A Bad Gig
Fresh out of college, no job prospects. Then my cousin, Jessica, got pregnant and asked me to help out with the postpartum period.
Room and board, plus a measly $1800 a month.
From tending to Jess, bathing and changing the baby, to cleaning the whole house and cooking for everyone, it was all on me.
Then a wealthy woman from our gated community, Mrs. Sterling, heard about how detail–oriented I was, and wanted to poach
me to care for her sister after she gave birth.
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$30,000 a month, only focusing on the new
mom. A full–time nanny would handle the
baby.
Jessica straight–up turned her down for me:
“Me and my cousin, we’re like family, she’s
not about that shallow stuff.”
I ended up living in a converted patio with
cheap materials, and got leukemia from the fumes, all for a “family” favor.
I died broke in the hospital.
Then, I woke up. I was back on the day Mrs.
Sterling offered me the job.
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Chapter 1
“My cousin’s practically my sister! She’s not
some money–grubbing type, you can forget
about it.”
Those familiar words jolted me back. I finally
recognized where I was, who was standing in
front of me, and realized, I had been given
another chance.
Just like before, the wealthy Mrs. Sterling was
still trying to convince me, and upping her
offer.
“Chloey, right? I need you to help with my
sister, Ashley. Thirty thousand a month, all
Join the bookshelf
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you’d have to worry about is Ashley.”
“I’ll get you great health insurance, a 401K,
holidays off, bonuses–I really need someone
who’s as thorough and attentive as you seem
to be. Just think about it, okay?”
She handed me her business card with
perfectly manicured nails.
Jess’s eyes were twitching.
She swatted the card away: “Are you deaf? I
said, no way my cousin is going to your
house, no matter how much money you throw
around.”
<
“You think you’re hot stuff with your fancy
money, huh?”
Jess was so sure I would refuse the offer, she
was practically cackling at Mrs. Sterling.
“Oh, so you have all this money, why are you
digging for help in my house? You trying to
act like some big shot?”
Without missing a beat, I picked up the
business card from the floor.
“I’d love to. When do you need me to start?”
Jess stared at me with her jaw dropped,
unable to believe what I’d just said.
“Can you start next Monday? You can wrap
things up here, and I’ll have my driver pick
you up Monday morning.”
Mrs. Sterling, whose name was Evelyn
Sterling, and I exchanged numbers, then she
left. As soon as she turned her back, Jess
raised her hand, ready to hit me.
Good thing I dodged. The swing missed, and
she was even more furious.
“Chloe, have you lost your mind?!”
“I’m your cousin, how could you betray me for
a few thousand dollars?”
<
Her face was all red and puffy, her body
looked ready to explode.
I rolled my eyes at her: “Come on, Jess, you
always say we’re like sisters. Shouldn’t you be
happy that I found a better job?
“Besides, your pittance of a salary isn’t even
enough for my groceries for a month. You
being a cheapskate shouldn’t stop me from
bettering my situation.”
