When Brooke finally arrived at the address Peyton had given her, there was obviously no name on the electronic gate box. She announced herself to a female voice and waited a few seconds for the enormous wrought iron gate to open in front of her. Brooke had suspected that Peyton Sawyer's house would be grand, but this was downright spectacular. A huge driveway lined with greenery and flowers on each side led to the entrance of the house. Brooke moved forward, nervous. She arrived in front of a door that opened before she had time to inhale or exhale to give herself courage.
GOVERNESS : Hello, miss, I'm Julie!
BROOKE : Nice to meet you, I'm Brooke.
GOVERNESS : Come on, come in!
Brooke thanked her and entered the enormous hall. She was almost dizzy when she looked at the ceiling.
GOVERNESS : I'm going to inform Mrs. Scott of your arrival, don't move from here, okay?
His tone was soft but Brooke heard the authority in his voice. She nodded as she continued to look around her. It was very quiet in this house, she only heard the housekeeper's footsteps that clicked and echoed even on the parquet floor. Soon, different footsteps were heard but this time, they were clearly heels. Peyton Scott came into the hall. She didn't bother to greet Brooke, too busy with a phone call. She waved her hand for Brooke to follow her, which she did immediately, detailing her outfit. Peyton stopped in what appeared to be the living room and motioned for Brooke to sit down. She remained standing. Brooke took the opportunity to admire the interior of the house, it was modern and impeccably tidy, almost a little cold. The room was very bright and the beige walls were incredibly clean despite the presence of a child. Brooke noticed a small blond head sticking out from the balustrade on the first floor. It must have been Sawyer. She smiled at him, waved, and silently mouthed a "hello" in his direction. The smile Sawyer gave her was just the cutest in the world, and she returned his silent greeting.
PEYTON : Here I am! Sorry for the wait!
The little girl instantly disappeared as Peyton walked up to Brooke to shake her hand. Brooke stood up.
BROOKE : I'm Brooke!
PEYTON : You're a future stylist if I believe your mother!?
BROOKE : Absolutely, that's my biggest dream, Mrs. Scott.
PEYTON : Oh no, call me Peyton, okay?
BROOKE : Okay. I'll do my best... Peyton.
PEYTON : Okay, so you're interested in the nanny position?
As Brooke was about to answer her, Peyton quickly called out to little Sawyer across the living room.
PEYTON : Saaawyer!
The little girl hurried out of her room, looking at them from above until she went down the stairs.
PEYTON : Come say hi, sweetie!
Sawyer had an adorable round face and superbly blue eyes. She smiled at Brooke, a little embarrassed.
BROOKE : Hello again Sawyer ! I'm delighted to meet you.
The little girl smiled spontaneously and two dimples appeared in her pink and plump cheeks. Without a word, the little girl came to place a kiss on Brooke's cheek then took a seat next to her on the couch.
PEYTON : Well, it looks like she's already adopted you! Okay, now let's get down to business... Why would you want to become a nanny?! I mean, a girl like you who loves fashion, aesthetics, style... And so, a bit like me... What satisfaction do you find in taking care of a child?
Brooke found her attitude rather cold and detached and it had shocked her that she called her daughter, a child. But she didn't have time to answer his question that her cell phone rang right next to her.
PEYTON : Do you mind? He's my husband!
Peyton stood up without waiting for an answer. Brooke took little Sawyer's hand in hers while listening with one ear.
PEYTON : She's in our living room, why? ... Well, you're not here, so I'll take care of it! ... Oh please, stop! No need for a committee for a nanny and Sawyer is just as much my daughter as yours! ...
Brooke began to feel extremely uncomfortable ... Especially since Sawyer was looking at her with big worried eyes.
PEYTON : Okay, you know what!? You'll just have to fire her and find someone else if she doesn't suit you! ...
Peyton abruptly ended her conversation, Brooke even suspecting that she hung up on her dear and tender.
PEYTON : Sorry about that... How about I show you around?
Taken aback, Brooke looked at Sawyer, who smiled again. She was already standing and holding his hand.
SAWYER : Can I show her my room, Mom?
PEYTON : Later, Sawyer! We'll start on the ground floor, follow me! So here we are in the reception room, but we have another room, more family-friendly shall we say...
