Chapter 4 Nina

When I got the call, I thought it was a mistake. Despite the way things went kinda smoothly during the interview. Billionaires don't hire people like me-people who are barely holding it together, living paycheck to paycheck, with a resume that doesn't exactly scream world-class childcare provider. But there it was: an email confirming my approval for the Nanny Job at the Volkov estate and a phone number to call for the gate code.

Louisa nearly flipped the table when I told her. "Nina, do you even know who Anoton Volkov is?" she'd exclaimed, her voice somewhere between shock and giddy disbelief. "He owns half the city. Or, like, a quarter. But it's the biggest quarter."

I didn't care much for the wealth or power part. What I cared about was the paycheck. Enough zeros to stop me from juggling Cafe shifts and menial jobs for angry commuters-my mind swept back to Mike, my ex boss. I sigh. I just needed enough to finally give my mom some breathing room with the medical bills.

I walk to the kitchen counter and grabbed my favorite mug. Louise leaned against it, arms crossed, watching as I zipped up my last bag. The small apartment felt impossibly quiet, like it was already missing something.

"I can't believe you're leaving me here," she said, her tone light but her eyes soft. "What am I supposed to do without my built-in dinner buddy and couch therapist?"

I smiled faintly, folding a stray sweater and stuffing it into the bag. "You'll survive. You've got Jake, hunny. You two can have the room all to yourselves, yunno." I smirk.

Louise snorted and then rolled her eyes, but a smirk tugged at her lips. "Oh, sure. Jake and I, playing house in this shoebox apartment. Sounds so romantic."

She smiles, seeming to remember something."You know he leaves his socks everywhere, right? I give it two days before I'm calling you, begging you to come back and restore balance to this chaos."

I laughed. "Well, you two will figure it out. Maybe the socks are his love language."

"Then I'd rather he learned sign language instead," she shot back, grinning now. "But fine. Go. Live your fancy nanny life. I'll just be here, dodging socks and sulking."

Closing the suitcase, I turned to face her. "I'll call, Lou. All the time. You're not getting rid of me that easily."

Louise didn't say anything for a moment, then pushed off the counter and pulled me into a hug, squeezing me tight. "You better," she mumbled against my shoulder. "And don't let Mr. Mysterious Moneybags boss you around too much."

I laughed softly, holding her just as tight. "Deal."

When she pulled back, she wiped at her eyes quickly and sniffed. "Okay, go before I chain you to the radiator."

"You don't have a radiator," I teased.

"Don't ruin my moment, Clarke," she shot back, smirking.

I grabbed my bag, glanced around the apartment one last time, and nodded. "Don't be a stranger, I'll see you soon."

Louise leaned in the doorway as I walked out, her voice following me down the hall. "You'd better."

~ ~ ~

As soon as I stepped into Volkov estate, I couldn't shake the feeling that I didn't belong. The air was too still, the kind of quiet that made you acutely aware of your every breath and footstep. It smelled faintly of lavender and something expensive I couldn't quite name-like polished wood and wealth.

My stomach churned with nerves as I clutched my bag. I still didn't understand why he had hired me.

Mr. Volkov.

Even his name sounded imposing, like the kind of man who didn't waste time on anyone who couldn't keep up. And when I met him in that sleek, glass-walled office, he hadn't been anything less than exactly what I expected. Tall, sharp-featured, and coldly meticulous, he was the kind of person who didn't have to raise his voice to command attention.

The job was mine now. And I needed it.

The main house loomed ahead, all sharp lines and glass that reflected the overcast sky. Modern and cold, it looked more like the headquarters of a multinational corporation than a home. I glanced at the call box by the front door, but before I could press the button, it swung open, revealing a woman who radiated efficiency.

"Nina Clarke?" she asked, her voice crisp but not unkind.

I nodded, trying not to fidget.

"I'm Elena, Mr. Volkov's personal assistant. He's asked me to get you settled in." She stepped aside, motioning me into the grand foyer.

The inside of the house was just as intimidating as the outside-marble floors, pristine white walls, and art pieces that I suspected were worth more than any college tuition. A massive chandelier hung overhead, glittering despite the lack of sunlight.

"Your quarters are in the east wing," Elena continued as she led me down a long corridor. "They're close to the Anastasia's room for convenience. You'll also have access to the family kitchen and study spaces and of course, the playroom."

I nodded again, too overwhelmed to say much. It was like stepping into another world, one where everything was polished and perfect, with no room for mistakes.

Elena glanced back at me, as if sensing my unease. "Mr. Volkov values professionalism above all else. Do your job well, and you'll find he's... fair."

I didn't miss the slight pause before fair, but I decided not to dwell on it.

We reached my room-a spacious suite that was more luxurious than any place I'd ever lived. The bed was queen-sized with crisp white linens, and a window overlooked the sprawling gardens outside. There was even a small desk and a private bathroom.

"I'll leave you to unpack," Elena said, her tone softening slightly. "Oh, before I forget, Anastasia is in the playroom. I'll take you to her shortly."

As the door clicked shut behind her, I let out a shaky breath and sank onto the edge of the bed. This was it. My new life, for better or worse.

I glanced at my phone, debating whether to text Louisa, but I knew exactly what she'd say. Something like, "Look at you, living the nanny-to-a-billionaire dream! Just don't get fired on day one."

I smiled faintly at the thought, then stood up to start unpacking.

Meeting Anastasia officially, was...different.

Anna was all energy and questions. She was just but carried herself with a confidence that made her seem older. "Are you going to stay forever?" she asked, her wide brown eyes locking onto mine as she twirled a strand of her blonde hair.

"I'll stay as long as you'll have me," I replied, keeping my tone light.

Anna grinned. "Daddy said you're here to take care of me because he's too busy. But he's always busy."

I didn't know how to respond to that, so I just smiled.

"You look pretty when you smile." She giggles.

I hold my hand to my face sheepishly. "That's why I'm here," I said.

By the time the day was over, I was drained.

After tucking Anna into bed, I made my way back to my quarters. The house was eerily silent at night, the kind of silence that felt alive, like it was watching you.

As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts drifted back to Mr. Volkov. I hadn't seen him since the interview, but his presence lingered in the house, like a shadow in the corners. Indeed, he was a busy man.

He was an enigma-a man who spoke in clipped sentences and seemed to keep the world at arm's length. I didn't know what to make of him... yet.

All I know is that I have nothing to worry about. And in a long time, I close my eyes with zero worries.