The upper east side of Manhattan, New York, everyone thinks they know what it's all about thanks to gossip girl or any other Hollywood production based on the elite life of this part of the city. Let me tell you it's nothing like that.

It's worse.

My mother, is one of the perfect examples on how the Upper East Side women lead their lives as a daughter, wife and mother. Perfect, blonde straight hair that was pushed back in a bun to show her pale blue eyes. She was beautiful, smart, and confident and had a rich husband. Ask her anything about anyone she'll tell you but not the whole story. She always loved how her fellow gossip buddies would beg her to tell more but she wouldn't budge till she felt like it.

She had told me, "It's like wine. You should savor the taste of every drop. If you gulped it all down at once you don't get to enjoy it and neither do you have any class..."

Gossip to her was how chocolate was to me. A sinful pleasure.

Speaking of sins, my parents always had an on and off relationship since high school and even throughout their lives. You would think that after having me my parents would settle down with each other and become serious.

Again, you're wrong.

My father is quite an influential and powerful man but he played an even smaller role in my life than my mother. What both found attractive in each other was a mystery to me especially after all the times they've failed staying together.

It's also amusing to say that they can't stay away from each other. They had both dated many people when they weren't together. My father was also engaged once, a mistake he committed with another women like he did with my mother. The only difference was he actually got married to my mother. His fiancé, had caught my parents sneaking around a day before the wedding.

I'm not going to go into my parents lives now because it's a never ending story.

When I was thirteen, my mother decided to give me a sibling. I think for the first time ever she had done something unplanned and was very happy. Nine months later, my father could not have been happier when my mother gave him a son.

My brother, Victor, looked a lot like my father since the day he was born. You could only tell he was my mother's child because of his blonde, straight hair instead of dark curls like my father.

I was sent away to boarding school the same year. I couldn't say I was happy about it-I had accepted it. Everything had been planned on my birth and nothing -not even the birth of a baby brother-could change it.

I was back now, four years later to the place I call home. I had spent all my holidays at my grandmothers and sometime the whole family would go on an occasional holiday that is if my parents were together.

I took a deep breath as I walked towards the driver, leaving the airport and ignoring the stares I was getting from the on lookers who somehow recognized me as Brad Starlings daughter.

The character I had not played in years had come back to me as I walked through the apartment lobby as the staff greeted me and looked like they'd kiss the ground I'd walk on. Maybe mother was right, perhaps how to behave in society as the elite was in built, flowed in our blood and what not.

I was confident as I walked inside our penthouse and saw my parents having their dinner quietly. I was smiling when my brother ran towards, hugging me knees and making me lug him to the dining table.

"I hope your journey was fine, Vera." My father stated.

"Fine, sir." I said. He nodded his head without looking up at me once. I was used to him not giving me attention. At first of course, like every child I craved it, but now I didn't expect it. My mother smiled at me timidly.

Victor was quite throughout the meal but I could see he was fidgeting and I knew it was because he couldn't wait to shoot his questions at me. The only reason Victor could ever be quite at home was when my father was nearby.

"Vera, your friends would like to meet you tomorrow evening and on your behalf I've agreed." My mother informed me as I tucked Vic in his bed.

I closed my eyes as I lay on my bed. My old room was just how I had left it which was quite surprising since my mother renovated the house almost every six months. I waited for slumber and the only thing that rung in my head was; I'm home.

Vic had some activity classes in the morning till late afternoon. The poor kid had school even in holidays but nothing that I couldn't relate too. I had decided to drop him to place and on the way he told me all about the different nannies he suffered through, how much he missed me and why I hadn't attended his birthday.

How do you tell a four year old the reason you couldn't attend his birthday? I wanted to be there and I would have but before I could ask my parents they told me that under no circumstances will I be missing school because I had exams next month.

Vic didn't have any nanny and I was quite happy. Probably my mother thought there was no point in getting a nanny when I was there. I quickly headed home and opened my closet. As expected my mother had got me a new wardrobe. I picked up a white strapless cotton dress that ended a few inches above my knees and paired it up with black ankle boots and a black beads long necklace.

When you were meeting up with the elite teenagers of New York it was a must to look good because you might be in the tabloids next day. Since, there was no party for my arrival I was sure there was going to be gossip.

I walked myself into Courtney's lounge where mostly everyone drank or smoked. Courtney grazed her cheek against mine and kissed the air and so did my friends Anne and Lisa. Courtney had pitch black hair that was pinned back. Anne and Lisa being twins had dark red hair and not a single feature could differ them apart.

Matt, Lewis, Jason and Adrian also hugged me. They had really turned out handsome but I'm not surprised.

"So, how'd you end up back here, Vera?" Courtney asked. I tried not to smirk. Courtney was never my best friend because she always had to beat me. I guess, as soon as I came back she felt threatened.

