C4 Snacks

GRACE

‘You what now?’ Samantha’s voice reeked of surprise.

I looked out of the fast-moving car as it drove past the Empire State Building, a place that recently causes my heart to ache each time I set my sight on its grandness. I quickly looked elsewhere before my eyes could have a reason to start welling up.

“I am looking at getting a babysitter’s job,” I repeated to Samantha who had initially called to apologise for not making it to my place the previous day.

‘A... A.. Ba... Babysitter?’ It was as though the words were choking her. ‘Grace, you are one hell of a hotcake in the publishing world. But you want to become a babysitter?’

“I don’t want to deal with that life for now. I need a huge break from reading lengthy manuscripts.”

‘And babysitting is your option? If you want, you can decide not to get a job, you are that well-to-do.’

My sigh ran deep, so much that it sank my shoulders. “Samantha, I can’t sit around doing nothing. You know too well that I hate being idle. I want a distraction and babysitting is that distraction. Well, that depends on whether I get the job.”

‘So, if you don’t get the job, are you going to take up working at Mcdonalds’?′

“Samantha, just trust me on this one.” I didn’t appreciate her sarcasm and I failed to understand her way of viewing the issue. Why can’t she be more like David? He didn’t question my decision too much and even called me this morning to wish me luck at the interview.

I have to say that it is cool that David has eased his way into my life in a way that I can’t help but admire. If it were someone else, I doubt I would still be talking to the person.

‘Okay, girl. Whatever you say. So who are you going to babysit?’

“I don’t know. They didn’t exactly specify.”

I could almost see Sam roll her eyes. ‘What if he is an old man?’

“Well, we will see how that works out, won’t we?”

Samantha exhaled loudly into the phone, as though trying to say- I am tired of you, but I love you anyway.

‘Okay, Grace. As long as this distraction guarantees that you don’t spend all night drunk in a bar, it is not so much of a bad idea.’

“We are here, ma’am.” My Uber driver notified me as he sleekly stirred the wheel and found a parking spot just in front of a huge, black gate. After ensuring that my automatic payment was successful, I appreciated the middle-aged man and got out of the car, while I partially listened to Samantha giving orders to one of the new interns at work.

When her attention returned to our call, I said, “Well, I have reached my destination and...” I moved forward to look through the gate bars of the house I was about to enter. My line of sight almost reached the sky and I frowned. “...uh the house looks like a hotel. It is huge as fuck.”

‘Maybe they are just in town for a while and decided to lodge at a hotel. It is obvious they are rich, at least you won’t be getting crappy pay.’

I rolled my eyes at her words.

I was almost cursing my limited sight of the building when a security guard popped out from nowhere and questioned my presence. Once I told him what I was there for, he didn’t hesitate to open the pedestrian gate. I stepped onto the other side and I instantly felt the intensity of the breeze around me change.

That was understandable.

The not-so-distant, enormous building I was staring at made chills wrap my soul so much that my eyes widened while my skin suffered goosebumps for some seconds.

Without a proper grip on my senses, I blindly followed the guard who said something about leading me to my destination.

‘Uh... Grace are you there?’

That voice made me return and I managed to tear my eyes off the almost-glassed skyscraper which simply yet artistically carried the name of the hotel in its middle.

“Sam... You are not going to believe it.” I didn’t give her the chance to question my hushed excitement. With my right hand cupping the air around my phone, I said, “I just walked into the premises of Hotel Pierre.”

‘Girl... Shut up!’

“I wish I could. But I am not lying.”

It was taking me a lot of self-control to hold back the shriek that was itching to jump out of my cords. And thank goodness I was able to hold back, my scream would have ruined the ambience of the hotel.

To explain my excitement, Hotel Pierre is one of the most exclusive hotels in the country.

It is located in an easily accessible area yet it’s not somewhere just anyone can go. It is the kind of hotel that caters to the likes of the one per cent of the rich universe.

I might be well to do, but I would never be able to afford to step into the lobby. The place is that expensive.

‘Grace...’ Sam shared my excitement and that dragged me out of my thoughts. ‘This can only mean that this family is extremely rich. Go get that job, girl!’

“I thought you said the job is not for me.”

‘Well, now it is. You might even make more than you made at Elite.’

Scuffling noises filled the background of our call and I think I deduced a hint of my ex-boss’s voice. As I listened, I saw that the guard was leading me past the main entrance of the hotel where some exotic cars were packed and waiting for their owners.

“Uh... Sam,” There was a need for me to be extra watchful of the path we were taking, “I need to go now. Take care of yourself.”

‘I will. Have a great day and we have to gist about everything when you are back.’

I smiled and ended the call.

And seconds later, the young man leading me faced me to explain our choice of route. “We have to enter from the back doors since you are not here as a guest. Besides, no one would question you so much if you take this route.”

“Oh, I see.” I nodded and appreciated his explanation.

We continued walking and my imagination sprung into action. I started to create images of the exquisiteness I expect to see inside. I wouldn’t be surprised if the use of gold is prominent in the build-up of the structure.