, probably because she’d already introduced herself, but he hadn’t been paying attention.

“Uh, yes,” she replied, her jaw slightly clenching now.

“What do you know about this situation so far?”

She seemed to visibly shake off her annoyance, her friendly demeanor returning.

“I know that an unfortunate loss has happened to you and …” She glanced at her notes. “Ayla. You’re her uncle, and she can’t live with you due to your profession. She needs to be placed, but you need help in the meantime.”

“And you feel up to the task?”

“Most definitely. I think …”

“How much experience do you have?”

Even though he knew he couldn’t get attached to Ayla or her nanny, no matter how gorgeous she was, he needed to know that his niece was well taken care of.

Katie seemed taken aback from being cut off but recovered and answered the question.

“I’ve been doing this for a while.”

“What is ‘a while’? And how many cases?”

Katie’s demeanor shifted again but stayed cold this time.

“A few years. Three. Placed with each family until my services were no longer needed. I have good reviews, I can promise you …”

Again, Axur shut her down. He put up his hand.

“That’s all I really need to know. Thank you.”

Maybe he should have been a little warmer to the help, but that wasn’t his priority.Shewasn’t his priority. He was made to not have attachments to anything, including Ayla, and that’s how it was going to stay. He wasn’t going to change just because his temporary nanny felt slighted. This was business.

“Let’s discuss Ayla, shall we?” he suggested, trying to brush off the rigidness that suddenly oozed off of his soon-to-be-nanny.

“Yes, let's.”

He tried a smile, but she’d completely closed herself off from any kindness she had expressed just moments earlier. Axur felt a slight twist in his gut as he tried to not take her frosty manner personally.

Of course, itwaspersonal, though.

There were no other factors to blame for her shift in attitude. Could he be warmer? He wasn’t giving off the best impression, but this was just how he was.

Besides, why did he even care? It didn’t matter what she thought of him as long as she was a good fit for Ayla. That’s what this whole meeting was about, to begin with, wasn’t it? This was his home, and it wasn’t his job to make Katie feel comfortable. It was his job to make sure Katie was the best person for Ayla.

After what felt like hours, Axur was relieved once the interview was done. Katie seemed perfect, but she was getting icier toward him by the minute.

“Let me show you around,” he offered, standing from his desk.

Katie and Stella followed his lead with silent nods.

Once they left his office, Axur noticed that Stella stayed with them but kept her distance as if watching how the two interacted.

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