Chapter 3

Heather

I stopped at a diner near my apartment to grab a quick lunch when Tyler, that'd be my boyfriend called me.

"How did the interview go?" He is so sweet. He is the most loving guy that I know and he cares about me so much.

"I think it went well. I have to wait for the call first. I'll be back home after lunch, will you be home tonight?" I heard shuffling of papers on the other line.

"Sorry honey, I'm going to be home late tonight." He was an accountant so he worked long hours, especially during tax season. I still miss him even though he calls me every day.

"It's okay I have to get my assignment done anyways," I said my goodbye before driving back to my apartment. Thankfully this was my last year of college so by next year this time I would be teaching. I love being a nanny for the time being but unfortunately, I had to quit my current job since things got complicated.

Mr.Smith, my employer's husband became too comfortable with having me around and propositioned me for sex. I told his wife about it after the 2nd time, at first I thought he was joking but he was persistent. He threatened me since I was the cause of his divorce so I do not feel comfortable or safe working for them anymore.

My interview with Gabriele Armanto was actually nice, it was an informal interview nothing too harsh. He was a good looking man, tall with dark hair and eyes and tan skin. He had muscles in all the right places... but I didn't pay much attention to that. He adores his son, from what I  have heard he had no wife and had to raise his boy alone.

I opened my apartment door, it's nothing big, just comfortable but with the stacks of work I had to do it was getting claustrophobic. I sighed and took a seat next to a stack. I started going through the list of things I had to get done. I was already annoyed by the pile staring back at me from the start. That's what I get for putting it off till the last minute. My phone ringing jolted me out of my assignment induced frustration haze. It was an unknown number. Fear coursed through me, the threat I got from Mr.Smith was an empty one but I had this irrational fear constantly looming over me.

I looked at my phone warily. I answered it after a good few seconds.

"Hello?"

"Hi, it's Tristan." I let out a breath when I heard my brother's voice from on the other side.

"Hey."

"Did Nichola call you?" I grimaced at my sister's name.

"No, why?"

"She's getting married." I gasped. Alex proposed to her? I guessed he would since he's wrapped around that witch's pinky. I bit back all my remarks, the snide remarks I had drifting around my head.

"Really? Wow. She'll call me eventually." Hopefully not, I don't want to see my sister getting married to my ex that chose her over me.

"Sorry, I forgot about you and Alex. Mom told me to call you just to make sure you know. I didn't want to, but you know how she gets with the ladle." I smiled, my mother practically raised us with a ladle, that thing haunted us, even to this day. That was the most threatening thing when we were children.

"It's fine, it was bound to happen some time. I have some work to do so I better get cracking." He sensed my unease and said goodbye. I was in a relationship with my best friend Alex for years but then he told me that he liked Nichola more than I. I couldn't be his friend when I saw him love someone else, my sister. There was some bad blood in the family with Nichola. He still chose her, however.

I continued doing my college assignment until I fell asleep in the papers scattered around me on my bed.

I woke up the next morning and accidentally rolled out of bed landing on the ground with a thud. The papers went flying in every direction. The loud sound emanating from my bag woke me up. It was still early but all I had to do today was get these piles done. I untangled myself from the bedding and shuffled to my bag. I rummaged through it until I triumphantly found my phone. I quickly picked up still in my sleepy haze. I didn't even check the number.

"Miss Jackson?"

"Yes, who is it?"

"It's Gabriele Armato. I'm calling to tell you that you got the nanny job. Can you come in today? If you are going to accept the job that is." I looked around at the pile I had left. I am not in the mood for it at all.

"Yes, when should I come around?"

"Around 11." I agreed and ran to the shower looking at the time it was just after 10. I had a quick shower before I dressed in some jeans and a casual shirt. I left my hair down since it couldn't be tamed. Not today.

I stopped at the big house. It was huge but it had a homey feel even though it was fairly modern.

As I stopped in front of the gate, the big iron gates opened. I  parked my car in front of the three-door garage and walked to the front door. I knocked twice before the door swung open and Luca smiled at me.