"It's my last summer as a student. I'll be going to college soon so I thought why not visit." I said

"I'm glad you did that." Adrian told me.

Courtney planned to go clubbing to celebrate my return. A few years ago, I would have been jumping with joy if anyone told me that I could go clubbing but now it was just another obligation ; to look like a the queen of parties, to keep up with the image.

It was after eight that we left Courtney's house and drove in Matt's limo to the club. It was crowded as expected. We shuffled through the sweaty and expensive clothed bodies, towards the bar.

"What can I get you?" Lewis asked me with a slight smirk.

"Orange juice," I replied curtly. Adrian chuckled.

"Don't tell me you don't drink." Matt said as he held a very colorful liquid in one hand and his other hand wrapped around Anne.

"Nope, not twenty one yet." I said. A lame excuse, I know. It was a known fact that teenagers drank, heck none of our parents stopped us from it. I do drink the occasional wine out of choice but otherwise I try my best to avoid it.

They all laughed at my excuse probably thinking it as a joke. We were barely eighteen, yet! Stupid, young alcoholics in the making, I thought glancing at my friends as they slurred and danced.

After a few more attempts to make me drink all of them had stopped. We danced for a while but soon I was bored so I decided to walk towards the bar. I plopped myself on one the high chairs. I was glad to have escaped the warm bodies grinding against every surface and groping anything their hands could find, plus the new shoes were killing my feet.

I could feel someone's gaze on me and the fear that it could be a creepy old man that I would make eye contact with held me back for a moment before I realized who I was. With the boost of confidence surging through I looked up and saw a boy, probably a year or two older than me. Even with lights casting colorful shadows on his face I could make out his chiseled face, dark hair ever so slightly fell onto his eyes and really pouty lips for a guy. He was definitely good looking but as the forever wise Taylor Swift rang in my head; he was trouble.

Noticing that I finally acknowledged his stare he smiled smugly and scooted closer.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

"Nope. I'm good, thanks."

"So you're either a minor or a saint but minors who come to this club have fake id and you can't be a saint seeing the way you dress and those spoilt brats you hang out with ...well we all know the reputation you Upper East Siders have." He finished his little conclusion with a wink.

"Well, since you've figured out everything by yourself you should buy yourself a drink as a reward." I said rolling my eyes.

"The only reason I wanted to buy you a drink was to start conversation with you. You looked bored and could use my company."

"Too bad that didn't work."

"Too bad indeed but we can figure it out." He flashed me a smile.

"You'll have to figure it out yourself I have to leave." I heard Adrian calling me so I stood up. I gave a brief and polite smile as the guy watched me from under his eyelashes which should be impossible because I'm sure he's at least a foot taller than me.

"See you around." He called out behind me making me stop mid-way. Yeah, highly unlikely.

I headed towards the exit when someone bumped into me harshly and spilt their drink on the front my dress. I groaned loudly.

"You should watch it." Adrian said to the guy as I tried to wipe the stain with my hands. My white dress was soaked and clung tighter and looked transparent not to forget it now smelt like alcohol.

"She was the one who should watch where she is going!" The boy yelled. I looked up at him. He definitely was older to us and I quickly grabbed Adrian's bicep.

"Adrian, leave it. It's alright." I said, softly.

"Yeah, rich boy listen to your girlfriend." He sneered.

"Shut your trap, pauper." Adrian said. Pauper? Seriously? I didn't have time to roll my eyes or catch the other words exchanged between the two testosterone driven males as they decided to lung on each other.

Adrian tried to land a few punches on the guy but Adrian was quickly under him and receiving sever blows. Thankfully, they were both quickly pulled apart. Both of them exchanged glares as the rest of us pulled Adrian out of the club.

I jumped out of the car as soon as we reached the building, not wanting to say anything to anyone. I couldn't exactly thank Adrian. What was I supposed to say, 'thanks for overreacting for no reason and starting a fight that could be avoided?'

Yeah, not going to happen.

My parents were asleep and so was Victor. I sneaked into my room and quickly got ready for bed. Thoughts, over flooding and rolling in my head.

I wasn't sure if I was happy being back home. I wasn't even sure if this was home.

The next morning, my mother seemed excited. She probably was either going to redecorate the house again, made my father agree on something ridiculous, or was planning something that was absolutely ridiculous and annoying. The third one was mostly likely.

Our housekeeper, Carla was attempting to feed Victor a weird kind of paste that looked, smelled and I'm sure tasted revolting. Poor kid. I was definitely taking him to McDonald's later.

My mother was dressed fancily as she walked into the dining room.

"I've appointed a nanny." She informed.

"You don't have to mom, since I'm here we don't need someone extra to look after Victor." I said. A nanny meant someone with Victor all the time and that meant the both of us couldn't be alone together and do a little mischief without being ratted out. Perhaps, I could consider bribes....

