Kathleen cleared her throat. This was an odd question, and it was not a conversation she had ever imagined having with her employer.
"Well, I don't know you well enough to know if I like you or not. But I'd like to know why you chose me," Kathleen said, making Pete's lips twitch with laughter.
She must truly be a decent girl for her not to be proclaiming her undying love to him, as most desperate Lagos babes would have done had they been in her shoes.
"I didn't choose you. Clara actually recommended you," Pete said as he watched her thoughtfully, waiting to see her reaction.
"Your secretary recommended me? Why?" Kathleen asked in surprise.
Was it possible that a single lady like Clara would recommend her to be their boss' baby mama or wife when almost all the single ladies in the company were vying for that position?
"She says you're the most qualified," Pete said with a shrug.
He knew he should answer all her questions at once, but he wanted to enjoy messing with her some more. This was the most fun thing he had done all day, and he didn't want it to end too quickly.
"What am I most qualified for?" Kathleen asked, looking at him in confusion.
"That brings us back to my question: Do you like kids?" he asked again, raising a brow.
"Yes, I do."
"How well do you get along with them?" Pete asked again, making it clear to Kathleen that he was probably talking about his daughter.
Was he going to make her his daughter's new mother? Was this the answer to her prayer?
"I practically raised my younger ones myself, and they were pretty stubborn. If I could get along with those two, then I'm pretty sure I can get along with any other kid," Kathleen said in a confident manner, which greatly impressed Pete.
"Okay. I want you to be my daughter's part-time babysitter. I hope the fact that you don't know whether or not you like me won't affect your decision?" he asked, trying not to laugh when he saw the embarrassment on her face.
"I'm sorry... I assumed..."
"That I wanted you to be my baby mama or to marry me," Pete finished for her, making her feel even more embarrassed than she already felt.
What was wrong with her? What had she been thinking? It was Sharon's fault.
"I'm sorry for running my mouth and jumping to conclusions," Kathleen said, unable to meet his eyes.
She raised her head to look at him when it occurred to her that he had actually been making fun of her, "If you knew it was a misunderstanding..."
"I should have stopped you? Nah. It's fine. So will you do it? I'm not asking you to quit your job, but being the boss, I'll be able to let you off work when I need you to help me take care of her," Pete explained.
"Why not hire professional babysitters? There are companies that render such services," Kathleen pointed out to him.
"I don't need a professional. Besides, she likes you, so it makes things much easier," Pete said with a shrug.
Kathleen considered it only for a minute before asking, "How much are you paying?"
The money was more important than any other thing. If he didn't want a professional, that was his business. She needed the extra money and less office hours.
How difficult could taking care of a child that age be?
Pete was slightly taken aback by her question, "I'll pay you fifty thousand naira monthly, but you should also know it won't be so easy, and you might also have to spend the night with her in my absence or travel with us if it comes to that," Pete added.
Kathleen thought about it for a moment. This was what she had been thinking about before Clara's call came in. She had wanted a change in her usual routine, and this might just be the change she needed, but what about putting herself out?
How was she going to ever get married if she did this? She was currently earning eighty thousand naira, and the fifty thousand naira would go a long way in settling some of her financial commitments.
"Is there a problem?" Pete asked when he saw the worry lines on her forehead.
He liked that she had a very expressive face.
"No. Why don't I think about it and get back to you before the end of the week?" She asked in a pleading tone.
"If you can't do it, it's absolutely okay. I could always get someone else..."
"Fine. I'll do it," Kathleen decided. She didn't want to lose that extra money. And who knows? Maybe her prince charming could be among his circle of friends or family.