my mouth dropped open in disbelief, struggling

Is this a mansi

sparkling silver-white, with a beautif

in the compound-both filled with classic cars. That wa

than my dad's house. It was said that the Phoenix Mansion was the third most expensive property in the country, and i

re in awe when a boy app

he asked. I nodded, curi

e about you," he said warmly, taking my bag from

d I figured he was probably staff si

barely had time to absorb the beauty around m

g me. She wore denim shorts and a

I told her, smiling. The boy

ctually had two staircases, one

the right staircase. She wore a chic black dress and a pair of striking blue he

Carter," I greeted,

start training tomorrow." She glanced at her watch. "I'm headed out for a business trip now, and I have a flight to catch later tonight. But we'd

e chocolates, Mom!" Madison called

ft voice behind me and turned to see a you

eplied, trying t

. I hope yours will be different. Anyway, I'm Marcus,

th a smile, shaking his

ow me, please," he s

se and emerged in a larg

ually, "but Mrs. Carter says you're family now a

the room he opened. As we

ng to be my room

m here," Madison said, taking charge.

ra. At least there's a 40% chan

d. It seemed Zane would be the

ith your new babysitter. Don't g

on replied, and he st

new room, Nora?" she asked, h

ove it!" I replied

ther isn't home,

he'll be

you're getting

ll be a nice surprise when he

it to him yet? What would his

room!" Madison said eagerly, taking

he right staircase, and I followed. Wow! It

was her room with all the toys scattered around.

ora!" she said, spr

tiful!" I said, n

ng room, and I gasped. How could a ki

really spo

orite outfits, shoes, bags, and

r room to show me around. Wh

om," she said, pointing

Zane's room?"

e replied

m is that cl

ption that read "Loverboy.

st of the house," she said, grabbing m

troduced me to the rooms of the remaining three m

wimming pools, a beautifully maintained garden, a leisure

u, Madison?" I

ghed. She probably wouldn't u

rned more about her. She was in preschool,

the decor. Pictures of the Phoenix Four graced the walls, and

g filled the air, and I turned

have a dog

tinctively stepped back, feeling a b

adison jumped

The puppy stopped in front of her, tail wagging as she

oaxed. Suddenly, it barked loudly at her, causing

eisty. Just like his ow

belong to?"

ly one he's friendly with is Zane. It's so annoying

e a song?" she asked sweetly, her

on, I... I k

pted, giving me a pout

f cars driving in, and she rush

x Four are back! Zane's back!

up, my he

our are here! What's

de, Nora," Madison suggeste

hide all the time?" I

e might be really mad when he sees

ing things worse. Does she th

just then, the door swung open, revealin

This is real

heir signature hoodies, wi

he moment the

began but didn't f

e?" Evan questioned

y speechless, my hear

sunglasses and gave me a

here?" he demanded, and I fel

,

ed to Madison. Just mayb