- 2 days ago
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00:00The day I applied for a live-in nanny job, I deliberately made myself look ugly to scare off creeps.
00:05I wasn't about to deal with another employer's son knocking on my door in the middle of the night.
00:09Too bad, I scared off the creeps.
00:11But I didn't stop myself from walking into the wrong interview room.
00:15I had somehow barged into a temporary fiancé casting for Julian, the heir to a mafia family.
00:20The room was packed with socialites.
00:22They were busy showing off their degrees, family backgrounds, and talents.
00:26I'm Emma Carter. I have a master's in piano performance from the Royal Academy of Music.
00:33Olivia Hayes. I'm a certified tea master. I speak French, German, and Italian.
00:38Sophia Bennett. I graduated from an Ivy League business school. I took over my family's medical company last year.
00:44Julian rejected every single one.
00:45Julian, how many is this now? What the hell are you looking for in a fiancé?
00:50His friend Ethan stood beside him, looking impatient.
00:52I stood at the back of the crowd, staring at the job posting in my hand.
00:56Then I thought about my sister's sky-high medical bills.
00:58I gritted my teeth and pushed through the crowd.
01:01Every head in the room turned towards me.
01:04Where did this party girl come from?
01:07Seriously? Anyone can just walk up to Julian now?
01:09Wait, tell us what you're good at first.
01:12You really think Julian meets just anyone?
01:14You have to perform a special talent just to apply for a live-in nanny job?
01:17Then it hit me. I pulled out my phone and blasted some music.
01:21Then I threw my arms around and started doing an exaggerated fist bump.
01:24This was my grandma's legendary party move.
01:27No way Julian could resist that.
01:28This... this isn't the one I found.
01:30This one's good!
01:35Where the hell did you find her?
01:37Julian, your parents are gonna pass out if they see that rainbow hair.
01:44That's exactly what I want.
01:53What's your name?
01:54Nikki Russo.
01:56Education?
01:58I... I didn't finish... college.
02:01But I can cook, do laundry, fix pipes, and I get along great with kids and old folks.
02:07If everything looks good, sign it.
02:10Then I saw the monthly salary.
02:12One hundred thousand dollars.
02:14Hundred grand a month?
02:16No way! You're not kidding, right?
02:18I got so excited, my fake buck teeth almost flew out of my mouth.
02:21Does your tooth hurt?
02:22Born this way.
02:26Do a good job, and there's a bonus.
02:30Deal. No regret. I'll sign right now.
02:32I quickly signed my name, afraid Julian would change his mind.
02:35That same day, I moved into Julian's house with my neon pink suitcase.
02:38His house was ridiculously huge.
02:40I almost pulled out my phone to check the map.
02:43I stood in the middle of the living room and looked up at the three-story crystal shandier.
02:47Mr. Ashford, how much does this thing cost you in electricity every month?
02:51Why do you want to know?
02:53I need to do the math.
02:54This place looks expensive to run.
02:57What if my hundred grand salary gets dunked to ninety-eight grand for electricity?
03:00Then I'd be working for free!
03:02Julian was speechless.
03:04I'm not deducting it from your salary.
03:06Good.
03:07Julian's house had that kind of decor.
03:09Expensive as hell, but completely lifeless.
03:11Everything was cold.
03:12You rich people have such weird taste.
03:15Your house looks like a prison.
03:16Nika Russo, here.
03:18Your room is upstairs.
03:20Got it, boss.
03:21I grabbed my suitcase and charged upstairs.
03:23Then I lost my footing and started falling backwards.
03:26Julian caught me in the next second.
03:32Oh, by the way, Mr. Ashford, what time do you usually take a dump?
03:38I pulled a little notebook from my pocket.
03:40I need to plan the cleaning schedule.
03:44The bathroom needs some efficiency.
03:46Best to avoid using it at the same time.
03:50Do you usually go in the morning or at night?
