Fly to my Heart

The Interview

Emily stood, adjusting her skirt and tugging the front of her blouse as she reached out her hand to shake his. She couldn't help but notice the Rolex on his wrist and the expensive fabrics of his tailored suit. No doubt, it cost more than she had paid for college tuition. "Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Harrison," she said softly.

"Please, call me James." He waved her to follow him.

He led her through a pair of heavy wooden doors into an opulent office. She glances around at the room's grandeur, with its tall windows that stretch up to the high ceiling and expensive furniture fit for a king. He gestured for her to sit on one of the leather chairs arranged before his desk.

He sits on the chair across from her, and she can barely breathe as her heart races. She can feel the sweat collecting under her arms, and when she looks up at him, she can only think how handsome he is. Her eyes drift down to his hand and then widen in shock when she spots the glint of a gold ring around his finger. She takes a deep breath before taking in the reality that he is married.

"I understand you recently graduated with a degree in early childhood education. What attracted you to this field?" His voice was low and warm. Emily felt a flutter in her stomach as she looked into his piercing green eyes.

"I've always wanted to make a difference for kids. I gained so much from my time at an after-school program, teaching children and helping them with homework. I'm especially proud of the progress I saw when tutoring elementary students in reading." Emily shifted, pushing her shoulders back and lifting her chin. Her voice was strong and clear.

"And what has drawn you to apply for a nanny position?" His gaze was penetrating, as if trying to see into her motivations.

Her aquamarine eyes darted around the room as she absentmindedly chewed the corner of her lip. She desperately wanted to open up and confess that her true passion was not in childhood education but instead lay across the world in Paris. But fearing judgment or failure kept her from speaking the words aloud.

She swallowed, keeping her voice steady. "Honestly, the job market has been more difficult than I expected. I haven't found a teaching position yet, so I thought working as a nanny would allow me to gain experience with children."

"An honest answer." James nodded, steepling his fingers. "The role will require a major time commitment and dedication. My daughter's well-being is my top priority. Are you willing to undergo a background check, drug screening, and sign a non-disclosure agreement?"

"Of course. I understand the importance of ensuring the child's safety, health, and privacy in my care." She tried to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach at agreeing to such stringent demands. This was her only option if she wanted to go to Paris. She could do this as long as it took to save enough money, even if that was longer than she had hoped.

James surveyed her again with those wise eyes. "When can you start?"

The breath rushed out of her in relief. "As soon as possible. I'm happy to begin right away."

"Excellent." He stood again and offered his hand. "The role is yours, Miss Williams."

She paused for a moment before confidently reaching out to shake his hand. His fingers were rough and calloused, but his grip was gentle and comforting as she looked at his eyes.

"Thank you, Mr. Harrison. I won't let you down." She smiled, feeling invincible at that moment.

"My assistant will send you the final details and documents you must sign. We already ran your background and confirmed your identity. Before you start, my assistant Bella will review a few more final things to do." He smiles at her one last time before he guides her out of his office.

He smiled and shook her hand again, his grip firm but not too tight. His gaze lingered momentarily before he swiveled on his heel and disappeared into his office, closing the door softly behind him. Emily stood in the hallway for a few moments, pondering the conversation they had just shared.

She squealed and did a little celebratory jig before quickly grabbing her purse and darting for the elevator. Her best friend Natalie will be overjoyed!

* * *

James looks down at the resume before him; Emily is perfect for the position. Not only was her background clean as a whistle, but she is from a small town, and this means chances are she doesn't know anything about James.

James' gaze moved from the top of Emily's resume to the picture attached, and he was taken aback. Unlike his wife Caroline, who used jewelry and makeup to highlight her delicate features, Emily's beauty was natural.

Emily had a delicate heart-shaped face with soft porcelain skin. Her features were highlighted by her stunningly long and curly red hair, which cascaded down past her shoulders in gentle waves. The wattage of Emily's bright blue eyes lit up the room as they danced around it. She wore no makeup but chose to bring out the natural beauty that such a young woman possessed without any enhancement or adornment needed because she did not need it; she was already beautiful.

