ALEXA'S POV
It had been an eventful day yesterday. Thankfully, I had heard Mr. Brown let Nolan go out with his friends for the rest of the afternoon.
The man was a bit of a recluse, and the last thing we needed right now was another teenage brain recking the whole mansion with its tantrum. I couldn't help but look back at how Nolan had reacted yesterday, his eyes flashed a hint of sadness in them that sought out empathy in me.
When the afternoon finally rolled around, Mr. Brown calls me up to his office.
"Sir, you called?" I stood at the foot of his office, nervously waiting at his open door.
He waved me in and shut the door.
I had never actually sat down on one of the plush couches in front of his desk before and was finding it rather awkward. He was standing behind his desk, hands clasped together and elbows resting on top. I tried my best not to be too intimidated. "How are you today?"
Mr. Brown gave a slight smile, looking at me with a speck of worry in his eyes. A few white strands were sticking out from underneath his hair, giving him a distinguished look. "You've gotten quiet and haven't reported back after you ran after Nolan."
I forced a smile, trying my hardest to sound cheery. "Is something wrong? Did I do something wrong?" The thought hit me again, as ever, that perhaps he could tell something was amiss with me. The idea sent shivers down my spine.
He looked down for a second, his face taking on a serious expression, then looked back up. "No," He said sternly, looking down at me through narrowed eyes. "What did you think of yesterday?" There was nothing accusatory about his tone or demeanor, but I still felt a pang of guilt, just like every other time that question has come.
"Yes, well, I wanted to apologize about the situation yesterday," he said as he sat behind his desk. He gestures for me to sit down next to him and continues talking when I comply."You've done very well so far as a nanny. It's just... Well, it isn't just your job, is it, Alexa? You're also a part of the family now, and I think you might understand better than anyone how much someone like me would worry about your well-being around my son..."
"I suppose I do, sir." I shifted uncomfortably, not knowing what he wanted to say.
His lips thinned into a straight line as he looked at his hands on his desk. After a moment, he sighed, then started talking again. "... I know, there have been many times when I wished I could give you more stability, a way to control my son's behavior. When my wife passed away... well, I didn't always have the time to give him the proper care and guidance he needed-"
"Sir, don't worry. It doesn't matter anymore. I believe the best course of action is to be there for him," I forced myself to make eye contact with him. He nodded, understanding why I felt like that.
"Nolan is being this way as he feels you are controlling towards him and his decisions in life," I continued.
"Am I wrong to do so?" I sat there looking at him with a confused look.
"Sir, I believe you don't understand that not everything you want can be dealt with every time as you wish," I spoke with sincerity before standing.
"Please take a moment to think of this... As you said, if I am part of the family now, then it shouldn't be hard to take advice from family," I see him gulp a lump forming in his throat.
"Go downstairs and join in helping with the preparation for dinner..." I look at him confused once again before I spot his gaze change from before.
His eyes were soft, and he smiled at me, a smile that almost broke my heart. "Go ahead, Alexa. We'll talk later."
With a small nod, I turn on my heels and walked out of the room with a heavy heart. Now, I understand why Nolan reacted that way before; his father never truly wanted to focus on him.
Even if he were to put any effort into nurturing him, he would only succeed in making him unhappy.
After just a few weeks, I'm starting to realize this…
Making my way to the kitchen, I started prepping for dinner as the kitchen staff followed my lead. By the time I was midway into cooking, I heard a staff member behind me greet someone. Turning around, it was Mr. Brown.
"Sir, may we help you with anything?" The leading staff, Carlos, asked as he nervously stood in front of Mr. Brown.
I watched as every other staff member looked at him, took his jacket off and gave it to a maid nearby. Our eyes lock its gaze with each other and I feel myself blush as I watch him walk up to me.
"Sir?" Another staff member calls out, catching his attention. He simply smiled at her and took the spatula she held.
As he swiftly took an apron off of a hook and tied it around him, he faced me and with furrowed brows he spoke.
"May I assist you with that, Alexa?" Mr. Brown asks.
"Sir, you know how to cook?"