03:52The silence was so deep.
03:54How many times a day?
03:55Any constipation?
03:57Want me to make you some prune juice?
04:01Get out.
04:04Yes, sir!
04:06Then just yell for me when you go.
04:07I'll write it down.
04:08The next morning, I got up at 5 sharp to make Julian breakfast.
04:12The kitchen was bigger than a restaurant kitchen,
04:14but the fridge only had a few bottles of water.
04:17What good is a giant house if you don't even know how to live?
04:24At 6.30, Julian came downstairs.
04:27He'd just showered.
04:28His upper body was bare, with wet hair.
04:30His face looked pale.
04:31He stopped at the dining table.
04:33What is this?
04:34Breakfast.
04:39Make me an Americano.
04:40I don't eat breakfast.
04:42You have a bad stomach and you're still drinking coffee?
04:45Who told you that?
04:46Your face.
04:48You're pale as a ghost.
04:54Either you never sleep, or your stomach's messed up.
05:01You're young, but you're already in bad shape.
05:07Bet you couldn't last a few seconds in bed either.
05:10Nicky Russo?
05:12Sit down.
05:14At least have some oatmeal.
05:20I sat across from Julian with my little notebook.
05:22Mr. Ashford had oatmeal for breakfast, bad stomach, no iced Americano, lights out before 11.
05:29Who said you could write all that down?
05:31I'm a professional.
05:37Didn't you say you never finished college?
05:40Low education doesn't mean I don't know how to care for people.
05:42Right before he left, he stood in front of the mirror, tying his tie.
05:45His tie was crooked, and he didn't even notice.
05:48Mr. Ashford, your tie is so crooked.
05:51What?
05:53Stand still.
05:54Don't move.
05:54I went up on my toes and reached for his tie.
05:57I was standing so close that I could smell the faint scent of his cologne.
06:00It actually smelled pretty good.
06:02Julian looked down at me.
06:03He stared at me for a long moment.
06:05My heart tightened.
06:06Mr. Ashford?
06:07Why are you staring at me?
06:09Again, Julian became speechless.
06:13Go make money.
06:14I've got the house.
06:16That was when Ethan arrived.
06:17He happened to see the whole thing.
06:22Julian, you two are already this close?
06:25Shut up.
06:27Is she hitting on you?
06:29Her methods are pretty crude.
06:31But she's patient.
06:33Julian's stomach attack came on a night of pouring rain.
06:36I'd already gone to bed.
06:37Then I heard something outside my door.
06:39I got up and saw him leaning against the wall, his face pale.
06:43Mr. Ashford?
06:45What's wrong?
06:46He ignored me and headed straight for the living room.
06:48I knew immediately.
06:50His stomach was acting up.
06:51I opened the medicine cabinet.
06:53Cold medicine, teen killers.
06:55Everything but stomach medicine.
06:57You don't even have stomach meds?
07:00Call my assistant.
07:03By the time they get here, you'll be dead.
07:05I grabbed my motorcycle keys and ran outside.
07:08It's raining!
07:09Even if knives were falling from the sky, I'd still go!
07:12Twenty minutes later, I came back with medicine and hot soup.
07:15Julian was sitting on the couch, looking awful.
07:17Are you crazy?
07:20You're the crazy one!
07:21Your stomach's already wrecked, and you're still drinking coffee?
07:25What, you think being born rich means your stomach's made of steel?
07:29Julian clearly wasn't used to being yelled at like that.
07:32I took out his medicine, poured him some water, and watched until he swallowed it.
07:37Then I brought him the chicken soup.
07:39I'm not hungry.
07:41Not hungry?
07:42Eat anyway!
07:43If you don't, I'll get a funnel and pour it down your throat!
07:48I fed him his medicine and took care of him until three in the morning.
07:51I glanced at Julian in bed.
07:53He was probably asleep.
07:55The woman in the mirror looked like a disaster.
