*Rough Draft*

I turn my back to Will, leaning against the wall, giving him some privacy, not that he needed it. He was a master at whispering. I couldn't make out anything he'd said. I hear him slide his phone back in his pocket and I looked over at him, seeing that he'd turned back to face me.

"Brea, sorry to rush you but I need you with Blake now. I have to go—business meeting. I'll get Pierre to help out," he said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's fine, no need to apologize. And where is Blake now?" I asked, looking around the infinitely long hallway.

"Walk straight and make a left. At the end of that hall is the dining area. He's in there." I nod, pushing myself off the wall. "Oh, and I've already paid you for the month. Is five thousand reasonable enough?" I gape at him. Five thousand a month?! Seeing my expression he went on. "It's all in the bank account that I've provided for you. It's under my name since you're not eighteen yet...well, I'll see you later then, Brea."

"Later, Mr—Will,"

He smiles and then walked off. I couldn't help but stare after him. I quickly pulled out my phone and search the average pay for a babysitter annually: $23,000. Jackpot! I was probably the richest babysitter in the world making $70k a year.

I dial Shana's number, putting the phone to my ear as I followed Will's instructions. By the time I got to the dining area, Shana hadn't picked up yet. I put my phone back into my pocket and opened one of the mahogany double doors, peering inside.

Blake was eating a plateful of spaghetti with his hands while instructing a cook on what he wanted for dessert. He then caught sight of me and grinned.

"Ms. Brea needs supper too!" he told the cook, who rushed off before I could politely refuse. I took my seat beside Blake's, almost licking my lips. I was ready for some five-star restaurant quality food.

A plate of steaming spaghetti and meatballs, topped with some garnish arrived within the minute. I was sure I would have eaten all of it if it weren't for Blake.

Half the time I spent wiping spaghetti off his clothes and face, telling him not to talk with his mouth full or else he'd choke, or scolding him for shoving the food into his mouth way too fast. Not that he listened to anything I said.

After a couple more minutes, he stopped eating and had this look on his face I'd seen way too many times before at the nursery.

"Oh, sh—" I started, standing up, and shoving away the plates of food on the table as the contents of Blake's stomach made it's way onto the table.

My heart raced and I swallowed at the upsetting sight, but I had to act quickly. Grabbing the nearest napkins, I wiped his mouth and picked him up. Within seconds Blake was crying into my shoulder. I tossed the soiled napkin onto to mess on the table and tried to calm him down, rubbing his back and pacing around the room.

Unfortunately, Pierre made his arrival then, his face in total shock. He called in a few uniformed women – maids? – to get the place cleaned up and escorted me to Blake's room.

Blake was crying softly into my shirt and refused to let go of me when I tried to get him onto the bed. I glanced over at Pierre who nodded.

Kicking off my sneakers, I got into Blake's bed and pulled the two layers of bedsheets and a fluffy blanket over us. Blake snuggled up closer to me and I leaned over to brush my lips against his temple.

"It's okay," I whisper, patting his back. I wasn't sure he believed me, but I held him close, knowing it was probably the best thing I could do for him now.

After endless moments, Blake's breathing began to slow and I glanced down, seeing that he'd fallen asleep. I look up, seeing Pierre leaning against the doorframe, his lips curving into a small smile. I felt my cheeks burn just the slightest bit.

"First day's always the best, isn't it?" He teased lightly.

"Always," I agreed.

Pierre's usual jovial expression darkened.

"How'd it happen?"

I sigh. "I really don't know. Maybe he was eating too quickly? Or maybe he was eating too much?" I frowned. I should have asked how much Blake had eaten at the daycare. Ugh, why was I so careless? There was no way I was going to keep this job if I wasn't careful.

"Don't beat yourself up about it," Pierre said. I raised my eyebrows.

"It was my fault, Pierre. How can you say otherwise?"

"Because you won't take any blame. I will." He said it so matter-of-factly as if he'd been through it before.

"Pierre, you're serious? You weren't even there," I argued. "How can Will even put anything against you?" He frowned at what I said. Was it because I called Mr. Right 'Will' or was it something else?

Pierre pinched the bridge of his nose, perhaps the most informal thing I'd seen him ever do.

"I shouldn't have brought it up," he muttered. He looked back up at me. "Stay with him, would you? Blake doesn't like waking up alone." And with that, he walked out, shutting the door behind him.

I look back down at Blake, who seemed content right now, as he slept. With no mother, a nonexistent father, a formal chauffeur, and being only four years old, waking up alone sounds pretty darn scary to me, too.

With a sigh, I rest my head onto one of the fluffed-up pillows and close my eyes. It wasn't that I was sleepy; I was just way too tired to deal with all of this right now. I felt my phone buzz and my fingers instinctively took the call.

"Hmm?" I muttered, eyes still closed.

"Oh, hey, honey," Audrey's voice sounding too high-pitched. "Just thought I'd call and make sure everything's okay."

"Yep, fine."

Silence. Then muffled talking.

"Okay, Brea. We're expecting you home for dinner, remember?"

"Yeah."

"Don't forget to tell Mr. Right about your college schedule," I hear Ryan add from nearby. "You're starting next week, Brea."

I smile. "Yeah, I'll remember."

"Alright then. We'll see you later. Bye sweetie," the two chorused. I chuckle.

"Bye."

I hang up and toss my phone behind me. I hear it thud against the mattress as I pull an arm around Blake. I listen to the sound of Blake's breathing for a while, letting it calm my nerves. And for those peaceful moments, everything was perfect.