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SIENNA
I honestly didn’t think Lance Cole was going to hire me. When he said goodbye at their home, it sounded very final. So, when Nathan sent me a contract late that evening, I was shocked—and excited. I loved Nova, and I know he and I will get on well. The job is perfect even if it is only for three months. It’s got the added challenge of getting him school ready.
I’m to start on Monday, and can move my things in over the weekend, which suits me perfectly. I am going to pack this morning so I am ready, and I’ll ask my dad to help me tomorrow. Mom has already promised to keep my goldfish alive—again—and that they won’t sell the house and move into an RV while I am gone.
I make sure I have everything I need for the teaching part of the summer and box up some books, posters, and resources I have to help. I have a mental list of everything I will need to take with me, and I am working through it when my phone rings. Nathan’s number is on the screen. I hope that Lance hasn’t changed his mind.
“Sienna,” he greets me in his usual friendly but all-business tone, “Mr. Cole has made a request to change your starting date to today and needs you there within an hour. I need you to make it happen. This is the type of client we cannot afford to lose before we even start.” He sounds worried. “If you need help, I will send someone over to drive you.”
“I’m fine. I am actually almost packed, and I will drive myself over. I can be there within the hour. Did he says why?” He did not strike me as someone who would change plans so suddenly. Something must be wrong.
“Just that he was needed at work, and Nova could not go with him.” I am throwing the last things into a box while he talks, and I check my watch. I should make it. It’s only a fifteen-minute drive from here. I’ll load up the car quickly and go—I can always come back over the weekend to get anything else I need.
“No problem. I will leave in the next ten minutes, and be there as quickly as I can.” I like my manager, and I know last minute changes happen. There’s no point in getting in a fluff over it. There’s a kid whose day has been turned upside down. He does not need an irritated adult to take care of him. I grab a pair of soccer shorts, socks, and my togs at the last second remembering he plays, and it’ll be a good way for us to get to know one another better.
I put the address into the GPS app on my phone, and choose the fastest route, getting me there in twelve minutes. Challenge accepted, my small car can root in and out of traffic so much easier than the big flashy SUVs people seem to love these days. I’m too stingy to pay the gas bill on one of those. I have goals, and I work hard and save hard too. It’s why I never smoked either—burning money just seems dumb.
The security at the entrance to the building's parking first calls up to Lance for him to give permission for me to enter. I am instructed exactly where I am allowed to park my car, and it takes me a few trips around the parking lot to find it. I park, and just take the essentials up with me. I can unpack later when I am not in a hurry.
I was given a code for the elevator to take me to the penthouse floor, and I punch it in. The elevator seems slow, and I am antsy when the doors ding open in Lance’s foyer. As I step out, Nova comes bouncing towards me.
“Sienna!” He is excited. “You are my nanny now. It’s awesome.”
“It is awesome,” I say. “Shall we go tell your dad I am here so that he can get to work.” Nova runs down the hallway ahead of me, yelling to his dad, announcing my arrival in typical boy style. I follow him through the house, deeper in than the living room where we met last time. Lance steps out of his office door, a stressed frown on his face as Nova almost barrels right into him.
“She’s here, Dad,” he says again, and Lance looks up at me. The brief eye contact is enough to know the man is not having a good day. He puts his hand on his son’s shoulder, calming him down with a touch.
“I see that,” he says, looking at me. “Welcome, Sienna. Let’s chat for a minute before I leave.” He looks at Nova and asks him, “Could you go and check that Sienna’s room is ready for her, you know, free of toys and Nova debris?” Nova nods and scoots past me. Lance steps aside, motioning for me to go ahead of him into his office. It’s huge with views for miles over the city, and I wonder if my room will have a view.
“I don’t have all day to run over things. We can do that tomorrow.” He huffs, “He’s not to be left unattended. If you go out, you use my car, the keys are in the kitchen. He has soccer, and we can skip the school stuff until Monday. Healthy food first, but he’s allowed to have nice things in moderation. I give him access to screen time, but please balance it with at least one outdoor or physical activity in his day. I’d prefer not to have a teenage potato in a few years.” I smile. Lance is a good dad. I can tell already that he loves his son.
“That’s perfect, I will get all the soccer information from the file Nathan sent, and Nova and I can get to know one another today while you are working. I have my phone with me always, and if your plans change, you can just let me know.” He’s standing behind his desk, hands in his pockets and his broad shoulders straight. He has a presence you cannot ignore, and I see why he is a success.
“I’ll be home for dinner, let Nova choose. There is a credit card on the kitchen counter with the keys for household expenses and anything he needs while you have him. Use it to put gas in the car if needed too.” Just like that, a credit card. I haven't had that sort of responsibility on me before, but it saves me having to ask or remind him anytime Nova needs anything.
“Thank you, that is great. I will keep all the receipts for you.” Lance pulls a face, confused.
“For what?” he asks.
“Expenses, if I use the card, I will keep the receipts, so you know where the money was used.” He smiles and shakes his head.
“Please don’t. I don’t care. I do not need more paperwork, or admin than I already have. Just don’t buy him a car, motorcycle, or horse, and it’s fine.” I would never, and no kid is cute enough to convince me to buy them a pet that literally eats and shits out money. “And no dogs. I am allergic.” He adds just in case.
“Noted,” I smile. “I will manage fine, and if I am unsure, I will contact you,” I reassure Lance, who seems hesitant to leave me with Nova. His phone buzzes and he is snapped out of his moment, he grabs the leather laptop bag off his desk.
“Thank you for coming in early, I appreciate it. I did not expect today to end up being such an issue. My number is on the fridge,” he says, hurrying out of the office.
“It’s part of the job Mr. Cole,” I say, and he stops dead, turns to me, and speaks.
“Lance, please call me Lance. If you’re living here, I cannot be Mr. Cole all the time.” His panty dropping smile gets me again, and I nod, unable to make a coherent reply. “Nova, I am going,” he calls from the front door. “Do not give Sienna any sort of hell. Listen and have fun.” He slips out before Nova can even get to the door. And I see his face fall when his dad is already gone. He wanted to say goodbye.
“That’s a very flash outfit you have chosen today, but I do think we might have to change later on for soccer.” I break the ice, and he giggles. “What would you like to do between now and then?” I ask him, trying to make him forget his dad has gone. He sighs a little person sigh, that seems so much bigger than he is.
“I dunno.” He lifts his shoulders. “What can we do?” he asks me. It’s summer, and he’s on vacation, maybe we should find out where his friends are and what they are up to or go out somewhere he can have some fun.
“Almost anything you would like to,” I say. “What do your friends do in the Summer?”
“Most of them have gone away overseas, and Mitch just plays Fortnite. His mum is very busy all the time.” I get a feeling Nova may be a bit of a loner.
