The air outside frustrated me to no end since my hair wouldn't sit still. As I waited for the bus, it blew in different directions, and as disgusting as it is to admit, some of it may have crash landed into my mouth.
The weather had taken some drastic directions in the past week. Just last week I'd had to survive the day with ten bottles of cold water from how hot it was outside, and yet today looked close to a storm. The darkening clouds were a contrasting surprise for the time of day, considering it was only seven in the morning. It was so dark out, one would be tricked into not waking up, thinking that they still had time.
They couldn't be more wrong.
The familiar cough of the old bus reached my ears and I turned to see it driving around the corner, just as the first pellet of water hit my forehead. As soon as the bus stopped before us, the rain poured down mercilessly, and I was grateful for the perfect arrival of the bus.
"Good morning beautiful," Mr Dowson greeted me as I paid him. He's been my driver since I was thirteen, making it a good ten years. His old kind smile always makes my morning.
"Good morning gramps. How are you this morning?" I smiled.
"I'm as fit as a fiddler doll. How about you?" he asked.
"I'm ok I guess. I just can't wait for the day to be over," I said nervously.
"You've got your performance review today right?" Mrs Deans asked.
"Yep! I'm so nervous about it," I sighed as I went to sit in my normal seat.
"You shouldn't worry so much dear. You're a very hardworking young lady, and I'm sure that will reflect," Mrs Townsend smiled, squeezing my hand in the process.
"I can only pray to God that you're right," I returned the smile while my other hand fingered my rosary.
I was born into a very Catholic family, and my mum believed that God will only be good to you if you never forgot about him. I've kept that with me since I was a child, even though I went through a phase when I truly believed that God had it out for me when my entire family died in a car accident when I was only thirteen. I lost my parents, my older brother and my two younger sisters in that accident, all because of a stomach bug that made me stay home and miss church.
I've lived with my grandmother since, and she has kept me on the path of God, even when I refused to see the light. She taught me the most important lesson I would ever learn in life- everything happens for a reason, and God's timing is always perfect, despite it not seeming that way in that moment.
"We believe in you child. You just need to believe in yourself," Mrs Deans assured.
I've been riding the bus with Mrs Deans and Mrs Townsend for ten years as well. The school bus didn't pass by my grandmother's house, so I had to find another way to school, and Mr Dowson took pity on me and found a way to fit me into his route. When I started working at the hotel, it was a blessing to have it still be in his route.
These three elders have motivated me as much as my grandmother has in the past ten years. Mrs Townsend is actually my grandmother's best friend, while Mrs Deans and Mr Dowson were school mates with them. They are the four people that I know I can always come to for advice.
I'm not saying that I'm anti social or anything like that, but I don't have that many friends. I was always that awkward kid at school, and the fact that I skipped two grades didn't make things better. People either treated me differently, or they didn't acknowledge my existence altogether.
When I graduated high school at sixteen, my grandmother didn't have money for me to go to college, and the scholarships I'd received were for colleges that were too far from home. There was no way that I was going to leave her behind, so instead, I started working.
I started with some jobs at restaurants, and then moved on to hotels. I've been working at The Maestri for three years now, and it's a great paying job. I've moved up from being a cleaner to being Supervising Manager. The performance review today is to determine whether or not I'll qualify for a promotion- something that would be much appreciated right now.
I was brought out of thought by the bus jerking forward before it sounded like it was choking. Black smoke suddenly surrounded us and dread settled in the pit of my stomach.
This couldn't be happening! Not today of all days!
But alas, it was! The bus had officially broken down in the middle of the freeway, and it was pouring harder than before outside. I looked down at my watch and found that it was 07:13, which meant that I had forty seven minutes before I had to be front and centre at the hotel, waiting to get my performance review underway.
"No," I whined when the bus came to a complete halt.
"I'm sorry baby girl. Is there no-one that you can call to fetch you?" Mr Dowson asked regretfully.
At the question, my whole life stilled. There was someone I could call; the last person I would want to call.
"Daniel," I whispered.
