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Cecily

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“ Fluffy? ” I ask, laughing and pointing to the fat cat sitting on the floor next to Joseph.

He nods his head in agreement, and I don’t think anyone could have chosen a better name for the cat. The animal is cute, and apparently lazy, but it seems, like me, absolutely in love with the boy.

It’s already five in the afternoon, and I can truly say that it’s been the happiest day I’ve had in years.

Thirsty, anxious, I try to memorize every second with the little boy, every little thing he gives me: a laugh, the games he likes, and even how he gets dirty when he eats, since he no longer wants help and makes a mess during meals.

I didn’t feel the day go by. I want to repeat it endlessly. This first experience in my new job only made me certain that I’ll do everything possible to never leave Joseph’s side. The idea of leaving after checking that he is okay no longer appeals to me.

The problem is that the more I know about my boss’s relationship with his adopted son, the more I understand that I have to move the pieces of this game very carefully.

Something tells me that Dionysus is not the kind of man who gives second chances, which means that the moment he decides to exclude me from his life, it will be for good. And that will mean that I’ll never have access to Joseph again.

“I’m having lots of fun playing with you, but it’s time for a bath, my dear.”

He lets go of his toys, as if he understands what I’m saying, and with characteristic independence, he gets up on his own, although with a somewhat unbalanced gait.

When I arrived at the ten-bedroom mansion this morning, Anderson explained the basics of the house and introduced me to the other employees, as well as the security guards.

The brother whom Dionysus . . . oh, Jesus! The brother whom Mister Kostanidis said would be waiting for me, Ares, whom I saw yesterday at the party, had already left because, like my boss, he had an emergency meeting, but there were so many instructions from Mr. Kostanidis, both in writing and through the employees, that I was thankful I didn’t have to face another bossy Greek.

The main recommendation—no, order —was that I should never leave the house with the boy without his father’s permission.

Bodyguards enter the residence three times a day to check if Joseph is okay, and my boy’s feeding schedule is also strict.

I was sure that Joseph was physically well, being raised as an adopted son of the Greek, because in the short time that I worked with the Lykaioses, I realized that they are united and loving towards each other. I had no idea, however, how much my boss adores his son.

Although the first floor of the house is luxurious and worthy of a billionaire’s magazine because it’s so tidy, the second is the boy’s territory. Everywhere you walk, there is a soldier or car scattered about, and Joseph’s bedroom and playroom are a child’s paradise.

The huge amount of toys would be expected for the son of a tycoon, but it’s not just that which draws attention but the care and details. The railing at the top of the stairs makes the mansion look ugly, but it’s very necessary in case the nanny gets distracted and Joseph runs there.

Part of the pantry is exclusively his, containing a list of meals determined by a nutritionist. According to what the housekeeper told me, any food with nuts is prohibited, since Joseph is allergic to peanuts and the “boss” doesn’t want to take risks in case the nuts were processed anywhere near peanuts.

And most importantly: Dionysus calls his son during the day so that Joseph hears his voice. Even without understanding what is being said, he smiles when he hears his father speaking.

Honestly, their relationship would make any woman want to have babies. For me, however, the implications are different: it means that Joseph is healthy here. Happy and protected.

“Are you going to bathe him now?” the housekeeper asks, arriving at the bedroom door, perhaps anxious to keep to the schedule determined by the boss.

“I am, yes. And then dinner, right?”

“That’s right. He doesn’t take long to fall sleep. Sometimes the night nanny stalls a bit at the request of Mr. Kostanidis when he wants to spend time with his son, but today he’ll stay late at the station, so you can follow normal protocol. You don’t have to stay in the room with him, though. Just carry the baby monitor with you and make sure you don’t stray too far. Joseph never wakes up during the night. He’s a little angel.”

I look at my treasure, and he is paying attention to the conversation, as if he understands us, but he doesn’t smile at the woman like he does with me.

“Bath?” I ask, and his expression changes.

He smiles and nods.

“Incredible! It’s like you do some kind of magic with him. I heard his laughter today. The boy seems to adore you.”

“It’s reciprocal,” I say, disguising how happy it makes me to hear that. “He is a very easy child to deal with.”

“I’m going, Cici. Do you need anything else?”

“No, I think I already know where almost everything is. Shall I heat up Mr. Kostanidis’ dinner when he arrives?”

“It’s not your job, of course, but if you would be so kind, that would be great. He sometimes arrives so tired that he doesn’t even eat.”

“I can do it. As soon as Joseph falls asleep, I’ll get everything in order. Goodnight, Barbara.”

Three hours later, I wander around the second floor while wondering if my boss would be upset if I checked out a book from his library, but I don’t want to abuse his kindness, so I decide to ask him in person when he arrives. Joseph is already asleep, and the table is set, waiting for Mr. Kostanidis, so now I’m bored because I forgot to bring my Kindle.

I showered in the afternoon, so I decide to change into my pajamas and then take the baby monitor up to my suite.

Barbara said that when the boss arrives, he spends at least an hour with his son in the room, even if the boy is asleep, and I don’t want to invade his privacy.

I enter my room, two rooms down from Joseph’s. It’s so luxurious it seems to belong to a famous hotel. After changing into my pajamas, I lie down on the bed and listen for any sounds in the house.

As soon as Mr. Kostanidis leaves Joseph’s room, I’ll go there.

There is an extra bed in there, and even though Barbara explained that it wouldn’t be necessary for us to sleep in the same room, I’ll stay with him.

I look at the bedside table to check that the device’s monitor is correctly positioned in the crib, when I realize that the battery has run out.

Damn, I didn’t even think about that.

I run out and hope the baby isn’t crying, but in the hallway, I freeze when I come face-to-face with my boss.