Her Edge

First impressions

Chapter 2

_First impressions_

The morning sun creeps through the slats of her blinds, painting stripes of gold across her pillow. Elaine rolls over, the softness of the sheets coaxing her to stay, but the clock on her nightstand has other plans.

Her mind wanders back to yesterday — to the hugs from her old students, the chatter, the crayons still smelling faintly of wax… and then him.

Leo N. Vance.

The boy had sat like a miniature royal at his desk — straight-backed, ankles crossed, watching her with a gaze that didn’t quite belong to a six-year-old. And that look… as if he’d been waiting for her to remember something she couldn’t.

She shakes her head, slipping her legs out of bed.

A buzz from her phone lit up the screen. Becky.

Becky: Survived your first day? Or should I start looking for your replacement?

Elaine snorts, tapping a reply.

Elaine: Still breathing. Also, whiskey tonight.

Three dots appear, then:

Becky: Only if you promise not to flirt with the janitor.

Elaine rolls her eyes. She’d never live that down.

* * *

Nikolai.

The black suit fit like a second skin. Crisp white shirt, cufflinks catching the morning light. Nikolai adjusts his tie with one hand, scrolling through messages on his phone with the other. His Milan office is already on edge — whispers about a possible move from his old business partner turned rival.

A threat is nothing new. But lately, the threats have been closer to home.

His gaze shifts to the miniature version of him sitting on the leather couch.

Leo’s dark hair was combed neatly, his small hands smoothing the hem of his blazer. The boy looks up from tying his shoelace, meeting his father’s eyes.

“You’re taking me today?”

“Yes.” Nikolai replies with a prideful sigh.

Leo doesn't smile, but the corner of his mouth lifts. Nikolai caught it — that flicker of warmth that meant more than words.

“Let’s go.”

By the time they pull into the school’s staff lot, the low growl of the black Maserati draws a few glances. The engine purrs low, powerful_impatient like the man behind the wheel.

Nikolai steps out first, scanning the area — a habit, not a performance. He rounds the car and holds the door open for his son.

Leo hops down, adjusting his backpack straps with the same precision Nikolai uses when checking a contract.

He catches movement near the school entrance. A woman—young, with the kind of energy that makes her stand out even in a crowd of parents—is walking through the gates. She doesn't look in his direction. She is laughing alone at something. Her eyes bright, shoulders relaxed.

Her side view is an easy give away. He remembers that vibrant face, just less tipsy.

She walks through the school gates, waving briefly to the security guard before disappearing inside. No glance his way, no flicker of recognition.

Nikolai stays where he is. Calculating, weighing the odds.

He shakes off his feelings of a suspicion turned sentiment. He looks down at his son Leo who's neat and as serious as ever, his Nanny who's in her mid fifties standing behind him.

Nikolai chuckles internally, the boy must have picked that trait from him.

He reaches down, resting a hand lightly on his son’s head. There is something unspoken in the gesture — a mix of protectiveness and pride that doesn't make it to his face but lingers in his eyes.

Leo looks up at his father with an interrogative gaze. "Papà, verrai a prendermi?"

Nikolai sighs, crouching just enough to be his height. He gently strokes the side of his head then his palm settles on the nape of his neck with the other on his cheek. "Non posso prometterlo, tesoro… è appena successo qualcosa". He says and Leo's brows furrows.

His heart winces. He tries to change the subject.

"You've learnt the Italian tongue well. I'm proud of you". He says with warmth in his eyes and Leo forces an eye roll. But that's not enough to hide the slight tug at the corner of his lips. "Yeah, I gotta go now".

Nikolai nods and straightens up, slightly ruffling his son's hair. "You remember what I told you?”

Leo nods, not looking looking at him.

“Speak clearly. Be respectful. And…” Nikolai waits until his son finally meets his gaze. “Don’t let anyone think they can step on you.”

Leo gives the smallest smile—barely there—but it is enough."Vai a far vedere di cosa sei capace". Leo nods.

The Nanny, smiles. "I'll take him in now, sir".

"Ready Leo?"

"Yeah". He nods, exuding confidence. Then leads Leo away.

A grin creeps up Nikolai's face."I love you". He says loud enough for him to hear.

Leo whips around, clearly flushed and annoyed. "Shh! Mi fai fare brutta figura!"

Nikolai laughs, basking in the pride of fatherhood.

When he's left all alone he, takes one more glance at the glass doors leading into the building, and once again she returns to his mind.

He wants to think her presence is just a coincidence but the instinctive calculative part of him is thinking otherwise.

Deep down he hopes he's wrong.

A voice calls from across the parking lot "Vance? Is that you?”

Nikolai turns. A man in a gray suit striding over, the polished smile of someone who’d shaken his hand at a dozen networking events.

“Wasn’t sure it was you,” the man says, glancing toward the school.

"Carter" Nickolai says acknowledging him. " Never knew you had a kid".

Carter chuckles.“Are you going in?"

He effortlessly tucks his hands in his pockets, giving him a business like pose. "No_Have you ever?"

Carter sighs. "Yeah. I started early last term. You eventually get the hang of things".

The men share a moment of silence, staring at the doors. "They grow up faster than your balance sheet.” Carter says.

Nikolai smirks faintly at the attempt at humor, shakes his hand, and lets the man talk. His eyes, however, drifting once more toward the school doors.

He still can't get her out of his head....