"No! I'm sure the hotel will understand if you call them now," Mrs Townsend said desperately. After my abusive relationship with Daniel, they wanted me nowhere near him, and rightfully so.
He was a sad excuse for a man!
"He's the only one who will be willing to come and get me," I mumbled, the dread weighing me down even more.
"I don't know Rita. I don't like the idea of you being in the same space with him," Mrs Deans sighed.
"If I don't ask him, I will lose my job," I pointed out. The three adults were quiet as everyone else in the bus made other arrangements to get to their destinations.
"Alright baby girl, call him. We may not like this, but today is too important for you," Mr Dowson sighed.
I whipped out my seven year old flip phone and searched for the number that I hadn't called in two years. I was hoping that he hadn't changed it. My heart skipped a beat when I pressed dial and was met by the ringing tone. At least he hadn't changed it.
"Rita? Is that you?" his crisp voice greeted me.
The part of me that was still in love with him coiled at the way his voice sounded. Daniel is British, so the accent tends to work in his favour and all. I couldn't believe that even after all this time, it could still affect me so.
"Hi," I breathed into the phone.
I must sound like such a creep!
"Wow! It really is you. To what do I owe the honour?" he asked, his tone one of surprised concern.
"I, uh, need a favour," I said nervously.
"Did the bus break down again?" he asked amusedly.
"How did you know?" I asked curiously.
"I'm parked right beside it," he replied.
I stood up and went to the window, and true to his word, his Lamborghini was parked there. I knew it was his because it was black, and because I know that he changes Lamborghinis every year. I didn't realize that I'd been staring at the car until his voice brought me out of my reverie.
"Come on! I'll drop you off," he said.
I hurried back to my seat and grabbed my small carryon bag with all my essentials. I hugged the elders goodbye and the three of them wished me luck. I was surprised to find Daniel standing at the door of the bus with an umbrella in his hand.
He looked as dashing as I could remember, and I found myself tongue tied for a moment. He was wearing a navy blue suit with a white shirt and a light blue tie. His hair was as messy as always, but he somehow made it look professional.
I finally stepped out of the bus when I saw him smirking at me. He knew that I had been checking him out and he obviously loved knowing that. I rolled my eyes at him and he chuckled before walking with me to the passenger side of the car. He let me in and I immediately cringed when I was overpowered by his cologne.
I never liked his cars. They were much too low for me, and I couldn't understand how he dealt with this every day. Getting in and out of the car must be enough exercise for the day. The car roared to life once he was in the driver's seat, before he took off towards the hotel. We were just seventeen minutes away from the hotel now.
"I'm shocked you called me," he finally spoke, piercing the silence I was very much enjoying.
"You're the only person who I knew would reach me in time," I replied. It was true. I knew he was headed towards the hotel in any case.
"So you didn't call because you missed me?" he asked, sounding slightly dejected.
"Daniel..." I trailed off, not really knowing what to say.
"I miss you Rita. I miss you so damn much, and I know I made a lot of mistakes in the past, but I promise that I'll fix them if you just give me another chance," he pleaded.
"This is an ambush Daniel," I told him honestly when I felt like the car was getting smaller than it already is.
"You're the one who needs a favour from me," he pointed out. We were only five minutes away from the hotel now.
"If that's how you're going to be, then you can stop the car now and I'll get off," I said, not masking my irritation at his attitude.
I knew Daniel could be a jerk, but I had no idea he could be a royal jerk, so you can imagine my shock when he pulled over and opened the passenger door, before signalling for me to leave. Luckily I was already close enough to the hotel to continue walking, but that didn't stop me from being truly astonished.
"You're such a great guy Daniel," I said as sarcastically as I could before stepping out of the car, not bothering to close the door.
With my bag on my shoulder, I started my short walk towards the hotel. I watched the black sports car zoom past me as I walked in the rain. All I could think about was how grateful I was that I always thought ahead and had an extra change of clothes in my locker at the hotel.
I just wish I had taken a stupid umbrella!
When I was close to the hotel, Harry, the doorman, spotted me and ran over to me with the umbrella.
"Harry, this is for the important guests!" I admonished. The Maestri is an insanely expensive five star hotel with only the wealthiest guests staying in it.
