Four

I walked into the coffee shop, surveying my surroundings. It was your usual run off the mill coffee shop really, artsy fartsy decor and all that. Complete with the leaning tower of Pisa posters slapped on a brick wall, like something straight out of a millenial's Instagram.

When I eventually spotted a familiar pair of gray eyes, Vincent was already smiling and waving me over. Oh yeah. You probably forgot Toby's hot uncle. Today he's... Still hot, unfortunately, in his expensive looking blue button-up and jeans. And no annoying demon child in sight, thank God.

You're probably wondering what happened. We never actually ended up chatting after dinner last week because his daughter suddenly came down with a fever and he had to rush her home for her medication. If she wasn't so annoying I probably would have felt bad for her, but instead I felt bad for the fact that he had to leave so soon. The good news was I got his phone number and we agreed to meet after my classes that day.

I made my way over to his table and sat across from him, offering a small smile.

"Well you're early," I said, "Have you been waiting long?"

"Not at all, I just got here a few minutes ago. How was your day?"

"Lovely. Education. Homework. Assignments. All that good stuff."

"Trust me when I say you'll miss these days."

"Said every parent ever."

He chuckled melodiously and I couldn't help but admire his smile. What a snack.

And I am a despicable human being.

I shook those thoughts out of my head, maybe a little too physically just as the waiter came by to take our orders.

"Just order whatever you like, it's on me," Vincent said. "I'll have a cup of earl grey."

"Oreo milkshake," I said before I could realize how unsophisticated that sounded when I was sitting with a classy British man. Well, who cares. After the waiter left our table, I pursed my lips awkwardly.

"You don't have to pay for my drink, I've got it."

"Oh please, it's the least I could do, after all you took the time to meet me here today."

"Last time I checked, you were offering me a job."

"You're also my nephew's best friend. My sister wouldn't let me hear the end of it if I let you pay. Please, save me the trouble."

"Well when you put it that way..."

He grinned. Goddamn it. Let's stop lying to ourselves. No one likes to pay. Everyone likes to be treated. Especially to the eye candy sitting right across-

Keep it together, Jules. Seriously.

I needed to get laid, stat.

"So, let's get down to business, shall we?"

"Alright."

"I wrote out a rough job description last night," he said as he pulled out a neatly folded note from his pocket along with a pen. In a similarly neat handwriting, there were a couple of bullet points which he began to read off one by one. "So most of the work is gonna be on the weekdays. I'm typically at work from nine to four but if I'll be doing overtime, I would be getting home anywhere from 7pm to 9pm. First I'll need you to pick Anya up from kindergarten by five. It's only a walking distance away from home so it shouldn't be too much trouble. I usually prepare supper the night before so all you'll have to do is reheat it and eat with her. Then you're gonna have to give her her medication. Let her nap for an hour. Then, help her with homework if she has any, and just keep her company until I get back home. In case I get back late, bedtime is 10pm, read her a story and she falls asleep immediately. Apart from that, a few house rules. Don't bring anyone over if I'm not around. I'm gonna need you to do at least half of the chores, but I don't expect you to cook if you don't want to."

I blinked at him, staring down his list again. "That's it? I just have to look after her for a few hours on the weekdays?"

"Pretty much. You're free to do whatever you like on the weekends. Unless I do take some weekend overtime, which will only be on occasion and I'd let you know prior."

Huh. That actually doesn't sound too bad.

"Also, what's this about reheating supper? You do know I can cook, right?"

"I honestly didn't want to trouble you too much, I know you probably have a lot to do yourself, you're a student with lots of responsibilities."

"Don't worry about it. I'll make dinner everyday. I can make breakfast too. And pack you guys lunch."

His eyes widened slightly, blinking at me in disbelief. "Wouldn't that be too much?"

I waved my hand dismissively. "I'm a quick cook. Don't worry about it."

"That is very nice of you, Julias. Thank you," he smiled, seeming genuinely touched. "I'll add that to the job description then, since you don't mind. Now let's talk about your compensation. I have a spare room in my apartment, completely furnished, it should have everything you need. Now let me be honest, I really can't pay you much. But groceries are on me, you're free to eat whatever you like whenever you like, or ask for what you want. Is that okay?"