Her figure was slim yet shapely. Not overly athletic nor too thin, Emily had just the right curves to emphasize her petite frame while giving off an air of femininity and strength at once. Even though James could see that this girl was wearing high heels, he knew instinctively that even if she were to wear them every day, its unlikely anyone would take notice - due solely to how gracefully she carried herself despite all odds placed against her during life's unexpected turns along the way.

She was mesmerizing to look at.

A slight knock on the door distracts his attention from Emily's photo.

"Come in." He closes the file and shoves the resume into his drawer.

A man strode into the room, his well-fitted Italian suit wrapping around his tall frame like a gloved hand. His slicked-back hair was jet black, but his hardened face showed scars from the numerous fights he had been in. A crooked mound on the bridge of his nose hinted at being broken multiple times.

"Boss, we have a meeting with the Deluco Family at noon. They want to discuss the import of weapons from Europe" The man's voice was rough and scratchy.

"I will meet you downstairs."

The man nods and disappears out of the office.

James closed his eyes and released a heavy sigh. He knew that he could never tell Emily the truth about why she was perfect for the job. She had come from a small town, unassuming and unsuspecting of who he was. So many other women wanted to work for him or use him, but only Emily seemed unaware of the motives behind his search for a nanny. She was pure and innocent, too naive for the dark life James had chosen.

He stood up from his desk, and the leather of his office chair creaked. He stepped over to the large bay window that overlooked the city below. James has been looking for the perfect nanny for his daughter for a while, but each one has alternative motives, and his daughter hates each nanny. The previous nannies had ties with the streets that he runs. But Emily wasn't cut from that cloth. Will she survive the life he is going to throw at her? He glanced down at the street far below and felt uneasy as he thought of Emily.

He clenched his fists tightly to ignore these feelings, reminding himself that he had no time for distractions in his work and that he couldn't forget he was married. Though, his marriage is more for the image and less about love.

His wife's presence in their home feels like a daily thorn pricking at his heart. He knows she sees other men, yet he can't bring himself to cast her out - not when his daughter needs her mom by her side. Every night he lays awake in bed, feeling the pangs of betrayal yet still too weak to do anything about it. He shakes his head at those thoughts.

But as he watched the bustle of the city streets below, he knew there was more to life than being a mafia boss. He had a daughter who needed him, and maybe Emily was precisely the kind of person he needed to bring some light into their lives.

James stood frozen in thought, debating what to do. Should he tell Emily his secrets and risk her safety, or keep quiet and ensure she is cared for? He knew doing the latter would mean bending some rules or giving her money occasionally to ease her struggles. But could he live with himself if something happened to her because of his secrets?

He clenched his fists and shut his eyes, inhaling deeply and slowly releasing his breath until his frustration subsided. He knew he couldn't change the past, but he had some control over the present and future - he just needed to focus on what he could do now.

He turned from the window, his face set into a new resolve. He was now determined to be more present and understanding as a father and boss. He sat at his desk and pulled out a piece of paper, scribbling a quick note: "Set up a meeting with his employees to keep Emily from discovering his true identity."

His phone buzzed with an incoming call, which he answered on the second ring.

"James, it's Mikey. We've got some trouble."

"What kind of trouble?" James' heart rate quickened.

"One of our shipments got hijacked. They took everything, James. Guns, drugs, money... and two of our men are missing."

James felt the blood drain from his face. This could have been better. If word got out that he couldn't protect his shipments, it would end him and his empire.

"Get all hands on deck. Find out who did this and make them pay."

Mikey hesitated before responding: "There's something else."

"What?"

"We found a note at the scene. It said, 'I'm coming for you, Harrison.'"

James' mind raced as he tried to think of who could target him like this. His first thought went to rival gangs, but there were many possibilities, and he couldn't afford to take any chances.

"Okay," he said finally. "I'll be there in ten minutes."

He hung up and immediately called his assistant to cancel his meeting at noon.

Being a mafia boss means danger at every corner.