Page 9 of Mafia Pregnancy

Danielle

T he call comes while I’m sitting in my car outside Leo’s preschool after dropping him off, waving to him through his schoolroom window before planning to leave. The number on my phone belongs to the admissions office, and my stomach drops before I even answer.

“Ms. Arden? This is Jennifer from Little Scholars Academy. I’m calling about Leo’s tuition payment.”

I close my eyes and grip the steering wheel. “I know it’s late. I’ve been waiting for my new employer to process my first paycheck.”

She sounds genuinely regretful. “I understand these things happen, but our policy is pretty strict about overdue accounts. We need payment by the end of today, or we’ll have to discuss Leo’s enrollment status.”

The words make me flinch. Leo loves this school, his teacher, his friends, and the art projects he brings home every day. The thought of having to pull him out, of disrupting the stability I’ve worked so hard to provide, makes my chest ache.

“Please, can you give me twenty-four hours? I can have the money tomorrow morning, I promise.” Somehow.

There’s a pause, and I hold my breath. “I can extend the deadline until tomorrow at noon, but that’s the absolute limit. After that, we’ll have no choice but to remove Leo from the program.”

I exhale sharply. “Thank you. I’ll have it to you first thing tomorrow.”

I end the call and rest my forehead against the steering wheel. The new job pays well, but I won’t see my first paycheck for another week. Even then, it will barely cover Leo’s tuition and our basic expenses. I need more income, and I need it fast.

At the estate, I find Carmen restocking the linen closet in the guest wing. She takes one look at my face and immediately sets down the towels she’s folding. “What’s wrong?”

I glance around to make sure we’re alone, then lower my voice. “Leo’s school called about tuition. I have until tomorrow at noon to pay, or they’re kicking him out.”

Carmen’s expression softens with sympathy. “How much do you need?”

“Eight hundred dollars.” The number sounds impossible when I say it out loud. “I was hoping my first paycheck would cover it, but the timing doesn’t work.”

She shakes her head. “I wish I could help, but my savings account is basically empty after my car repairs last month.”

I nod, trying not to let disappointment show on my face.

Carmen is a good friend, but she’s in the same financial situation I am.

Neither of us has eight hundred dollars lying around for emergencies.

“Maybe I can pick up extra shifts somewhere. Or find a weekend cleaning job.” I give a broken laugh.

“There’s a club near my house hiring for dancers.

” I’m just kidding, but it comes out with a desperate edge.

“What about asking for an advance on your paycheck?”

The suggestion makes my stomach twist. Asking Radmir for money feels dangerous in ways I can’t fully articulate.

It would mean acknowledging my desperate circumstances, revealing vulnerability that I’ve worked hard to keep hidden.

God forbid he ask why I need that money. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Why not? The worst he can say is no.”

Before I can explain why asking Radmir for anything feels like stepping into quicksand, footsteps echo down the hallway. We both turn to see him approaching, dressed in an expensive charcoal suit.

“Ms. Castillo, Ms. Arden.” His voice is carefully neutral, but I catch the way his gaze lingers on my face, noting the stress I’m trying to hide. “Is there a problem?”

Carmen glances at me, clearly expecting me to speak up, but I can’t form the words. The thought of revealing my financial struggles to the man who unknowingly fathered my son makes my throat close up. If he finds out how dire are my straits, he might try to take Leo.

“Just discussing the schedule for tonight’s dinner preparation,” she says smoothly. “Everything’s under control.”

Radmir’s attention shifts to me, and I feel exposed under his scrutiny.

“Ms. Arden, I have an additional task that requires attention before this evening. The formal dining room needs to be prepared for tonight’s business dinner.

It requires deep cleaning, proper table setting, and attention to every detail.

Dinner is at six, so I’ll need it all done by five. Double your usual rate.”

My pulse accelerates. Double pay means I’ll earn enough to make a dent in what I owe the school. It will cover the cost of a payday loan, which seems like my only option right now for making tuition by tomorrow. “Of course, Mr. Vetrov. What time should I start?”

“Right now. The task will likely take several hours.”

I nod quickly. “I’ll be right there.”

Radmir inclines his head. “Excellent. Mrs. Yranda can provide you with the specific requirements.”

