Chapter 3 The Predicament of the Nanny

Emily's day had started out normally enough; the sun had flooded in through the window, giving the nursery a warm, golden light. She coaxed Joshua out of his slumber tenderly, holding him close as they had a moment of intimacy.

The secret she had stumbled upon by midday, however, had begun to weigh heavily on her mind.

After putting Joshua down for his nap earlier in the day, Emily had gone to Alexander's study to look for a missing toy. She wasn't trying to pry, but some papers had fallen out of an open drawer. Emily only meant to peek at the page for a minute, but she ended up reading it cover to cover and learned far more about Alexander's complicated world than she had bargained for.

She discovered a ledger listing the debts of numerous individuals and companies. Her breath caught as she skimmed the list. A stunning sum of money, far more than she could have ever dreamed of, was attached to her family's name on the list. Her ancestors owed a great deal of power to the Bennett empire.

She sat back against the heavy mahogany desk and let the news sink in. The future of her family's finances was in his hands; how could she, in good faith, keep working for him? However, she needed to work so that she could provide for her family. She had a torturous decision to make.

Emily, feeling the confines of the study, hurriedly left in search of fresh air and a chance to collect her thoughts. She went on a walk around the estate, but the extensive grounds did not comfort her. Every blossom and blade of grass bore witness to the imperial sway.

She was lost in thought and almost ran into Alexander as he came via a side door. Emily felt a whirlwind of emotions in that split second when their eyes met. There was animosity, misunderstanding, and a palpable attraction between them.

"You seem troubled," he said, his anxiety showing in his eyes.

Emily was hesitating. How much information should she give? "It's... personal," she said, averting her gaze.

Alexander came closer, raising her chin so that she could look into his eyes. "You can talk to me, Emily."

She tried, but failed. Ignore this. She shook her head, clearly fighting to keep her cool. "I just need some time to think."

She sped away before he could reply, leaving Alexander bewildered.

Emily retreated to her room to think about what to do next. She required counsel, a trusted confidant. And she had the perfect candidate in mind: Clara, a buddy from way back when. Someone to whom she had confided her deepest, most private thoughts. She is the only one who might possibly offer advice in this sticky predicament.

She picked up the phone and called Clara in a determined fashion. Emily knew she couldn't face the unknowns ahead on her alone.

The following evening, the Bennett mansion's enormous ballroom hummed with activity. The elite of the city were mingling at the lavish banquet Alexander was giving in honor of a business milestone.

But Emily was uncomfortable among all the glitz and splendor. She had been invited as a courtesy but declined to participate, instead choosing to stay in the background and make sure that little Joshua was properly taken care of and entertained by the other kids there.

Emily kept sneaking looks at Alexander, who was entertaining guests in the ballroom's center, as the evening drew on. She saw how he effortlessly endeared himself to the partygoers, shared laughs at their experiences, and skillfully guided the conversation toward opportunities for business partnerships. Nonetheless, there were times when she noticed a trace of fatigue in his eyes despite his seeming ease.

When Alexander stepped away from his hosting duties, their paths crossed. Looking for his nephew, he walked over to the playground. Joshua, who was in Emily's arms, beamed when he saw Alexander.

"Uncle Alex!" he screamed loudly, extending his hand.

As Alexander embraced Joshua, his air of formality dissipated. Their closeness was obvious, and Emily had a glimpse of a new side to Alexander as she watched the two of them interact. One that was gentle, guardian, and loving.

Emily broke the pause with a soft, "He's had a long day,"

Alex agreed and nodded. "You're welcome, Emily. Due to your efforts on his behalf.

When their gazes crossed, it was as if all of the secrets, concerns, and misunderstandings between them suddenly become palpable. The rest of the guests in the room disappeared, and the two of them were left alone in their own little universe.

A voice broke the trance and drew Alexander back into his role as host for the evening. He mumbled, "Can we talk later?" as he departed.

Emily, her heart racing, nodded.

Emily's anticipation of their upcoming conversation grew as the night wore on. The clock struck midnight, and the partygoers began to disperse; Alexander had requested Emily to meet him in the mansion's library.

The chamber was barely illuminated, its walls cast in shifting shadow by the warm firelight. The anticipation was over; Alexander had arrived early. As soon as she walked in, he stepped toward her, his eyes narrowing.

As he said, "Emily," he continued, "I feel like there's been some gap between us lately. I need an explanation as to why.

Emily was hesitating. She didn't know how to make sense of the complicated feelings she was having. Yet she was conscious of the fact that she owed him the truth. After taking a deep breath, she told them about the ledger and their financial troubles.

Alexander, much to her astonishment, appeared to be really shocked. To put it simply, "I had no idea," he said. My accounting staff handles that register. I had no idea what was going on with your family.

Emily was struck by the honesty of his admission and the realization that despite his authority and grandeur, Alexander was not without flaws.

She replied with sadness, "I should have come to you sooner."

All night long they discussed their concerns and set the record straight on common misconceptions. It was the start of an unexplained friendship, developed amid hardship and based on mutual trust. Although they were still suspicious, they found that their guard was beginning to relax.