Hello guys,

This story is directly inspired  by my life as an au pair in USA.

Get ready to read a story full of drama, romance, gossip and funny moments.

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2 A.M., Friday night in a penthouse, downtown Washington D.C.

The night was in full swing. Drake's last hit could be heard through large wireless speakers. Internet influencers, famous athletes and rich spoiled brats filled the luxury apartment; some were dancing or chatting and others were getting high, trying to make their night extra special.

Franziska Müller was sitting at the wet bar and drinking a beer with a sad look in her eyes. The beauty had  a long day but pulled herself together because she couldn't miss this party, or rather her beau. From the vintage emerald green dress to the new burgundy hair color, she had done her best to look sensational, unlike other times when she had worn tiny, revealing dresses just to feel desirable. This time, her only wish was to look classy just like her favorite actresses from the 1950s and, in doing so, to please her so-called boyfriend who'd been ignoring her since she stepped foot in the party.

A few meters away, Robyn and Tara, two Instagram baddies with dark hair, flawless makeup and over 500K Insta followers, had spotted Connor Hayden and Gavin Roth, the two most famous bachelors in town. With unspoken confidence, they walked towards them and started flirting. They could already imagine how many more followers they could gain if they became their girlfriends.

On the opposite side of the room, Dean Evans, Connor's acquaintance, made his way to the bar. He was not quite a party man so saying that he was out of his element wouldn't be a lie. At twenty-five, he was already working at the White House and was very committed to his job. He hadn't wanted to come tonight; however, he had seen Connor downtown the week before for the first time in three years, and he hadn't been able to refuse his invitation. The moment Dean arrived at the bar, he noticed a girl with long, red hair and sadness in her brown eyes. She looked just like a pin-up and a bit out of place. In fact, she seemed lost in her own thoughts.

"I bet one of your friends dragged you here."

Franziska turned around and frowned.

"Pardon?"

"Judging by your face, you seem sad. I bet your friend forced you to come. Where is she?" He feigned looking around. "I gotta thank her."

She smiled, shaking her head, and he carried on as he took a seat next to her.

"You aren't enjoying yourself, are you?"

"Yes, I am actually," she said sarcastically, showing him her glass.

Dean thought she had a light accent, but he wasn't sure as the music drowned out their voices, so he moved closer to her ear.

"Alright, are you new to D.C.? I've never seen you before."

"Sort of. I've been here for six months now." Franziska gestured the number with her hand.

"Six months? Where were you before?"

"In Germany. I'm an au pair."

"An au pair?"

"Yes, I'm part of an exchange program. I'm like a foreign nanny." As if most nannies were local, she wanted to add.

"Oh, I see!" he said, lifting his chin and thinking for a short moment. "I would never hire a nanny as hot as you if you asked me."

Franziska giggled like a schoolgirl as she twirled her red hair. Dean noticed that she looked around from time to time as if she were looking for someone, maybe her friends who had supposedly dragged her there.

"I'm Dean, by the way."

He shook her hand. A curly strand was covering half of his face, and he was wearing glasses so Franziska couldn't distinguish the color of his eyes. All she knew was that he made the pain in her chest less persistent.

"I'm Franziska, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too." Dean came closer again and added, "Would you like to go up to the balcony?"

"Yes, sure," she agreed a little loudly so that certain people might hear her and it seemed like someone did indeed take notice.

Dean took her hand in his as they made their way outside where the breeze welcomed them. Only a few people were on the luxurious balcony, including a short girl in very high heels who was Snapchatting the incredible view from the penthouse while a guy who seemed to be her boyfriend was on his phone. How could they not enjoy this view together? I could stay here forever. Suddenly, it reminded Franziska of how much she wished she could be with her beau right then.

"Would you like another drink?" Dean interrupted her train of thought, seeing her almost empty glass.

"Sure, some sparkling water, please."

"I'll be right back."

As he edged his way through the crowd, Franziska looked back at the building, wrapping her arms around herself to warm up. Dean was a very cute guy in a shy, nerdy kind of way and under other circumstances, she would have already had a crush on him, even after all the horrible experiences she had had in the past. Yet, no matter which country she lived in, her heart always found itself attracted to the same kind of guy. A sharp soreness threatened to show up at the thought. How could she not feel vulnerable when her supposed boyfriend had been ignoring her the whole night? What in the world could she have done to make him react that way? Just the day before they were deeply in love, and only a week ago he had told her he wanted to make things official. As a matter of fact, he was supposed to introduce her as his girlfriend tonight. Maybe you're not good enough, a small voice suggested in the back of her mind.

"Hey, babe."

That voice, those hands around her waist ... Franziska turned to see Connor. She knew it! Seeing her with someone else always made him want to give her the attention she needed.