"Why are your nipples hard?" That question hit me hard. I forgot how to breathe. I blinked at Dex. "I...I..I wanted to ask about Amirion." Dex had just gotten out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. His wet hair falling over his head. Water glistened along his shoulders. He looked at me and gave me an annoying smirk. "That was not what I asked, Kiana." I swallowed. "I'm sorry." I turned to leave but his hands caught my wrist and pulled me back. My back hit the wall. Dex planted one hand against it besides my head and leaned in closer,trapping me between him and the wall.  "Tell me." His voice dropped. "Do you want me?" My heart stopped. I looked away. He studied my face for a minute before reaching up and gently turning my chin towards him. His thumb brushed slowly across my lower lips. "Say it"  My breathing grew heavy. "Say you want me." I squeezed my eyes shut His hands slowly moved up my thighs making me dripping wet. "Dex." I whispered. "Tell me." He leaned in closer, His lips slightly brushing my ear. "Say you want me."  I couldn't hold it in anymore. "Yes." My heart pounded against my chest.  A faint, knowing smile touched his lips. I shouldn't be doing this.  He was my boss.  He was the Arrogant Man that made me feel worthless. I hated him but my body said otherwise. His lips brushed mine and I melted completely. I wanted him.  All of him. 3 months ago  The doctor had just told me mum had little time left on earth. My whole world was shattering. I couldn't lose my mum. I couldn't, she's my whole life . I called my best friend hoping she could lend me money to get her treated. "Hello Hannah." I could not hold in my tears and broke down on the phone. "What happened, Kiana? Are you okay?" "No Hannah, I'm not. Mum is dying Hannah, i need to save her." My voice was shaky. "Baby, don't cry Where are you now I'll come right away." "I'm at City hospital." "Okay I'm coming right away." She said as she ended the call. I broke down in tears as people walked and stared at me at the hospital.  Hannah arrived in 30mins and pulled me into a hug. I needed just that. "Baby, how are you? I'm so sorry about your mum. What are the doctors saying?" "They need money. I need to get her on treatment Hannah and I've got nothing?" "Don't worry. I'll ask my Dad, okay?" "Thank you Hannah. Thank you so much." I was still crying and Hannah pulled me into a hug promising to talk to her father.  That night, I had slept beside mum who was still unconscious.  Mum had been diagnosed with breast cancer and we had no one. Dad had remarried and his new wife sent us packing. I dropped out of school just to take care of my dying mother and I was on the verge of losing her. I was ready to do anything to save mum, Anything. I was still thinking when Hannah came into the ward. "Hey baby. How are you?" She was smiling and holding a bag of food "I'm Fine Hannah" I let out a subtle smile. "I brought food for you," "Thank you so much Hannah but I need feedback. What did your dad say." "Calm down Kiana, Eat up first." "I can't eat and you know that. Just tell me." She sighed before answering.  "Okay. Dad gave me just a little bit of money  but I found something else for you." "What did you find?" "A job" She said smiling "A job? What kind of job?" "A nanny job Kiana. I promise you'll love it. The boy is a 2-year old child who lives with just his father" I was not too sure about that. Who would take care of mum if I leave. "Hannah. I can't do that. Who would take care of mum?" "Well I will and that is why you have nurses and besides the pay is what matters. It is 50,000 dollars every month." My eyes widened. Did I just hear her right? "50,000?" "Yes baby. All you have to do is just take care of the boy. Nothing else." I could not refuse now. The money was enough to cure mum and live a comfortable life.  If I do it for a year I could get my life sorted. "Where is the place and how do I apply?" I was eager to do anything. "Okay so this is the address and you can go there tomorrow. I heard about it from a friend" I collected the address ready to visit the house and hoped I'd be employed.  "Thank you so much Hannah." "You're welcome Kiana. I'm so sorry I can't really help with finances." "It's okay baby. This is enough." I pulled her into a hug.  I went to the house the next day.  It was a huge mansion with a horse stable right outside. I wasn't surprised. Anyone paying me that much for just a nanny had to be ridiculously wealthy.. The house screamed wealth. I rang the bell and was accompanied inside by a butler. He told me to sit and the Boss would be down soon.  I waited for about 1 hour and he still didn't come. I was getting irritated.  Who keeps someone waiting for over an hour? I called the butler to ask when he was coming down and he told me to be patient. After 30mins I stood up and prepared to leave when a voice echoed behind me. "You don't need a job anymore?" I looked back and the man I saw gave me a shock. It was Dex. Dex Luther. One of the most dangerous men in the city. He was rumored to kill anyone who stepped on his toes at the slightest mistake. The same man that tortured an entire family because their child mocked his son for being motherless. He is the most feared man in NYC. No way this was the job Hannah got me. Fuck me.  There was no way I was working here. 

