Page 34 of Protecting My Nanny

"You sure everything is okay?" Shane interrupts, his tone more serious now. He's not buying it.

"Yeah…" I say, but it comes out more uncertain than I mean it to.

"Listen," he says, his voice firm. "If you don't want to tell me what's happening, I understand. But… you know, with the charity event, you looked all nervous after dinner, now this is affecting Jaime—and I'm sorry to say, your job too. Just tell me what's going on, and if you can't, at least try to get it under control."

He looks me in the eyes, then turns and leaves, closing the door softly behind him. I stand there, feeling my heart shatter into a hundred pieces.

Chapter 15

Shane

It's around midnight when I hear a tap at my bedroom door. I open it to find Nicole standing there, the curves of her body highlighted by the dim light from the hallway. There's a vulnerability in how she looks at me, her eyes silently asking for forgiveness.

"I can't sleep," she says, her voice barely above a whisper, carrying the weight of whatever secrets she's holding. I can sense she doesn't want to talk about it, and I've learned not to push by now.

"Not really in a talking mood myself," I respond, my voice still heavy with sleep.

She steps forward and kisses me deeply, her urgency clear. She pulls back and opens her robe, revealing the silver-laced lingerie beneath. She's not here to apologize—not with words, at least. Her deep green eyes pierce right into my soul as always, melting my heart with just a look. I step back, making room for her to come in.

She takes my hand, leading me to the bed. With a sense of urgency, we undress each other as if it's our only way to communicate right now. Her gentle yet determined touch conveys all the emotions she's holding back.

Nicole falls asleep in my arms, her breathing steady and soft. Her face looks peaceful in the dim light, but my mind is restless. Curiosity consumes me, and I don't sleep much that night. My mind races with wonder about her secrets. What shadows from her past still linger, just beyond my grasp?

I lie there, staring into the darkness. Nicole murmurs something in her sleep. She says Giovanni's name, followed by another word that I can barely make out. It sounds like "Sepenti" or something similar. She whispers it in Italian, her accent thick with sleep. It feels vaguely familiar, like something I've heard before but can't quite place.

I can't help but wonder if she's involved in something dangerous. The signs are there. She's agitated, fearful, and constantly looking over her shoulder. I want to believe that she's been through a lot, maybe coerced into something she couldn't escape from. But another part of me, the part haunted by memories of Robert, worries that there's more to it. Something illegal. Something that could put us all at risk.

She doesn't seem like the type to get involved in things like that. It's confusing. Robert was a seasoned criminal, but Nicole shows no signs of that. It could be about money, or it could be something else entirely. I should encourage her to open up and tell me the truth. However, I have to be careful not to push too hard, or else she might distance herself from me.

This whole time, I've pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on how to make her happy. I think she deserves a life free of whatever haunts her, and I can give her that—whatever it takes. Still, I'm a man of logic, and with that comes the realization that I could be being played again, just like with Robert.

No, I can't start thinking like that, I tell myself.

The following morning, I prepare for work while thinking about the previous night's events. Throughout the day, I have a series of increasingly demanding meetings. In light of our substantial losses, our company has taken a more proactive stance in our interactions with investors. The pressure is intense, as I find myself overwhelmed with numbers, projections, and endless discussions on how to improve the situation. Nevertheless, amidst it all, I am reminded every day of how good a decision it was to move Oliver up. It makes me realize that I need to trust people more, and maybe even consider giving Nicole a similar opportunity.

It's around lunchtime when I run into Balina Porter at the office. She's a sight for sore eyes, dressed impeccably as always, her presence commanding attention. She greets me with that familiar, playful smile.

"Hi, Shane," she says.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"I'm having lunch with Kristen. We ran into each other at the charity event and haven't really caught up since… you know, since us," she says lightly. "She mentioned her niece, Sarah, is in town and interested in acting. We thought it'd be nice to get together."

"Well, that's kind of you," I say, feeling slightly proud. "You all have a good time."

But Balina interrupts with a smile. "Actually, I was just coming to invite you."

"I'm sure Kristen and her niece would much rather have you to themselves."

"No, it was their idea. Sarah's also interested in starting her own business—proactive kids these days. Kristen thought it'd be nice if you joined us."

I hesitate for a moment, my mind still half on the work piling up on my desk. But I decide it might be good to get out of my own head for a bit. "Sure, why not?"

Lunch is relaxed, with Kristen and her niece leaving early to head to an audition, leaving Balina and me alone to chat. The conversation flows easily, moving from work to life in general.Balina has this charm that makes you want to spill everything to her—just the type of mind I need to pick in this instance.

"I need some advice," I say bluntly, just as the server comes to collect our dessert plates.

"Don't tell me you want to be an actor too?" Balina jokes.

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