CHAPTER 2

Did she just say she wanted custody of her daughter? That woman was Matteo's wife, ex-wife, one night stand. The possibilities were endless.

“And who are you?”The lady asked me.

“Oh…. I'm…. I'm…. I'm Sophia's nanny” I replied internally cursing that I had stammered

She broke out into a mocking laugh “Nanny? I see Matteo is hiring any hag desperate for a job. You're fired” she said looking for the non-existent dirt in her nails.

“And what gives you the right to fire my staff.” Matteo stood walking towards her slowly

“Are you seriously asking me that babe? It's because I'm Sophia's mum and I want the best for my daught…..”

“You have absolutely no right to call her your daughter when the only good thing you've done for her was pushing her out of you” he said coldly. “Come here Amore mio” he said referring to his daughter who immediately ran to hug him.

“Now Stacy I want you to get this into that thick skull of yours. Sophia is my daughter, and if you want to gain her custody you can see me in court, her nanny Emilia stays and don't you dare step foot in my property again unless you want me to file a restraining order. Now see yourself out before I call my guards to assist you” Matteo said walking to the kitchen. Damnnnnnn. Bossman had sass.

“This is far from over Matteo. I'm going to have my daughter and I'm going to do anything in my power to have her. You just watch your back” she screams then abruptly turns around and sashays out the door. Leaving me stunned and rooted in the living area.

“Sophia this is Emily your new nanny, Emily, meet Sophia my daughter” Matteo's voice brought me back to reality.

“Hi there little princess, how are you?” I smiled leaning on my knees

“Papa she called me a Principessa” Sophia giggled twirling in her little dress

“Of course you're daddy's little principessa after all” Matteo said, his eyes sparkling in joy.

The moment made joy spread through my heart. This is the kind of relationship I envisioned my husband having with our kids….

“Earth to Emily” Matteo called out

“Sorry, what did you say?” I asked, blushing meekly as he caught me distracted.

“I’ll be going in for an evening business meeting right now. I trust I can leave Sophia in your hands”

“Definitely, Matteo you can. We'll just play dollhouse and possibly watch a movie until it's time for bed. Do you want to play dollhouse with me, Principessa?” I asked Sophia. She looked hesitant at first looking up to her dad until he gave her a little tap signalling it was okay, then she ran into my arms. “I love playing Dollhouse Emily” she beamed at me as I gave her a smile and walked upstairs nit before giving Ethan a nod

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Later that night I had fed and tucked Sophia into bed, I lay beside reading her a bed time story and she yawned. “Mama never read me bedtime stories before, I don't like my mama she always has smoke coming out of her mouth like a Camino” Pulling out my phone’s English to Italian translator. Camino….. chimney. It amazed me how she could speak Italian and English a bit fluently at just five years.

“Can I have a new mama?” She asked with her bright eyes staring at me.

“That would be left for your dad to decide” I responded closing the book noticing her eyes become sleepy

“Papa always listens to me. I'll tell him I want a new mama” She said her eyes were already falling shut. Smiling at her antics. I kissed her forehead and covered her with the duvet “Goodnight principessa”

“Good night Mama”

I froze……mama? I didn't sign up for this. Why did she call me mama. I entered the door that linked my room to hers and went straight into the shower. Sophia calling me her mum still plagued my mind, I didn't want Matteo to think I was the one putting ideas into his child's head. I quickly stepped out of the steaming shower with a towel around my chest and froze when I saw Matteo standing at the door. I suddenly became hyper aware as I tightened my grip on my towel. Looking up at him I noticed his eyes looking at my legs. Clearing my throat I got his attention back to my face.

“Pardon my intrusion” he said in his heavy Italian accent.

I awkwardly laughed. “It’s your house Matteo” I said my voice breathy, the way he looked at me. It was doing something to me, I clenched my thighs as I felt something other than water trickle down my thighs.

Clearing his throat “ I just wanted to apologise for my ex wife’s behaviour earlier today”

Ex wife…. So that's who she was. “It's no big deal, Signore” I said, trying my best to replicate an Italian accent.

Lifting one of his brows up he laughed, what a pleasant sound it was, what I would give to be able to hear that over and over again.

“Was that how bad my accent was?” I asked, smiling.

Quickly putting himself together “Believe me I've heard worse.” He said a ghost of a smile still on his face “Goodnight Emily” and just like that he walked out of the room and I couldn't finally breathe properly. Rushing into the bathroom I took a look in the mirror and saw how flushed my face was. Oh God I have a thing for my boss. Putting on some comfy clothes for bed, I walked back to my room and picked up my phone from the nightstand, deciding to call my best friend Andrew. He picked on the third ring.

“ She's alive, I thought you wouldn't call me. How have you been babes” Andrew's bubbly voice rang from the other end of the phone.

“I'm sorry about that. It was just a busy first day. I'm fine, you?” I responded

“ First day? Babessss you didn't tell me you got the job. I'm so happy for you” his excitement was contagious

“Thank you. Today was my first day and I got thrown right into the drama” I said

“Drama? Bitch you better feel me in right now” Andrew responded enthusiastically. I explained how my day went to him from meeting Matteo, to getting the job, to packing my things, to meeting his ex spouse, then to the intimate moment we shared a few minutes ago.

“Holdon, what you're saying is your boss was staring at your wet legs so openly?” Andrew asked, laughing so loud my ears hurt.

“ I knew I shouldn't have told you” I laughed alongside him. After a while he spoke up again “so what? Are you gonna let him hit?”

“Ewww Andrew he's my boss” I said feigning disgusting but knowing deep down I've slowly started fantasizing on it

“So? You should let him hit babes. Anyways I gotta go prepare for my shift. Love you take care”

“Bye. Love you too babes” I said hanging up. Sighing to myself I turned off the lamp light and was about to drop my phone in my pocket when I saw a message from an unknown number

“You think you've won haven't you. Little do you know this is far from over. Watch your back, because the moment I get you, you'll regret placing your hands on things that aren't yours”