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.

$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.

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 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 che...