Chapter 4 Hired

CHAPTER FOUR

ELIZA'S POV

“Tell her, Mr Crost.” I said to Vinton, who was having a hard time meeting his wife's eyes.

“Tell me what?” She turned to her husband, her harsh glare replaced with a look of concern and something akin to fear.

“There was a little hiccup at Tilly's party, but it's all been taken care of. The authorities are here, and I was phoned minutes before the waitress was brought here. They have it all under control.” He reassured, as he tried to take her again in his arms.

But the woman took a step back, eyes suddenly filled with palpable fear. “Where is Tilly? Where is my daughter?” Her voice was shaky, and her hands trembled.

Without waiting for a reply, Anna turned around and began to make her way down the hallway. She didn't make it several feet before Vinton caught her arm and held her steady.

“Honey, stay calm. Tilly is fine. She's with the nanny. We can't spook her more than those clowns already have, alright? So calm down, we will meet her when we're calm enough ourselves.”

I watched their interaction, envious of the fact that they cared about their daughter much more than I'd thought they would.

“I'm glad she's safe, Mrs Crost. And if I wasn't observant and quick on my feet enough, this entire night would have really gone south.”

Anna turned those blue eyes on me again, her expression hardening as she regarded me.

“What are you still doing here?”

“I'm still here because I saved your daughter. And I don't want money as compensation. Like I told Mr. Crost earlier, I want an actual job as Tilly's nanny. She is a sweet little kid. I saved her today. And if hired, I'll ensure she remains safe at all times.”

Anna Crost rolled her eyes like she'd been asked for favors before a billion times. But I wasn't asking for any favor. I was only requesting to be their daughter's nanny.

“I'll tip you real good before you leave tonight. Thank you for offering, but we won't be needing your service.”

Anna Crost turned away as soon as she'd spoken, just like her husband, I had been clearly dismissed.

“Tilly's kidnapper had escaped security, pushed down her nanny who could do nothing to save her. I'm sorry if this sounds inappropriate, but your workers were basically useless in moments where your daughter's safety hung on the line.”

I looked between the two bewildered couples as I continued.

“I wonder what they'd be doing to poor little Tilly if I hadn't been here.”

For the first time, it looked like Vinton Crost was really imagining the whole scene and seeing my point.

His jaw hardened as he looked at his wife, she didn't look like she was ready to budge.

“Honey, we should talk about this.” Vinton held his wife's elbow fondly as he said.

“Miss Eliana, I would like privacy for my wife and I.” Vinton stated coldly. “We will call you when we're ready.”

“That's alright, Mr. Vinton. And it's Eliza.” I corrected before nodding respectfully towards his wife. Have a great evening, Mrs. Crost. I stepped away and watched as they moved further into the study and shut the door behind them.

Instead of moving completely away like some normal person would, I stepped towards the door again and gingerly pressed my ear against the flawless opaque.

And immediately, their voices flowed to my ears.

"...not like her at all. She's not a good example for our kid. If Nora is no good, we can have the agency send someone else over.”

“How many nannies were sent before Nora? We've had a really bad time with nannies that Tilly can truly connect with. And ones who love her truly and genuinely and aren't just doing it for the money.”

“I understand, honey, but this girl..there's something about her.”

“Is it her tattoo? We can have her keep it hidden for as long as she remains under our employ and roof. We can enact strict rules. Everyone is bendable, honey. And if the girl can keep our little angel safe, then maybe it's worth giving it a shot.”

After several moments, Anna sighed.

“I guess you're right. At the end of the day, I just want my buttercup to be safe. We will give her rules to abide strictly by and a probationary period of one week.”

“Oh yeah?”

I heard the disgusting sound of kisses being exchanged and silently fake gagged before stepping away from the door and moving further away from it.

The door was pushed open as soon as I stopped several feet away from it, and Anna Crost appeared at the doorway. Her lipstick was smudged and she looked flushed.

“What was your name again?”

“Eliza Reed.”

Her eyes took me in, right from the comfortable heels I had on to the tiny little scar I'd gotten from riding a pony when I was five.

“And what do you do?”

“I am a waitress and a dog walker.”

She wrinkled her nose in disgust. “I hate dogs and have serious allergies to them. You better never bring one near my home.”

“Noted, ma'am.”

“And you have to get rid of those tattoos” make sure my daughter never sees them. She gestured carelessly at the date imprinted on my wrist.”

It was the date mom had passed. But she didn't need to know that.

“You've been bragging about how you can keep my little daughter safe, and somehow, you've been able to sway my husband with your sweet little pitch. You better walk that talk, else it's over for you.”

“I'll certainly keep to my words. You needn't worry about your daughter's safety anymore.”

“Well, we shall see about that, won't we?” The smile she flashed me was sinister.

“You're hired. Take yourself downstairs, inform Nora that we won't be needing her services anymore, and have her show you the room she occupied. You're simply taking over her duties, her place.”

She turned away and spoke behind her shoulder. “Now, go check on my little baby and make sure she's alright. I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast. Good night, Eliana.”

“It's Eliza.” I corrected, but this time with a frown. Were they deliberately addressing me with the wrong name to piss me off?

She grinned devilishly and turned away, shutting the door in my face without acknowledging the correction.

I turned around and made my way to the ground floor, filled with irritation at her attitude and slight elation at being hired.

Everything was going as planned. Every single detail was falling into place. I grinned victoriously to myself.

Vinton Crost was about to be hit. And he was never going to know what did.