Dex came down the stairs carrying his son. He was a handsome little boy with long curly hair holding onto his Dad.  The boy was cute but not enough for me to take that job. Not when his father was Dex. He could kill me if his son just showed the slightest sign of discomfort .  "Why are you staring? Sit down." He said in a very commanding tone. I did not like him at all and never would I.  I sat down immediately and he sat right across me.  "So,What is your name and why do you need this job?" His voice was firm. I didn't know what to say. How do I tell him I don't want the job anymore? What excuse could I possibly give ? "Leave if you have nothing to say. You are wasting my time." I was frightened. I could not just leave. What about the money?  But what if I stay and one day he kills me for something I didn't even do.  No No I can't stay.  I stood up to leave then his son started crying.  I was scared. What if he blames me for making his son cry now .  I looked back and his son was looking directly at me. He was holding his hands out as if he wanted me to carry him.  I didn't move. I just stood there watching him cry hoping he would stop but he didn't. He wanted to leave his Dad and come to me. I summoned up courage and walked up to Dex who was holding his son. I reached out to carry him but Dex hesitated and refused to allow me touch him.  I gave him an asserting nod and carried his son.  He stopped crying just as I carried him and he started smiling.  I was wowed. Did I just make him Happy? Dex looked surprised and relieved.  He then looked up to me. "You'll resume work today" I looked up surprised  "Wait what? Didn't you just tell me to leave?" "Well now I told you to stay and you will. He obviously likes you." He smiled looking at his son. I never knew villains could smile "I'm sorry but I didn't plan that. I just thought I would come for an interview today" "Okay so you want to leave?!" He gave me a scary look I didn't know what to say  "No. I'll just go home to get my stuff and I'll be back tomorrow" "Okay,drop your bank details with the butler. You'll receive your payment today" My eyes lit up. So fast? I could not run away anymore. "Thank you sir" His son had fallen asleep on my shoulders.  I gave him back to Dex and walked out. Alive. I was so scared and called Hannah immediately. "Why didn't you tell me it was Dex." I asked, voice loud and harsh. "Who is Dex?" "Who else is Dex?" "What are you saying Kiana."  "Dex Luther, Hannah." "Well what happened to Dex Luther?" I was losing my mind at the thought of her not understanding what she had just gotten me into. "Hannah, Dex Luther is the employer who needs a nanny." "Wait what? How?" I narrated everything to Hannah and told her I'd be starting the job the next day. She didn't seem worried in the slightest and just shoved it off. "Well lucky you, He can't harm you. You literally made his son smile." "That does not mean Hannah. Anyways I'm going to check up on mum and pay her deposit." "Deposit?" "Well. He paid me already." "Hell yeah! Finally things are working out. Good luck baby" "Thank you Hannah, i love you so much" "Love you too baby. Bye now" I went to the hospital and told my Mum's doctor about my condition. I paid Mum's deposit and pleaded for her to get a nurse to check on her everyday and I'll be coming on weekends. I went back to the mansion the next morning and I didn't see Dex or the butler. I looked around the house a bit and saw a picture. It was a picture of Dex and a gorgeous young lady. I was admiring it when he came out and saw me. "You should never ever touch anything in this house if I don't tell you to, do you understand." I looked back and saw him. He glared at me with cold eyes. "Oh I'm sorry sir, I just wanted to look around." "You don't need to look around. Do your job as a nanny and stay the fuck out of my sight." He said in a very sharp and harsh tone. I nodded in agreement "yes sir" "What is your name?" "Kiana," He was staring at me like he was expecting me to continue but I didn't say anything.  "Kiana what?" "Kiana James." "Okay. I'm Dex. Dex Luther." "Okay sir." I said facing the ground and avoiding eye contact. "Are you even a proper nanny? Don't you want to know the name of the boy you'll be taking care of?" He asked,raising his voice. I finally looked up. "I'm sorry sir, what is his name?" "Listen, Miss James, You better get your act right before I do it for you and I'm sure you wouldn't want that." "Yes sir, I'm sorry." "His name is Amirion." "That's a lovely name for a cute boy." I said hoping he'll be a little lenient with his tone. "I know that, now I'll be giving you some rules in this house," "Okay sir." "Do not go into any room except yours and Amirion's room," "Do not question me and try your best to stay out of my sight." "Amirion also has selective mutism so it might be hard communicating with him," I was shocked to hear that.  