Chapter 5 The first day

Lila woke up before dawn, excitement buzzing in her chest. Today is going to be a great day, she told herself as she pulled on her clothes. She could hardly wait to meet Mr. Versailles' son and begin her new job. The thought of working in such a luxurious place, with that incredible salary, filled her with nervous energy. "Off to work!" she said aloud, grinning at her reflection in the mirror as she brushed her hair. The sooner she got started, the sooner she could help Nanny Vivienne and maybe even save enough for them to move to a better home.

The Versailles mansion was even more breathtaking in the morning light than she remembered. As she walked up the driveway, a cool breeze drifted through the air, carrying with it the fresh scent of blooming flowers. The grand building stood tall and imposing, with its flawless marble façade and perfectly manicured gardens. Lila felt a slight flutter in her stomach as she approached the front door, her shoes clicking softly against the stone steps. She knocked, and after a few moments, the door swung open. A woman, perhaps in her late forties, greeted her with a warm smile. "Hello, how may I help you?" the woman asked, her voice polite yet firm. "Good morning, ma'am," Lila replied, straightening up. "I'm the new babysitter-Mr. Versailles hired me yesterday." "Ah, yes, of course! Come on in," the woman said, stepping aside to let Lila enter. "I'm Mrs. Bernard, the housekeeper. Mr. Dante mentioned you would be starting today. It's a pleasure to meet you." "Thank you, ma'am," Lila responded with a smile, walking into the mansion. As she stepped inside, Lila couldn't help but take in her surroundings. The interior was absolutely stunning. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a soft glow over the elegant furniture. The marble floors gleamed, and the air smelled faintly of fresh lavender and polished wood. She hadn't noticed the house's grandeur the last time she was here-she had been too flustered and eager to escape. It's beautiful, she thought, feeling a bit out of place in her simple dress. "Would you like me to show you to Theo's room?" Mrs. Bernard asked, pulling Lila from her thoughts. "Yes, please," Lila nodded. "Oh, and what's his name?" "His name is Theo Versailles," Mrs. Bernard replied as she led Lila down a long hallway. The house was so large, Lila couldn't imagine navigating it without getting lost. They reached a door at the end of the hall, and Mrs. Bernard opened it gently. Inside, Lila saw a little boy sitting on the floor, completely absorbed in his toys. He had messy dark hair and wore a simple t-shirt and jeans, looking like any other child except for the unmistakable air of loneliness that seemed to hang around him. "He doesn't socialize much with people, just his father," Mrs. Bernard whispered quietly. "He'll warm up to you with time." "Thank you," Lila replied softly before stepping into the room. She approached Theo slowly, crouching down to meet him at eye level. "Hi, Theo," she said gently, giving him a warm smile. "I'm Lila. I'm your new babysitter, and I'll be taking care of you from now on." Theo didn't even look up. He remained completely focused on his toy truck, moving it back and forth along the floor, oblivious to her presence. Lila chuckled softly, standing up. "I guess you heard me. Maybe we'll be friends once you get used to me," she said, her voice filled with patience. But Theo didn't respond. He just continued playing, his small fingers deftly maneuvering the toy as if she wasn't even there. Well, Lila thought, at least he isn't crying or running away. That's something. She decided to keep herself busy. She tidied the room, even though it wasn't really messy-more like a few toys scattered here and there. But the silence in the room was deafening. Lila occasionally glanced at Theo, hoping for some kind of interaction, but he remained engrossed in his little world. After a while, she sat down on a nearby chair, pulling out her phone to pass the time. "Oh man," she muttered under her breath, "this job is kind of boring." The pay was amazing, but she hadn't expected babysitting to feel this tedious. Maybe I'm just overthinking it because it's the first day, she thought. Still, the idea of having enough money to afford a new home for her and Nanny kept her motivated. By late morning, Lila noticed Theo's stomach growling, though he hadn't said a word about being hungry. She figured it was time for lunch. "Theo, are you hungry?" she asked softly. "No," he replied without looking up from his toy. Lila raised an eyebrow, hearing another grumble from his stomach. Kids and their stubbornness, she thought with a smile. She got up and went to find the kitchen, where she met Mrs. Bernard again. "Excuse me, Mrs. Bernard," Lila said politely, "I think Theo might be hungry, but he says he isn't. His stomach is making all the noise, though." Mrs. Bernard chuckled. "Ah, yes, that sounds like Theo. He's a stubborn one when it comes to food. Don't worry, I'll prepare something for him." "Thank you. I appreciate it." "And what about you, dear?" Mrs. Bernard asked kindly. "Aren't you hungry as well?" Lila smiled, feeling her stomach rumble in agreement. "I am, but I'll eat later. I'd like to make sure Theo's taken care of first." "You're thoughtful, I like that," Mrs. Bernard said warmly as she began preparing a meal. The afternoon dragged on in much the same way-long and uneventful. Theo remained quiet, and despite Lila's attempts to engage him, he only ever gave her short, disinterested answers. By the time the day was coming to an end, Lila was exhausted, more from boredom than anything else. She hadn't even seen Mr. Versailles today. He had already left for work when she arrived, and by the time she finished her shift, he still hadn't returned. As she gathered her things and prepared to leave, Mrs. Bernard appeared once again. "Mr. Dante will be back later tonight. He's usually gone most of the day, but you'll meet him more frequently as you continue working here." Lila nodded. "Thank you for letting me know." When Lila finally arrived home, she was greeted by the delicious scent of Nanny's cooking. Her stomach growled, reminding her how hungry she had been all day. Nanny had prepared her favorite meal-roasted chicken with herbs and buttery potatoes. "How was your first day at work, my love?" Nanny asked, a warm smile on her face as she set the food on the table. Lila plopped down at the table with a groan. "So boring, Nanny. I mean, Theo's a sweet kid, but he barely talks. It was like watching paint dry all day." Nanny chuckled softly, sitting down across from her. "That's normal for a first day. Theo isn't used to you yet. You'll see, he'll warm up with time. You just have to be patient, darling." Lila nodded, stabbing a piece of chicken with her fork. "I hope so. I don't know how much more of this silent treatment I can take. But... the house is incredible. I've never seen anything so beautiful. And the salary..." Lila trailed off, still in disbelief. "It's more than enough to take care of you and maybe even get us out of here." Nanny smiled at her, pride twinkling in her eyes. "I'm proud of you, Lila. You're doing well, and you've only just begun. Don't let one boring day discourage you." Lila smiled, feeling a bit lighter. "Thanks, Nanny. I'll stick with it." She finished her meal, and after chatting a bit more with Nanny, she retired to her room, tired but hopeful for what tomorrow might bring.