Lahat ng Kabanata ng I Hired My Favorite Stripper to Be My Nanny: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

Maya’s POVSteam still held on to my skin when I stepped out of the bathroom.The mirror was fogged over and the light above it reflected dimly. I reached for the towel hanging by the door and wrapped it around my shoulders, cleaning the moisture from my hair. Water dripped down my spine, pooling briefly at the small of my back before disappearing into the fabric of the towel I had hastily tied around myself earlier.My thoughts were loud this morning..I dragged the towel through my hair again, firmer this time, as if I could wring the tension out along with the water. Last night replayed itself behind my eyes, Luca’s voice, sharp and low, the way the air had shifted the moment the word ‘twin’ left my mouth. The panic that had lodged itself in my chest, when he began questioning me. I wonder what I would have done if not for Nico.I squeezed my eyes shut.It was done, said and impossible to pull back.A soft giggle drifted down the hallway.I stilled.I recognized Nico’s laugh instan

Luca’s POVThe cuff button slipped from my fingers and clinked softly against the hardwood floor.I muttered under my breath and crouched, retrieving it before Nico could notice. I didn’t need my son’s sharp eyes catching on to anything else this morning. Nico had already been too quiet for my liking.“Hold still,” I said, straightening again and smoothing the front of Nico’s shirt. The fabric was crisp, pale blue, the kind of thing Nico usually complained about because it wasn’t a jersey or anything with numbers printed boldly across the chest.But this time he didn’t complain and that was the problem.He stood there obediently, his arms at his sides and his gaze fixed somewhere past my shoulder, as if his mind had wandered off without him.I tightened the cuff gently, then the other, my movements were swift. I had dressed Nico countless times before school mornings, rushed breakfasts, mismatched socks but today the silence pressed in around us, heavy enough to be noticed.“You’re go

Maya’s POVThe party unfolded beautifully and well organised.Lights glimmered overhead, casting warm gold reflections across marble floors. Soft music threaded through the air, the kind that filled silence without demanding attention and voices surged from different parts of the hall, excitement and laughter could be heard loudlyI stood just slightly behind Nico.Not too far to seem inattentive and not too close to smother him.I had learned the balance quickly.Nico clutched a glass of juice in both hands, his eyes remained wide as he took everything in. He shifted from foot to foot, clearly overwhelmed but trying very hard not to show it. I crouched occasionally to murmur reassurances, smoothing imaginary creases from his jacket, reminding him to breathe, to smile when spoken to.“You’re doing great,” I whispered once.He nodded, while his shoulders squared a little.I stayed near him, always aware of where he was, who he was talking to, whether his smile faltered or his fingers t

Maya’s POVKeeping my distance from Luca had started as a decision.A deliberate one.I told myself it was necessary, healthy and the best thing to do. It didn’t help that he was Mr L from my past life. If he ever found out who I really am then I wouldn't have this job anymore.But decisions were easy in theory. Living with them was another thing entirely.Every morning, I wake up hyperaware of the space between us of how carefully I measured my steps so I wouldn’t cross paths with him in the hallway, how I timed Nico’s routine so we were out of the room before Luca came downstairs, how I kept my eyes trained on anything but his face whenever our paths inevitably crossed.And still, it was getting harder. I imagine things that should never be but I cannot help it.Because Gabriella was around more often now, too often even.Her presence clung to the house like a perfume that refused to fade sharp, expensive, suffocating. She came in the afternoons, sometimes unannounced, her heels ech

Maya’s POVAt first I believed Nico was just rambling about stuff but he was serious. The alliance began in whispers.I kicked against it so many times but her words came flashing back, it wouldn't hurt to make her pay a little, would it?Late at night, with the door locked and Nico sat cross-legged on my bed, his eyes were bright with the kind of mischief children usually got scolded for. He spoke fast, hands moving as he explained ideas he had clearly been storing for a long time. I listened, half amused, half horrified, but mostly… relieved.Relieved to see him smile again and to feel like I wasn’t alone.We didn’t rush into it. That was the rule. Nico insisted on planning. He said pranks were only funny if they were earned. If they were precise. If they were unforgettable.So we planned.The first prank was simple. Almost childish.A classic trap.That morning, Gabriella came down the stairs with her usual clipped steps, phone pressed to her ear and her voice dripping with false s