Page 8 of Nanny for the Bossy Billionaire

“Maybe I was… just that convincing,” I say sheepishly.

Laughable.

Even I don’t believe myself.

To not betray my lack of confidence in my acting skills, I look everywhere but at my friends. My eyes jump from the pasty pink walls to the dainty tables and chairs scattered around the room to the glass showcase with the pastries in it, only to come back and land on my Mimosa in front of me.

“Yeah, not by the story you told us about the interview. He should’ve been running for the hills,” Jamie says.

“Exactly,” Laura adds around a full mouth of French toast. She swallows then continues, “I mean, he called me and I pretended to be Mrs. Caesar and gave you a rave reference, but I’m not sure how convincing I was.”

“Me too!” Jamie squeals. “I pretended to be Mrs. Roberts. I thought I did a damn good job actually.”

I shrug. “Well, apparently it was good enough, because I got the job.”

“What do you think he’s going to do when he finds out you hate kids?” Laura laughs.

“I do not hate kids. I just… am not particularly fond of them. Plus, I haven’t had many opportunities to be around children. For all we know, I could adore them.”

Both Laura and Jamie actually cackle.

“Fuck you guys. I could be an amazing nanny.”

“Sure. Remind us again why you’re doing any of this?” Jamie says.

I sigh. “Reid Harris happens to be childhood friends with Gabriel Aranda, the world-renowned Michelin Star chef. I want to be a chef. If I can get Mr. Harris to introduce me to Chef Aranda then maybe he can take me under his wing. Every chef he’s ever mentored has gone on to do amazing things.”

They both look at me, blank stares, blinking.

So I continue.

“I have learned all I can possibly learn on my own. I’ve spent the past four years teaching myself how to cook. I’ve taken every free cooking class I could find and followed every tutorial on YouTube, but there’s only so far I can go by myself. I need someone who knows what they are doing to take me to the next level.” I smile. “Enter… Chef Aranda.”

“And why would Reid Harris introduce you to his childhood friend?” Jamie peeks quizzically through her bangs at me.

“I don’t know actually. I’m just taking all this one step at a time.”

“I think you should’ve thought this plan through a little bit more.” Laura says, laughing. “Why would Mr. Harris help his employee get another job?”

“Listen,” I snap. “I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but if I’m close to these people, it’s only a matter of time before my window of opportunity presents itself and I’ll take it when the time comes.”

Laura waves her hand in the air. “Why don’t you ask your parents for help? I’m sure they’ll buy your way into any world-class culinary school. They could even buy you your own restaurant when you’re done. That way you won’t have to go through with this elaborate scheme.”

“You do remember that my parents were the ones who disowned me, right? They are the ones who kicked me out of the house and took away my trust fund because I refused to go to college in preparation of taking over the family business.”

“Yes, but that was four years ago. I am sure their hearts have softened.”

I laugh. “It’s amazing that you’ve known my family your whole life and you think that. My parents literally think I’m wasting my life by pursuing a career in the culinary arts. My father would rather drink hot lava than help me achieve this particular goal. They’re still waiting me out, hoping that I will come to my senses and return to the fold. But I won’t. And I am not asking them for any help.”

“Trust me,” Jamie says. “I get where you’re coming from. I grew up in a Korean household. I understand more than anyone the expectations that parents can have on their kids. All I’m saying is, it couldn’t hurt to ask.”

“When I went back home last Easter, they made it very clear what they think about what I am doing. They made their disapproval of my life choices crystal. Even if I did swallow my pride and ask them, I know for a fact the answer would be no.”

“At the risk of being chewed out, I’m going to ask a question that has been on my mind ever since you left home,” Jamie says. “Would it be the worst thing in the world to inherit a multi-billion dollar company?”

Bless their hearts.

Although I love my friends, they are still steeped in the world I left behind four years ago. A world of money, comfort, and…absolutely no risk taking.

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