"Nonsense little girl! You could catch a cold!" he waved me off as we walked towards the staff entry door. Once I was in, he kissed my cheek and returned to his post.
That's a kind man.
"Rita!" Shelby, the Hotel Manager, rushed to me in panic just as I'd changed out of my wet clothes.
"Good morning Shelby. Breathe and tell me what's going on," I told her.
"I know I'm supposed to give you your performance review today, but I swear I'm losing my mind. There's a little girl wreaking havoc in the hotel and she just keeps popping up everywhere. No-one knows what to do with her, and no-one can catch her," she explained in a rush.
"You mean to tell me that everyone is being defeated by a little girl?" I asked sceptically.
"I swear she's the devil reincarnate. I need you to find her urgently Rita. There's a lot at stake today," she continued to panic.
"What's going on?" I frowned.
"Mr Maestri has checked into the penthouse suite!" she revealed dramatically.
Mr Maestri.
Mr Raphael Maestri to be exact.
I've heard a lot about the man. He's one of the most secretive billionaires known to man. I have never actually seen a photo of the man, but I know some of his credentials. I know that he's the CEO of Maestri Empires, a company that has its fingers in different sectors, the tourism industry included. There are currently ten Maestri hotels around the world, and it is ranked number two worldwide.
A part of me was suddenly excited about meeting the man, even if nothing would come of it. Heck, I didn't even know if he would meet someone as lowly as me, despite me being the Supervising Manager. He would probably only check in with Shelby and then leave.
Still, there was a part of me that WAS hoping that I would get to meet him. It must be the thrill that comes with the mystery. For someone so esteemed to be so under the radar has always intrigued me.
"Alright Shelby, calm down and take deep breaths. I'll find the little girl for you. What is she wearing?" I asked.
"Oh thank God! She's wearing white stockings with a peach dress and white jersey. Her nanny will probably give you a better description," she said as she took my hand and led me to a frantic woman who was stood at the reception area before disappearing somewhere. The woman was crying and speaking rapidly in Russian, confusing the socks off of everyone around her.
"Hi dear. How about you come over here with me and take a breather? I'm here to help you ok?" I told her softly. I was grateful when she didn't fight me. Adrienne, the receptionist, brought her a glass of water.
"Thank you," she said, her strong Russian accent coming through.
"Now, do you think you can tell me all about the little girl?" I asked. She scoffed.
"Little girl? There are four devils! I quit!" she said before storming out of the building.
"Uh, what just happened?" Adrienne asked me. She's actually my best friend.
"I have no clue! What did she mean by four devils?" I frowned.
"I think I have an idea," Adrienne said, looking behind me. I turned and saw two identical little girls running away.
"Do you think there are four of them?" I asked.
"That's the only thing I can think of," she nodded.
"Alright! I guess I have my work cut out for me. Do you know who they checked in with?" I asked as we walked back to the reception desk.
"Nope! I didn't even know that they were here until that Russian lady was chasing one of them a few minutes ago. They must've checked in during Matilda's shift," she replied.
"What damage have they caused so far?" I sighed.
"They've broken a couple of vases and furniture and have messed with the guests. Allen said they messed up big time in the kitchen too," she reported.
"How does one lure in four troublesome girls? How old do they look?" I asked in thought.
"About six or seven," she replied.
"Alright! I've got it! Wish me luck," I murmured.
"Good luck indeed," she shook her head as we watched one of the little girls disappear under a guest's dress.
That was enough to motivate me into moving faster. I asked Adrienne to give me an empty room and she did, which was the first step to my plan. When everything was arranged, I went to the security room and asked Rover, the Head of Security, to announce that the four little girls are to report to that room for some treats.
I was praying that this would work since I knew that Shelby was counting on me. I was confident that if I succeeded with this, then my performance review would definitely show positive results. I made it to the floor and there were no signs of the little girls so I went into the room.
I'd never actually slept at the hotel before. As I mentioned, it's for wealthy people, and it would take my year's salary to pay for one night here. I was already worried about my grandmother's weakening state since she'd been diagnosed with cancer just two years before. I didn't have money to waste on lavish things, since she's my priority.
