THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET NANNY

Chapter 7: The Birthday Party

The invitation came on gold paper.

I was in the kitchen making pancakes when Mrs Hale the housekeeper handed it to me with both hands like it was a royal decree.

Miss Elena this came for Lily she said. It is from her father.

I took it with flour still on my fingers. Mr Sterling does not usually send paper invitations. He just tells me in the morning or sends a text to my work phone.

I opened it.

You are cordially invited to Lily Sterling's 5th Birthday Party. This Saturday. 4pm. The Sterling Estate Gardens. Formal attire requested.

My stomach dropped.

Formal attire. At the Sterling Estate. With all of New York's elite.

And me.

The nanny who was supposed to be invisible.

The nanny who was also Lily's mother.

Rule number one flashed in my head. Stay away from the billionaire boss.

Rule number two hit harder. Hide the fact that his five year old daughter is mine.

I had broken both rules the day I applied for this job.

Lily came running into the kitchen in her pajamas with paint on her cheek. Mama look she said and held up a drawing.

It was three stick figures. A tall one in a suit. A small one with pigtails. And a woman with long hair holding both their hands.

Under it in wobbly letters it said My Family.

I had to turn away so she wouldn't see my eyes water.

It's beautiful baby I said and kissed the top of her head. That smells like vanilla. Did you have fun with Miss Clara

Lily nodded. She said I could invite you to my party. Are you coming

I looked at the gold invitation again.

I don't know sweetheart I said honestly. We'll see.

But I already knew I had no choice. I was her nanny. I had to be there.

The problem was Mr Sterling.

I had not spoken to him properly in two weeks. Not since the night in the mountains when the car broke down and we got stuck in that cabin. Not since he held my coat over me in the rain and I almost told him the truth.

Since then he had been cold. Professional. Mr Sterling and Miss Carter. Boss and employee.

I told myself it was better that way.

So why did the thought of seeing him in a tuxedo make my heart race

Saturday came too fast.

I spent the whole morning wrestling Lily into a pink tulle dress. She wanted sparkles. She wanted a crown. She wanted me to wear a dress too.

You have to look pretty for Daddy she said seriously.

The word Daddy from her mouth still did things to me.

I compromised with a navy blue dress I had bought for interviews. Simple. Elegant. Not flashy. Nothing that would draw attention.

Mrs Hale did my hair and I put on the smallest amount of makeup.

When the car pulled up to the Sterling Estate I almost threw up.

The gates were open and there were cars everywhere. Ferraris and Bentleys and limos. There were photographers at the gate. There were white tents and string lights and a huge bouncy castle shaped like a castle.

Lily bounced in her seat. It's the best day ever she whispered.

The driver opened my door and I stepped out and immediately regretted everything.

Every woman there looked like she belonged in a magazine. Silk dresses. Diamond earrings. Heels that cost more than my rent.

And me in my navy dress from Nordstrom Rack.

Get it together Elena I told myself. You are here for Lily.

Lily took my hand and dragged me toward the garden.

Daddy Daddy she shouted and ran.

And there he was.

Mr Sterling.

Damian Sterling.

In a black tuxedo that fit him like it was made for him. Which it probably was. His hair was perfect. His jaw was clean shaven. And when he saw Lily his whole face changed.

He crouched down and caught her as she jumped into his arms.

Happy birthday princess he said and spun her around.

For a second I just stood there watching them. Father and daughter. The way he looked at her like she was the entire world.

Then he looked up and saw me.

His smile faded.

Miss Carter he said. His voice was polite. Distant.

Mr Sterling I said and curtsied like an i***t.

Lily wiggled out of his arms and grabbed both our hands. Come meet everyone she said.

And that was how I ended up walking through the party with the most powerful man in New York holding my hand on one side and his daughter holding the other.

People stared.

I could feel it. The whispers. Who is she The new nanny Since when does Damian bring the staff to parties

I wanted to disappear.

Then it got worse.

A woman in a red dress came gliding toward us. She was beautiful in that sharp cold way. Blonde hair. Red lips. A diamond necklace that could pay for a house.

Damian she said and kissed his cheek.

Vanessa he said. His voice was flat.

Vanessa's eyes flicked to me. Then to Lily holding my hand. Then back to me.

And who is this she asked sweetly.

Elena Carter Lily's nanny I said before Damian could answer.

Vanessa's smile did not reach her eyes. The nanny How lovely. I didn't realize you were bringing staff to the party.

Lily frowned. Elena is not staff. She's family.

The word hit me like a punch.

Damian went still beside me.

Vanessa laughed. Family How sweet. Well I suppose every child needs someone to look after them.

She turned to Damian. I need to speak with you. About the Meridian deal.

Now Damian said.

It's important she said. And her eyes cut to me again. Unless you want your nanny to hear about it.

I stepped back. It's okay I said quickly. I can take Lily to the cake table.

Damian looked like he wanted to argue. But then another guest called his name and he had no choice.

Stay close he said to me quietly.

I nodded.

The next hour was a blur.

Cake. Games. Photos. Lily opening presents that probably cost more than my car.

I stayed in the background like a good nanny. I wiped frosting off Lily's face. I made sure she drank water. I smiled at other parents.

But I could feel Damian watching me.

Every time I turned around he was there across the garden talking to investors or shaking hands and his eyes would find me.

It made me nervous.

Then came the moment I had been dreading.

Ladies and gentlemen Damian's voice boomed over the speakers. Thank you all for coming to celebrate my daughter's fifth birthday.

Everyone clapped.

Lily stood next to him looking like a princess.

Damian put a hand on her shoulder. Lily is the light of my life he said. She is the best thing that ever happened to me.