Brooke couldn't help but notice her slightly disdainful look when she said the word "family-friendly."
PEYTON : I'm showing it to you because if Sawyer wants to play downstairs, I'd rather it be here! And someone cleans up after her! I won't show you the kitchen, but Julie will explain all the maintenance and practical details. Then, right next door, we have the movie theater... If you're a movie buff, you'll enjoy it!
SAWYER : Do you like cartoons, Brooke?
Brooke answered the little girl while following Peyton who was already moving into the next room.
BROOKE : A lot, yes!
PEYTON : So here, Sawyer is really not allowed to enter... without supervision, at least. So this is my dressing room! And our bedroom is right over there, with its bathroom. We prefer to stay on the ground floor. It's much quieter and more relaxing!
Brooke stayed near the door so as not to be too nosy about their privacy but she was taking it all in. She backed away into the hall when Peyton indicated that she wanted to leave the room and followed her into another part.
PEYTON : Over here, we have my husband's studio, my workshop as well as an indoor pool and a gym! Needless to say, our respective workshops are also to be avoided as much as possible!?
BROOKE : I understand completely! Noted!
PEYTON : On the other hand, for the pool and the gym, you have access to them when we are not there!
Brooke smiled, pleased to learn that she would be able to take advantage of their facilities when the opportunity arose.
PEYTON : Well, let's go upstairs now!
Brooke and Sawyer followed Peyton whose heels clicked on the various floor surfaces of the huge house. The little girl tugged hard on Brooke's hand to take her to her room.
SAWYER : Tadaaaam! Up there is my magic treehouse!
BROOKE : Wow! You have a magic treehouse!? How lucky you are!
Little Sawyer smiled proudly then she showed Brooke another part of the room.
SAWYER : And there, that's my bed! It's magic too!
The little girl jumped on her bed to fall on her stomach, arms and legs spread on the mattress.
BROOKE : A magic bed, you say!? Explain it to me!
SAWYER : It's a special bed that has an invisible barrier to prevent monsters from bothering me!
BROOKE : Wow, just that!? It's really a magnificent room Sawyer! A real princess room!
SAWYER : And you, what's your princess room like?
BROOKE : Oh, my room is not a princess room anymore, although I have pink on the wall !
SAWYER : Dad, he says all girls are princesses! So you, too!
Brooke melted in front of this little girl and she almost forgot the rest of the visit until...
PEYTON : Ah there you are! I show you your room?
BROOKE : Sure! Sawyer, are you coming with me?
They quickly arrived in the room right next to Sawyer's.
PEYTON : Here's your room and your en suite bathroom. Oh and I forgot, Julie will give you the key to your new car! Well, I think that's about it, what time will you be there tomorrow?
BROOKE : Tomorrow? Does that mean you're hiring me?
PEYTON : Of course I'm hiring you, I really like you!
SAWYER : Me too! I really like you!
PEYTON : That's settled then! I'm sorry but I'm going to have to leave you because I have to get ready for an opening!
BROOKE : If you don't mind, I'd like to stay with Sawyer a little longer to get to know each other a little more. It'll be less disruptive for her to see me show up tomorrow morning, I think.
PEYTON : As you wish, but be there tomorrow at eight o'clock, okay?
BROOKE : Without fail, Mrs. Scott... Uh, Peyton, sorry!
Without waiting any longer, Peyton left the room, leaving Brooke and Sawyer alone.
BROOKE : Why don't you show me that princess room again, sweetie? I think I've got a lot more to see!
As Sawyer had settled Brooke on the seat in front of her dressing table and was having fun brushing her hair, Brooke's attention was drawn to a photo hanging between the wooden edge and the mirror, a family photo.. She immediately recognized Peyton and Sawyer, and she finally discovered her father's face. A strange feeling took hold of her, a feeling of déjà vu... She approached the photo.
BROOKE : Tell me, sweetie... What's your dad's name?
SAWYER : Well, his name's dad! Why?
BROOKE : Of course, but he also has a first name, right? Like me I'm called Brooke and you're called Sawyer...
SAWYER : Yes, his name's Lucas but I just call him dad!
BROOKE : ...