07:58I quickly grabbed a makeup wipe and scrubbed everything off.
08:01Then I took out my fake buck teeth.
08:02I washed the fake teeth, wrapped them in tissue, and put them away.
08:05I'd need them again tomorrow.
08:07After washing my face, I was about to head back to my room.
08:10Then I remembered the towel on Julian's forehead still needed changing.
08:14Fine.
08:15I'd already come this far.
08:17Besides, he was asleep.
08:19I returned to the bedroom and bent down to take the towel off his forehead.
08:23I almost jumped out of my skin.
08:26His eyes slowly swept over my face.
08:29Mr. Ashford?
08:30The girl had fair skin, a delicate nose, and wide, gilted eyes.
08:34But her face was so pretty, it was hard to look away.
08:38Nikki Russo?
08:40Yeah, that's me.
08:43Crap.
08:44I forgot to put my fake teeth back in.
08:48Where are your teeth?
08:49I quickly shoved my hand behind my back, but I moved too fast.
08:53The fake buck teeth wrapped in tissue slipped from my hand.
08:56Nikki Russo?
08:58Yes, sir.
09:00Explain this.
09:03Why my buck-toothed nanny suddenly get a whole new face?
09:10Tell me.
09:11Julian set the fake buck teeth on the table.
09:15Why are you dressed up like this?
09:17To keep creeps away.
09:19Who harassed you?
09:20I ran into a guy during a job interview.
09:22It wasn't a big deal.
09:23He blocked the door and wouldn't let me leave.
09:24Then he offered me an extra two grand a month if I went to his room at night to clean.
09:27Julian's face darkened.
09:29You went?
09:30I shoved a mop in his mouth.
09:33After that, I figured shoving a mop in every creep's mouth was too much work, so I bought
09:36these.
09:37I pointed at the fake buck teeth on the table.
09:39$39.90, free shipping.
09:40They even threw in a box of freckle pens.
09:42Works like a charm.
09:43Julian didn't laugh.
09:44He held the fake teeth in his hand for a long while.
09:47His knuckles slowly turned white.
09:49If you're so afraid of men, why did you dare move into my house?
09:52Because you don't look like a creep.
09:53Why not?
09:54Your face is so pale, you look like you've got kidney problems.
09:57You probably don't have the energy.
09:58Julian looked up at me.
09:59His stare was ice cold.
10:01Keep wearing them.
10:03I froze.
10:05What?
10:06At the Ashford family's house.
10:08Keep wearing them.
10:09He put the fake teeth back on the table and pushed them toward me.
10:13No one's gonna mess with you.
10:15What if I don't want to wear them someday?
10:17Then take them off.
10:18I'll handle whatever happens outside.
10:20I stared at him for a long moment, not quite sure what to make of it.
10:23Mr. Ashford, are you going to keep this a secret for me?
10:26I just want some peace and quiet.
10:28He said coldly.
10:29If you keep shoving mops into people's mouths every day,
10:31the Ashford family will end up in the news.
10:34Oh, the weight I'd been carrying in my chest finally dropped.
10:37Thanks, then.
10:39No need.
10:39He paused before adding,
10:41I'll reimburse you the $39.90.
10:43No.
10:44Why?
10:44Because it's my own business.
10:46Julian stared at me for two seconds.
10:48Then put his phone down.
10:49Fine.
10:50The next morning,
10:51I saw Julian standing in the living room with his car keys in hand,
10:54looking ready to leave.
10:56He glanced at me.
10:58Someone's delivering something this afternoon.
11:00Take it in.
11:01That afternoon,
11:02Julian had someone deliver a formal dress to me.
11:04It was white,
11:05with pearls sewn all over the skirt.
11:08It looked ridiculously expensive.
11:10He stood at the top of the stairs.
11:11Put it on.
11:13What am I supposed to wear this for?
11:15We have somewhere to be.
11:17I had no choice but to go back to my room and change.
