The Fight

Over the next few hours, Bianca led Jason and Mason through the planetarium's dazzling exhibits, doing her best to explain the science in a way that made sense. They visited a room filled with glowing constellations, where the boys took turns pointing out stars that matched their zodiac signs. Then they wandered into the "Life of a Star" exhibit, where a holographic sun expanded into a supernova right before their eyes.

"Whoa!" Jason exclaimed, his hands pressed against the glass display. "Did you see that? It exploded!"

"It's called a supernova," Bianca explained. "It happens when a star runs out of fuel. Pretty cool, huh?"

"Super cool," Mason agreed, but his attention quickly wavered. "I'm starving," he declared.

Bianca was about to suggest they find the café when Mason smirked and pulled something from his pocket.

"I stashed some Toaster Tarts," he announced triumphantly, holding up the foil-wrapped treats.

"Mason!" Jason gasped. "You know Dad doesn't let us eat those!"

"Where did you even get them?" Bianca asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mason shrugged nonchalantly. "It's a secret. Besides, he lets us eat them on special occasions! And isn't our first day together the most special-est occasion of all?"

Bianca hesitated. She remembered sneaking Toaster Tarts as a kid and how much joy those little rebellious moments brought her. But she also knew Ken's rules were clear.

"Mason," she said, holding out her hand. "Do you have something you want to give me?"

"No," Mason said stubbornly, crossing his arms.

"Come on," Bianca coaxed gently. "You know your dad wouldn't want you eating those. And rules are rules."

Jason nudged his brother. "Maybe we should listen..."

With a loud groan, Mason reluctantly handed over the Toaster Tarts. Bianca smiled and tucked them into her bag for safekeeping.

Just then, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced down to see a text from Ken.

"How's it going? Are the boys behaving for you?"

Bianca smirked as she quickly typed back: "They're being perfect angels."

Moments later, another text arrived: "Well, now I know you're lying. What did they bribe you with? A cut of their allowances? Ceasefire on pranks?"

She grinned. "Toaster Tarts," she replied, adding a wink emoji. "But seriously, M&J are having a great time. No need to worry about us."

Ken's reply came almost immediately: "Thank you, Bianca. That puts my mind at ease. See you at home tonight."

Her stomach fluttered at his words. Shaking off the feeling, she turned back to the boys. "Alright, who's ready to check out the Saturn exhibit next?"

---

The Saturn exhibit was a hit, but by the end of the visit, Mason was dragging his feet.

"I'm bored. This museum is dumb," he whined.

Bianca could feel a tantrum brewing and thought quickly. "You're right, Mason," she said. "I think we've seen everything worth seeing here."

"Wait... really?" Mason asked, caught off guard.

"Sure," Bianca said with a shrug. "Besides, it's later than I thought. Let's call Richard to take us home."

She pulled out her phone to call their driver but was met with silence on the other end. She tried again. And again. No answer.

"Crap," she muttered under her breath.

"What's wrong?" Jason asked.

"Richard isn't picking up," Bianca admitted. "And my phone just died."

Jason's eyes widened. "What do we do now?"

Mason, ever the problem-solver, offered a suggestion. "Let's take the subway! We haven't done that in forever."

Bianca hesitated. Ken's rule about avoiding the subway was clear. But the sun was setting, and the temperature was dropping quickly.

"One more try," she thought, raising her hand to hail a cab. But after six taxis sped past without stopping, she sighed in defeat.

"Alright," she said, taking their hands. "Subway it is."

---

The boys were ecstatic as they boarded the subway, chanting "Subway! Subway!" the entire way down the stairs. Once seated, they were uncharacteristically quiet, the rhythm of the train lulling them into a calm contentment.

Bianca tried not to laugh as she overheard their whispers.

"See?" Jason said to Mason. "I told you she was cooler than the other nannies."

Mason crossed his arms. "We'll see. Maybe you just got lucky."

Bianca smirked but said nothing.

---

By the time they reached the penthouse, it was bedtime. The boys burst into the living room, full of energy despite the long day.

"Dad! Today was awesome!" Jason exclaimed. "I saw a hologram star explode!"

"Sounds like you had a great time," Ken said, smiling at Bianca over their heads.

"She's alright," Mason said with a sly grin.

"High praise for the first day," Ken remarked dryly.

"But the best part was riding the subway home!" Mason added. "It. Was. Awesome."

Ken's expression darkened. His eyes snapped to Bianca, his jaw tightening.

"Is that so?" he asked, his voice icy.

Bianca gulped. "Wow, look at the time!" she said, steering the boys toward their room. "Let's get you ready for bed!"

---

Half an hour later, after the boys were tucked in, Bianca knew she couldn't avoid Ken any longer. She found him in the kitchen, drumming his fingers against the counter.

"What makes you think you can break my rules?" he demanded the moment she entered.

"I didn't mean to," Bianca said quickly. "It was an accident."

"That doesn't make it better," Ken snapped. "You accidentally endangered my children?"

Bianca's temper flared. "It's just the subway, Ken! I made a judgment call. What was I supposed to do—camp out at the park all night?"

"You could've called me," he shot back. "I would've found a way to get you home safely."

Bianca stepped closer, reaching out to touch his arm, but he pulled away and began pacing.

"That's not the point," he continued. "You could've gotten hurt. Jason and Mason could've gotten hurt. Do you have any idea how much pressure I'm under? The last thing I need is to worry about all three of you."

Bianca's heart skipped a beat. "You were worried about me?" she asked softly.

Ken stopped pacing and stared at her. "Of course I was. What, do you think I'm some heartless monster?"

Bianca smiled gently. "No. If anything, you have too much heart. That's why you're getting so worked up over nothing."

"Nothing?" Ken echoed, his voice rising.

"Yes, nothing," she said firmly. "You just need a different outlet for all that... passion."

Ken took a step closer, his gaze intense. "What are you proposing?"

Bianca's breath caught in her throat. The air between them felt electric, charged with something unspoken.

"I... I need a second," she stammered, stepping back.

Before either of them could say more, Ken's phone buzzed on the counter. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening further.

"I have to take this," he said.

Bianca caught a glimpse of the name on the screen: Imelda Salvador.

'Right,' she thought to herself. 'His fiancée.'

Ken picked up the phone and walked toward his office, his shoulders tense.

"Can we talk when you're done?" Bianca called after him.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he said without turning around.

Bianca sank to the floor as the office door closed behind him. Her chest felt tight, her thoughts racing.

"I am in so much trouble," she whispered.