CHAPTER SIX

Celine's POV

Ana is sprawled across my bed, legs kicking in the air, phone in hand, deep into stalking her boyfriend's co-workers on I*******m because apparently he's "acting weird."

Meanwhile, I'm tearing through my closet like a tornado.

"I don't think I have anything appropriate," I groan, holding up a top I definitely should've thrown out in 2021.

"Ana, you are supposed to be helping," I say.

She sighs dramatically, dropping her phone like I just interrupted a very important investigation. "Okay, okay. What about your black miniskirt and that red long-sleeve top?"

I pause. "But... is that appropriate?"

"Yeah," she says, waving a hand. "Just wear stockings. It'll give girl-next-door. Responsible. Hireable. Cute."

I nod. She's annoyingly right.

I change quickly, smooth the outfit down, let my long hair fall freely. Putting on my signature Black eyeliner, just enough mascara, and gloss instead of lipstick. Of course Jewelry, I have jewelry blindness. I wear a lot but today I limit down to something simple but pretty.

"What do you think?" I ask.

Ana shrieks, "Smoking hot! Mr. Alex won't know what hit him."

"Ana, stop. I'm going to be his nanny. Nothing is going to happen."

"Right," she says, clearly not believing a word.

"I'm serious. He's older, with a kid, and my uncle's partner. I'm not even thinking about him like that."

"If you say so," she sings, and I smack her arm playfully.

"I'll call you afterwards," I say, grabbing my phone and purse.

I gaze at the Fifth Avenue brownstone, counting six stories to the top. I have to crane my neck to take it all in. I bet they have a breathtaking view from up there.

The Uber drops me off in front of the brownstone huge, elegant, intimidating. I take a long breath, press the security tab, and the gate clicks open. The house is even more beautiful up close.

The door swings open and Jack launches himself at me.

"Celine!! You came to see me?" he beams.

"How are you, sweetie?" I bend to hug him back.

"Jack, I told you not to open the door unless I say so," Alex's voice comes from behind him.

"Sorry, Dad, but it's Celine," Jack says.

"Not the point, buddy."

Alex's eyes meet mine. They're blue, so blue and he gives me a dazzling smile before holding out his hand. Instantly, I know I can't take this job. I was reluctant at first with it being a single dad but a single dad that looks like this? Nope. Nope. Nope. The last thing I want or need is to feel any kind of attraction to the father of the child I'm nannying. This is a recipe for disaster.

"He doesn't usually answer the door," Alex explains. "There's a security protocol, but I input your access code, so Jack could let you in. Please, come in."

Yeah. No. I'm already in danger. I can't stop staring at him.

But I follow him in anyway.

And Alexander Hawthorne is gorgeous.

"How old are you?" I blurt out, my brain clearly not working because that is not an appropriate question.

"Thirty-five," Jacks answers and he glares at him.

"Thirty-five. Please go read something." Alex says to Jack who pouts before running up the stairs. "And you're still under punishment, no electronics." Alex added and Jack groans loudly enough for us to hear.

He walks me to a door at the end of the hallway. The house was huge and the interior was modern but also it felt cozy and homely, I wonder if it's made specifically like for Jack and him.

He sits down and motions me to sit opposite him.

“So… tell me about your son. Why is he under punishment?” I ask once we’re seated in his home office.

“He got in trouble at school,” he says simply.

“Serious trouble?”

“He skipped class to go to the pool alone.”

“Did he say why?”

“I’m guessing for attention.”

“Did you ask?”

A flicker of annoyance crosses his face. “Yes, Celine, I asked.”

The way he says my name sends a tiny tremor through me, half irritation, half something I don’t want to name.

“And you couldn’t get a straight answer?”

“He said he was bored in maths class.”

“Did you explain how dangerous that was? What if he got hurt?”

“Well, thankfully he didn’t. He’s a good swimmer. Wants to join the school team.”

Alex’s smile softens his features in a way that sends heat curling in my stomach.

“Does he swim at home?” I ask.

“Yes, we have a pool. But always supervised.”

“Do you swim?” he asks.

“Yes.”

He nods, making a mental note.

“When does his punishment end?”

“Sunday.”

I hesitate, then pry further. “So you share custody with your ex?”

He nods. “I have him Monday to Friday. His mom gets him weekends. So we’ll only need you during the week. You can stay here on weekends if you want, it’s your free time.”

“Stay here?” I blink. “It’s a live-in position?”

“Oh? Will didn’t tell you?” His brows lift. “Yes. It is.”

A lump forms in my throat. I don’t hate the idea, actually living here till I resume school will he me a lot. When school resumes I'll be getting accommodation in the faculty as part of being a TA in my faculty.

“Is that a problem?” he asks.

“No, it’s fine.”

He hands me the contract details—10k dollars  a month. My jaw nearly hits the floor. Food and expenses covered. 20k for two months isn't bad at all, do all billionaires pay their nannies this well, I silently wonder.

“What will my duties be?” I ask.

“You will be in charge of getting him ready for school. I usually take him myself, but when I’m busy, you’ll be expected to. You will also pick him up from school, look after him till I’m home, and handle homework. If he has his friends over, you will be here, and the same applies when he’s going out. Also make sure he has all his meals. We have a butler who works, of course he comes every morning, early,” Alex explains.

“You might also have to attend school events when I’m busy. Sometimes my sister attends too, if she isn’t busy,” he adds, and I nod.

“Does everything sound good to you?” he asks.

“Yes,” I answer with a nod.

“Also, some house rules. You aren’t allowed guests. I’m a very private person,” he explains. “And I know you’re young and have your life, but I’d appreciate it if you don’t invite someone unknown into my house.” He says, and I nod.

“I’ll show you around, and then I’ll speak with Jack about this and we’ll be all set,” Alex says, getting up. “Hope you’re okay to start from tomorrow?” he asks.

“Yeah, that’s fine,” I say, and we leave the home office. He shows me Jack’s game room, then the TV room, then the library, kitchen, and pantry. He shows the pool area at the back, then we go upstairs to the floor where Jack’s room is and all our rooms. Alex explains his room is actually on the floor above, but he sleeps on the floor Jack’s room is on to be close to him. There are other amenites of course, a tennis room, a basketball court, a gym and also a cinema, they basically have everything in the house like I'm even wondering if one would need to go out.

We see Jack sitting with a disfigured train set as he puts it back together.

“I thought I said grab a book and read,” his dad says.

“But Dad, I already finished a book today,” Jack argues.

“I don’t care. Grab another one,” Alex says.

“Okay,” Jack says, getting up.

“What are you doing?” Jack asks us.

“I’m showing Celine around,” Alex says.

“Why?” Jack asks.

“Go downstairs, Jack,” his dad says instead of answering.

“Can I show Celine my games before she leaves?” Jack asks.

“Not today, buddy,” his dad says instead.

“Yeah, Jack, next time,” I say, and he smiles brightly at me.

“Go on, go downstairs,” Alex says, and Jack goes.

Then he shows me my room, and it’s huge with a queen-sized bed, very spacious, with a huge dresser and closet. The bathroom is beautiful too. He shows me Jack’s room as well and points to the room he sleeps in, which is right next to Jack’s and mine meaning Jack’s room is in between our rooms.

“So you’ll sign any paperwork tomorrow and officially start,” he says.

“Yes, okay.”

We go downstairs, and I say bye to Jack, who hugs me, then I leave.