11:20The dress was a little too long.
11:22I held up the hem as I walked out,
11:24feeling like a fish trapped inside a mosquito net.
11:26The living room was quiet.
11:28Julian had been reading some documents.
11:30But after he looked up,
11:31he didn't turn the page for a long time.
11:33The white skirt fell around my feet.
11:36My colorful hair was still as loud as ever.
11:38But without the heavy brows and fake freckles,
11:40my face looked surprisingly clean and pretty.
11:42My eyes were bright.
11:43My nose was small.
11:45My lips had a soft, natural color.
11:46I lifted the skirt and spun around.
11:48Does it look good?
11:49Julian looked away.
11:50Change.
11:51It doesn't suit you.
11:52Why?
11:52What doesn't suit me?
11:53You look too normal.
11:54I went back to my room,
11:55put the fake bucktooth back in,
11:56and drew on the freckles.
11:57Julian looked me up and down.
11:59After a moment, he nodded.
12:00That's better.
12:01You really do like ugly girls.
12:02Shut up.
12:04Tomorrow, you're coming with me to meet my parents.
12:06If I showed up at the Ashford family home looking like this,
12:09they'd probably pass out on the spot.
12:10I pointed at myself.
12:12Me?
12:12Do live-in maids have to meet their employer's parents too?
12:15It's in the contract.
12:16You're required to attend any necessary family events with me.
12:19I nodded.
12:21No wonder it paid $100,000.
12:22Turns out, I was expected to take care of the whole family.
12:25I, Niki, always kept my word.
12:28If they wanted me to serve the whole family,
12:30I'd make sure every last one of them was happy.
12:32Before we left, I checked myself in the mirror
12:35and pushed the fake buck teeth into place.
12:37We were going to the Ashford family estate tomorrow.
12:40I couldn't afford to screw anything up.
12:43Julian stood by the door, watching me.
12:45Make sure those teeth are on properly.
12:47They are.
12:48He gave me one look and said nothing else.
12:50The Ashford family estate was even more extravagant than Julian's house.
12:55The moment I walked in, I tripped over the doorstep.
12:58I almost went down flat on my face with a jar of pickles in my arms.
13:01Julian, since when did the Ashford family's doorstep get so low?
13:06She was Julian's mother, Victoria.
13:08It's not low.
13:09I almost tripped over it just now.
13:11You should get rid of it.
13:12Old people and kids could easily fall.
13:13The smile on the woman's face froze.
13:16Julian turned his head like he was trying not to laugh.
13:18I thought he was impressed by how well I handled it.
13:21So I instantly grew more confident.
13:24I brought some pickles.
13:26I made them myself.
13:29Grandma has high blood pressure, so she shouldn't eat too much.
13:32And uncle and auntie look like they get overheated easily.
13:34They shouldn't eat too much either.
13:36It'll make it worse.
13:37Victoria's expression changed.
13:38This is an Ashford family matter.
13:40It's not for someone with weird yellow hair to interfere.
13:42My hair is not yellow.
13:43It's rainbow.
13:44You rich people eat too fancy.
13:47You're probably missing a little home-cooked warmth.
13:50Pickles are great for your appetite.
13:52They go with pretty much anything.
13:54Julian's father, George, said in a low voice.
13:56Julian, this is the woman you chose?
13:59Julian leaned back in his chair, his tone casual.
14:01Is there a problem?
14:02George's expression darkened.
14:03Just then, Julian's grandmother, Diane, tried to stand.
14:06Her legs weren't very steady.
14:08Grandma, easy.
14:09Don't push yourself.
14:10I helped Diana sit back down, but her hearing aid suddenly fell out.
14:14I picked it up and took a look.
14:16The battery wasn't making proper contact.
14:18It's a little loose.
14:19I pulled a tiny screwdriver from my bag.
14:21Everyone in the Ashford family froze.
