"This job's definitely for you, Kase."

     Theresa was trying to tell Kasey about the babysitting for half an hour now, but Kasey wasn't convinced at all. Firstly, she had no experience in babysitting and secondly, it was a night shift. What kind of parents left their baby alone at night? Theresa was Kasey's childhood friend and Matt, her brother, was the one who told her about the job.

     "And how's that?" Kasey scoffed, her gaze on her book. "I have zero experience with babies."

     "That's not true, didn't you take care of your brother?"

       Looking at her friend, Kasey rolled her eyes. "I was just eleven, Tess. Believe me, I just cuddled him and sometimes, fed. Mom handled most of the hard stuff like changing the diaper. But seriously," she sighed, "I'm not qualified for this job."

      Grabbing Kasey's book from her hands, Tess put it aside and forced her friend to look at her. "You've been looking for a job since forever and this is a night shift. Just as you want. And you'll not be a bartender or anything, just a babysitter. Besides that, babies sleep at night, Kase, how hard can it be to handle him?" Kasey didn't say anything, folding her arms together. She wasn't sure at all about it but the more Tess talked the more convinced she was getting. "Also, that's Matt's best friend's baby. I know him so well—he's cool and nice. Also, he'll be gone during the time and you'll have the house to yourself."

      "What about the mother?"

      "Uh, she probably works, too. I have no idea. Matt said you'd be alone all night."

     How hard can it be? Kasey thought. It was just a baby and he'd probably sleep during her shift. The wage was also tempting, and she'd have two days off. She could even take her coursework there and do it while the boy was asleep. Suddenly the idea seemed brilliant. She really needed a job and the safest one was this among all the ones she considered.

Tess was eyeing her friend with hopeful eyes. She knew how much she needed a job because she needed to support her family ever since their company went bankrupt, and knowing Matt and Jian, she knew this job was perfect for Kasey.

"I think you know the father. He graduated with Matt and you must have seen him around when you came over." Kasey looked at her. "Jian. Jian Li."

Kasey sort of remembered his face. They graduated last year, and she went to the ceremony with Tess. She remembered the girl who claimed she was pregnant with his child and that scandal was something that'd always be craved in her and many more people's minds. Sadly, that was the only thing that came up when she heard Jian Li. Well, she also knew he was successful and handsome. And Tess' crush when they first started college.

"I know what you're thinking," Tess murmured. "But Matt says Jian's changed a lot. Besides that, he's now a father." And taken, Kasey thought. Not that she minded if he was single either. She would take care of herself.

"I don't care about him at all," Kasey replied. "My shift ends when he comes home, right? When exactly?"

A side of Tess' lips curled with happiness. "So, since you say my shift, you want it!" Kasey rolled her eyes again. "Here's the address," she handed to Kasey, "and you can ask your further questions there."

"When do I need to be there?"

Tess checked her phone. "Right now."

"Right now?"

"Yeah," she replied, "I didn't think convincing you would take this much. I told them you'd be there at three. Don't worry though, it's close and I'll drop you."

Tess left no time to Kasey to get prepared properly and look like she was actually looking for a job. She managed to put on some of Theresa's makeup tools before she shoved Kasey out of her room. While they were leaving, Matt entered in and greeted them with a smile. "Hello, Kasey."

"Hey Matt," Kasey said, breathless due to her friend's hurry.

"Bye Matt," Tess added, while she was wearing her shoes, leaned against the wall.

"Where you guys off to?"

"Jian's house."

His eyebrows knitted together before he put two and two. "Oh, you accept the job?" He asked directly to Kasey.

"Yeah," Kasey said, walking out of their house. "It's a good offer."

"It is," Matt confirmed her. "Wait," he added, while they were heading off to Tess' car. "I can drop you off—and it'd be a better impression since I'm Jian's friend." That's smart, Kasey thought. Tess didn't talk against it either so seconds later, they were walking to his car instead.

Matt was always there since Kasey'd ever known Tess and there had been a small period time where she liked him, but initially because of Theresa's demands about how they should be sisters-in-law. Her dream died down when Kasey started to date someone when they were sophomores. It'd been more than a year but Tess never approved of her boyfriend, Henry.

She sat on the back while Theresa settled down beside her brother. Matt's car was more comfortable than Theresa's since as far as Kasey knew, he worked at a really successful company. Their family wasn't so loaded but they were above average, too. "Matt, how old's the baby?"

Matt's eyes met Kasey's through rearview mirror briefly, and he said, "13 months."

One year old. Kasey assumed he'd be much younger so a smile uncontrollably plastered on her face with the thought. "Nice," she beamed, slumping into the seat more. "And when do the parents come home? How long do I need to stay?"

"Around five AM," he replied. "Is it a problem for you?"

"No," she said smilingly. "I can handle it." Then, her phone vibrated in her pocket. Taking it out, she saw Henry was calling her. "Hi," she said when she replied. Theresa glanced at her friend through the mirror and grimaced when she realized that was Henry calling.

"Hello babe," Henry said. "What's up?"

"Going to a job interview, you?"

Henry was two years older than Kasey so already a graduate. "Working. It's really busy today but I think I'll be free in the evening. Up for dinner? I missed you."

"Sounds great," Kasey said. "See you."

"Was that Henry?" Tess asked when she ended the call. Kasey just nodded because she knew Tess wasn't asking for confirmation but to let out an insult. This hatred actually started when Kasey told Tess about Henry's rush. Although Kasey was explaining to him how they should take it slower, Henry was always finding a way to convince her not to. As their relationship developed, it started to become less pushy but Tess lost her faith in Henry since then. Kasey sometimes thought it was her fault to tell it to her best friend in the first place but she couldn't change it now.

