Settling In And Early Cracks

          The penthouse was eerily silent. Amy awoke to Theo's soft gurgles on the baby monitor by her nightstand. She lay there for a long moment, staring up at the unusually high ceilings in the suite, the surrealness of being here making her heart thud.

Central Park West.

Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year.

Damien Ross's penthouse.

She got dressed in simple black leggings and a soft gray sweater, then ventured down to the nursery.

Theo was standing in his crib, gripping the railing with his chubby fingers and his hair sticking out in every direction. He beamed at her when he saw her and threw his little arms towards her. Amy's chest warmed instantly

"Good morning, little man."

She lifted him, taking in his sweet baby smell, and for the first time since walking through the door, she felt a looseness within her. Caring for Theo - that she could do. It felt safe.

She was beginning to change his diaper when the nursery door swung open. Damien Ross was standing there, already dressed in a sharp charcoal shirt and black trousers. His hair was perfectly styled, but his whiskey eyes appeared as though he hadn't slept much. He didn't offer any words or even a "good morning". Instead, he stared at her with Theo, his arms crossed over his broad chest.

"You're early," he said, his voice low and steady.

"I figured the sooner I got to know his routine, the better." Amy snapped the onesie shut and lifted Theo to her hip.

"Is there a schedule I need to follow?"

Damien stepped farther into the room and stopped unnervingly close. He smelled of expensive soap and something deeper, woodsy.

"Clara forwarded me the schedule. I'd also forward it to you, too. I'll be in my study most of the day, but I expect updates on his progress."

He reached out and brushed a wayward strand of hair from Theo's forehead, his movements surprisingly gentle. Theo cooed and nestled into his father, who for a moment, allowed his usual tough exterior to slip.

He held the back of Theo's head, his hand a picture of pure, quiet protectiveness. Amy had to look away; the sight of that simple, caring gesture sent a shiver down her spine.

Damien noticed.

"You're extremely good at pretending I don't exist," he murmured, his gaze now firmly planted on her and not on his son.

"Most women who walk in this door try to make an impression on me within the first hour. You haven't even asked me how much I'm worth."

Amy shifted Theo on her hip, holding his gaze with hers.

"I already know what the job is paying. That's all I need to know about you, Mr. Ross."

A flash of anger appeared on his face and vanished just as quickly; she had noticed it, though. He stepped closer still, his body almost touching Theo. His voice lowered and grew silkier.

"You don't flirt. You don't simper. You erect walls of professionalism like they're armor." He tilted his head, examining her as if he was trying to solve a complicated equation.

"It's irritatingly effective, Amy."

Heat rose to her cheeks, but she refused to look away.

"I'm here to care for your son, Mr. Ross. Nothing more."

A sliver of a dark smile played on Damien's lips.

"Again, call me Damien", he paused, "And about only caring for my son, we'll see how long that lasts."

He walked away without another word, his presence somehow still radiating warmth throughout the apartment even after the door clicked shut behind him.

-

     The morning continued smoothly and without any other interruptions until Theo had finished his nap, and Amy was idly making sketches on her tablet when Serena Vale's shrill voice cut through the quiet penthouse.

       "Where is my son?"

   Amy glanced up to see a stunning woman with sleek hair and killer red lips striding through the room like she owned it. Serena's eyes landed on Amy, and her smile faltered.

"So you're the new nanny," she said, her voice dripping with sweetness and veiled hatred. "Damien really is stuck on a certain type, isn't he? Young, pretty, temporary."

Before Amy could form a proper response, Damien appeared from the doorway to his study, his expression unreadable.

"Serena," he said, his voice measured.

"You should have called."

"I shouldn't need to call to see my son."

Serena's eyes flickered from Damien to Amy and back again, filled with calculation.

"I hope the new nanny knows her place."

Amy's expression remained neutral, but her stomach churned. This must be the ex. The one he had left at seven months pregnant. The one he couldn't seem to get rid of.

Damien's voice remained even.

"Amy is here for Theo. That's all."

Serena smiled sweetly even though her eyes were as cold as ice.

"For now."

As Serena scooped Theo up in her arms and continued her sugary greetings to him, Amy felt the first crack in her perfect illusion.

The ex wasn't just still in the picture. She was still very much a part of it.

And Damien Ross?

He watched the entire exchange with that same quiet, unreadable intensity - as if he were already wondering exactly how long Amy’s carefully drawn boundaries would hold.