When the Night Falls
Chapter 3

JASMINE

I hesitated at first, considering what to do next.

What did a rich, famous, and successful man like Theodore want with a nob*dy like me? Did he really follow me just to yell at me after the incident at the gala?

Surely he had better things to do.

“Listen,” he said. “I don’t have all day, but I promise you’ll regret it if you don’t get in the car this

instant.”

I sighed, sliding in.

How much worse could my day possibly get?

Besides, when would I ever get the chance to speak to Theodore Jefferson? If anything, it would be a crazy story I can tell one day.

Sitting next to him was a stern-looking woman, She had her arms and legs crossed and did not. look happy that I was there.

“Are you Jasmine?” Theodore asked.

“Yes,” I nodded.

“My name is Theodore Jefferson,” he said, his voice was ice cold, full of authority.

“Yeah,” I said. “I know who you are.”

“And this is Iris,” he gestured toward the sour-faced woman. “She runs my household.”

“Jasmine,” he continued. “I have an offer for you. Something you can’t refuse.”

“What kind of offer?”

“You met my daughter, Thea,” he leaned back, looking me up and down. “Back at the gala.”

“I guess I did, yeah,” I said. “Is she coming here?”

“No,” he replied. “She’s in the other car with her nanny. Well, I guess, soon-to-be former nanny.”

“Why, what’s happening to her?”

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Iris looked out the window, but I could tell that she was still listening to us.

“I want to offer you a job,” Theodore explained. “As Thea’s Nanny.”

I looked at him as if he’d lost his mind.

“Sorry to say this, but I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else,” I said, starting to reach for the car door.

“Aspiring chef. Recently fired. Twenty-four years old, never married. Bills to pay and a negative bank balance. Did I get all that right?”*

My mou

mouth dropped open, and anger flared in me. Who did this man think he was? I didn’t care who he was. I was about to yell at him when he interrupted.

“I ran a security check on you,” he explained.

I took a deep breath.

“Listen, Mr Jefferson.” I said. “I’m not qualified for a childcare job. I’ve never even had a pet before. And sure, do I need a job? Yes. But I think you have the wrong person.”

“Were

you the person who

gave Thea that handkerchief?”

“Yes, but-”

“One million dollars if you say yes to working for me for a full year.”

My mouth dropped open again.

“What? Are you kidding me? A million dollars? Have you lost your mind, or are you trying to make a fool out of me?”

Mr. Jefferson raised an eyebrow and gave me a mysterious smirk as if he was really enjoying this.

“Ms. Gibson, I’m not trying to make a fool of you.”

I remained uneasy.

“If I did say yes.” I started. “which I am not saying yet, what would that look like?”

“For starters, you would have to move into the mansion. I have very strict rules for the people I employ. Some things will be prohibited. It’s just part of the job description.”

“But…can’t I stay in my own place? I can drive over every day.”

“I’m afraid that won’t do.” he shook his head.

I paused, thinking about the choice laid out in front of me.

12:49 Wed 24 Jan

One year, I could spend one year working for Mr. Jellerean. It Iconked for him he and help tet me up with my own bistro, And Go d kurwe I could use a million dollars i keep my life aftred

for

So, I gave up one year of freedom Was that really such a big deal? Smely the year would go ty in a flash. Plus, I would have access to what I imagined wore a world class kitchen at all hours t the day.

“Fine,” I finally agreed. “But I do love one condition.”

“What is it?” Theodore raised an eyebrow, clearly, he did not expect me to have my own terms.

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“I get access to the kitchen.” I replied. “And I get to buy groceries for the house.”

“Done,” he said.

Right away, Iris pulled out a contract.

“Sign here,” he passed me an ink pen from his pocket.

I took one last breath In before signing my name on the dotted line.

“Put this on,” Theodore handed me a black silk blindfold.

“What for?” I asked, taken aback.

“The Jefferson Estate is a top-secret location,” he said. “We can’t risk a security breach”

Nervously, I eyed the blindfold. I thought of all my bills and the fact that I had just been fired from my job. A lump started forming in my throat at the very thought of my life.

Maybe an escape was just what I needed. Maybe when I took this blindfold off, all my troubles would have melted away. I imagined a new life for myself, a better one.

Before I could change my mind, I grabbed the blindfold. Placing it over my eyes, I tightened it around my head.

The car lurched forward.

I could sense Mr Jellerson watching me.

What was I getting myself into?

When the car came to a stop, the blindfold was ripped off my face, waking me up.

1 felt disoriented. I had fallen asleep. Had it been minutes? Or maybe hours?

All I knew was that Theodore was no longer in the car.

I had no idea where I was, but as I stepped out of the car, I realized I was not in London

12:49 Wed, 24 Jan

anymore. We were definitely out in the country, somewhere secluded and private.

The mansion towered over me. Impeccable and from a different time, a time of kings and queens. Nothing I was used that was for sure. It was like I had been transported into another world.

“Where is Mr. Jellerson?” I asked.

“He has business to attend to,” Iris answered curtly.

I swayed awkwardly, unsure what to do.

“Follow me.” Iris said as she walk

toward the grand entrance.

I had to pick my jaw off the floor as soon as we stepped inside. A crystal chandelier hung up from the high entryway ceiling, two grand staircases on either side. I knew Theodore Jefferson: was rich. I had no idea he was this rich.

“This is the entryway,” Iris pointed, “up those stairs are the bedrooms.”

In awe, I followed Iris, always lagging slightly behind.

As we walked by the kitchen, I couldn’t look away. Perfect marble countertops and one of those fancy ovens rich people imported from France. On top of the kitchen was an array of copper pots, I couldn’t peel my eyes away from it. It was truly my dream kitchen, one where I could be inspired.

“Does Mr. Jefferson cook?” I asked Iris.

“No,” she snorted as if I should have already known the answer.

1

guess rich people don’t need to cook for themselves.

“Between me and you,” Iris leaned on the counter, “Mr. Jefferson could use a woman’s touch around here. Someone to soften him up. Maybe you could even give him some tips. I heard your had quite the positive effect on Thea outside that restaurant.”

“So what happens now?”

“I should walk you through the rules,” she explained. “But before that, I’m going to need to take your apartment key.”

“Why do you need my keys?”

“Your old life is gone now, Jasmine, the security team needs to pack your things and bring them here.”

I grabbed my key, running my fingers on its ridges. My independence, my freedom, all in that small piece of metal. I handed it over. It was done.

“Now.” Iris tucked away my key into her bag, “for the rules.”

Chapter 3 of 30 Chapter 3

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12:49 Wed, 24 Jan G

Before Iris could continue, I felt a presence enter the room.

It was Mr. Jefferson.

He looked even S**ier in the dim office lights.

“Mr. Jefferson,” Iris stood up. “Sorry, I was using your office to-”

“I’d like to speak to the new nanny,” he said. “Alone.”

The moment the door shut behind Iris, I could feel the tension start to build between Mr.

Jefferson and me.

“I expect Iris walked you through my expectations of you?” he asked.

“Yes,” I answered. “Very briefly.”

“There isn’t a thing that happens in this house that I am not aware of,” he said. “Security needs. to be airtight, and as Thea’s caretaker, you need to be aware of all the safety/protocols that come with that responsibility.”

“What do you mean, Mr. Jefferson?”

He stood up.

“I need to show you something,” Mr. Jefferson said. “It’s top secret.”

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When the Night Falls

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