Chapter 2 The boss

The morning sun slipped past the thin curtains of her small apartment, casting a pale glow across the cracked walls. Lia stirred awake, blinking slowly before sitting up with a quiet sigh. She rubbed her face, the weight of yesterday still sitting heavy on her chest.

She stood, grabbed her towel, and headed into the cramped bathroom. The water was cold, but she didn't flinch. She let it run over her skin, washing away the stiffness of sleep and the ache of reality.

Once she was done, she dressed quickly pulling on a pair of faded blue jeans and an old gray sweatshirt. She slipped into her worn sneakers, grabbed her tote bag from the floor, and stepped outside.

The morning air was cool as she flagged down a cab.

She gave the address quietly, then leaned back in the seat, watching the city blur past the window as they drove. The driver didn't speak, and she was grateful for the silence.

Thirty minutes later, the cab slowed to a stop in front of the massive black iron gates of the Rodriguez estate.

Lia swallowed.

This was real now.

She paid the driver with shaky fingers and stepped out, her heart pounding as the gate buzzed open with a soft mechanical hum. The mansion beyond looked exactly as it had the day before dark glass, tall pillars, stone path leading up like an invitation and a warning.

She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and walked forward.

The estate grounds were still quiet, the morning air crisp.

By the time she reached the main mansion, Mama Lulu was waiting at the door, arms crossed, wearing the same soft smile.

"Good morning, Miss Lia," she said warmly. "Hope you slept well."

Lia nodded. "I did, thank you. And... thank you for being so kind."

Mama Lulu waved her off gently. "Don't thank me. Just take care of that boy. That's all that matters."

Lia smiled softly and headed upstairs.

She opened the white door to Romeo's room, tiptoeing in.

The little boy was still curled under the covers, fast asleep with Peanut's tiny cage resting on his nightstand. For a moment, Lia just watched him small, peaceful, innocent.

"Romeo," she whispered, moving to sit at the edge of his bed. "Good morning, sweetheart."

He stirred, rubbing his eyes sleepily, curls messy and cheeks warm from sleep. He blinked at her slowly, then smiled a soft one like he'd already gotten used to seeing her face in the morning.

Lia helped him sit up, then bathed him gently in the private bathroom attached to his room. He didn't say much, but he let her wash his hair, dress him in a simple navy tee and soft cotton shorts.

"Ready for breakfast?" she asked.

He nodded sleepily, slipping his small hand into hers.

As they made their way down the marble stairs, Romeo suddenly grinned and started skipping steps, still holding on tightly to her hand.

Lia gasped, laughing. "Hey slow down! You'll drag me!"

The boy giggled, and Lia couldn't help but smile with him. That sound that laugh felt like a reward she didn't know she needed.

They reached the dining room in no time.

The long polished table stretched across the room, but the staff had already placed Romeo's cereal at the smaller end. A bowl of fruit, a cup of juice, and his favorite plastic spoon waited.

Lia guided Romeo to the chair and helped him sit,she sat down too

She pulled the bowl closer, stirred it a little to cool, then began feeding him slowly whispering encouragements between each spoonful.

"You're doing so well," she said softly. "See? Almost halfway. You're stronger than you think, Romeo."

The boy looked up at her with those quiet gray eyes, a drop of milk on his chin.

Lia wiped it gently and smiled.

She was still halfway through feeding Romeo his cereal when the sound of footsteps echoed softly across the marble floor.

Lia looked up.

Romeo did too and instantly, his eyes lit up.

"Daddyyy!" he grinned, cereal still in his mouth as he scrambled in his seat. "Daddy's here!"

Lia turned toward the sound.

Her breath caught in her throat.

It was him.

The man from the study.

Dressed in a crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled up, watch glinting on his wrist, moving with the same quiet confidence that had completely thrown her off the night before.

He walked over without hesitation, ruffling Romeo's curls with a gentle hand. "Hey, buddy," he said softly, voice low and warm in a way that made Lia's stomach flip.

She stared.

That's him? That's Mateo Rodriguez?

Her boss? Romeo's dad?!

Her thoughts scattered.

How had she not known? How had she not recognized him? Every newspaper, every article, every whisper of his name and yet standing in front of her like this, he didn't feel like a headline. He felt real And dangerously close.