14:23Three minutes later, I put the hearing aid back in Diana's ear.
14:26Grandma, can you hear me?
14:28I can.
14:29Good.
14:30Your hearing aid has turned up a little too loud.
14:32Don't set it that high next time.
14:33Your ears aren't speakers.
14:34Once you blow them out, they're hard to fix.
14:37You're a strange girl.
14:39But I'm right.
14:40Julian had been waiting for them to lose their temper.
14:42Instead, everyone sat there and tried to find something, anything, they could actually fault
14:47me for.
14:48The only real problem was probably my ridiculously colorful hair.
14:51But I had caught their grandmother, fixed her hearing aid, and even taken away the sugary
14:55desserts.
14:56Nikki, come sit next to Grandpa.
14:58I immediately moved over.
14:59Sure thing.
15:00Julian watched me chatting away with his grandmother.
15:02For the first time, he realized things weren't going the way he'd expected.
15:06Diane soon took me to a ladies' social gathering.
15:08I had no idea she wanted to introduce me to high society, so I'd realize I wasn't cut
15:12out for it and back off.
15:14The moment we arrived, a group of older women in evening gowns and expensive jewelry gathered
15:18around me.
15:19One of them looked me up and down.
15:21Diana, is this the girl Julian brought home?
15:24That hair, quite a statement.
15:26Another woman chimed in with a laugh.
15:28Looks like a feather duster.
15:29I heard her.
15:30I wasn't angry.
15:31I just took off my heels and went barefoot on the carpet.
15:34Everyone froze.
15:35What are you doing?
15:38These shoes are killing my feet, and you ladies are killing people with your words.
15:41All these rich family rules really wear you out.
15:44The woman's face turned bright red.
15:46Diane was holding her tea.
15:47She almost spit it out, trying not to laugh.
15:49Someone clearly wasn't convinced.
15:51She took a slow sip and said,
15:53Miss Rosso, someone like Julian isn't a man you can simply stand beside and expect to keep
15:57your footing.
15:58I was completely confused.
16:00Stand beside Mr. Ashford?
16:02Were they saying a maid shouldn't get too close to her employer?
16:04Was that against the rules?
16:06Then I can stand farther away.
16:08I'm mainly responsible for Mr. Ashford's meals and daily schedule.
16:12I don't need to follow him around all day.
16:14Unless he asks for me, I usually stay where I'm supposed to be.
16:17The woman clearly hadn't expected that answer.
16:19She didn't know what to say.
16:21Suddenly, I pulled out my phone and started playing some music.
16:24But if you ladies keep sitting around like this, your backs are going to get stiff.
16:27A group of wealthy women stared at me.
16:29I held out my hand to Diane.
16:31Grandma, come on.
16:32Let's dance.
16:33Diane refused at first.
16:35Three steps left.
16:36Three steps right.
16:37Hands up.
16:38Yes, smile.
16:39Come on.
16:39Dancing isn't a crime.
16:40A few minutes later, the elegant afternoon tea for wealthy ladies had turned into a full-on
16:45dance party.
16:47Diane was laughing so hard her face turned red.
16:50One of the older women had been looking down on us at first.
16:53But eventually, she couldn't resist joining in.
16:56How do you do this move?
16:58Just follow me.
16:59Don't be scared.
17:00Pretend you're a blooming rose.
17:02I'm 80.
17:03So what?
17:04You can still bloom at 80.
17:06That evening, Diane was still humming when she got home.
17:09Victoria looked at her in shock.
17:11Mom, why are you in such a good mood today?
17:14Diane waved her hand.
17:15Nikki made me dance.
17:17Victoria frowned.
17:18She was fooling around.
17:19Diane's expression immediately turned serious.
17:22So what if she was?
17:23I had fun.
17:24She paused, then added.
17:26And from now on, anyone who says Nikki's hair looks like a feather duster is going to
17:30have to answer to me.