Selective mutism? How was I supposed to bond with him, He noticed my expression and moved closer to me. "Well, is there a problem?" I looked down, "No sir." "Look up when I'm talking to you Miss." He took another step further towards me and I could see him clearly. "Understood Miss James?" "Yes sir." "Good." "Is that all sir." "No. You must get Amirion to bed by 8pm and always attend to his needs even though he can't speak and lastly, do not harm my Kid,Kiana, or I will ruin your life." My face became pale immediately. My heart was giving out. Why was he so cold.  "Y...Ye...yes sir." "Now why are you stammering." He raised his voice again. "I'm so..sorry sir." "Whatever...I'm going to work now, Amirion is asleep you can tend to him when he is awake," "Yes sir." I sat down on the couch thinking about my new life. How would I survive this? I was living with a man rumored to have been a murderer but that should not bother me.  All I had to think about was Mum and the money I'd get from this. Just one year. It will all end in a year.

Dex had left and I could finally breathe. I asked the Butler for my room,settled down and took a shower. I went into Amirion’s room to check on him and he was awake but just sitting on his bed. “Hi baby.” I said to him with a smile on my face. He looked at me with no emotions in his eyes. Just staring at me and saying nothing. Then I remembered, he had selective mutism. I moved closer to him and hugged him. He didn’t resist and just rested his head on my chest.  I liked the boy, it was impossible not to. But I hated his father. I didn’t understand how such a sweet boy could belong to someone so cruel. I carried Amirion to the dining, sat him down and made something for him to eat.  He refused to eat everything I made and I wondered if he did not like them but I had made 4 different meals and he refused all of them.  I had to call the butler and ask how they had been feeding him. “So why is he refusing to eat? I made cereals and even noodles but still he is not eating” “Amirion only takes milk ma’am” “Milk? you only give him milk? Why would you do that?” I was frustrated. Giving a young boy milk all the time was the worst thing. How would he adapt to other meals? “Has he had any Nannies before? Did they also give him milk?” He did not say a word. “Answer me” “Instead of caring about what other Nannies gave him to eat, why don’t you try and find a way to feed him. That is what I pay you for Kiana.” I heard Dex’s voice behind me.  Fuck he was back. Why was he back so early.  “Welcome sir.” The butler greeted him. “Hello Sam. You can leave.” The butler left and Dex walked up to me. His presence intimidated me every time I saw him.He was Huge,His broad physique making me look painfully small beside him. No matter how I tried, I I could never get used to being around him.  “Welcome Sir”…I murmured.  “Why have you not fed him yet?” “He is refusing to eat.” “That is not an excuse. You should find a way to make him eat.” “I tried sir.” Dex went still.  His eyes narrowed as he stared at me. “You tried?” His jaw tightened as he took a step closer “Is that why I pay you Kiana? For you to tell me you tried?” The disbelief in his words made my stomach twist “I’m sorry sir. I’ll feed him now” He stepped closer, leaving no gap between us as he gripped my chin forcing me to look up to him. “You better.” I lowered my gaze, blinking rapidly as I held back my tears. Dex goes to Amirion and picks him up. “How are you big boy” He pecked him on his cheek and Amirion gave him a little smile. Then he looked back at me “Feed him and get him to take a nap but ensure he is up in an hour” I nodded…”yes sir” I went to meet Sam and told him to get the milk ready for me to feed Amirion. After feeding him, I pulled him against my chest and patted him on the back slowly as I rocked him from side to side.  His little body gradually relaxed against mine and his breathing became slow and steady. In minutes, he was fast asleep.  I took him to his room and laid him down to sleep, pulled the blanket over him and quietly left the room.  Getting back to my room, I was overwhelmed. I had not heard from Hannah nor did I know how mum was doing.  