Mason scrolled through the flood of messages from parents asking him to babysit their kids. Seriously, have they lost their minds? Who in their right mind offers six dollars an hour? He knew that he needed money to pay for college, but he wasn’t that desperate. Frustrated, Mason tossed his phone aside and went back to watching TV.

Bip Bip

Mason’s attention flicked back to his phone. Another parent looking for a sitter? Well, it doesn’t hurt to check. He picked it up and started scrolling through the new message, and then…

“Five hundred dollars just for the weekend?” Mason muttered to himself in surprise. Normally, he’s offered something like a hundred. There’s no way he could pass this up. Plus, from the description, the kid didn’t seem too young, probably not one of those snotty, screaming toddlers that drive him up the wall.

Mason’s car looked like a junker compared to the sleek luxury cars lining the streets of this neighborhood. The lawns were pristine, deep green with carefully placed flowers in some yards. And don’t get me started on the houses—huge mansions, three stories tall, looking like something straight out of a magazine. These people were loaded, which meant if he played his cards right, a fat tip might be in his future.

Mason parked in front of the three-story house he was assigned to, feeling his car’s age as he stepped out. The place was massive, its front door towering over Mason. According to the parents, they had left early this morning, so the boy he’d be sitting for was supposed to answer the door. Seemed a little reckless, leaving a kid to open the door to strangers and be home alone for so long, but whatever.

As Mason’s mind wandered, thinking about his paycheck and the crazy rich neighborhood, He heard the sound of the front door unlocking. Out of habit, he looked down, expecting to greet the little boy. A soft smile crossed his face.

“Hey there, kiddo…” His voice trailed off, and his smile faded as confusion washed over him. What the hell? This guy… he looked like he was similar age to Mason..