ANNA'S POV

"You made it in time for your first day, I'm quite impressed Miss Dennis." Dora greets me cordially as I walk into her office with my little backpack. She seats on the same mahogany desk she sat on, the day I was interviewed, wearing a casual flowing gown that exposes her cleavage gracefully.

Today her annoying son is not behind me to make slight comments about my appearance which I am particularly glad for.

"Please call me Anna," I smile at her but she doesn't respond immediately, rather she leans back on her desk studying me intensely. She is smiling but I can't figure out if she is trying to mock me or if what I said sounds funny to her.

"Anna is a nice English name, I guess I'll stick to that." She points her hand towards a vacant seat in front of her ordering me to sit on it, "I heard you had declined my job offer, were you thinking I won't pay you well or what?"

"I'm sorry Ma'am, after the interview, I felt like I didn't deserve to work for you because of my lack of experience." I hope the excuse is good enough to win her smile back.

"Hmmm I see. Well you really caused a stir." She giggles, but moves on before I can ask her a question.

"I have three children. Leo is the eldest, Cynthia just turned seven, Bella is four. They mean everything to me. So I trust you so much already to put their care in your hands. Don't fail me Anna."

I nod attentively.

Ensure that you inform me or Leo anytime you want to leave the premises with my children. I hope I am understood?"

"Yes... Yes Ma'am." I stammer, swallowing my fear. She is no longer the smiling Dora but the furious one and, immediately, I doubt my readiness to discover her bad side.

She studies my face and body movement before she chuckles. She retains an aura of mystery.

"Good. so here are the things you will need during your stay here." I don't understand what she means by that because I already have my little bag pack full of clothes that I will use until I get my first pay.

Grabbing her purse, she opens it and brings out a bunch of keys, credit cards and a lot of cash and hand them over to me.

"These are yours from now on. In case you need anything or you want to get anything for the children. You could use some cash."

"Thank you Ma. I am grateful." I sputter.

"That's nothing Anna. More of it will be coming to you if you do your job well." She smiles clasping her hands together like it's nothing.

"I will do my best, I promise."

"Very well then. As for the bunch of keys, the yellow one is for your private office, the blue is for your bedroom, the purple is for the children's living quarters, the red is for Leo's room and the black is for my room. You can only visit the last two rooms in any case of emergencies. I like my space a lot and hence I do not like to be disturbed"

I know I will ask about the keys again because it is so much for much for me to comprehend.

"Cynthia enjoys swimming a lot. The guard will escort you around the premises to have a look at the swimming pool, spa, gym and other places that you need to know because you will be staying in this house. The entire house is heavily guarded, so do not be surprised if you bump into any guard on every corner. I will assign a car to you for your usage while you work for me."

I had heard enough. "But I can... can't drive?" I stammer in bewilderment.

She giggles at my perplexity. "Lorenzo will be driving you."

Standing up from her seat, she straightens her dress. I stand up too because I don't know what else to do.

"Finally, I will take you to my sweethearts. Be warned, they are lovely children but they can be strong-willed sometimes. Ensure that you know your limits when you're around them."

She heads to the door leaving me to hop after her with the box and backpack I carry.

Before you enter any room, there is a quick scan to ensure that you are not a threat or danger to anyone here.

"There is another room on the left side leading to the library filled with vintage, classic and modern books. This will aid in teaching the children properly."

"Okay Ma'am." I respond slowly because my attention is not on her anymore but on the great castle I'll be working in.

We arrive at the children's quarters. The bedroom is filled with collectible toys and items housed are silver glass shelves. There is also a 32-inch flat television attached to the wall opposite two king-sized beds kept for the children.

Posters of movies and cartoon characters are hoisted on the wall with glass frames, creating a gallery effect. The closet and cabinet for clothes are painted in green and pink. There is also a shelf for designer shoes, slippers and sandals.

"My beautiful Angels, your new nanny is here."

Cynthia wields a remote and a fashion magazine in her hands, with her attentionfocused on the TV Infront of her. Bella is using her crayons to draw on a paper, what I believe to be her friends.

"Okay I will leave you to take it from here." Dora says as she leaves the room.

I quietly drop my box and bag on the floor, walking to the little girl.

"Hi honey, your drawing is fantastic. You really have excellent hands." I gently push the hair that is falling on her face, tucking it behind her ear but she doesn't even recognize my presence. She looks up, rolls her eyes, and continues with her drawing.

I walk to the sofa where her elder sister is sitting, "Hey sweetheart, I'll be taking care of you and your baby sister from now on."

"Non ho bisogno di una tata." She replies without looking at me.

"Awnnnn sweet baby, I don't really understand Italian. Can you speak English very well?"

"Yes of course and five other languages as well." she replies arrogantly her focus still on the TV, "What I was trying to say is that I don't need a nanny and I can take care of myself."

I can't help but laugh at her defiant nature.

"You must really have a good taste for fashion. Can I take a look at the magazine too?" I ask touching the tip of the magazine, so she could release it at once for me.

"No! Don’t touch my things." she replies arrogantly, putting the magazine behind her back in an attempt to hide from me.

What were these rich families teaching their children for Godsake?

"Does Bella understand English too?"

"Of course! I do. I just don't speak to strangers like you." she doesn't raise her head as she responds.

"That's not fair; you're being rude to me." I say making fake sobs to get her attention.

"I don't care."

Ouch! My fake sob always worked on kids but not this one. She is direct and blunt.

I sit down on the bed in front of me and summon enough strength to handle the children.

Today is going to be a long day.