Episode 26: Nanny Kim

Her eyes were still shut as she soaked in the warmth of the covers before opening them. Emily was fully awake and there was no denying it. She stole a glance at the other side of the bed and found it empty.

Slowly and reluctantly, she dragged her feet off the bed. Swallowing hard, the little woman clutched her hand to her chest, hoping her heart would stop racing.

Had she been imagining it last night?

Emily could have sworn Nicholas had come home and held her whilst she had slept.

The house was quiet as she tentatively walked down the stairs.

She heard the sound of soft and timed footsteps walk over to her. As the girl who wasn't fully awake got to the bottom of the stairs, she saw a matronly asian woman standing there with a soft smile on her face.

"Good morning, Mrs. King. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Karen Kim. However, your husband calls me Nanny Kim, so I'd have no problem if you prefer to call me that as well."

"Hi? U-uh...it's nice to meet you too. I'm Emily. Well, I guess you already know that. You can call me that though instead of um...Mrs. King if you'd like."

"Okay, Mrs. King."

Emily looked at her helplessly. "Um...okay..."

"Before Mr. King left the house, he mandated that I should prepare whatever meets your taste. I would truly appreciate if you could compile a list of your favourite products, so that I can get them for you if they're already not here."

Emily waved her hand at her, surprised by what she had said.

"Oh no! You don't have to do such things. I'm fine with whatever you have."

Emily guessed housekeepers and maids everywhere were trained in similar means.

Just like how the ones at her old home had made her feel pressured by their dedication towards her, this woman was displaying a matching demeanor.

Her eyes were unwavering and polite smile making her feel guilty for some reason.

"Nonsense! It is within my duty to do this much. I will leave shortly after breakfast, so make sure to write your list before I do..."

She looked straight at Emily in the eyes. "However, I don't know what you like to eat, therefore I made a western breakfast with pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs (sunny side up) and toast. Also the regular morning oatmeal and my specialty, fried dumplings. What would you like to have?"

Emily's stomach began its protests at her extensive and animated speech about her food choices.

"May I have a little bit of everything, please? I'm absolutely famished. Thank you."

Nanny Kim nodded her head as she happily walked toward the kitchen.

Nicholas had already left.

Was that why he had instructed the nanny to attend to her while he wasn't in her presence?

A warm fuzzy feeling touched Emily's heart.

She shook her head to get rid of it.

This was no time for lovesickness to catch ahold of her.

Lovesickness? She jolted at the choice of words by her subconscious.

"Mrs. King, I took the initiative to make you some coffee per your husband's request. If you prefer something else I can replace it."

"I love coffee. Thank you."

Nanny Kim retreated back to the kitchen as her thoughts were running at a million miles per second.

She had seen news in various magazines and newspapers of Nicholas King rumored to be with countless models, actresses and singers, but she had never seen Emily Pinault in any of them.

Also, this is the very first time that he brought home any woman back to his place. In all the five years that she had worked for him, never once had she caught sight of any woman here.

Much less, that they had secretly tied the knot without even her presence in his life being known!

What was it about this young lady that had captivated the heart of my boss? Karen Kim thought as her eyes lingered back to the living room.

She didn't know if this was what she was expecting when Mr. King had casually mentioned about his wife who was now residing here, but she was pleasantly surprised by his attentive demeanor.

He told her what he thought Emily would like for breakfast, with the mention of her favourite coffee, as well as how she liked to have her personal space protected. So, Karen should keep that in mind as she worked around Emily during the days to come.

All the while he recited these, his eyes shined with a foreign but lovely emotion.

Karen Kim was simply astounded by Emily upon meeting her.

Not only was she very beautiful, but she didn't have a bad air about her - everything about her screamed nice.

She seemed down-to-earth, friendly, and genuine.

Karen was afraid that she would've been difficult to deal with - spoiled and positively demanding - but now she felt relieved that the reality of it wasn't like what she had anticipated.

She was also very pleased that Mr. King now had someone to share this big place with.

It was beginning to grow a little lonesome inside here.

As a lady who had attended to him for years, she would find her heart breaking for the workaholic man that never seemed to make time for anyone in his life.

A woman's company was almost necessary for a man of his stature.

