THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET NANNY

Chapter 3 The Interview

I was only supposed to be the nanny. That is what the woman from the agency said to me on the phone when she called me at six in the morning. Her voice was rushed and tired like she had been making calls all night. She said the pay was good. She said the family was important. She said the job started today.

I hung up and looked at the small room I was living in. One bed. One table. One window that looked out at a brick wall. My daughter Lily was asleep on the mat beside me. She was five years old and she had hair that curled when it was damp and eyes that were gray like a storm.

I made two rules for myself that morning while I was brushing my teeth and trying not to cry.

Rule number one. Stay away from the billionaire boss.

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

The Sterling Tower was the tallest building I had ever seen. It was made of glass and steel and it reached up into the sky like it was trying to touch the clouds. When the taxi dropped me off there were cars lined up in front that cost more than I would make in ten years. Men and women in suits walked past me fast. No one looked at me. No one smiled.

I had one folder in my hands. Inside was my resume. Five years as a nanny. Two references. No criminal record. The last job I had was at a diner where I worked nights and came home with my feet hurting and my heart heavy.

The receptionist did not look up from her computer when I gave her my name. She just pointed to the elevator and said forty seventh floor. Nanny position. Mr Sterling is waiting.

The elevator was all mirrors. I watched myself as we went up. Black dress borrowed from my cousin. Hair pulled back tight. No makeup because I could not afford it. Eyes that were tired but determined. I practiced my smile. I practiced sounding professional. I practiced not shaking.

When the doors opened the air was cold. The whole floor was one big open space. White floors. White walls. Windows that showed the entire city. And at the far end by the biggest window was a desk. Behind that desk was a man.

Mr Sterling.

Even from far away I could feel his presence. He was the kind of man who could walk into a room and make everyone else quiet. Dark suit. White shirt. Sleeves rolled up to his elbows like he had been working since before the sun came up. Black hair. Strong jaw. And eyes that were the exact same color as my daughter's.

He did not stand when I walked in. He just watched me. His eyes moved over me once from my head to my shoes and then back to my face.

Miss Carter he said. His voice was low and it filled the entire room.

Yes sir I said. And I hated how nervous I sounded.

Sit down.

I sat. The chair was leather and it was too big for me. I put my folder on my lap and kept my back straight.

I have read your file he said. Five years experience. You worked nights. You have one daughter.

Yes sir.

Why did you leave your last job.

For my daughter I said. I needed day hours. For school.

He leaned back in his chair. The light from the window hit the side of his face and for a second he looked almost human. Almost soft. But then the moment was gone.

How old is your daughter he asked.

Five I said.

He nodded once. And then he was quiet. The silence stretched between us and it felt heavy. I wanted to look away but I could not. Because when I looked into his eyes I saw Lily. I saw the same gray. The same shape. The same way they narrowed when he was thinking.

You understand what this job requires he said finally. My daughter needs structure. She needs routine. No phones during work hours. No friends over. You will live in the guest house on the property. Your hours are seven in the morning until eight at night. You will be on call.

Yes sir I said.

You will not speak to me unless I speak to you first. You will not ask questions about my company. You will not go into the west wing. That area is off limits.

I nodded. The west wing. Got it.

Good he said. Then he stood up. He was taller than I remembered from the pictures I had seen online two years ago. He walked around the desk and the smell of his cologne hit me. Clean. Expensive. Familiar in a way that made my chest hurt.

Come with me he said. You will meet Lily now.

My heart jumped into my throat. Meet her. My Lily. The little girl I had not seen in person in two years because his lawyers said it was better if I stayed away. Because I signed papers. Because I was young and scared and I thought I was doing the right thing.

We walked through hallways that were so long they made me dizzy. He did not talk. His shoes made no sound on the marble floor. Mine clicked and I tried to walk on my toes to make less noise.

The nursery was behind three doors. Each one needed a code. When the last door opened I had to stop myself from gasping.