I was more than glad when I heard a knock at the door. I looked through the peephole and couldn't help but be satisfied when I saw four very excited heads bouncing up and down. I opened the door and they rushed in before I slammed it shut behind them. I made sure to lock it as well, before I faced them.
My very first reaction was to internally coo.
They were too adorable for words!
It's obvious that they're quadruplets, and I was taken aback honestly. I didn't think I'd ever meet identical quadruplets in my life. They looked up at me with nervous and curious eyes. Their eyes are golden and they all have frizzy, curly hair and caramel skin. They have the same pouty lips, but I could pick up on the differences between the four of them.
The differences honestly weren't that obvious, and I was surprised that I'd picked up on them to begin with. One of them has a small scar on her right cheek, one has a small dimple on her left cheek, one has a slight cleft chin and the last one has a beauty mark on her forehead.
"Who are you?" one of them narrowed their eyes at me.
"I'm your worst nightmare," I replied as seriously as I could. I watched fear cross their eyes.
"We didn't mean to! Caprice said it would be funny to mess with everyone. Please don't tell our daddy!" another one pleaded.
"Who's Caprice?" I asked. Three of them pointed to their one sister. She didn't look fazed to have been caught out.
"What? It's not like daddy cares anyway!" Caprice said. I could detect the anger and sadness in her voice.
They have a negligent father, I concluded.
"And where's your mother?" I asked.
"We don't have one," they replied in chorus.
I suddenly understood their behaviour. Without a mother, and having a negligent father, it was no wonder they thought they could get up to no good. They were simply crying out for attention.
"What are your names?" I asked them.
"I'm Caprice, that's Camilla, that's Calinda and that's Caterina. What's your name?" Caprice asked.
I figured out that she's the most talkative of the four. Camilla is the one with the dimple, Caprice is the one with the scar, Caterina is the one with the beauty mark and Calinda is the one with the slight cleft chin.
"My name is Aretha, but you guys can call me Rita. Now, where exactly is your daddy?" I asked.
"We don't know! He left us in the morning with Ivanka," Caterina shrugged.
"Ivanka? Is that your nanny?" I asked.
"She's not our nanny!" they said angrily.
"Ok, so you don't like her then," I commented.
"We don't like any of them!" Camilla pouted.
"How many have you had?" I asked curiously.
"Ivanka was number forty three," Caprice smirked proudly.
I looked at them in shock as they all shared the same look. They looked like four little devils as Ivanka had called them. I didn't even realize until then that their speech was incredible for kids their age. They must've been having tutors.
"How old are you guys?" I questioned.
"Seven! We're turning eight in five month's time," Calinda said excitedly. Well someone's looking forward to their birthday!
"You guys do know that Ivanka quit right?" I narrowed my eyes at them.
"We know," the nodded.
"So what now? Who's going to look after you guys?" I sighed.
"You can do it! We like you!" Caterina spoke up. Her sisters nodded in agreement.
"But I've got to work. I can't watch you guys the whole day," I argued.
"Wait, you work here?" Camilla asked.
"Yep! I'm the Supervising Manager," I replied proudly.
"You look too pretty to work here," Caprice commented, making me blush heavily.
"I really can't watch you guys," I said regretfully. Caprice suddenly had an evil smirk.
"If you don't watch us, we're only going to continue causing trouble," she threatened.
Once again, her sisters agreed with her evil trail of thought. I couldn't believe that I was being threatened by little girls. They looked so cute and innocent, but clearly looks were extremely deceiving!
"What about your dad? Wont you get in trouble with him?" I asked, crossing my arms. I felt pretty chuffed with my comeback.
That was until they burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" I asked, feeling slightly humiliated.
"We already told you that he doesn't care! He's a man with a lot of money and he never pays attention to us anyway," Caprice explained. I felt stupid honestly.
"And you're not worried that you breaking everything, is making him spend money unnecessarily?" I asked.
Little did I know, that their answer would be the turning point in my life.
"It doesn't matter. He owns the hotel," Camilla smirked. I paled.