17:32Julian stood at the top of the stairs without saying a word.
17:35But his eyes settled on me.
17:37For the first time, that cold look he always gave me, as if I were nothing but trouble,
17:42was gone.
17:43The Ashford family also had a little menace named Leo.
17:46He was eight, spoiled rotten, and hated by everyone except the people who doted on him.
17:50He thought he could get away with anything.
17:53After hearing some relatives call me low class, he grabbed a few bottles of washable paint.
17:58When I walked past the stairs, he suddenly dumped all of it over my head.
18:02Red.
18:03Green.
18:04Blue.
18:05I turned into a human paint palette.
18:07Everyone in the room froze.
18:09Leo!
18:10She's a freaky party girl!
18:13I wiped the paint off my face and looked up at him.
18:15Looks good, huh?
18:16He grinned proudly.
18:18Yeah.
18:19Then come get one, too.
18:19Before Leo could react, I rushed upstairs and grabbed him.
18:22Ten minutes later, he stood in front of the mirror with red, yellow, and blue curls all
18:26over his head.
18:27His eyes lit up.
18:28Cool?
18:29Cool.
18:29Badass?
18:30Badass.
18:31Perfect.
18:31Let's eat.
18:33Julian's uncle, Leon, had an old motorcycle.
18:36I heard it had belonged to their grandfather when he was young.
18:39It had broken down years ago and had been sitting in the garage ever since.
18:43No one dared touch it.
18:44One day, I went into the garage looking for some tools.
18:47The moment I saw the motorcycle, my eyes lit up.
18:51Whoa.
18:51This thing is cool.
18:53Don't touch it.
18:53I won't.
18:54I walked around it, looking it over.
18:57It's leaking oil, and there's something wrong with the engine.
19:00This needs fixing.
19:01It can't be fixed.
19:04I've had several mechanics look at it.
19:06They all said it's only good for scrap.
19:09You can fix motorcycles, too?
19:10She can probably do anything.
19:12Maybe she can even fly a plane.
19:15Does being a mechanic come with different levels now?
19:18If you can fix it, that's skill.
19:20If you can't, then you're just all talk.
19:23I spent the whole afternoon working in the garage, taking apart parts, replacing the fuel
19:28line, cleaning out the carbon buildup.
19:31When Julian came over, I was already halfway under the motorcycle, my face covered in grease.
19:35Come out.
19:36Wait.
19:36I'm missing one screw.
19:38Nikki.
19:39Quit bothering me.
19:40I'm listening to the engine.
19:47It says it still has some life left.
19:52You're hurt.
19:53At some point, I'd gotten a cut on the back of my hand.
19:55The blood had already dried.
19:57It's nothing.
19:58When I was a kid, I fell out of a tree and practically split my butt in half.
20:01Your butt is already in two hearts.
20:05What kind of thing is that to say?
20:07He ignored me and dragged me away to get the cut treated.
20:10That night, a roar suddenly came from the garage.
20:13The old motorcycle that had been silent for years had finally started.
20:17Leon stood there, his eyes turning red.
20:18He reached out and ran a hand over the handlebars, like he was touching a piece of the past.
20:23Dad used to say he'd give me this bike when I got married.
20:28Leon hasn't been this happy in years.
20:30Well then, problem solved.
20:35Don't push yourself like that again.
20:37What do you mean, push myself?
20:38I was just showing off my professional skills.
20:41Nikki.
20:43Fine.
20:43Why are you always so grumpy?
20:45He was silent for a moment.
20:47Then he suddenly reached out and wiped the grease from my cheek.
20:51His touch was gentle.
20:52I froze.
20:55So did he.
20:57Vivian came to the Ashford family estate on a Sunday afternoon.
21:00There happened to be an afternoon tea gathering at the estate, with plenty of relatives and
21:04a few close family friends.
21:06Vivian showed up in a designer suit, wearing a gentle smile.
