Chapter 3 First days & Unexpected Encounters

I've had jobs before.

I've babysat screaming toddlers. Cleaned houses that smelled like old soup. Worked behind a bakery counter in the middle of July with no air conditioning and a line of sweaty customers yelling about stale bread.

So no-I didn't expect being a nanny would scare me.

But that house?

That man?

That photo still haunting the back of my mind?

Yeah. I was scared.

My heart was racing before I even reached the gate. The same tall, black gate that opened on its own-like it knew I was coming. Like it wanted me to lower my guard.

Or maybe someone inside was watching.

Honestly, I didn't want to think too hard about it.

The driveway felt longer than I remembered. I held onto my bag tighter, my fingers clenched around the strap like it could protect me. The mansion loomed ahead-quiet, too quiet. The kind of silence that echoes. The kind that feels like something-or someone-is always listening.

The front door swung open before I could even knock.

It wasn't Dante.

It was... him.

Leo Moretti.

At first glance, I didn't know who he was.

But then I noticed the resemblance.

Same height. Same sharp jawline. Same intense gray eyes.

But his were different.

Warmer. Softer.

His smile actually reached them-which was more than I could ever say for Dante.

"Whoa," he said, stepping back to let me in. "You're not what I was expecting."

I blinked. "Sorry, I... I was told to come at seven."

"You're right on time." He flashed a grin. "I'm Leo. Dante's better-looking twin."

I laughed before I could stop myself.

He reached out to shake my hand. I hesitated for a second, then took it. His palm was warm. His grip gentle. Nothing like Dante's cold, controlling energy.

"Elena," I said.

"I know." He leaned casually against the doorway, looking like he had just rolled out of bed and somehow still managed to look ridiculously good. Shirt half-unbuttoned. Hair slightly messy. Annoyingly perfect.

"I heard we finally got ourselves a nanny. You look... normal. That's a compliment. Most of the women Dante hires look like they came straight off a runway-and want to kill each other in their sleep."

"Thanks... I think?"

He chuckled. "You'll get used to me."

Before I could say anything else, a familiar voice called down the hall.

"Miss Elena!"

Luca came running, curls bouncing as he launched himself into my arms.

"You came!"

I knelt just in time to catch him. "Of course I did. I promised, didn't I?"

He nodded, his smile lighting up the whole room.

Something inside me melted.

There was so much innocence in his face.

So much trust.

I didn't know what I was supposed to protect him from exactly, but I felt it. Deeply.

This kid didn't choose the world he was born into.

"You wanna play blocks?" he asked.

"Always."

He grabbed my hand, dragging me toward the living room, already chattering about space ships and lasers. Leo stepped aside, watching us with a curious expression.

We built a Lego spaceship-or rather, he did. I just handed him the pieces and made dramatic sound effects when the blocks crashed. He told me he was homeschooled, and his last nanny called him "a genius in training."

I smiled. He deserved to feel special.

He was in the middle of explaining some "science volcano thing" when I stood up to grab his juice from the kitchen.

And then it happened.

I turned the corner-and ran straight into a chest.

A very hard one.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," I said, stepping back-only to see Leo again, grinning.

"Well, that's one way to make an impression," he teased. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I-yeah." I laughed nervously, brushing my hair behind my ear. "Didn't see you."

"Sneaking up on people is my specialty." He winked.

Before I could come up with a response, the entire energy shifted.

The temperature dropped. Or maybe it just felt like it did.

Dante walked in.

It's wild how a whole mood can change the second one person enters a room. Like the light dims. Like something coils tighter in your chest.

He didn't speak at first. Just looked.

At Leo.

At me.

At Luca in the next room.

"Morning," he said, voice low.

"Morning, sir," I replied, my voice shrinking without meaning to.

Leo stepped back, playful again. "She's already a hit with Luca."

Dante didn't smile. "That's good."

Then his gaze locked onto mine. His tone sharpened, suddenly all business.

"I don't repeat myself, so listen carefully."

My palms were already sweating. I nodded fast.

"Luca's meals are scheduled. Breakfast by eight. Light snacks around eleven. No sugar before four. Lunch is prepped by Roberta. Don't ask questions. Don't snoop. If you need anything, come to me. Not staff. Not Leo. Me."

That last part hit like a warning.

I nodded again, my heart thudding.

"Nap is at one. He doesn't like it, but he needs it. Be firm. Use the sound machine in the drawer if he resists."

"Okay," I said, trying to absorb every word.

"Playtime is tech-free. Unless he's watching that ridiculous space documentary series he loves. Let him talk about it-it calms him."

That part made me smile a little.

"And finally," Dante continued, eyes narrowing just slightly, "he's homeschooled. The tutor comes three times a week. You're not expected to teach, but I expect you to support. No distractions. No phone scrolling. This isn't a daycare."

"I understand, sir," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

He didn't nod. Didn't thank me. Just turned and walked away.

Typical.

Leo shook his head, holding a coffee mug now. "He gives that speech like he's hiring for a prison. Don't worry, he forgets half his own rules in a week."

I laughed awkwardly, still tense.

By lunchtime, Luca had shown me half his drawings and introduced me to two stuffed animals named Captain Zoom and Gloopy. I didn't ask why one was called Gloopy. Kids are weird.

Roberta, the cook, was sweet and quiet. She even made me a sandwich, which I hadn't expected. I was so hungry I nearly cried.

But I couldn't relax. Not fully.

Not because of Dante. Not even because of Leo.

Because of that photo.

My dad. Standing beside a stranger.

In this house.

In Dante Moretti's house.

I needed answers.

But in a place like this, asking questions didn't feel like the safest thing to do.

That evening, after snack time, I helped Luca wash his hands at the sink.

Leo passed through the hallway again. But this time, something in his expression had changed. He wasn't smiling. Not teasing. Just... watching.

"You okay?" I asked gently.

He didn't answer right away.

Then finally-quietly-he said:

"Elena... did your father ever work in this city?"

I froze.

"What?"

He looked right at me.

But then-just as fast-he shook his head. "Never mind. Forget I asked."

And he walked away.