All Chapters of Nanny Bil-aries: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

"I don't think I can eat this," Leo said, his focus still on the plate.“You don't have to, son,” Xender replied smoothly, having clearly anticipated this. “But you like the bread, don't you? It's simply structured.”Leo nodded after tearing apart the bread and chewing thoughtfully. Xender subtly relaxed, and we both continued eating. The meal, a rich blend of sophisticated flavors, was delicious, and I found myself cleaning my plate ten minutes later.“So,” I began, ready to launch into the actual protocol discussion. “Regarding the doctor’s findings on the mutism—”I was interrupted by a young woman in chef whites who expertly balanced three steaming plates of the main course. I watched her efficiently place the food. My stomach let out a loud, embarrassing growling sound. I flushed hard as Xender chuckled and Leo dropped into a fit of giggles. The appetizer had, as intended, simply prepared the body for the main load.As soon as the young woman departed, Xender turned those captiva

Leo dropped his paint cans, and his paintbrush clattered to the floor. His face, already pale, drew tight, and his eyes darted around the perimeter, searching for a threat only he could see. He started hitting his own head with a closed fist—a desperate, self-soothing gesture to counteract the overwhelming sensory input.I quickly moved in, placing myself between him and the source of the noise. I knelt, keeping my body low and steady.“Leo. Look at me,” I commanded, my voice low and firm, not loud. I used the hand signal for STOP—an open palm held up.He didn't see me. He was trapped in the trauma loop. “She's a stupid little freak,” he managed to whisper, echoing an old insult. His fear was externalized as anger.I gently placed my hands on his shoulders, grounding him. “Observation. Leo, look at my eyes. Red on the threat. Green on the safe zone. The threat is outside, and you are with me. We are safe. You are not a freak. You are strong. Now, count with me. One… two…” I began the

My mind raced. I hadn't made any public mistake. Security risk? My eyes widened as I remembered following Xender to his car that day, his public request for my company. But Tio didn't know about the kiss, did he?I knew this felt like I had been discovered. I had broken the cardinal rule of employee-employer boundaries, and now I was being punished. Who had informed Tio?I spent the following week marooned in my apartment. A constant, heavy ache refused to go away. I felt exposed, wondering if I was even qualified to apply for other crisis management positions. My termination was non-negotiable and for cause—a massive red flag.I was lounging on my couch, operating on minimal rations, wearing a worn tank top, eating a bowl of cold cereal. I couldn't find the motivation to do anything, least of all face the mountain of medical debt forms I needed to process.My phone rang. I turned to see Lilly's name.“Hey, Lilly.”“Don't tell me you're still in the same fetal position you were two da

Xender broke off the kiss and smirked at me. He stood up, but instead of moving toward the direction of the stairs, he turned to me with a rueful smile.“It’s past Leo’s operational bedtime. It’s time for the final check-in.”I nodded, feeling a ridiculous flush of embarrassment. I had practically just propositioned my new employer and been rejected for a father’s duty.“I better go, then.”“If you must. Richard Hale will drive you.” Xender replied politely, his tone strictly professional once more.I got up, valiantly ignoring the throbbing pulse between my legs."See you tomorrow."“See you later, Maya.”The next day, I arrived bright and early at the Zang Estate and was greeted by Xender’s absence. Amanda, the housekeeper, informed me he had left for the Corporate Tower. This meant it was just Leo and me today. I waited on the couch for him, bringing out my tactical manuals and specialized workbooks as he was readying himself. When footsteps sounded on the stairs, I looked up and s

Xender gazed at me for a long moment. I saw a plethora of conflicting emotions swirling in his eyes: despair, sadness, hopelessness. He whispered in a low tone, his lips barely moving."You don't know the operational parameters of my life."“I know enough to see the failure point,” I said to him, my tone earnest.“I am working long hours to provide the future he deserves. That is loving him.”“You can provide resources and provide emotional availability, right?”“I am providing love right now by securing his future!” He growled in my face, his eyes shining with anger.“Then reinforce that visually and spend time with him!” I yelled. I took a deep, stabilizing breath. “Let me organize a low-stress outing for just the two of you. You can go to a specialized climbing gym, the Central Park observation point, or maybe a sensory-friendly movie.”Xender regarded me with cool eyes for a few moments.“You always insert yourself into areas that are not your direct concern, don’t you, Maya?”“Yo