21:09She was the woman the Ashford family had originally chosen for Julian.
21:12Beautiful.
21:13Smart.
21:14From a good family.
21:16Basically, the upgraded version of all those women from the first chapter.
21:19She carried a document folder and a tablet.
21:21She sat across from me, calmly sipping her tea.
21:25Miss Russo, I think you understand that Julian only brought you home to spite his family.
21:29I was eating pickles.
21:30Oh.
21:33You're not upset?
21:34Upset about what?
21:35You're just a tool he's using to get back at his family.
21:40Are you trying to steal my man or my job?
21:43What?
21:44Pick one.
21:45If you want Julian, go talk to him.
21:47If you want my job, we can talk about my salary.
21:49Don't dance around the point.
21:50It's giving me a headache.
21:52The smile on Vivian's face finally cracked.
21:54Julian happened to be coming downstairs and heard the last sentence.
21:58Vivian immediately put on a hurt expression.
22:00Julian, I was just trying to explain things to Miss Russo.
22:04There's nothing to explain.
22:06Vivian looked at him.
22:08George already said this marriage.
22:10I'm refusing.
22:11You're refusing?
22:12Julian, do you have any idea what this partnership between our families means?
22:17I know.
22:18Then why would you do all this for a...
22:22George's eyes swept over me.
22:24He didn't finish the sentence.
22:26But I knew what he meant.
22:29Julian's face darkened.
22:31It doesn't matter who it's for.
22:32You're just like your mother, letting your emotions cloud your judgment.
22:36The words hit like a needle.
22:38He stood there with his fists clenched tight.
22:40I saw the anger that had just flared in his eyes suddenly die down.
22:42Vivian suddenly placed the document folder on the table.
22:46Since Julian is so protective of Miss Russo, I think there are some things the Ashford family should see.
22:51She pulled out a printed photo and slid it toward me.
22:53The photo showed a young girl in a blue and white school uniform.
22:57She had fair skin, dark hair, and neat, delicate brows.
23:00Leo leaned over to take a look, then glanced up at me.
23:02Aunt Nikki, is that you?
23:04Doesn't look like me.
23:05I looked at the photo.
23:08It is.
23:10The living room fell silent.
23:13Vivian turned on her tablet.
23:14There was another photo on the screen.
23:16It was a registration photo from a domestic stuffing agency.
23:19The same face.
23:20Beside it was a short description.
23:22Nikki, college dropout, live in-house keeper.
23:25Three years ago, when I had just turned 18,
23:27I went to the agency to register for the first time.
23:30They asked me to take a photo.
23:32I was still wearing my school uniform.
23:34My hair was black, and I wasn't wearing anything else.
23:38Vivian smiled.
23:39Miss Rosso, you keep saying you're not playing games,
23:41so why did you change your face just to get close to Julian?
23:44She's been wearing those fake buck teeth
23:45and drawing on fake freckles and thick eyebrows
23:47every day since she came to the Ashford family.
23:50Victoria's cup stopped halfway to her lips.
23:53Leon looked at me, his expression complicated.
23:55Diane's hearing aid gave off a faint electronic buzz.
23:58I set down my jar of pickles and wiped my hands.
24:01My heart sank.
24:02She deliberately made herself look ugly.
24:04She deliberately afraid of to be unharassed.
24:06She wanted the Ashford family to let their guard down.
24:09Miss Russo, were you or did you just want Julian
24:11to think there was something special about you?
24:13No one in the living room said a word.
24:15Vivian.
24:17Am I wrong?
24:19Julian, she lied to you.
24:20She lied to the whole Ashford family.
24:24Vivian, I wear the fake buck teeth because looking ugly makes me feel safer.
24:29I moved into the Ashford family's house because I needed the money.
24:32After saying that, I reached into my mouth and took them out.
24:36First, I wiped off the thick lines I'd drawn over my eyebrows.
