Chapter 149 A captivating touch

Chapter 149 A captivating touch
"Emily, this is Miss Casey. She wants to play with you," Rose called softly as the glass patio door slid open.
The young girl in the yellow dress stopped her steps mid-stride. Emily hid behind Alan, peering at Casey with round, shy eyes. Her tiny fingers clutched the edge of her older brother's shirt tightly.
Alan sized Casey up from head to toe with a curious expression. "Are you Emily's new nanny, Miss Casey?"
Casey did not rush toward them. Instead, she lowered herself, kneeling on the garden lawn so she was at eye level with Emily. From her small bag, she produced a pink paper origami bird.
"Hello Emily, hello Alan," Casey greeted them in a warm, steady voice. Her fingers gently worked the paper bird's wings. "This is Piko. Piko is looking for a friend to fly to the treehouse with."
Emily peeked out from behind Alan's back. Her gaze fixed on the motion of the origami wings in Casey's hands. "Can the paper bird fly?"
Casey smiled faintly, shaking her head slowly with an air of mystery. "Piko can only fly if someone helps blow on his wings. Would you help Piko, Emily?"
Slowly, Emily let go of Alan's shirt. She took two small steps forward, then stopped again. Casey remained motionless in her spot, refusing to rush her, letting the child make the choice herself.
"Try blowing softly," Casey whispered gently.
Emily leaned in closer and blew on the paper. Casey deftly tossed the origami bird into the air, making it float high above their heads for a brief moment.
A bright giggle burst from Emily. The once timid girl was now hopping up and down, reaching for the paper bird. "Again, Miss Casey! Piko wants to fly again!"
"Of course, but you have to hold Piko's controls now," Casey said, handing the origami over to Emily's little hands.
Rose and Madam Miska stood a short distance away behind the patio door, watching the interaction. Rose released a sigh of relief she had been holding in all morning.
"Emily rarely warms up to a stranger this quickly," Rose whispered to Madam Miska.
"Her dropping to her knees and her patience in waiting for Emily to approach were the keys, Madam," Madam Miska replied with a broad smile. "Children always know who is genuine."
While Emily busied herself flying the paper bird on the grass, Alan walked over to Casey. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"Why did the paper bird float so smoothly when you released it earlier?" Alan asked, his tone analytical. "There is no engine in it, is there?"
Casey turned to Alan, her eyes brightening at the question. "Because the folds on the underside trap the air as it is thrown, Alan. That balances its drag in the air for a moment."
Alan raised his eyebrows, looking surprised. "You know about air resistance?"
"Of course," Casey answered pleasantly. "It is the same as the principle behind an airplane's wings. There are different air pressures above and below the wing."
Alan immediately squatted beside Casey, his face lighting up with excitement. "I have a book about airplanes in my room! Could you explain to me why fighter jet wings are shaped differently from commercial airliners?"
"I would love to," Casey answered without a moment's hesitation. "Fighter jet wings are designed to be rigid and thin to cut through the air at high speeds, whereas passenger planes need stability."
Alan grinned widely and turned toward his mother. "Mom! Miss Casey understands science! She can answer my questions without telling me to go read a book by myself!"
Rose chuckled softly at her eldest son's enthusiasm. She walked over to join the three of them in the garden, followed by Madam Miska.
"It seems Alan has found a worthy discussion partner," Rose said warmly.
"Miss Casey is so much fun, Mom!" Alan chimed in quickly. "She does not just say 'that is just how it is' like the other nannies."
"Miss Casey made Piko fly, too!" Emily added, wrapping her arms tightly around Casey's leg.
Casey gently stroked Emily's hair with care. She looked up at Rose, her face radiating modesty and politeness. "Your children are remarkably bright and sweet, Madam Rose. It would be an honor to be trusted with their care."
Madam Miska nudged Rose's arm gently, giving an undeniable sign of approval. "Madam, there is no reason to hesitate any longer. The children are already comfortable with her in a matter of minutes."
Rose looked at Emily's cheerful smile and Alan's satisfied expression. The heavy anxiety in her chest suddenly evaporated.
"I have made my decision," Rose stated firmly. She looked at Casey with complete trust in her eyes. "Casey, you are hired. You may start working and move in here tomorrow."
"Thank you so much for your trust, Madam Rose. I promise to protect Emily and Alan with all my heart," Casey said, bowing deeply.
Yet as she straightened back up and Rose turned to call Madam Miska, Casey stared at the two children before her with a gaze that had shifted entirely.
"See you tomorrow, kids," Casey whispered softly, her smile no longer warm.
"Will you really promise to be here tomorrow, Miss Casey?" Emily asked, looking up at her hopefully while clutching the paper bird tightly.
Casey bent down slightly, bringing herself back to eye level with Emily. Her faint smile opened into a sweet expression. "Miss Casey never breaks a promise to a smart girl like Emily. Tomorrow morning, as soon as you wake up, I will be right here."
"Hooray!" Emily cheered softly, hopping up and down on the grass.
Alan tilted his head, watching Casey with a curious spark still burning in his eyes. "Miss Casey, can we try making different paper airplane wing models tomorrow? I want to see which one floats the longest."
"Of course, Alan," Casey answered gently. Her hand reached out to stroke Alan's shoulder with affection. "We can build three different types of wings and run a simple experiment right here in the garden."
Rose smiled at the interaction, her eyes glistening with emotion and relief. For so long, her mind had been torn between the demands of her work and the guilt of spending too little time with her children. The presence of someone as warm as Casey felt like the answer to all her prayers.
"Thank you so much, Casey," Rose whispered sincerely. "You have no idea how much this means to our family."
"It is my duty, Madam Rose," Casey replied, her voice sounding flawless and reassuring.
Deep inside, however, Casey relished every inch of the deception. Her plan was unfolding without a hitch, and her first trap had been set with precision.