Aiko was a Japanese American and a third-generation immigrant. Despite her parents' diligence, the family hadn't advanced much, which is why they found themselves in Hazelville. More importantly, this was why she found herself babysitting eighteen-year-old Roxanne, the daughter of one of the most powerful men in town.
Unlike other girls her age of immigrant heritage, she was a full-blooded American. Gone had the quietness, nervousness, and willingness to bend to just about anyone. She had a mouth on her and an assertiveness that everyone expected from American children.
But Aiko had kept one thing from her heritage. In Japan, children were to be seen and not heard. Japanese parents didn't play games, and even younger siblings were expected to respect their elders due to the natural order of things. As a twenty-year-old babysitter, she didn't care why Roxanne needed a babysitter.
She would respect her.
And Aiko was already prepared. The stories of Roxanne had already reached her. Most recently, she'd heard about the high schooler Katie, who had been utterly humiliated at her hands. The same thing wouldn't happen to her because she was already prepared for the silly pranks and tricks the punk princess might throw her way.
But why would she take such a job after everything that had happened and risk getting stripped down herself?
Like most people her age, she needed the money. On the other hand, she believed in herself. She was a straight-A student, and she wasn't about to let this spoiled punk girl get one over on her.
Aiko had already followed the protocol and obtained the key from the box outside. Now, she found herself looking up at the front door. The Japanese-American babysitter dressed in a black zip-up hoodie, a white t-shirt that showed the outline of her bra underneath, green cargo pants, and white sneakers.
Above all, she would tame this self-proclaimed punk princess, even if it meant tearing her apart.
Roxanne was always watching. Daddy had already informed her that a girl named Aiko was on her way after Katie had unexpectedly resigned from her position as babysitter. Only two days later, she watched Aiko stalking up the drive. The cameras already told her a story. This girl was aware of who she was and what she was. It'll be more of a challenge than the unsuspecting Katie.
I've always liked Asian girls. But there are only, like, two Asian families in town. The website doesn't have anyone Asian on it yet. Someone online told me Asians are super kinky. Hehe! Let's find out.
As always, Roxanne had already planned out some traps and hidden some contraptions around the house. The route Aiko decided to take would determine her plan of attack. This was always one of the most intriguing parts of a new babysitter. Would they stay on the ground floor or immediately head upstairs? Would they call her name or just go and search for her?
These were the things that made the well-oiled gears in her exceptionally large brain turn. Despite the climax that would come at the end, this was all part of the fun.
Once again, Roxanne sat in her war room, with the bank of screens looking back at her, where she could see practically every part of the interior and exterior of the gigantic mansion.
The punk princess threw her arms behind her orange spiked hair and leaned back in her chair with a sigh. Today, she wore much the same outfit as she had with Katie: a black leather jacket, a black cut-off top that displayed a little of her midsection and belly button piercing, black skinny jeans, and matching heeled boots to add a couple of inches to her diminutive stature.
And before you ask, no, I'm not some weird prude afraid of showing a little skin like most creepy shut-ins. I'm sexy, and I know it, as the song goes. Anyway,... time for my super awesome game to begin!
Aiko unlocked the front door and entered the magnificent entrance hall for the first time. Her eyes swept from side to side, looking for the first piece of nonsense this teenager had cooked up for her.
She wasn't about to assault this kid's home. This was a babysitting job. From her experience, children needed discipline. Not being grounded but a real punishment, even if it meant having to throw hands. Aiko was perfectly willing to put the eighteen-year-old Roxy over her knee if she had to.
Aiko was initially drawn to the staircase but decided against it. "Roxanne. This is your babysitter. Are you going to come down?"
"Hey, Aiko," a voice echoed through the house. "I'll be down soon. Make yourself at home."
Aiko licked her lips. It was surprisingly pleasant and warm, even if she still didn't trust this girl whatsoever after what she'd heard about this terror.
She proceeded to the left and into the lit dining room. Roxanne's parents must be rich, she thought, as she marvelled at the long oak table stretching from one side of the room to the other. A cabinet filled with what looked like crystal glasses, an end table, and long Georgian windows looked out onto the front yard.
Aiko continued her explorations. She made her way across the dining room and toward a closed door at the other side. She flung open the door and paused at the threshold. It seemed to be an office or study of some kind. Standard bare floor with a furry shag carpet, bookshelves, seats, and stylish lamps. Pretty much what she expected.
A window on the left allowed some of the late afternoon hours into the office, casting sheets of rich gold onto the floor. To the right, a small atrium led to a subdued staircase.
Aiko shrugged and stepped forward.
Within her lair, Roxanne pressed a button.
Roxanne leaned in close to the screen showing Aiko at the edge of the side room just off from the dining room. Her finger hovered over one of the coloured buttons sitting just away from her keyboard.
She watched Aiko take a step across the threshold, and Roxanne hammered the button. The sneaky device triggered in microseconds and the door to the study swung back toward Aiko. Her babysitter couldn't even raise her hands to stop the incoming door slamming into her.
Aiko went down a sack of potatoes.
"Knockout!" Roxanne fist-pumped to herself. "One point to... me."
Roxanne watched as Aiko squirmed on the floor, clearly dazed and surprised at what had just happened to her. She decided that now was the time to move.
Aiko had that determined look about her. Allowing her to move around the house with some of the more irritating pranks would only backfire on her later. She had to establish her dominance and begin embarrassing her early.
But I've already planned that out. And I've got something super special just around the corner.
Aiko lay on her back, the thud of the door still imprinted on her forehead. She stared up at the ceiling light, trying to figure out what had happened, or more importantly, how that had happened at all.
She turned over onto her front and gazed at the door, which had rebounded back to its original post. Aiko got to her knees and crawled to the door to see what was behind it. As she thought, there was a device hidden there. It looked like a pressure canister of some kind, designed to be activated to fire the door at the unfortunate soul, in this case, her.
Aiko took a deep breath to calm her irritation. As a Japanese-American, she'd inherited some of the outwardly cool and collectedness from her parents. She wasn't about to let Roxanne see her lose her temper. Children understood one thing only, and that was control. Getting emotional would only give Roxanne the satisfaction.
Climbing to her feet, she smoothed her clothes down and took measured breaths to get her heart rate under control. She was still determined to win this game.
Gazing up at the staircase, she figured this was her best option. If Roxanne wouldn't come to her, she would go to her. Perhaps she could even strike her down with a hard talking to.
Aiko began to ascend the stairs. Each step creaked with age. She wondered how old this home was, almost becoming lost in her thoughts.
