Chapter 4 TwoMasters

Chapter 4: (Two Masters) Pearl had nearly drifted off on the plush velvet sofa when a small, cool hand gently pressed against hers. "Dad is back," a soft voice whispered. "You need to meet him. Now." Pearl's eyes snapped open. Mia stood in front of her, pigtails perfectly neat, wearing a polite little smile that didn't quite hide the calculating glint in her eyes. Pearl sat up immediately, forcing herself awake. Right. The father. The man who was paying forty thousand dollars a month for a nanny. Mia reached for her hand and began leading her toward the grand staircase.

"Do you want me to carry you, Mia?" Pearl asked instinctively. "Those stairs look a little steep." Mia stopped walking. Her small hand turned cold in Pearl's grasp. "There is no need for that," she said sharply. Pearl blinked. The response was colder than she expected from a seven-year-old. "I was only trying to help," Pearl replied calmly. "That sounded a little harsh, don't you think?" Mia turned slowly. For a moment, the little girl's expression looked eerily similar to her father's-cool, controlled, and faintly intimidating. "You haven't even spent a full day here," Mia said coolly, "and you're already correcting me?" Then she scoffed and continued up the stairs. Pearl followed, sighing quietly. This isn't a job, she thought. This is a hostage negotiation. They stopped in front of a pair of enormous dark oak doors. Mia knocked three times. "Dad? She's here." The door opened almost immediately. Pearl had seen Ace Warren on magazine covers and business interviews before. But seeing him in person was... different. He was taller than she expected. Broader. Sharper. And dangerously handsome in a way that made her momentarily forget how to breathe. "You're the nanny?" Ace said. His voice was deep and calm, like distant thunder. "Not fully yet, Dad," Mia chimed sweetly. Ace looked down at his daughter. "Why not?" "I was waiting for your approval," Mia said softly, suddenly looking like the perfect obedient child. Pearl almost admired the performance. Ace's expression softened as he brushed a curl from Mia's forehead. "Okay. You can go now, sweetheart. I'll handle it." He kissed her cheek. Mia beamed and skipped happily down the hallway. Pearl watched her go. Then she turned back to Ace. The warmth in his eyes was gone. The temperature in the hallway dropped instantly. Ace stepped out and closed the door behind him. "Name." "Pearl Augustine." "Married? Single? Divorced?" Pearl raised an eyebrow slightly. Divorced? Do I look forty? But she kept her voice polite. "Single." Ace studied her like he was evaluating a business investment. "Mia is... particular," he said. "She is demanding. She is choosy. And she expects perfection." His gaze sharpened. "Are you sure you can handle that?" Pearl held his stare calmly. "I'm sure I can take care of her." For a moment, silence stretched between them. Ace nodded once. "Good." "You start tomorrow." Relief rushed through Pearl. "Thank you-" Slam. The door shut before she could finish. Pearl stared at the wood for a full three seconds. Then she rolled her eyes. "Grumpy, cold, and absolutely no manners," she muttered. "Nanny?" Pearl jumped. Mia had returned and was tugging on her skirt. Pearl crouched to the girl's height. "Yes, Mia?" "I'm hungry," Mia said. "Prepare my dinner." Pearl tilted her head slightly. "Your father said I start tomorrow." Instead of answering, Mia opened her arms. Pearl narrowed her eyes. That's definitely a trap. But she lifted the girl anyway. As Mia settled comfortably in her arms, Pearl realised something important. Ace Warren might run a billion-dollar empire... ...but Mia Warren ran the house. ⸻ An hour later, Pearl stood in the massive kitchen. Her sleeves were rolled up. An apron was tied around her waist. She had been hired as a nanny. Yet somehow she was now cooking a full dinner for a seven-year-old. Pearl shook her head as she stirred the pan. "This child is dangerous," she murmured. Still, the food smelled amazing. She carried the plate into the dining room. Mia's eyes sparkled. "You're amazing," the girl said. "Can you feed me?" Pearl sighed. "Just this once." She sat beside her and began feeding her small bites. Then the sound of footsteps echoed down the staircase. Ace appeared. He looked terrible. His face was pale, and one hand pressed against his stomach. "Dad," Mia said brightly. "Aren't you hungry?" "Not tonight," Ace muttered. "But it's delicious! Have a taste!" Ace groaned softly. "I have a running stomach, Mia. I'm not eating anything." Pearl studied him quietly. The man runs corporations but can't manage his own stomach. Ace suddenly looked at her sharply. "I told you to start tomorrow. Why are you still here?" "I'm sorry," Pearl replied gently. "Mia asked me to stay for dinner." Ace looked at his daughter. His anger melted into tired defeat. "Oh." He sighed. "Mia, sweetheart... You should have let her go home. It's late." Before he could say more, his face turned green. He spun around and rushed toward the bathroom. Pearl watched him disappear. Then she leaned toward Mia and whispered, "You should probably eat faster." Mia grinned. "Okay, Nanny." ⸻ At five the next morning, Pearl stepped out of a cab. She had been woken by a frantic phone call from one of the maids. Apparently, half the staff had taken sudden leave. Which somehow meant... she was needed immediately. Pearl tied her long hair into a neat ponytail and walked toward the gates. The security guard straightened when he saw her. "Good morning, Miss Pearl." She blinked. "You know my name?" "Mr Warren announced it on the company platform," he replied. Pearl frowned slightly. "The whole staff knows?" "Every worker in the estate." Pearl felt a strange chill. She hadn't even been here a full day. Yet somehow... everyone already knew who she was. A maid led her through the endless hallways until they reached Mia's room. The doors opened. Pearl froze. The room was enormous. Royal purple walls. A canopy bed bigger than her entire apartment bedroom. It looked like a princess's palace. And sitting calmly in the middle of it was Mia. Awake. Waiting. "Good morning, Nanny," Mia said sweetly. Her smile was mysterious. "I hope you're ready." She tilted her head. "Today is going to be a very long day."