"Heather!" He squealed and gave me a hug, he already took a liking to me. He's really adorable but he looks like he could be a handful. I gave him a hug then he let go and rushed away. I closed the door behind me and saw Gabriele coming down the stairs, he wore some jeans and a t-shirt. Even in this simple outfit, he looked handsome. I guess he had the day off today since it is a Monday.

He stopped and studied me for a moment before he continued walking to me.

"Hi, Luca let me in so...," He looked around and chuckled.

"He's so overactive sometimes, here the one moment and gone the next. So I wanted to go over a few things today for when you start work next week."I slowly nodded.

"Sure."

He walked me to the lounge area where we sat down.

"So the most important things first," He handed me a photo of a woman that had familiar blue eyes.

"That's Luca's mother. She isn't allowed to come near him or take him anywhere." I nodded and he continued. This time he stood up pacing back and forth, he looked worried to leave Luca in my care.

"Luca has a knack for hurting himself, please watch out for that. He has no allergies, so nothing to worry about that there. Here's his schedule." He picked up the piece of paper which had times and dates on for when Luca had soccer practice and when he spends time at his grandma's or here. He really wasn't like the other single fathers I've worked for. He was very active in Luca's life. I don't know how he has been able to balance working and all of Luca's activities.

"Other than that, there are no special activities except maybe a play date or two. You have one day off a week plus weekends since my mother nagged me so that she could have more time with him. You also have to pick him up from school, help him with homework and  so on." He turned to me facing away from the window where he was still pacing.

"Coffee?" He asked as he noticed Luca playing on the grass outside. I guess it would be wise to know him a little better since I am going to be working for him.

"Why do you need a nanny sir?" I asked curiously. He seems like he has everything under control. His face turned into a sad frown. he ushered me into the kitchen and turned on the coffee machine and grabbed cups from the stainless steel cupboard.

"Call me Gabriele and well, I'm planning to take over the company I work for. Usually, I worked from home and went to work only when needed but to make this work I need to put in more hours if I stand a chance to become a partner.  I wish I could spend more time with him but that isn't going to be possible for a while,"

He shook his head and poured us a coffee. I studied his face, he had a strong jawline but warm brown eyes. I snapped out of my daydream when he handed me the coffee.

He took a seat near the window looking at Luca playing with a ball. My phone interrupted our silence. I blushed a bit and took out my phone excusing my rudeness.

"Hi, Nichola."

"Hi, so...mom told me I should invite you to my wedding if I didn't make you a bridesmaid. I'll e-mail the invitation to you, bye." She hung the phone up in my ear. I grunted and could feel the anger starting to simmer. Wow, she couldn't even act like I was her sister and lie telling me she wanted me there and didn't just do it because my mom ordered her to.

I shoved my phone into my bag retreating back into the kitchen.

He looked at me and frowned.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am," I said softly sitting back down sipping my coffee. He doesn't need to know about all my issues.

"I have to get back." He nodded and walked me to the door after I finished my coffee.

I drove back to my apartment and saw Tyler's car parked outside, he had a key so he could easily get in and out. I walked to my apartment.

I opened my door and Tyler was snoozing away on the couch, poor darling. He would've been up all night if he came home this late. He partially stayed with me and partly at his place.

I covered him up with the blanket placing a kiss on his forehead. He turned over and opened his eyes.

"Where were you?" He asked softly with a yawn.

"I got the job from that interview yesterday. Have you been up all night?" He nodded. He pulled me closer so that I almost fell on top of him. He cuddled me close so that I  was wrapped up with him in the blanket, I sighed and smiled at him as his eyes fluttered closed.

Even though I lost Alex to Nichola, I'd do it all again to meet Tyler. He was tall, had blond hair and blue eyes. He was sweet and caring most of the time, although we also argue most of the time.

I rolled over beside him so that I looked up at the ceiling. Next week I start my new job, it's strange how I accidentally met Gabriele and Luca. Luca was bolting to the ice cream truck so I grabbed him before he ran into oncoming traffic. I met his father on the bleachers where he was watching him play. This all happens just as I quit my previous job. I guess fate is on my side for once in my life.

A/N Fate ey? Well, maybe fate has something more in store for you than you thought. Wait...does that make me fate then?