I blinked, "Yeah, that's perfect actually." That's gonna be a lot of extra money in my hands. "You're being really generous to be honest. Thank you."

"I wish I could do more. But really, it has been really hectic lately. Anya is sick and... Her medication isn't exactly the cheapest."

"Oh...What does she have, if you don't mind me asking?"

He pursed his lips, "Anya was born prematurely. Barely made it, actually. She's been sickly all her life."

"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that," I fidgeted. "How was she feeling the other day?"

"Ah, don't worry about it. She was well enough to go to kindergarten the next day. I must say, she wouldn't stop gushing about that meal all week. I think she just found her new favourite food. Thank you, really."

"Oh it was nothing. I can make it whenever you like, as long as you're buying the ingredients."

He chuckled, "That sounds like a deal to me." His eyes glinted almost hopefully, his smile lighting up his whole face. I groaned internally. "Only of course, if you'll take my offer."

How can I say no to that face?

"But... There's something I have to tell you, just so I'm completely honest."

"What is it?"

I chewed on my bottom lip nervously, "Toby's parents already know this of course but... I'm gay. I thought it better if I let you know, in case you were uncomfortable with it."

Vincent looked puzzled, and was uncharacteristically quiet for a few excruciatingly long seconds.

"Julias," his tone went stone cold serious and I couldn't help fidgeting when he said my name like that, "I'm not the least bit concerned about your sexuality, that is your private life. Frankly, I'm more concerned that we still live in a world where something like that should be some sort of a disclaimer."

I pursed my lips, looking down at my untouched milkshake quietly. I couldn't help the small smile that spread across my lips, because that was just the sort of thing I needed to hear after being harassed just a few hours earlier. It felt good. Reassuring.

"Thank you."

"For what," he chuckled, "Now that that's out of the way, do we have a deal?"

"Is that even a question? Sign me up."

_

"I can't believe you're finally moving out."

Toby tossed his basketball around the room as I went through the painstaking process of clearing out all my clutter and getting ready to pack. After sorting out the finer details with Vincent, I was set to move out by that Friday, so I still had a few days. But I liked to get a headstart on things that were generally considered a giant pain in the ass, like moving.

"Yes, I'll be out of your hair soon," I rolled my eyes.

"Nah, I mean. It's gonna be hard getting used to your absence."

"I'm sure you'll be just fine."

He thought about it for a while then shrugged, "Yeah, I probably will."

"Asswipe," I grunted.

"But, remember you have a job to do. You need to take good care of Anya. Vince has had bad experience with nannies in the past. He's only trusting you because my parents vouched for you. Remember that everytime you get the urge to choke a child." He lectured, holding his basketball to his waist and pointing his finger at me like a mom.

"I get it, I'm not an idiot. I'll try not to murder the little brat. What the hell happened with the past nanny, anyway?"

"Well, on top of a massive attitude problem, let's see... She was a kleptomaniac, a liar, an unhygienic smelly twat, she forgot to give Anya her meds on a regular basis. Basically the poor girl had to be hospitalised because her neglect. Good thing Vince found her passed out when he did. It was a whole thing." He shook his head disapprovingly.

"She sounds like hell."

"Vince did not let her go unpunished. He pressed charges, and now she's serving time."

"Damn."

He snorted, "Serves her right. She could have killed a child! And Vincent is especially ruthless when it comes to Anya. So take this job seriously."

I nodded thoughtfully, thinking for moment that maybe I bit off more than I could chew. But come on, I just have to watch this kid for a few hours everyday. How hard could it be?

"Vincent seems like a good father."

"Yes he is."

I started at Toby absentmindedly for a second before frowning, noticing something off about his face.

"Dude, what happened to your cheek?"

"Huh? Oh, it's nothing. I got injured while I was playing."

"Seriously?" I asked worriedly, touching the light bruise on his cheek. "Did you get into fight?"

"Don't be ridiculous," he chuckled. "The ball hit me in the face."

"You sure? It kinda looks like-"

"Pack your shit already, I want you out of my room as soon as possible."

I scowled at him, "Well then in that case, I'm gonna take my sweet ass time."