"What?" I whispered.
"Our daddy is Raphael Maestri!" they announced together.
I was frozen on the spot. It was as though they had just told me I had an hour left to live. I was speechless. I really didn't know what to say or do. I had never seen the man before, so I didn't know if they were telling the truth or not, but they seemed very confident about it, and I guess they wouldn't really have any reason to make up something like this.
I didn't even know that Raphael Maestri has kids.
When you look him up, all you find is everything related to his business side. You would never say that the man has kids because nothing about his personal life shows up. I didn't even know that he was ever romantically involved with anyone.
I wonder where their mother is...
"Say something!" they suddenly said, making me jump.
"Uh, I didn't know your dad had kids," was my dumb response.
"He keeps us a secret. He's a very secretive man," Camilla shrugged.
"But for seven years? Where have you guys been all this time?" I asked them.
"We'll answer all your questions if you promise to watch us today, tomorrow and Sunday," Caterina bargained.
I take that back! They're ALL evil.
"I've got church on Sunday," I replied. I knew I didn't have plans for tomorrow, so there was no used in lying about it.
"We'll come with you!" Calinda said excitedly.
"I don't think your dad would like that," I said warily.
"He wouldn't even know! He said we're leaving next week Monday. He wont see us until then," Caprice argued.
"What if he comes looking for you?" I challenged.
"We'll leave him a note in the penthouse suite," they shrugged. Something told me that they were used to driving their father up the wall like that.
"You guys don't give up, do you?" I sighed.
"Nope!" they popped their 'p's.
"Alright! Let me see what I can do," I said as I took out my phone.
"What's that?" Camilla raised an eyebrow at my phone.
"It's called a phone," I frowned.
"It's so ancient!" Calinda giggled.
These kids will be the death of me!
"Hello? Rita did you find her?" Shelby's voice reached my ear.
"I found them," I corrected.
"Them? What do you mean them?" she questioned.
"I mean that the reason you couldn't catch 'her' was because there's four of them. They're identical quadruplets," I explained.
"Well, where are you?" she asked.
"Room 218 and I have a situation, so please come up," I sighed.
"I'll be there in a few minutes," she said before hanging up.
"Who was that?" Camilla asked.
"My boss," I replied.
"Is she the lady in the gray suit?" they asked. I nodded.
"We don't like her. She's very mean," Calinda pouted.
"Well, she's coming here soon, so please behave?" I pleaded.
"We will," they nodded, which actually surprised me.
There was a knock at the door and I went and unlocked it before Shelby stepped into the room. If Shelby wasn't the Hotel Manager, you would easily mistake her for a strict headmistress. She's a commanding woman, and I was suddenly caught in between a death glaring match between the girls and her.
This is not how I intended for my Friday to go!
"What seems to be the problem?" Shelby asked in a cold tone.
"I have to watch them," I replied.
"No! You have to work," she turned to me in confusion.
"She has to watch us," the girls said sternly.
"I have the right mind of having you shipped off to an army school. Which irresponsible human being do you even belong to?" Shelby narrowed her eyes at them. I watched as the girls slowly smirked.
"Raphael Maestri," they said. They clearly know the power behind their father's name.
"Yeah right!" Shelby scoffed.
"Shelby, I think they're telling the truth," I told her nervously.
"Is this your way of saying that you quit Rita, because I will fire you if you stay to look after these creatures?" Shelby spat.
For the first time since knowing this woman, she had officially shocked me. She thought I was lying? Heck, she thought I wanted to get out of the very job that I need more than anything? Why was she being so mean?
"Excuse me?" I managed to sputter in my disbelieving state.
"You heard me! I was told that you were going to sabotage the hotel so that Daniel Hugo's hotel booms while we crash and burn! Someone saw you get into his car this morning and you didn't want to be seen with him, so you had him drop you off a block from here. I didn't think you would stoop to such low whorish ways, but I guess money changes people huh?" she smirked.
I was livid! I had never, in my life, been THAT greatly insulted. It was one thing to listen to rumours, but adding your own ignorant opinion to the rumours was just plain horrid. I held myself back from back lashing.
