AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 1 - Camdyn Schriefer
New York City is a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be. There were buildings as far as the eye could see and people milling about everywhere.
I almost got mugged five seconds after leaving JFK, and if it was not for the cab driver, who ten minutes later asked if I wanted his boots under my bed for the night, I might have lost everything I had.
Thankfully the driver took no for an answer. That was more than my high school boyfriend Johnny Anderson would have done. While the cab ride was awkward after I denied the man, I was thankful for his interference. I knew some people would take advantage of a young and alone woman in a new city, I was happy that he was all talk.
Watching the city pass by on the drive to my new apartment, I took in the busy street life. It was overwhelming to see. Back home, in my small town, I would be lucky to see a handful of people on the streets but here there were people everywhere.
Relieved to be behind a locked door, I plop my suitcase down on the bed in my new one-room apartment.
I’m alone of course. I moved to the big city all by myself and while it is peaceful it is also terrifying.
I had no clue something so small would be costing me so much. I am happy that for now, the agency will be footing my rent until I get my first job. It is nice that the agency has been so helpful. Paying for my rent and soon they will be helping place me in a job.
Which I hope will be sooner than later. And even more than that, I hope it isn’t a live-in position. I need my freedom and do not know how I feel about living in someone else's home and having to live by their rules.
My apartment reminds me of a hotel room, except my toilet is in my kitchen and the bed and couch are the same thing. The walls are a dull beige color but on the upside, there is a big window.
Oh well, it will hopefully be no time before I am able to get out of this place and into something a little bigger.
I pop my phone on the charger and drag my meager belongings out of my suitcase. It, my carry-on and purse is all I have to my name since I sold nearly everything to fly out here.
My folks are traveling, and with my bestie, Josie gone now, after passing away in a skiing accident a year back… there is simply nothing left for me in Piedmont North Dakota… especially now that the kids I have nannied for are all in school.
Only ghosts are left behind… and they can stay there.
I stand and look out my window overlooking the lower side of the city. I’m on the twentieth floor of some slumlord’s building. It’s scary out there, but I am tough and willing to do what it takes.
On the street, I can see people milling about. Some are in a rush and others walking slowly. I have a view of another tall apartment building but at least I can have some privacy from so high up.
My phone rings and I jump sky-high. I run to it in hopes of some good news.
“Hello,” I say into the phone.
“Camdyn Schriefer?” The deep feminine voice asks on the other end.
“Yes,” I say inquisitively. “How may I help you?”
The number is a New York number that I don’t recognize… there are only a handful of people here that have my cell… unless it’s a telemarketer… already.
“This is Shantal Magnuson from the Top Notch Nannies Agency,” the woman says, and my heart pounds in excitement.
“Yes, hi Shantal… I didn’t recognize the number… sorry,” I spit the words out as my nerves dance on edge. I have been waiting for her call and a shiver of joy runs down my spine at the thought that she has a job for me already.
“This is my cell dear,” the woman says with the epitome of New York upscale dripping from her voice. “Anyway, we have a job for you, should you choose to accept it,” she finishes, referencing James Bond.
Or so I think she is.
“You do? Already? Wow!” I say, but I know I must pull myself together. “Sorry, I’m just a tad excited.”
“As you should be dear,” the woman coos on the phone. “I will have my assistant Angela Neils email you the details. You start on Monday. The starting salary is six grand a month. I know that isn’t much if you ask me… considering you will be a live-in to one of the wealthiest families in New York. We will keep your apartment for downtime and days off if you wish. Well anyway, I must go. Auf Wiedersehen,” she says before the phone goes dead on the other end.
I have a job if I want it. I gulp. It’s live-in and for one of the richest families in New York.
I gulp again as I wait for the email that was promised to come.
Six grand a month?
