The Dalton mansion

As Ashley stepped into the interview room, her heart skipped a beat when she met Owen’s piercing gaze.

He wore a gray suit and his raven hair made him look alluring. She found herself lost in his bright brown eyes.

It was as if life was deliberately placing him everywhere she went lately. If anyone had told her she would be sitting in the same room with Owen Dalton, she would have laughed it off.

Owen, too, seemed to recognize Ashley, though his expression betrayed nothing. “Miss Smith,” he said, his voice like silk. “Please, have a seat.”

Ashley’s legs wobbled beneath her. The way her last name rolled off his tongue was enough to send her to cloud nine and she wondered how her first name would sound coming from him.

Ashley lowered herself into the chair, her mind racing. She had always known he smelled rich and alluring, but nothing could have prepared her for this level of wealth.

Owen immediately went through the routine of the interview questions, and Ashley struggled to focus as her thoughts constantly drifted to the fact that the man she’d been secretly admiring for years was sitting mere feet away from her.

Owen asked her what other skills she had and she said

that she can speak five languages. After the barrage of questions, Owen finally stopped and gave Ashley a long look. Her hazel eyes were pretty, he thought, frowning. She is an interviewee. He shouldn't care about the beauty of her eyes.

Just then, someone came in mumbling in Chinese that he hated Chinese, Ashley consoled him back in Chinese which made him quickly beg Ashley not to let Owen know.

Owen noticed their interaction and asked what they were discussing, she lied that he needed a coffee, the man threw her a grateful lookand left the office.

Owen received a message, She knows it. Owen leaned back in his chair and cleared his throat. “You seem suitable for the position, Miss Smith,” he said.

“Th–thank you, sir,” Ashley managed to say without sounding too excited. She knew he was impressed with her.

“Your work will be at my mansion. It is a live-in position, I have seven-year-old twins that you will nanny and teach languages to from now on.”

A live-in position? She won’t just be any nanny but a private one, living in the same house as her crush.

Owen continued, “You will be paid an upfront and by month's end, you will be given the rest of the payment.”

Ashley looked on mutely, still amazed by the fact that she would be in the same house as her long-time crush. She couldn't wait to tell Jessica.

“Are you fine with it?” he asked dryly. Ashley didn't think much of it as she quickly nodded.

“Good, your work starts tomorrow, drop your account details with the secretary, and you may leave.”

Ashley fumbled with her files as she got up. She looked at him one more time before she left.

She turned red in the face as their eyes locked. She mumbled a thank you and quickly shut the door behind her.

Once she got outside, she almost screamed in relief. She was going to be closer to her crush and his children.

But what if he had a wife? Her smile faltered at the thought. You should have asked, a naughty voice in her head mocked.

Her hand flew over her mouth, and her face turned a deeper red as she imagined her asking him that question.

She touched her face in mock shame and quickly left the company to go home.

“Oh my gosh, Ash, you did it.” Jessica hugged her tightly. “I knew you would nail it.”

“Thank you for believing in me, Jess,” Ashley said gratefully. “If not for you and your optimistic words, I wouldn't have gotten the job.”

“So, you were saying you will be closer to your little crush? Jessica asked as she playfully nudged her.

“Fortunately, yes,” Ashley said as her face turned tomato red.

“Look who is blushing.” Jessica teased her. “But he has two kids already? He looks young to even have one, let alone two.”

“I know, right.” Ashley said.

Jessica leaned on the couch. “Do you think he has a wife?” Ashley’s face fell, she couldn't imagine what it would be like if she had to be around the wife of her secret crush.

Ashley sighed. “Well, we are prioritizing our finances, and it doesn't really matter if he has a wife,” she said, trying to be nonchalant.

Deep down, she knew it would be difficult to be in the same place with her secret crush’s wife, but she also knew she was nowhere near his league.

The job was important for sorting their bills, and she was going to make the most of it. Just seeing Owen could make her satisfied.

“Well it doesn't matter if he does, there can always be some…” Jessica winked at her. “Quiet moments.”

“Jessica!” Ashley exclaimed in horror. “I won't have an illicit relationship.” Jessica laughed.

The ping of Ashley’s phone interrupted them, and glancing at the screen, Ashley couldn't contain her excitement.

The upfront payment Owen mentioned had been transferred to her account. She showed it to Jessica, who was equally happy, and together they packed Ashley’s bag late into the night.

Ashley phoned her grandmother to tell her she got a new job, although she didn't reveal to her the exact nature of the job.

“I'm so proud of you. I'm sure your parents are proud of you in heaven.” Ashley lost her parents when she was six to a ghastly motor accident, and she had been living with her grandmother until four years ago, when she moved to Washington for college.

“Thank you, Granny. I promise to come check up on you in Chicago when I'm less busy.” Ashley sighed.

“I will be expecting you, Ashley.” After saying their goodbyes, they ended the call.

The next morning, they were already preparing and adding toiletries to her suitcase when Ashley received a call.

A frown crept up across her face as she picked up the unknown number. “Hello?” she spoke into the receiver.

“Good morning ma'am. Is this Miss Smith?” the person on the other end side.

Ashley glanced at Jessica, who urged her to continue, “Yes, I am.”

“I called to inform you that I will be at your place in an hour, so be ready by then,” the person informed her.

Unable to hide her curiosity, Ashley asked, “Who are you, please?”