My chest hurt.

He looked out over the crowd and his eyes landed on me.

And I am so grateful for the people who help me take care of her every day he said.

The cameras flashed.

Someone shouted Who is she

Damian didn't answer. He just smiled and cut the cake with Lily.

After that people started coming up to me.

Oh you must be the nanny One woman said. You are so lucky to work for the Sterlings.

Is Lily behaving Another asked.

I answered politely. I smiled. I kept my hands from shaking.

Until Vanessa found me again.

She was standing by the fountain with a glass of champagne.

Miss Carter she said.

Mrs Whitmore I said.

She looked me up and down. You are new aren't you. I haven't seen you at any of the Sterling events before.

I started six months ago I said.

Six months Vanessa repeated. She took a sip of champagne. And Lily is so attached to you.

Children get attached I said carefully.

Of course Vanessa said. Tell me. Do you have children of your own

The question hit me right in the chest.

No I said.

That's a shame Vanessa said. You seem like you would be a good mother.

Before I could respond Lily came running over.

Elena Elena look what Daddy got me she said and held up a tiny diamond necklace.

It's beautiful I said.

Damian walked up behind her. It's for when she is older he said. I'm keeping it safe for now.

His eyes met mine over Lily's head.

For a second it was just us. The noise of the party faded.

Then Vanessa cleared her throat.

Damian darling I really do need to speak with you she said.

Damian's jaw tightened. Later Vanessa.

It's about your father she said quietly.

Damian's expression changed instantly. Excuse me he said to me.

He walked away with Vanessa and I was left standing there with Lily and a hundred people staring.

The rest of the party I kept it together.

But inside I was falling apart.

Because Vanessa knew. I could see it in her eyes. She was looking at me like she knew a secret.

At 7pm it was time to go.

Lily was exhausted but happy. She fell asleep in the car on the way home with her head on my shoulder.

When we got to the estate Damian was already there. He had come in his own car.

He met us at the door.

I'll take her he said and reached for Lily.

I handed her over carefully.

Thank you for today he said.

You're welcome I said.

He paused. Elena

Yes

Can you come to my office in ten minutes

My heart stopped.

Of course I said.

I put Lily to bed. I read her two stories. I kissed her forehead and told her I loved her.

Then I went to his office.

He was standing by the window with a glass of whiskey. He hadn't changed out of his tuxedo.

Close the door he said without turning around.

I did.

Elena he said.

Yes Mr Sterling

He turned around. His face was tired.

Vanessa asked me about you today he said.

I went cold.

What did she ask

She asked how long you have been working for us. She asked if I knew anything about your family. She asked why Lily calls you Elena instead of Miss Carter.

I couldn't breathe.

What did you tell her I whispered.

I told her you were a private person and that it was none of her business Damian said. He set his glass down. But Elena. People are starting to talk.

About what

About why the billionaire's daughter is so attached to her nanny. About why you were at the party. About why you look at each other like that.

Like what

Like you know each other.

The silence stretched between us.

Damian walked to his desk and picked up a file. He held it out to me.

What's this I asked.

Open it he said.

I did.

Inside was a photo.

It was me. Five years ago. Pregnant. Sitting on a park bench.

My hands started shaking.

Where did you get this I asked.

Vanessa sent it to me an hour ago Damian said. Along with a note that said I thought you should know who you hired.

I looked up at him. My vision was blurry.

Mr Sterling I

Don't Damian he said.

I looked at him.

Don't call me Mr Sterling. Not right now.

I set the photo down.

I can explain I said.

Then explain he said. Because right now it looks like you lied to me. It looks like you applied to be my daughter's nanny knowing exactly who she was.

Tears were running down my face now.

I didn't lie I said. I just didn't tell you.

There's a difference Damian said quietly.

I know I whispered.

Damian came around the desk. He didn't touch me. But he was close enough that I could smell his cologne.

Why Elena he asked. Why did you do it

Because she is mine I said and the words broke out of me. Because Lily is my daughter too.

Damian went completely still.

What

Five years ago I said. The charity gala in Boston. You were there for thirty minutes. We talked. We danced. One night. And then I left and I never told you because you were Damian Sterling and I was nobody and I was scared.

Damian stared at me.

You're saying

Lily is yours he finished for me.

Yes I said.

The room was silent except for my breathing.

Damian sat down heavily in his chair. He put his head in his hands.

Jesus Christ he muttered.

I'm sorry I said. I should have told you. But I was afraid you would take her from me. Or that you would hate me. Or that

That what Damian asked.

That you wouldn't want her he whispered.

Damian looked up at me. His eyes were gold in the lamplight.

Elena he said.

Yes

Do you have any idea what you just did

I nodded.

Good Damian said. Because now we have a problem.

What kind of problem

The kind where my daughter has two parents and one of them has been lying to the other for five years he said.

I flinched.

I'm not going to fire you Damian said.

I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

But we are going to do this the right way he said. Starting tomorrow. You and me and Lily. We tell her the truth. Together.

Together I repeated.

Together Damian said. And Elena

Yes

If Vanessa tries anything. If anyone tries to use this against us. I will handle it.

How

The same way I handle everything Damian said. I protect what's mine.

The word mine sent a shiver down my spine.

Okay I whispered.

Damian stood up. It's late. You should get some sleep.

I nodded and turned to leave.

Elena he called.

I turned back.

Happy birthday to Lily he said softly.

Thank you I said.

And then I walked out of his office with my heart pounding and the secret finally out.

In the hallway I leaned against the wall and cried.

Not because I was scared anymore.

But because for the first time in five years I wasn't alone.

End of Chapter 7