Despite the many questions that Dalena had on her head, she calmly shrugged it off and tried to go with the flow.
But no matter who it is, who wouldn't be curious?
After the meeting with the little boy, which is a peculiar request she was asked to do in the first place, what could it be this time?
But it's not like she's complaining. Saving the little boy was like a blessing in disguise. Turns out, all the fables and tales she knew of about being good and getting a reward were true.
Not only did she get a large sum prior meeting the little boy, but Mr. Hamish Thompson surprisingly gave her even more when the meeting has ended.
For what reason, she did not know. She just accepted it humbly so she could be closer to her goals.
Truthful enough, Dalena thought that someone like her could not possibly be so picky with money. She has no right to refuse and think about things like being too shameless and looking like a money-lover.
Who cares what other people think, right? She's too old for that. What matters most is what she thinks of herself. Especially in this economy, there should be no time wasted for even bothering with others' opinions.
"Nice to meet you again, Miss Angeles." Hamish greeted in a formal tone.
Dalena nodded and smiled a little. "Nice to see you too, Sir."
Hamish coughed a little before opening his briefcase and laying down some documents on the table.
Upon the sight of the documents, Dalena could not help but raise her eyebrows a little. She couldn't help but be curious.
'Perhaps, because they gave me a little too much reward money, they're asking to take it back? That's why there's so much papers?'
Before Dalena could even think of even more what-ifs, Hamish spoke.
"For this meeting... I am actually going to talk about a job offer that is from His Grace himself."
With those words, Dalena's eyes widened a little. She wouldn't have ever thought of that. And 'His Grace'?
She knew she was living in London, but it was rare for normal people to use such terms. Although she already recognised that 'Young Master' was addressed to the little boy, George, her brain processed a little slow to get the term she just heard.
'His Grace... ah, right, George's father. The blond one from yesterday.'
As Dalena continued with her thoughts, Hamish continued to speak.
"To be precise, it is about having the noble job of being the Young Master's nanny."
"Eh?"
Hamish dismissed the surprise look at Dalena's face and gently placed some papers in front of her.
"Please look over and read the contract, Miss Angeles."
With empty thoughts, Dalena held the papers a little closer so she could read them properly.
The contract had only few technical words, so she could somehow still understand the gist of it. It was clear and concise, stating what her responsibilities would be as George's nanny and what she would get in return.
However, a certain section caught her attention. Even in working contracts she knew of, she never knew such term could exist.
Rules to be followed by the employee:
Rule Number Twelve - Must not fall in love with the 11th Duke of Rothesay, Luke Alexander Grosvenor
Penalty: Once the employee develops such atrocious feelings for His Grace, the contract will be terminated immediately. The Grosvenor Group will call the Work & Immigration Department to send the employee back to their home country. At the same time, depending on the situation, the employee may be asked to return every payslip that the Grosvenor Group has provided for her.
"Eh? This section..." Dalena couldn't help but say her thoughts out loud.
Even though there was distance between the two of them, Hamish sneakily looked over the papers that Dalena just put down. Upon discovering the page number and the part of the paper where Dalena was looking, Hamish knew exactly what part made Dalena surprised.
'Perhaps, I really overdid it?' Hamish mused to himself.
When he finished making the contract, he naturally asked Luke to review it but instead of doing so, Luke just shunned him and said that he trusted his abilities. In actuality, the only specific thing that Luke ordered him to put in the contract was the salary for the Young Master's nanny.
Instead of the usual salary that the Grosvenor Group indicated, Luke asked Hamish to increase the salary when offered to Dalena.
'But I think it is absolutely necessary to have that section part of the contract. It is fine, I'm sure.' Hamish further mused, trying to assure his perfectionist self.
Like what Hamish have told Luke several times before, all the nannies that George had somehow become ferocious and fell in love with him, the Duke. Based from his observations from the past nannies, it is definitely their emotions that initiated their whimsical actions to hurt George.
Especially since it the Young Master George that requested himself this time, Hamish felt the responsibility to assure that Dalena will not be like the other nannies by slyly exaggerating the penalties and matching them to her circumstances.
If Dalena were to sabotage George, Hamish could already see just how much it would hurt his Young Master.
Actually, it has been this rule that he always wanted to suggest to the Dowager Duchess, but never had to courage to do so. When the Dowager Duchess picks the nanny for the Young Master George, they are impeccable in terms of skill and background. But somehow, it all goes downhill since they have no emotional constraint.
By how much nannies have changed over the years, how could the Dowager Duchess not notice? Hamish did not dare to think anymore further.
"Is there something wrong, Miss Angeles?" Hamish asked a little coldly.
Dalena shook her head and bit her lips a little but in the end, ended up asking Hamish.
"I just thought that Rule Number Twelve of the rules for employees is a little odd. Is it really part of the contract?"
"Absolutely, Miss Angeles. In fact, it is one of the most important part of the whole thing. Employees are not allowed to have such feelings for their master."
"Oh... okay..." Dalena responded in a little voice, before reading the rest of the contract.
Dalena still couldn't help but think it was weird, but she shrugged it off anyway. For her, it might just some part of culture that only the wealthy foreigners could understand.
Besides, it's not like that rule was a threat to her anyway. She has no time or desire to look for romance, let alone romance with her boss. It's just too far-fetched. She couldn't even dare think about it, since they are of different worlds.
Dalena mindlessly read the rest of the contract and when she got to the last part, she couldn't help but be surprised once again. In fact, she even had to use her hands to cover her gasp.
"My goodness... this salary, Sir, are you really not bluffing!?" Dalena asked in a slightly louder voice.
"It is certainly legitimate, Miss." Hamish replied calmly.
Dalena still looked at the amount presented, with her hands slightly shaking.
'This is ridiculous.... With this salary, I will not only pay all my debts, but I will also be able to save more for a new life...'
***
After the meeting with Dalena Angeles and running a few more errands for the Grosvenor Group, Hamish Thompson went back to the Grosvenor Estate and was immediately called to the Duke's office.
"Did she accept it?" Luke asked in a slightly curious tone.
Hamish was a puzzled a little bit by his master's expression and tone.
"Yes, Your Grace." he calmly replied.
"Good. Is there anything else that needs to be done?"
Hamish stood up from his sit and placed the contract from earlier on Luke's desk.
"It just needs your signature, Your Grace. Since you did not review the contract beforehand, you may still review it now." Hamish advised.
Luke looked over the contract and shook his head. Instead of following Hamish and reviewing the contract, he skipped the pages until he reached the last one, where he straightforwardly signed.
"No, it is fine. It is not my scope of work to deal with her anyway, right? I will leave it all to you, Hamish."
By Luke's words, Hamish actually felt a little pressured. From all the years of knowing His Grace, he knew that Luke would meticulously read any documents, no matter how trivial it was. But for this one, he didn't even bother looking at it and just penned his precious signature!
But it's not like he could order him to do anything, right? He was just a mere employee and the person in front of him is his master.
"I understand, Your Grace."