It should be universally accepted that a successful man required a patient and supportive wife beside him.

What a relief it was to see that Mr. King had been granted such a blessing wrapped around a gorgeous woman.

Nanny Kim had invited Emily into the kitchen when she had everything prepared to perfection. The table was blessed with an array of various, delicious food and the smell of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air. Inside the space had a very delectable aroma - food heaven. Emily gave the helpful woman a grateful smile as she took a seat, and after saying a prayer, her hands were attacking the food before her.

The piece of toast covered in creamy butter melted in her mouth and she moaned in appreciation.

The thumbs up she gave Nanny Kim had her face breaking out in a smile, her seemingly professional mask cracking in the second.

"Oh my God! This is amazing! Are you sure you're not a world famous chef or something?"

She smiled, a pink tinge reaching the side of her neck. "I actually attended one of the most renowned culinary arts schools in the country."

Emily gasped.

"You're kidding."

She shook her head.

Emily gazed down at the simple yet delectable breakfast before her. She knew there was something far too classy in its amateur recipe - the preparation had meticulous attention as well.

It was crazy to think someone as talented as her was spending her time as a nanny.

"Then why are you serving as Nicholas' help?"

Emily hoped it hadn't sounded as offensive as it had the possibility of doing.

The question was one out of pure curiosity. She really couldn't wrap her head around it.

The senior woman only smiled, her teeth were not quite perfect but it still had a sweet affect as her eyes lit up.

"Because Mr. King pays me millions of dollars. What more could I ask for?"

Emily's fork fell to the floor.

Nanny Kim was full out laughing this time around as she bent down to retrieve the utensil. She was trying her hardest to calm down as she walked past the stunned girl to replace it with a clean one.

"Thank you." Emily whispered, her face still displaying her shock.

"You can wipe that look of surprise off your face, Mrs. King. I was only 'kidding' as you say, when I made that comment about my salary. Though it is indeed more than satisfactory, it isn't the main reason why I choose this field of work."

Emily didn't know that she was holding her breath before she felt herself exhale deeply.

"Then what's the reason?" She inquired about her career choice. "If you don't mind me asking."

Nanny Kim shook her head.

"I don't mind at all." As she spoke, her tongue gave off the hint of an accent and Emily began to wonder where she originated from.

"I am indeed a well educated and skilled individual. I went to an elite school in my hometown in South Korea until I got an offer in Paris and decided to study there full time. When I was done, I worked as a restaurant manager for quite some time, nine years, before I came to America for a new environment. I decided to further my studies. While I was here, I lived with my little brother. There is a big age gap between us - by eighteen years. He was under my custody when our parents passed away in a tragic fire back in Busan."

"Oh my, I'm so sorry to hear that. My condolences."

The senior woman barely reacted, but she was grateful for Emily's manners.

"Thank you."

"It must have been hard without your parents." She commented, feeling the words resonate with herself.

"It was." Nanny Kim agreed.

"However, I had made a career for myself in this country and I had enough money to pay the bills while ensuring my brother could be spoiled. I guess it wasn't enough for him because he was mixed up with the wrong people..."

Emily felt that this story was headed into an unfavourable direction.

"He was in dealings with a bad group of people; some of whom were even drug dealers. One day, I had gone to look for him and found him at a club. To my surprise, he was being manhandled by some thugs in the alley. I tried to get them to leave him alone but all they did was attempt to take advantage of me. My little brother got angrier as they would ridicule us about our ethnicity while getting touchy, especially with me."

The anger Emily was feeling reflected on her face as it grew redder and redder.

Lowlife scums of the earth, she thought in disgust.

"After about fifteen minutes of being shoved around, I had had enough and slapped who seemed to be their leader. He returned the favour. My brother couldn't take it anymore and grabbed for the knife out of one of the three men's hand and aimed it at him. He had missed. Before I knew it my brother was the one at the knife's mercy - at the other end of it. And, in a split second, he was stabbed by that wicked man."

Emily gasped in horror. "Did he..."

"No." She shook her head.

The little woman sighed.

"It was all thanks to Mr. King."

Emily's eyebrows flew up in surprise.

"Nicholas?"

Nanny Kim nodded adamantly.

