“Jordan, do you think we can go to the park after we eat?” Maddison asked him. She was adorable.
“I’m not sure, sweet pea, I’m only here until after breakfast.” Jordan did not miss the sad expression on the child’s face.How did they become attached so quickly?“Listen, what if I ask your uncle if we can spend the day together?”
Her face brightened. “That would be awesome. You are nicer than all the other nannies we’ve had.”
“Thanks, I think,” he said, feeling unsure of what to say. He’d only been there for a total of thirty minutes.
“Yeah, and you’re prettier than all of them, too,” added Benjamin.Oh jeez, thanks, kid.“The other ones only wanted us to be quiet whenever Uncle Duncan wasn’t around…”
“And then when Uncle Duncan’s around they want to hug and kiss us,” Maddison continued.
“They also smelled weird, making my nose tickle,” Benjamin finished and scrunched up his nose as if he suddenly smelled something awful. Maddison nodded in agreement.
Jordan shook his head and chuckled,kids are the most honest creatures on earth, if only more adults would take the time to listen.
They finished making breakfast and Jordan helped and instructed them how to set the table, thinking they did a great job since it was their first time doing something so simple. Jordan told them growing up, he always helped his mom in the kitchen, which was how he learned to cook.
“Okay, kiddies, one of you go and get your uncle so you can have breakfast together.”
“I’m already here.” Jordan turned around and held back the gasp that almost escaped from his lips. Duncan Pryde was standing in front of him dressed for work in a dark blue three-piece suit, paired with a crisp white shirt with the top button undone, and his light blue striped tie hanging around his neck.
Maddison ran over to her uncle, grabbing his arm, and pulled him over to the table. “Come on, Uncle Duncan, let’s eat before you leave for work.”
Jordan watched as Duncan laughed and let his niece pull him over to the table. The sweetest scent floated under his nose, and Jordan knew he had to get out of the kitchen before he embarrassed himself. Whatever cologne Duncan was wearing was wreaking havoc on Jordan’s senses. Duncan sat down, and so did the twins.
“I think I will go and wait in your office while you guys enjoy your breakfast,” Jordan said, slowly backing out of the kitchen when he wanted to make a mad dash. Everything smelled so good.
“You’re not going to eat with us, Jordan? I can call you Jordan, right?” Duncan asked. “I don’t think it’s fair that you helped make this fantastic spread and not share it with us.”
He was not expecting to eat with the small family.
“Yeah, Jordan, come and eat with us,” Benjamin pleaded.
“Jordan is perfectly fine.” He loved the way his name sounded coming from Duncan. “And I ate this morning before I came here, so you guys go ahead and enjoy your breakfast.” Truthfully, he was starving. The toast and coffee he had were not enough for him. As proof, his stomach growled loudly completely embarrassing him. Jordan looked at the three occupants sitting at the table who were staring at him. Benjamin and Maddison had their hands covering their mouths trying to hide their snicker.
“I think your stomach had a lot to say about that,” his new boss said. Jordan noticed he was trying to hide his laughter, the twins were not as discreet with their giggles. “Come on, sit and eat with us. We will deal with business after breakfast. And that’s an order.”
Jordan wanted to argue, but the look on his boss's face told him that it was not up for discussion. His stomach growled again in complete agreement. “Fine, since it seems my stomach has a mind of its own.” He walked over and sat down at the table. Maddison, Duncan, and Benjamin started laughing when his stomach agreed with him by growling again for the third time. Jordan shook his head and chuckled, no longer feeling embarrassed.
Not a bad way to start my first day at work.
Jordan was about to enter Duncan’s office. At breakfast, he was able to see a side of his new boss. The man was attentive with his niece and nephew. It still had Jordan’s curiosity piqued, and he wanted to ask the question of what had happened to the kids’ mother and why wasn’t she there to make breakfast for her family. He looked down at his watch and saw that it was just after ten. He’d been on the job for about two hours, and all he’d done was impress his new boss and the two miniature occupants of the home by making breakfast.
As much as he liked the kids, Jordan could not help but wonder when the real nanny would turn up. He didn’t want the kids to become more attached than they seemed to already be. Jordan knocked on the door and waited for his boss to respond.
“Come in!”
He walked in, leaving the door open. “Were you able to clear everything up?” Jordan asked, getting to the point.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. I’ve decided to leave things the way they are, for now. You’ll be the twins’ new caretaker.”
“What!” Jordan exclaimed.
“You will have a household expense account for meals and incidentals.” His boss continued ignoring his outburst. “I hope you will not object to living here during the week. You will also have your weekends free, unless I am out of town. Your responsibilities will change once the twins start school in a couple of weeks. But I still expect you to be here for them, that includes dropping off and picking them up from school. I’ve—”
“Mr. Pryde!” Jordan yelled instantly shutting up his new boss’s speech also doing something that could cause him to get fired. “Sir, not that I don’t adore the children for the short time I’ve spent with them. But, sir, I applied to work as your personal assistant, and that is the job I was expecting to get.” Jordan hoped he didn’t put his foot in his mouth just then, but the man did say he liked honesty.
“I am well aware of the position you interviewed for. But as of now you are an employee of Pryde Industries, I will assign you the job I think will be most beneficial to my company. Would you rather take your losses right here and now and walk out the door? Or take the opportunity being offered to you?”