I took a quick shower and stepped out of my room to get fresh air and call Hannah to ask about my Mum. The mansion was unusually quiet. I walked down the hallway trying not to make a noise. My mind had been heavy and I just needed to be distracted.  As I approached the end of the hallway, a room caught my attention and I slowed down.  Light slipped through the small opening and curiosity got the best of me. I peeked inside. It was a study.  The room was large and elegant with bookshelves lining the walls and a big chair and desk sitting in the middle of the room.  Then I saw Dex. Sitting on one edge of his Desk with a glass of whiskey loosely on one hand and a file on the other.  His sleeves were rolled up, exposing his forearms. All I could see was his broad back as he sat slightly relaxed.  I stopped and looked for too long without meaning to.  He looked different.  He was not staring intimidatingly at me or barking orders.  Just sat there engrossed in whatever he was reading. I stood there watching him for a moment without realizing I was staring……and he had caught me. “Do you need something?” He asked glaring directly at me. “No sir, I was just….uhmm.” I stopped.  Gosh why the fuck was I stammering. He raised a brow expecting my reply I looked away avoiding his eyes. “I was looking for the balcony sorry.” “Well it’s not this way so leave.” I turned back looking embarrassed. “Oh..sorry sir.” I took a step and was about to leave when he called out for me. “Wait!” I stopped. My heart is beating fast. What now? I turned back to meet him walking towards me. “Yes sir?” He stopped and puts his hands in his pocket. “Why are your eyes red?” I immediately got defensive. I didn’t want him to know I had cried.  “No sir….i mean nothing sir.” He was silent for a minute  “Well they are red so why are they red?” I rubbed my eyes, avoiding his gaze. “Maybe something got into it.” I needed to leave before he could continue asking me questions and get suspicious. “I’m sorry to disturb you Sir.” I said and walked away. I didn’t stop walking until I was sure he was out of sight, only then was I able to breathe.  I sighed in relief, running my hand through my hair as I dialed Hannah’s contact.  We spoke for over an hour and hearing her words calmed the tension in me. She had reassured me Mum was doing fine and I need not worry.  I felt better after the call ended and headed in to check on Amirion. He was still asleep. I stood at the door and watched him sleep peacefully. A small smile tugged at my lips as I walked to his bed. I sat down and gently brushed the hair covering his forehead.  There was something comforting I felt sitting beside him even if he could not see or hear me.  Then the door opened. I froze. My hand stopped in his hair as I looked up towards the entrance. A man walked into the room. He was tall, ridiculously tall.  His caramel-brown skin stood out against the burgundy suit he wore, which was perfectly tailored across his broad shoulders and a muscular frame.  His hair was neatly styled, he had sharp features and was insanely attractive. But, who was he and how did he get in here? He didn’t look lost. He didn’t look like someone that walked into a room that was not theirs. He simply walked in like he owned the place. My brows furrowed.  Who the hell was he? I stood from the bed and walked towards him “And who are you?” He didn’t answer. His gaze lingered around me for a moment before he smiled and stretched out his hands. “You must be Kiana?” I blinked. How did he know me? “Hi, I’m Ethan, Amirion’s doctor” Doctor? Why was I never told he had a Doctor and why was he so hot and ridiculously good-looking.  I hesitated before shaking him back  “I guess you know I am Kiana already” He nodded and smiled “Yeah, Dex told me” Dex? He called him by his first name.  They must be familiar with one another. “Well as you can see he is still sleeping so maybe you will wait a little.” “Sure no problem.” I left the room and unknowingly bumped into Dex who was also coming to Amirion’s room. “Watch where you are going.” He snapped. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you there.” He didn’t bother replying and shoved me aside. “When did you get here?” He asked, facing Ethan. “Just now and stop being harsh to the innocent girl she didn’t see you.” “Whatever. Let’s go to my study.” He turned around and left. “I’m sorry about that. Don’t pay any attention to his attitude.” Ethan said to me as he followed Dex to his study. I genuinely don’t think I can survive this.  He is such a mean ass.