"He was the one who stumbled upon us. It just so happened that he had two bodyguards with him who beat the men that harassed us to a pulp. He made sure that my brother was brought to the hospital and his wound was treated immediately. The doctors said he was lucky because the stab was deep and if we had been any later...let's just say I owe Mr. King and decided that I would work for him for as long as I live in order to repay that debt."

"And he just let you?"

"Of course not," Nanny Kim showed her annoyance for the first time. "Till this day he still tries to make me leave and says I'm wasting away my final days here with him. However, if it wasn't without him, I wouldn't have my little brother in my life right now. He's the only family I have left. Without him, my life would have been meaningless. It's within my teachings that I stay by Mr. King's side and ensure that his life is easier in whatever way I can."

"Wow."

Emily was absolutely speechless by her outlook on life.

If only the rest of the world saw things like she had, it would definitely not be plagued by the corruption that it was now.

"So, you're Nicholas'...nanny as result?"

"Yes." She nodded.

"Isn't he a bit too old for a nanny though?"

She shot me an exasperated look.

"That's what I said."

"Then..."

"However, he doesn't quite like the term 'maid', well maybe it's just in my case. I don't know if he felt like he was degrading my achievements or me as a human being, but he decided he would call me 'Nanny Kim' instead. A sign of his respect, I suppose."

Warmth.

It spreaded across her heart at what she had heard from the woman before her.

How much more considerate could Nicholas be?

Emily wondered if he was like this with everyone around him.

She doubted it with how guarded he tried not to appear in Talia's company yesterday.

He wasn't someone to open up to another person easily.

They had known each other for over two months now. Emily knew she had never felt the feelings that she did for him, not even with Jake, and it seemed to be the case for Nicholas too.

He was soft for her.

With his personality, it should have taken longer for him to open up to her.

She started to wonder what it was that made him accept her so quickly inside his life and heart.

Had she really been that charming?

Emily knew it had to be a much deeper reason than the one she had taken on the surface of things.

Whatever it was, she was thankful this kindhearted man fallen from the skies and into her arms.

She couldn't imagine doing this entire matrimonial thing with anyone else.

He seemed to really care.

The woman saw it in the way he stared.

Nicholas wanted to save her from the ruins of her past relationships while making sure there was a clean slate for their own.

Could she ask for anything more than the great effort he was showing now?

Emily smiled at how lucky she was.

She couldn't wait to unravel the other layers of Nicholas she had never seen before.

Albeit, some of them may be not what she will gladly accept, but Emily hoped those will be overshadowed by his greater qualities.

Just like the ones that he had shown Nanny Kim.

"There's no need for you to have that concerned look on your face."

"What look?"

"Like you're worried about if this is what I actually want to do."

"Is it obvious?"

"Very."

Emily chuckled.

"Sorry...I just- there's a part of me that can understand where Nicholas is coming from in not wanting you to waste away your talents."

"I'm fifty-seven years old. There's no wasting away when I've done all that I've wanted to do when I was younger. If it makes you feel any better, I co-own a five-star restaurant in California. So, let's say I have another major priority in my life. I visit there from time to time when I'm not helping Nicholas or watching over my sibling."

"That's quite reassuring, actually."

She smiled.

"As much as I adore Nicholas, it wouldn't be wise nor acceptable of me to plan my entire life with him being the centre piece. He was bound to get a precious wife like you to cater to him one day, and all the rest of days of his life, wasn't he?"

Blushing, Emily swatted her comment away as if it was an intolerable fly in her face.

"Don't be silly. Just because I'm apart of Nicholas' life that doesn't mean he needs you any less."

"On the contrary, that's exactly what it means, Mrs. King." She looked at the naive little wife meaningfully.

Emily looked at her, still not quite understanding her sentiments.

Nanny Kim's mouth gifted her with a smile.

"It's a relief though. I always hoped for him to have a perfect wife like you."

Emily's lips parted at the surprise she felt from her earnest words. She clamped them down as she swallowed harshly.

"Thank you." She blew out, absolutely stunned.

"It's a pleasure."

Nanny Kim walked around the table before she poured some coffee in her mug.

Emily flashed her a grateful smile and she got a feeling that they were going to get along quite well.