Page 23 of More to Love

“We don’t have anyone at this location, give me a minute to call the other one to see if we have someone that fits your criteria.”

She nodded and sat quietly while scrolling through her phone. For her to be so young, I was confused on why she couldn’t look after her own child. My guess was she was smaller in age and speaking that I was an unloved child once, the early years mattered the most.

EJ picked up almost instantly and I was grateful.

“Hey, please tell me you have someone available for twelve hours or more shifts, overtime ready, and can start by tomorrow.”

“Girl, you know the nannies from here don’t play that shit. We run a business not a sweat shop. Plus, all the nannies we did have available for those hours are booked and don’t plan on switching because of the attachments to the families. Sorry sis’, you might have to let that one go.”

“Thanks for nothing. I’ll call you back.”

I hung up and looked toward the potential client and she wore a stale look on her face. I could tell she wasn’t pleased. I prided myself on providing the best care, so I was doing something I didn’t normally do and turned her away.

“It seems like we don’t have anyone available for this position, Ms. Miles. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

“I’m willing to pay ten grand a week.”

“Ms. Miles, I —”

“Ms. Styles, I am a woman that needs help. I have things that need to get handled but I want the best for my child. I came here because you came highly recommended. Do I have to take my business elsewhere?”

How about you go home and be a fuckin’ mother to your child bitch.

“Not at all. I will personally take this case on as long as you understand that I will still conduct business when necessary. Meaning, I will take calls and meetings, but everything will be held via telephone. I will not live in the home because my personal time will be respected. Also, if there are others around the house, please make them aware of my position. I will not come where I am not welcomed.”

“Anything else Ms. Styles?”

She wore a wide smile on her face and I low key felt some kind of regret agreeing to take her on. It was something about her that gave off a bad vibe.

“I’ll draw up a contract with both of our stipulations and we can go from there. The services will not start today or tomorrow but will be fresh on Wednesday. I have to prepare myself and cover my basis with my business. You will grant me that time, yes?”

“That’s not a problem.”

“Great. Here’s my card and on there is an email address. Please send me everything that you’re requesting from my company, and I will try to honor as much as I can. If we have to negotiate a few things, I will call.”

“Sounds like a plan. Thank you, Ms. Styles.” She stood with that same goofy smile and extended hand.

“The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Miles. I’ll talk to you soon.”

I palmed her hand and shook it. She was going to be an aggravation and that I could tell from her demeanor. The only reason I took her on as a client was because of her child. If she was willing to pay that much money just to be distant from them, then that baby must’ve felt alone. I didn’t want that for them.

Once she was out of my office, I flopped down in my seat. Aviana Miles was a woman you had to prepare yourself for. That was why I asked for another day before I agreed. Mentally, she was going to cause exhaustion. I could see that coming from a mile away.

Picking up the phone, I called my sister back. I had to get her over to the crib tonight to tell her about this mess. It rung until I couldn’t take it anymore. I ended up hanging up and shooting her a text to come over. I then got back to work to get as much as I could done before I took off.

**

Contracts were signed and the agreement was in play. I was officially back on nanny duty. It had been years since I had to take on a client myself. This was going to be the test to see if I still had it.

Knocking on the door, I waited patiently to be greeted. Aviana was there to acknowledge me almost instantly. It was eight o’clock in the morning on the dot. I was a very punctual person.

“Sorimah, you’re here!” she beamed with excitement. “Come in.”

That was something that was added to the contract. We were around the same age and Aviana felt more comfortable addressing me by my first name and vice versa and I had no issue with that.

“Thanks,” I said stepping inside.

“So, Akeera is off to school. She and her father just left maybe fifteen minutes before you got here. You’ll be able to meet both of them later today since your shift doesn’t end until eight tonight. Right now, let me give you a tour.”