Her mouth went dry. Her heart was pounding. She had no idea what to do.

Mateo glanced up from his son and looked directly at her.

"Good morning, Sunshine," he said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Then he slid into the chair at the head of the table.

Lia blinked.

Her brain finally caught up to her body.

"G–good morning, sir," she managed, voice small.

He said nothing back. Just smirked slightly and reached for the napkin as one of the maids placed his breakfast neatly in front of him.

She sat there, awkwardly, still holding Romeo's spoon

---

Later that afternoon, after Romeo finished his online classes, Lia helped him settle down for a nap. He clung to Peanut as he drifted off, soft breathing filling the room.

Lia gently stood, tucked the blanket over him, and quietly stepped out of his room.

Her feet carried her toward the study before her mind even made the decision.

She stood in front of the door, hesitated for a second, then knocked twice.

There was a pause.

Then...

"Come in."

She slowly pushed the door open.

Mateo was seated behind the desk, sleeves rolled up, a few open folders and scattered papers in front of him. He didn't look up immediately. But his voice reached her, calm and amused.

"Sunshine."

Her cheeks warmed.

"Hi," she said quietly, rubbing her palms together. She stayed near the door, unsure how close she was allowed to stand.

"I... um... I came to..."

Mateo finally looked up and then stood, his movements smooth, unhurried.

He walked toward her slowly.

Lia's breath caught.

"I came to apologize," she said quickly, voice low. "For last night. I didn't mean to walk into your study, I got..." She caught herself. No excuses.

"I got lost," she finished simply.

He chuckled, a deep, quiet sound that made her even more flustered.

"Relax," he said. "If I was mad, you wouldn't be standing here."

She glanced at the floor for a second, then looked up as he stepped past her, walking to one of the cabinets behind his desk. His voice came again, calm and casual.

**"My son likes you. You're the best nanny I've seen so far."**

Lia blinked. "Really?"

He nodded. "The others didn't know how to handle a quiet boy. You didn't push him. You didn't try too hard. You just... showed up. That matters."

A small smile crept onto her lips. "Your son is so adorable," she said softly. "And so smart."

Mateo said nothing for a beat.

Then turned slightly, leaning one hand against the cabinet as he faced her again.

"So tell me about yourself?" He said

She hesitated, then tucked her hair behind her ear and took a breath.

"My name is Lia Byers," she said. "I'm twenty-three... and I'm a college dropout."

The room went quiet.

Mateo watched her.

Her throat felt dry again. But she held her ground.

He finally let out a low whistle, one eyebrow raised.

"Wow."

A pause.

Then, with a smirk:

"That's a lot."

Lia gave a small, nervous laugh. "Yeah. It is."

Silence stretched for a moment too long.

Lia glanced around, searching for something anything to change the air.

Her eyes landed on the tall bookshelf behind him.

She stepped toward it slowly. "You have a lot of books," she murmured, trailing her fingers along the spines.

Mateo stayed quiet, watching her.

She tilted her head, scanning titles. Then she paused, fingers stopping on a worn, faded cover. Her eyes lit up slightly.

She pulled it out, smiling. "The Garden of Broken Things."

Her voice was soft, almost fond.

She turned to look at him. "This is one of my favorite books."

Mateo raised an eyebrow. "Is it?"

She nodded, holding it gently like it was something delicate. "I read it twice. It's... quiet. Sad. But honest."

"I didn't know you were into books," she added, glancing at him.

He walked back toward his desk, loosening a button on his sleeve as he moved. "I'm not," he said casually. "They're just there."

She turned back to the shelf, lips tugging into a quiet smile. "So you collect books you don't read?"

"I collect things I like the look of," he said, pouring himself a glass of water. "Doesn't mean I use them."

Lia ran her fingers along another spine, eyes scanning the titles. "Would you mind if I... read some of them? When I'm not working?"

There was a pause.

She turned her head slightly to see him watching her.

He took a slow sip of water, then nodded.

"Sure, Sunshine. Knock yourself out."

She smiled, and something about that small expression so genuine, so soft seemed to throw him off for a second.

She turned back to the shelf again, gently flipping through pages, unaware that he was still watching her.