"Please do not swear in front of the girls," I instead said.
"You stupid bitch! Is that all you have to say? I have the right mind of reporting you to Mr Maestri himself!" she spat.
I didn't give her the satisfaction of seeing me angry, so I didn't say anything back. I could see the girls getting furious that I wasn't fighting back, which actually took me back a little. I realized that I actually already started caring about them. I shook my head to let them know not to do or say anything.
"I should actually fire you right now!" she added.
"I'll do you the favour and quit," I shrugged.
"No! I'm firing you! Get out of my hotel! You are not a guest and neither can you afford to be one!" she said before storming out of the room.
Her hotel? Really now?
"Why didn't you fight her back?" Caprice asked me almost immediately after she'd left.
"Fighting isn't the way to resolve things girls, and I want you guys to always remember that ok?" I told them. I smiled when they nodded.
"Well then, I'm out of a job, so I guess I can watch you guys after all, except I need to get my stuff from my locker," I sighed.
"We'll come with you," Camilla beamed.
They were surprisingly well behaved as we made our way to the staff quarters. My colleagues, or ex-colleagues I should say, were all watching me in disappointment as I made my way there. I guess Shelby really didn't waste time in tarnishing my name and reputation.
My reputation!
It hadn't hit me until then. If Shelby had fired me on grounds of corporate espionage to the Maestri Empire, then could I really afford to get a job anywhere else? I'm pretty sure she will make it her life mission to blacklist my name and ensure that I definitely do not get employment anywhere else. I'm sure Mr Maestri himself would make sure I never get employed again!
"Rita, are you ok?" Calinda brought me out of thought.
"I don't think so," I shook my head. Caterina grabbed my hand as they all looked at me with big doe eyes.
"What's wrong?" they asked simultaneously.
That's going to take some getting used to.
"I just lost my job girls. I don't know what I'm going to do," I sighed as I opened the door to the staff room.
There were a few people inside who all ignored me. I found it simply amazing how they all believed the rumour about me. I had worked with most of these people in the three years that I had been here, and I thought I'd made some memorable friendships, but I guess hardships show who your true friends are.
"Oh my gosh! Rita, I heard what happened. How are you holding up?" Rhonda, one of the cleaners and one of my closest friends came up to me. Her shift had just ended.
"I don't know what I'm going to do Rhonda," I sighed as I hugged her back.
"I can't believe someone would set you up like this. They don't even know what you went through with Daniel," she said lowly. She was the only other person besides the elders to know what Daniel had done to me.
"It doesn't matter Rhonda. You know me. I'm not going to fight a mindless battle with ignorant people," I smiled weakly.
"You truly are a nice person girly. I would sue the hotel for defamation of character at least," she laughed.
"I don't even care you know?" I said in realization.
"I think I can tell. Who are these lovely angels?" she asked, squatting down to the girls' level. I could tell that they liked her because they didn't know any hostility towards her.
"These are Mr Maestri's beautiful girls. That's Camilla, that's Calinda, that's Caterina and that's Caprice. Guys, this is my friend Rhonda," I introduced.
"Hi Rhonda," the girls smiled.
"Oh my heavens! You guys are too adorable for words! Wait, did you just say Mr Maestri's daughters? As in Raphael Maestri?" Rhonda asked wide eyed.
"I know right? I had the exact same reaction!" I laughed. The girls giggled along with me.
"Well, how about that? The mysterious CEO of a multibillionaire corporation actually has the most adorable daughters. They look nothing like him though, except for their eyes," Rhonda pointed out as we headed to the lockers.
"You mean you've seen the man?" I asked in astonishment.
"Yeah! I was here when he booked in. The man is white, so I don't understand how his daughters turned out like this," she explained.
"Our mum was black, like Rita except Rita's lighter than she was," Caprice jumped in. Rhonda looked taken aback by the little girl's inclusion, but I was getting used to their smarts.
"Was?" Rhonda asked her curiously.
"Grandma showed us a picture of her and told us that she died giving birth to us," Caterina was the one to elaborate. Both Rhonda and I were stunned at that. We didn't have long to think about it though since Shelby walked into the staff room with security behind her.
