CHAPTER 7: TOUGHER THAN I THOUGHT

I blinked, startled by her outburst. For weeks, she hadn't said more than a few words to me, and now this?

"I'm sorry," I said carefully, trying to keep my voice calm. "I didn't mean to bother you, Laura. I only want to help."

"You're not helping," she bit back, her gray eyes glaring at me for the first time. "You're just... annoying."

"Gawd..."

"You talk a lot"

The words stung more than I cared to admit, but before I could respond, I heard a faint scoff behind me.

Turning slightly, I saw Ariana, a maiden standing by the doorway, a smug smile playing on her lips. She'd been lingering nearby under the pretense of tidying up, but I knew she was eavesdropping"Don't take it personally," Ariana said, her tone dripping with false sweetness. "Laura just speaks the truth."

I straightened, my heart pounding. Ariana had been a thorn in my side since my first day at the Thompson empire. From her veiled insults to her snide comments, she seemed determined to make me feel unwelcome.

"Ariana," I said evenly, forcing a smile. "Thank you for your input, but I can handle this."

She chuckled, folding her arms. "Oh, I'm sure you can. Just remember, been a nanny doesn't just make you special,you're still just the nanny,"

" just... a... nanny."

Her words were like a slap, but I refused to let her see how much they affected me. Instead, I turned my attention back to Laura.

She just watched.

"Laura," I said gently, kneeling again. "I know I'm new here, and maybe I'm not who you wanted as your nanny. But I care about you, and I just want to make things easier for you."

Laura's glare softened slightly, but she didn't respond. Instead, she picked up her fork and began to poke at her food, signaling the end of the conversation.

I stood and left the dining room, my cheeks burning with embarrassment leaving Laura to her meal and Ariana's lingering presence. I could feel Ariana's gaze boring into my back, and though I didn't turn around, I knew she was probably smirking at what she thought was my failure.

When she thought I was out of sight, Ariana sauntered into the dining room, her demeanor shifting instantly. The sly smugness she'd shown me morphed into a sugary-sweet expression as she approached Laura.

"Miss Laura," Ariana cooed, her voice soft and syrupy. "Is everything all right, dear? I noticed Kayla upset you."Laura glanced at her briefly but said nothing, her attention returning to the pasta on her plate.

Ariana didn't let the cold response deter her. Instead, she moved closer, crouching slightly so she was at Laura's eye level. "I know she's new and probably doesn't know how things work around here. But don't worry-I'm here for you."

Laura's silence was deafening, but Ariana pressed on, determined.

"I bet it's frustrating having someone like her around," Ariana continued, her tone light but laced with subtle malice. "She doesn't really belong here, does she?"

Laura finally set down her fork, her gray eyes locking on Ariana with a pointed, unamused look. "Do you need something?" she asked, her voice flat and devoid of emotion.

The question caught Ariana off guard, her confident smile faltering for a moment before she recovered.

"Oh, no, sweetheart, I don't need anything," Ariana said quickly, straightening up. "I just wanted to check on you. I thought you might appreciate having someone who understands you better."

Laura stared at her for a moment longer before picking up her fork again, her disinterest evident. "I'm fine," she said curtly, before focusing back on her meal.

The dismissal stung, but Ariana masked her irritation with another overly bright smile.

I noticed I'd walked out completely with a smile on my face.

Ariana's Pov

I left the dining room, my heels clicking sharply against the marble as I clenched my jaw in frustration. The little brat wasn't as easy to charm as I'd thought. Still, I wasn't going to give up that easily.

Winning Laura over was my ticket to Gerald. I'd admired him from the moment I first stepped foot in the Thompson empire. Handsome, powerful, and completely unattainable-that was Gerald Thompson. But I'd spent years watching him from the sidelines, waiting for the right time.

And the time was now.

If I could make Laura warm up to me, Gerald would notice. He was fiercely protective of his daughter, after all. If I became the one Laura trusted, the one she turned to, Gerald would have no choice but to acknowledge me.

And once I had his attention, I'd make him see that I was exactly the kind of woman he needed by his side. Not some timid, unremarkable nanny like Kayla

The thought of her made my blood boil. She was an outsider, an intruder. She didn't belong here, no matter how much she tried to act like she did. Gerald didn't need someone like her, and neither did Laura.

I smirked to myself, my determination solidifying. Laura might be a tough nut to crack, but I'd break through her walls eventually. And when I did, it would be me-not Kayla-who held a place in the Thompson family.

For now, I'd play the long game. Gerald was worth it.

Kayla's POV

I got into my room, fell on the comfortable bed and there dozed off, peacefully.

The weekend came quickly, and with it, a chance to visit my mother. I packed a basket of leftovers from the Thompson empire—there was always plenty of food, and I’d been eating better than I had in years. Gerald Thompson’s empire may have been cold and unwelcoming in many ways, but the kitchen staff knew how to spoil even the lowliest of nannies.

When I arrived at our modest apartment, my mother was sitting by the window, her fragile frame silhouetted against the pale sunlight. Her eyes, clouded with years of failing vision, lit up when she saw me.

“Kayla,” she called out with a smile, her voice weak but warm. “You’re here.”

I hurried to her side, setting the basket down on the small table. “I brought you some food, Mom. Good stuff this time. They’ve been feeding me like royalty.”

She chuckled softly, even though she couldn't hear me. “You’re a blessing, Kayla. Always thinking of me.”

I kissed her cheek and sat beside her, taking her hands in mine. “How have you been feeling?”

I asked, switching to making signals with my hands.

“Better now that you’re here,” she said, patting my hand. “Tell me about your new job. You said it was as a nanny, right?”

I nodded, though my smile wavered. “Yeah, it’s... it’s a big place. The girl I take care of, Laura, is... unique. And then there’s the staff,” I said, hesitating as Ariana’s smug face flashed in my mind.

“What about them?” my mom asked, concern flickering in her voice.

I sighed, debating how much to share. “There’s this one maid, Ariana. She’s... difficult. Always has something snarky to say, and she doesn’t seem to like me much. But it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

“You’ve always been strong, Kayla,” she said, squeezing my hand. “Don’t let anyone push you around.”

I forced a smile, choosing to skip over Laura’s icy demeanor and Gerald Thompson’s relentless rudeness. There was no need to worry her more than she already was.

Just as we were settling into a comfortable silence, my phone buzzed loudly on the table. I glanced at the screen, my stomach sinking when I saw the name flashing across it. Trevor.