24:40Then I slowly wiped away the fake freckles.
24:43Finally, I grabbed the fake buck teeth and gently pulled them out.
24:47I placed the fake teeth on the table and looked up.
24:50Leo's mouth fell open.
24:52Victoria finally put down her cup.
24:54Leon nearly spilled his tea.
24:55Diane slowly took off her glasses and studied my face for a long moment.
24:59Julian didn't move.
25:00He didn't look surprised either.
25:02He just sat there watching me, like he'd seen this face before.
25:05Vivian's smile froze.
25:09I lied to all of you.
25:11But it wasn't for the reasons Vivian thinks.
25:13I grew up with my grandparents.
25:14I dropped out of college and started working.
25:16I've done all kinds of jobs.
25:18Waiting tables, delivering food, fixing cars, working as a housekeeper.
25:21My first live-in housekeeping job lasted three months.
25:24The homeowner was in his 40s.
25:25He had a wife and kids.
25:26In my second month, I noticed him standing by the kitchen door,
25:29watching me.
25:30It gave me chills.
25:32In my third month, his son, who was in his 20s,
25:35blocked my bedroom door at 2 in the morning and asked for my number.
25:42That night, I sat behind my door with a mop and stayed there until morning.
25:45I quit the next day.
25:47After that, I switched agencies.
25:49On the day of my next interview, I bought these from a little store downstairs.
25:52$39.90, free shipping.
25:54They even threw in a box of freckle pens.
25:57After I put them on, I went to six interviews.
26:00I got all six jobs.
26:02At the best place I worked, the grandmother told me I looked so ugly, I looked trustworthy.
26:10When I came to the Ashford family's house, I went to the wrong door.
26:13The contract was full of words.
26:15I could barely read any of it.
26:16All I recognized were the numbers.
26:18I never planned to get close to Julian.
26:21From the first day I walked through that door, all I wanted was to do my job and make some
26:26money.
26:27When I finished, my throat felt dry.
26:30Diane suddenly spoke, her voice trembling a little.
26:32Nikki, then why did you dress yourself up like this?
26:35I thought for a moment before giving her the honest answer.
26:38Because looking safe matters more than looking pretty.
26:40The living room fell so quiet that I could hear the clock ticking.
26:44Diane's eyes slowly turned red.
26:46Julian stood up.
26:47He walked over to me and draped his suit jacket over my shoulders.
26:50Then he turned to Vivian, his voice low and deliberate.
26:53Whether she wears those fake feet or not, she's still Nika.
26:56I know why she made herself look ugly better than you do.
26:58Vivian opened her mouth.
27:01As for whether she's pretty or not?
27:02Julian stepped in front of me, blocking everyone's staring eyes.
27:06That's my business.
27:08None of yours.
27:09That night, Julian walked Vivian to the door.
27:12I waited for him outside.
27:14By the time he came back, it was already completely dark.
27:19Mr. Ashford?
27:21Hmm.
27:23Was she really mad?
27:24Hmm.
27:26Then, did you mean what you said earlier?
27:29Which part?
27:30You said whether I'm pretty or not has something to do with you.
27:32I said it had nothing to do with anyone else.
27:34Oh.
27:35Mr. Ashford, thanks for today.
27:37Nikki.
27:37Hmm?
27:38Do you want to make this permanent?
27:39Julian looked at me for a moment.
27:41Then, he pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.
27:44At first, I brought you into the Ashford family to deal with my family.
27:47But later, I wanted you to stay.
27:48Not because you could pretend to be my fiancé, and not because you knew how to take care of people.
27:52It's because you're Nikki.
27:54My eyes sting.
27:56I did not answer.
27:57I just kept walking.
27:58Guess you'll have to see how I do.
28:00Julian hurried after me.
28:01I reached out and took his hand.
28:03We walked forward together, slowly.
28:05Who would have thought?
28:07A live-in housekeeper ended up finding true love, too.