"Girly, I think you should get your stuff," Rhonda whispered. I nodded and grabbed all my stuff from my locker before shutting it.
"Security will escort you off of the premises," Shelby sneered.
"I'm not a criminal," I rolled my eyes at her.
"Corporate espionage is a crime, so I beg to differ!" she scoffed.
"I guess there's no arguing with you when you've already deemed me guilty," I sighed.
"No, there isn't," Shelby spat.
"I'll come check you before my shift," Rhonda said as she hugged me.
"Well, get on with it then! Take those rascals with you while you're at it!" Shelby added.
"Calm down Shelby. There's really no need for the scene that you're causing. Act professionally for once," I said calmly before letting the girls out of the room and following them out.
The five of us walked to the lobby and Adrienne flashed me a sad smile from the receptionist area. There was a client talking to her, so I figured she couldn't hug me because of that and I understood. I simply returned the smile as the girls and I walked to the door.
"I don't believe it!" was the first thing Harry said as we walked out.
"It is what it is Harry. I'm going to miss you," I hugged him.
"I'm going to miss you too little girl. Don't forget about me now," he chuckled.
"I will pass by every now and then because Lord knows I can't afford to stay here and it would seem that Shelby is out to have me blacklisted and banned from the premises," I sighed.
"I can't believe they would think so lowly of you! I mean, this is you we're talking about. Everyone loves you," he argued.
"Perhaps my kindness and friendliness was my downfall after all," I smiled weakly.
"I understand. Well, where are you and Mr Maestri's little ones headed?" he asked.
"Wait, you know them?" I asked wide eyed.
"Hi Harry!" the girls giggled.
"Hello angels! Yes, I know them. I used to be their driver before working here," he explained to me. He'd only joined the hotel a few months ago.
"And they really are his kids?" I asked for confirmation.
"Yep, even if you would never tell," he nodded.
"Shelby was pretty convinced that they're lying," I informed him.
"Shelby believes what she wants to believe. If she thinks they were lying, then it's up to her," he shrugged. I watched Calinda look like she got a light bulb moment.
"We could get daddy to fire the mean lady!" she told her sisters enthusiastically. They all lit up at the idea and looked at me with puppy dog eyes.
"You will do no such thing!" I crossed my arms.
"Don't you need the job?" Camilla frowned. These girls are too smart for my liking.
"That's beside the point. You will not get Shelby fired. Revenge isn't the best way to go about this!" I scolded.
"But she deserves it," Caprice whined. I couldn't help but laugh at that.
"Probably, but promise me you wont do that. We'll just let karma get back at her," I smiled.
"You really are a nice person," Caterina scrunched up her nose.
"And you girls should learn to be nice little girls," I told them.
"What? We are so nice!" Camilla defended, feigning innocence. Her sisters shared the same look, which may have worked on their previous nannies, but I wasn't buying it.
"Oh really?" I raised a challenging eyebrow at them. It took a solid minute of me glaring at them for lying before they gave in.
"Fine! We'll try," Caterina mumbled, making Harry chuckle.
"I think you're the first person to ever get them to give in so easily," he commented.
"They have to start behaving like good girls and stop telling lies," I told him while looking at the girls.
"Well, it looks like the she devil is still coming after you, so the five of you better head on out," he said just as a black Escalade stopped before us. A young man stepped out and came around to open the door. I looked at him questionably, but apparently the girls knew who he was because they went into the car.
"After you Mam," the guy smiled, opening the passenger side for me.
"Go on now," Harry chuckled at my awed expression. I nodded, dumbfounded, before getting into the car. The door was closed before the guy came around.
"So girls, where to?" he asked them.
"SHOPPING!" was the shrieked response.
What have I gotten myself into?
**********
Hey Smurflettes!
So, I should probably kill myself for starting a new story when I can barely keep up with my others, but I couldn't help it. I love the idea I have for this book, and hopefully you do too.
What did you think of this? It's only the first chapter, so hopefully you'll stick with it.
Please vote, comment, fan and share the story. Love you guys!
Katee (^^,)