It was huge. Bigger than the apartment I shared with my sister. There were toys everywhere but they were organized. A small table with crayons. Shelves full of books. A bed that looked like a castle. And sitting on the rug in the middle of it all was Lily.

She had my hair. Dark and curly. She had his eyes. Gray and serious. And she had a book open in her lap even though she was only five.

Daddy she said without looking up. Is that the new nanny.

Yes Mr Sterling said. And his voice changed when he talked to her. It was still firm but it was softer. Miss Carter. This is my daughter Lily.

Lily looked up. And when her eyes met mine I felt like the floor dropped out from under me. She was beautiful. She was smart. She was mine.

Hello Miss Carter she said in a polite voice. I like your dress. It is black.

Thank you sweetheart I said. And my voice cracked. I cleared my throat. I like your book. What is it about.

It is about a princess she said. But the princess does not have a mom. So she has to learn to be brave all by herself.

The words hit me right in the chest. I glanced at Mr Sterling. His face did not change but his jaw tightened.

Lily starts school next month he said. Until then you will handle her lessons. Her meals. Her bedtime routine. She has a tutor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You will make sure she is ready.

Yes sir I said.

Do you have any questions Miss Carter.

I had a million questions. Did you ever think about me. Do you remember that night in the hotel. Do you know that the little girl in front of you is yours too. But I could not ask any of them.

No sir I said.

Good. He looked at his watch. I have a meeting in ten minutes. Be here tomorrow at seven. Do not be late.

And then he turned and walked out. Just like that. Leaving me alone in a room with my daughter and a heart that felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.

Lily put her book down and looked at me. Are you going to be my nanny forever she asked.

I do not know baby I said. Then I remembered I was supposed to be professional. I mean. I hope to be here for a long time.

She smiled. It was my smile. The same one I saw in the mirror every morning. Can you read to me she asked.

Of course I said. And I sat down on the floor next to her. My knees were shaking.

As I opened the book I could feel him. I turned and saw him standing in the doorway watching us. His eyes were on me. Not on Lily. On me. Like he was trying to solve a puzzle. Like he knew there was something I was not telling him.

Then he was gone.

That night I sat in the small room in the guest house. It was nicer than anywhere I had lived in years. Big bed. Clean bathroom. Window that looked out at the city lights. But I could not sleep.

My phone buzzed. One text. From a number I had deleted but still knew by heart.

It said. Remember the agreement. Do not get attached.

I deleted the message. Then I opened the bottom drawer of the dresser and pulled out the one photo I had. Me holding Lily in the hospital. She was three days old and red and screaming. I was twenty years old and terrified and in love.

I whispered to the empty room. I am not leaving you again.

The next morning I was at the front door at six forty five. Mr Sterling opened it himself. He was already dressed. Coffee in one hand. Phone in the other. He looked tired.

You are early he said.

I like to be prepared I answered.

He stepped aside. Come in.

The house was quiet. Lily was still asleep down the hall. I could hear her breathing.

Follow me he said.

We went to the kitchen. It was bigger than most restaurants I had worked in. He poured coffee into a mug and handed it to me without asking if I wanted it.

You have experience with difficult children he said.

I have experience with being a parent I said.

He looked at me over his cup. There was something in his eyes. Something I could not name.

Lily asks a lot of questions he said. About her mother.

My hands tightened around the mug. What do you tell her.

That her mother could not take care of her. That it was better this way.

The words felt like a slap. Better this way. As if giving up your child was an act of kindness.

And do you believe that I asked. The words came out before I could stop them.

He set his cup down on the counter. His eyes went cold. I believe in what keeps my daughter safe.

The silence between us was thick.

Then we heard footsteps. Daddy.

Mr Sterling turned immediately. All the coldness was gone from his face. Morning princess he said. And when he picked Lily up she wrapped her arms around his neck like he was the only safe place in the world.

Lily saw me and waved. Miss Carter. Are you going to make pancakes.

If you want I said.

Yes she cheered.

Chapter 4 End