Cody sat opposite me as I watched him eat his pancakes.

"What do you want to do today?" I asked as I brushed his hair with my fingers.

I took him to get a haircut a few days ago and they trimmed it too short for my liking.

Cody shrugged. "The park?" He asked between mouthfuls.

"It's still covered is snow." I answered him.

"Don't know."

I hummed. "How about we get you some more crayons?" I have noticed they were getting smaller.

"Yeah!"

"Eat up and meet me in your room." I said as I left the kitchen. I got to the top of the stairs when I saw Cordie.

I was slightly surprised she was still here. This is the third morning this week she has graced this place. Usually she doesn't acknowledge me.

I went to Cody's room and went through his clothes, picking out trousers and a nice shirt and socks.

Cody came up shortly and I helped him get dressed and put his shoes on.

I knocked on the study and entered, leaving Cody on the stairs.

"Mr Black. I'm going out with Cody." I informed him and swiftly left, noticing Cordie on the sofa.

"Before you disappear though, I just want to inform you I'll be hosting a formal dinner here next Friday."

"But next Friday is my night off." I gasped.

"Well, I'm sorry, but I can't change the date of this dinner because it's your night off. You can have Saturday evening off."

"Fine." I grumbled and slammed the door and walked to Cody. "Come on buddy, let's get the most expensive crayons. They last longer." I lied as I tried not to take my anger out on Cody.

We were out for hours as I purchased some things for Cody on Mr Blacks card and some stuff for myself on my card. I bought Cody lunch and then I decided to treat him to a movie.

Lucky for me there was a baby screening on for up to five year olds of a Disney classic and paid for the tickets.

Stuff him. If I can't have Friday night off, then I'll take my sweet time with his nephew and his credit card.

****

The rest of the week was hectic for me. Between being Cody's nanny, cleaning and my own chores, I had to plan a dinner.

I rehired the same catering company and another bar attendant and some musicians. It was hard trying to get myself ready and trying to get Cody to bed but he was a persistent little tyke and followed me everywhere while I tried to keep in the kitchen.

Cody looked up at me in his paw patrol pyjamas and I sighed. "Cody, go tell your uncle that his friends will be here soon."

Cody ran to the study from the side kitchen door as I scooped him up a bowl of chocolate mint ice cream.

I placed the bowl on the small table, away from the busy staff in the kitchen as he ran back, looking scared. He ran straight into me, burying his head into my thighs.

I knew exactly what scared him. Oliver stormed in then, looking murderous.

"Why is he still up? I have a business dinner about to happen!"

I gasped at his tone used at me. "Excuse me!" I picked Cody up and placed him in the chair before grabbing Oliver's arm and dragging him out off the kitchen. "He couldn't sleep and I can't be up there coaxing him to sleep if I'm needed down here!" I snapped at him as he pulled his arm back.

"I know what I'm doing with him!"

Mr Black glared a dirty look at me. "Really?" He growled. "Because you've had no experience in being a maid, an event planner or a nanny before you came here!"

I gasped at him in shock. "How dare you!"

"Well, it's true." He shrugged angrily at me.

I undid my apron and threw it at him. "Fine. Good luck finding some one on very short notice. I quit!" I ranted as I went to the stairs.

"You can't quit!" I heard him as I stomped up the stairs. I reached the top and turned to him.

He looked desperate. Good.

"Why shouldn't I?" I challenged him.

But I didn't get a response from him. I turned and headed for my room.

"Okay. I need you here." I heard him. I stopped walking and slowly pivoted on the spot.

"Excuse me? I didn't quite hear you." I said, my eyebrows high and a hand cupping my ear.

"I need you here."

I smirked and walked to Mr Black. I snatched my apron back off him and went back down the stairs.

Ha! I thought to myself. That will teach him. It was a big risk, but it worked. I knew he wouldn't let me go in the middle of this mayhem.

I did up my apron again over my dress pants and blouse. I smiled at Cody as I went back to the kitchen.

I gave a worker walking out the back door an empty jar for his cigarette butts as I watched over everyone.

The food smelt divine. I had snacked earlier but now I felt hungry again. I watched as the entrees were getting dished out. The guests were arriving and having drinks by the bar.

I sat next to Cody and pulled up a game on my tablet. I restricted him big time on the tablet, but if it kept him out off the way tonight, so be it.

Soon, dinner was being delivered as I watched on, the cooks plating the dishes. I sat back to Cody after I peeked in to the dinning room. There were about 15 people here for dinner and I noticed Cordie was here as well, sitting on Oliver's left side. Her brown hair was pushed back tightly into a bun and I saw her laughing lightly at something being said as she placed her hand on Oliver's arm.

Her light pink dress sparkled as it sat just off her shoulders. It suited her fake tanned skin.

I went back to Cody and sat down. Cordie has been staying here a lot lately, obviously Oliver is getting serious with her.

"Hey, Cody. What do you think of Cordie?" I asked him as I pushed aside the dirty bowl.

Cody frowned as he looked at me. "I don't like her."

"But your Uncle Ollie really does." I smiled at him, trying to make the conversation lighter.

Cody pouted as he shook his head. What does he mean by that? "Cody?"

"I don't like her."

I gathered that.

"She don't play with me."

I wanted to giggle at him, he sounded so serious.

"I like you. You play with me."

I get paid to do it, I thought to myself. But that never bothered me.

"She don't like me."

"That's not true." I said, holding his hand.

"You like me, don't you?" He looked up at me with his lost blue eyes.

"Of course I do, sweetheart." I tapped the tip of his nose with my finger.

"I like you."

"But what if Cordie moves in?" I pried in to him.

Cody scrunched his nose up. "No." Was all he said. I raised my eyebrows at him. "I don't like her. I don't want her here."

I sighed. I'm regretting bringing this up. "Cody, you don't have a say sweetheart."

Cody ignored me as he stared at the screen in front of him. I could see him getting frustrated with this conversation. I decided to drop it.

"Monty."

"Yes?"

"I want you to stay forever."

"Sweetheart, you won't be three forever." I laughed.

"I'm not staying here again if she will!" He shouted.

"Okay, buddy. It's okay. She isn't!" I calmed him down, wrapping my arms around him.

"I never want you to leave. I want you to stay. I don't like her! She's not you!"

I rubbed his head and hushed him as I noticed the kitchen had gone quiet. I looked up, wondering why no one was working when I came face to face to Oliver Black.