They arrived at Jian's house in less than five minutes. He lives really closeby, Kasey thought when she hopped off from Matt's car. The house had a cute garden, surrounded by colorful flowers, dominantly roses, and that definitely had a woman's touch. They followed Matt through the porch and waited as he knocked on the door and shot a comforting smile at them.

Although it wasn't a serious job interview, Kasey was still nervous. She actually considered this a very unthoughtful decision, and she didn't even let her parents know beforehand. It was all Tess' fault though. With her convincing skills, she had Kasey wrapped around her finger less than an hour.

Eventually, the door opened and an old woman emerged. Kasey was pretty sure she wouldn't be the baby's mother, probably the grandmother. "Hello," she greeted them with a warm tone and hugged Matt. Judging by her look, Kasey was confused because Jian Li was Chinese but this woman didn't look Asian at all. Then, it dawned on her that she might be the mother's mother.

"Hi," she said, while stepping inside, and examined the house. Unlike the garden, this house was definitely less womanly. It was simplistic, decorated with less furniture and with dull colors. The woman ushered them into the living room, which was the largest room in the house, and asked them to sit down before she disappeared inside.

Tess and Matt sat together on a large couch and Kasey preferred to sit alone on an armchair. "She's Carl's grandmother," Matt informed them, as the woman was inside. Carl is the baby, Kasey immediately noted. "She looks after the baby, but since she's really old and tired, Jian looks for a babysitter." His eyes darted on Kasey. "Speaking of that, are you experienced, Kasey?"

"Are you the interviewer?" Tess cut them off before Kasey would form a sentence. "Why don't you just leave now? Thanks for taking us but I don't see why you're still here."

"Slow down," Matt said with a low chuckle. "I'm with you, guys. I want Kasey to take this job as well." He sighed, looking at his little sister. "I was just asking, it's not like Jian is looking for someone so qualified. Carl isn't a difficult baby; he usually sleeps at nights anyway."

"Why are the parents absent at nights?" Kasey asked, instead of keeping the question to herself. She always did that; voiced her opinion before she could calculate it and decide if it was to be said.

"Didn't you tell her?" Matt asked Tess, frowning. Turning back to Kasey, he said, "Jian is a bartender."

Meanwhile, the old woman returned with three cups of coffee and some biscuits. She set the tray down on the table and handed them their cups. They all murmured thank you while the woman sat across Kasey and smiled as if she knew why Kasey was here. Then, she remembered Matt may have let her know beforehand. "So, you're the babysitter," she told Kasey. "Why do you want this job?"

She could give her a sophisticated answer. She'd tell her how experienced she was or how much she loved babies. But they wouldn't be true, and Kasey wasn't good at lying. So she went with the real reason. "I need money." She realized that sounded really desperate so she added, "I also love babies—and since it's a night shift, it really works for me."

"Do you know how to take care of a baby?"

Again, instead of polished words, she said, "I'm a fast learner."

This made the woman laugh. She took a glimpse of Tess and Matt and they were both smiling at her, too. She hoped she was on the right track, and since Tess or Matt didn't interrupt, she assumed so. "Carl has fixed meals, and he usually sleeps at night. He's too energetic though, so you have to make an extra effort to entertain him. He likes to play games and he can walk. But still, you have to be careful. Keep him away from plugs because he likes them a bit too much."

Kasey, meanwhile, was trying to keep all of these in her mind and thinking if it would be too rude to take out her phone and take notes instead. She nodded when the woman paused. "Are you sure you can keep these all in mind?" The woman asked with a smile.

"Don't worry, ma'am," Tess interrupted, "I took notes and will remind her." Then, she winked at her friend when they exchanged a glance.

"Nice. This seems all so far," the woman replied. "This is my number," she said after scrabbling it on a paper. She handed it over and smiled. "Call me if you need anything."

This escalated so quickly for Kasey though. Was she taken now? She didn't even need to fight for it. "Wait, so, I'm hired?" A laugh was her reply. "Gosh, I'm hired." She got up from her seat and hugged the woman. "Thank you so much."

She didn't realize it was a bit too informal until Matt cleared his throat behind her. She retreated quickly, flashing an apologetic smile, but the woman looked amused at her behavior. "Let me show you, Carl," she said. Kasey followed her through another room. She opened the door slowly, and they entered in.

The baby was sleeping in the bed. Kasey smiled at the sight of him, at how peaceful he looked while sleeping. The woman looked back at her and smiled as well. He was really cute, and from what she remembered, he looked like his father. Before they left the room, the woman stole another glance from her grandson.

"Do you feel ready?" She whispered when they left the room.

"Yes," Kasey replied. She really did.

"By the way, Jian is normally at home till six, but today he had things to do."

The woman led her back to the living room and Tess and Matt were already on their feet by then. "I sent you the notes on Whatsapp," Tess told her. "I know I'm a lifesaver. You can repay me by introducing me to a cute guy." Matt coughed, which indicated he heard the conversation over. Rolling her eyes, she muttered, "Or whatever."

Spinning around, Kasey noticed the woman watching them against the doorframe with a smile. "When do I start?" She asked. She was really eager to start. She remembered she also had to inform her parents, but she thought they wouldn't really mind since they knew she was looking for a job.

"Now."