He disappears down the hallway, leaving Carmen and me staring after him. She turns to me with raised eyebrows. “That was convenient timing.”

I frown at her suggestion. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, he was standing there long enough to hear that you need money. He might not know the details, but he picked up on the financial stress.”

The possibility sends heat flooding my cheeks. The last thing I want is for Radmir to think I’m some charity case who can’t manage her finances. “Even if he did, it doesn’t matter. I’ll do the work and earn the money.”

Carmen crosses her arms. “Just be careful working around him while he’s preparing for dinner guests.”

“Why would I need to be careful?”

She gives me a look that suggests I’m being na?ve on purpose. “Because he’s attractive, powerful, and you already have complicated feelings about him since he resembles your baby daddy. Adding work pressure with his business associates arriving soon seems like asking for trouble.”

I straighten my shoulders. “I can handle myself around my employer, Carmen. I need this money.”

“I know you do. Just promise me you’ll call if you need backup childcare. I can pick up Leo from school and keep him until you’re finished if necessary.”

“My aunt will get him, but…” Warmth constricts my chest. “You’d do that?”

Carmen’s expression softens. “Of course. We look out for each other, remember?”

Having Leo settled means I can focus entirely on the work without worrying about pickup times. My aunt is already set, but I appreciate her offer. “Thank you. I owe you dinner when this is all sorted out.”

She waves me off. “You don’t owe me anything. Just be smart about this afternoon.”

The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur of urgent preparation.

I call Leo’s school to confirm I’ll have payment by tomorrow, then text Carmen the details about picking him up.

The time pressure adds intensity to every task as I race against the clock to prepare the dining room before Radmir’s guests arrive.

Mrs. Yranda meets me at the formal dining room with detailed instructions and barely contained stress about the evening’s timeline.

“Mr. Vetrov is very particular about table settings,” she explains, handing me a folder with photos showing exact placement specifications. “The china pattern, the silver arrangement, even the way the napkins are folded. Everything must be perfect, and we have less than four hours.”

I nod and take the folder, trying to project confidence despite the time crunch. “I understand. Perfection is the standard.”

Mrs. Yranda checks her watch nervously. “The cleaning supplies you’ll need are already in the dining room. Work as quickly as you can without sacrificing quality. The guests arrive at six sharp.”

After Mrs. Yranda hurries away to handle her own preparations, I dive into the formal dining room.

It’s a stunning space with panoramic windows overlooking the ocean, but today, the grandeur feels intimidating rather than beautiful.

The mahogany table could seat twelve people comfortably, and every surface needs to gleam with polish that requires meticulous attention.

I start with the deep cleaning, working faster than usual but maintaining my standards.

The sounds of preparation echo throughout the house as other staff members handle their own urgent tasks.

It’s organized chaos in service of Radmir’s business dinner.

I’m polishing the table when I hear his footsteps in the hallway.

My pulse jumps, but I keep working, acutely aware of the time pressure and the importance of this evening for his business.

“How’s the progress?”

Radmir’s voice makes me look up from the table. He’s still in his business suit, but there’s an energy about him that speaks to the importance of tonight’s meeting.

I focus on the wood grain beneath my cloth, using the task to avoid meeting his gaze. “The deep cleaning is finished. I’m starting on the table polish now. I’ll have everything ready well before six.”

He steps into the room, and I sense him watching me work. “Good. Tonight’s dinner is particularly important, though I suspect your eager accommodation has more to do with financial necessity than professional dedication.”

Heat floods my cheeks at the subtle criticism. “My personal situation doesn’t affect my work quality.”

“No, it doesn’t, but it does explain your willingness to work under such tight time constraints.” His voice carries no judgment, I realize. It’s just matter-of-fact observation. “Whatever it is you need money for must be urgent.”

I stop polishing and straighten, finally meeting his gaze. “I manage my finances responsibly, Mr. Vetrov.”

“I’m sure you do, but everyone faces unexpected expenses.” Something shifts in his expression. “You could have asked for an advance on your salary.”

I shake my head firmly. “I don’t make a habit of asking employers for financial favors.”

His brow creases with a deep frown. “Even when the alternative is clearly causing you stress?”

The question hits closer to home than I’m comfortable with. “Especially then.”

Radmir tilts his head, studying me. “Why?”