"Sweetheart, it's not just for Victor it's for you too. " she said as she looked at her phone as I gaped at her, not sure what I heard.

"You're joking, right?" I asked.

"Of course not! A nanny is necessary for both of you." She said.

"I'm almost eighteen! I'm almost an adult!" I said exasperated.

"Almost, sweetie. Now, I don't and can't hear any more of this. It's pointless to argue since all the arrangements have been made. Oh, drat! I'm going to be late! Beatrice, dear be nice and do all the necessary to make the nanny comfortable." She said quickly patting Victors head and rushing out the door.

I wasn't sure how long I gaped at the door. I was getting a nanny. How ridiculous could a person get - No! How ridiculous could my mother get and my father? Did they not understand that nannies were for children and not teenagers and definitely not for young adults!

My mind still couldn't process the whole idea of a nanny. I didn't know which almost eighteen year old would. I was sure nobody my age or even after the age of twelve had a nanny anymore, it was just wrong. Did my parents not think about their image, forget about mine, what would people say if I still had a nanny?

I didn't have a clue about nannies which I'm sure most find surprising since that's the only form of care that should be shown by a parent is shown by a stranger that all children of Upper East Side are used too. I had one nanny throughout my life which again is surprising because nannies are changed like toilet paper, for the lack of a better word.

My nanny was actually my grandmothers' housekeeper. I was raised in my grandmothers' house which used to be quite near to our house before. The reason why I knew my grandmothers' house better than my parents' was because my parents were still trying to figure each other out as ridiculous as that sounds.

So to take the extra 'pressure and responsibly' off my mother I, the extra baggage was moved to the one of the old Victorian houses of Upper East Side. My grandmother too, was like any other Upper East Side woman, a socialite. The only person to look after me was her housekeeper, Jenna. Jenna was probably the only constant thing in my life that I saw more than an hour throughout the day till I was eight. I didn't confide in her but she was there for me, it wasn't what I needed it but it was enough.

So, my experience being nil with nannies was pathetic. I wasn't used to someone or something around me with the only exception of oxygen.

I fumbled with my shirt to straighten out the imaginary wrinkles. I wasn't sure how you present yourself and talk to a nanny. If you would asked me to deal with rich people I knew all I had to do was nod, praise them and praise myself. It was easy. But, with people who was in charge of taking care of Victor I didn't know if I should be suspecting all the time or to be polite or to be strict and snotty. I really didn't know. Did nannies judge their employers by what they wear? Was I wearing the right thing? My questions were stupid but can you blame me for being worried for the well-being of my brother? I sighed frustrated as I sat down in the sofa pulling Victor in my lap.

I sprung up when the doorbell rang, almost dropping Victor to floor. Carla opened the door and led a man in. I raised my eyebrow towards the wall clock. The nanny was apparently late, I looked at the man once more, and he looked familiar.

"Are you the man who spilt your drink on me last night?" I asked, surprised. Why was this guy here? For revenge? Of that was the reason then he was one who bumped into me! I demand a lawyer!

"Hello?" The man said, waving his hand in front of my face.

"Stop that!" I said swatting his hand.

"You were the one daydreaming." He said rolling his eyes before plopping down on the sofa.

"Did I say you could sit?" I asked curtly.

"Did I tell you were an annoying spoilt little girl?" He mocked.

"How dare you-you have no right to barge into my house like this and insult me!" I glared at him standing up.

"Actually I do. Your mother and father appointed me." He shrugged and folded his arms at the back of his head.

"Really? For what exactly?" I asked rolling my eyes.

"As your caretaker of course." He said coolly

"Care-you're the nanny!" I yelled shocked. My eyes widened as I properly took in his appearance. He was quite tall and had blonde hair that swayed with every moment of his head.. He certainly didn't look like a nanny. Weren't women usually nannies?

"I prefer the term caretaker but seeing as immature and spoilt you are I suppose you do need a nanny." The guy miffed and looked the other way. To say I was shocked by his audacity would be an understatement.

"What's your name or should I call you nanny?" I asked sarcastically.

"First of all I ask and the questions, second, the sarcasms not appreciated and thirdly I'm in charge so whatever I say goes and you obey." He said.

"Wow, you sound so much like a drug lord I wouldn't be surprised if you were one." I said rolling my eyes.

"You should be careful with that mouth I can get you grounded." He taunted.

"I really don't care." I said as I walked to my room and shut the door taking Victor along with me.

Hi! So, how'd you like the first chapter? If its a little jumbled, i apologize. I actually wrote this a little over a year ago but i didn't really know where to go with it o.O but now i do! Also i have free time on my hands! yayy! This chapter was just an introduction to Vera's life . its the next chapter in which the fun begins ;)

Do let me know what you think :) constructive criticism is always appreciated ! :)

Want more? You know what to do; Vote, Comment, Share and add to your reading list!

Byeee