Secrets in the Penthouse

That evening, Bianca found herself staring in awe at one of the city's most luxurious apartment buildings. It stood tall, its glass façade shimmering like a jewel under the soft glow of the streetlights. The balconies jutted out like modern sculptures, each adorned with sleek outdoor furniture and green plants. The entrance was framed by polished stone pillars, and through the revolving glass doors, she could see a grand chandelier casting a warm, inviting light over the lobby.

She hesitated for a moment, gripping her bag tightly, then approached the sharply dressed doorman standing by the entrance. He wore a tailored navy suit with gold buttons, a matching cap, and shiny black shoes. His posture was straight, his demeanor professional, yet his smile was kind.

"Uh, hello," Bianca started, her voice a little shaky. "This is going to sound crazy, but Ken Schuyler invited me here for a job interview?"

The doorman gave a polite nod. "Not crazy at all, Ms. Martins. We've been expecting you. You can head straight up to the penthouse suite. Good luck."

Bianca blinked, a little surprised. "Oh, um, thank you."

As she stepped into the elevator, the doors slid shut with a quiet whoosh. She stared at her reflection in the mirrored walls, adjusting a loose strand of hair.

"I can't believe this place might actually be my home," she murmured. "If all goes well…" She shook her head. "No, I can't get ahead of myself. Focus, Bianca. Just stay calm and think about the interview answers. You did fine this morning...but who knows what's next?"

The elevator dinged softly, announcing her arrival at the penthouse.

When the doors opened, her jaw dropped. The penthouse was breathtaking. The expansive living room was a vision of modern elegance, with high ceilings and glass walls that offered a stunning view of the glittering city below. The furniture was chic yet comfortable—plush gray sofas, a glass coffee table, and soft rugs underfoot. Soft, warm lighting gave the space a welcoming glow, and abstract art pieces added pops of color to the neutral tones.

Before she could take another step, two small figures darted into her path, wielding foam swords.

"Intruder at the castle gates!" one boy shouted, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Ready your horses, boys!" the other chimed in.

"Aye, ready we be! Charrrge!"

"Whoa!" Bianca exclaimed, stepping back.

The boys were identical—both with mop-like dark brown hair and mischievous green eyes. They wore matching pajamas: blue tops with little pirate ships and red pants. Their energy was boundless, and their laughter echoed through the room.

Thinking quickly, Bianca spotted another foam sword lying on the couch. She grabbed it, holding it out dramatically. "Think again, soldiers!"

The boys gasped.

"Captain Bianca won't go down without a fight!" she declared, blocking their attacks with exaggerated moves.

The boys shrieked with laughter.

"Whoa! Admiral Jason, she can fight!"

"That's why you've gotta stick to the battle plan, Admiral Mason!"

"Pssh! Where's the fun in that?" Mason teased, lunging forward.

"Ms. Martins, I didn't hear you come in!" a familiar voice said, interrupting the chaos.

Bianca looked up to see Ken walking in from the open kitchen. He was dressed casually, wearing a fitted black T-shirt that highlighted his broad shoulders and jeans that hung just right. His hair was slightly mussed, as if he'd run his fingers through it one too many times, and a soft smile played on his lips.

"Boys, give her some space. We don't want to scare her off already," he said, raising an eyebrow.

"But Dad, we were gonna bring her straight to you!" Jason argued. "She looks like a lost princess or something."

Bianca laughed softly. "It's just a new outfit, but thank you."

"Jason, Mason, apologize," Ken said, his tone firm but patient.

"Sorry, Ms. Martins," Jason said earnestly.

"Yeah, sorry," Mason added with a cheeky grin.

Ken sighed. "Close enough. Ms. Martins, let's test your bedtime skills, shall we?"

Bianca nodded, still catching her breath from the impromptu sword fight. She turned her attention back to the boys. "First things first—have you brushed your teeth since dinner?"

Jason shot off like a rocket toward the bathroom, shouting, "I'm on it!"

Mason, however, stayed behind, crossing his arms with a pout. "Aw, come on, lady. I hate brushing my teeth. Mint tastes gross."

Bianca crouched to his level, meeting his eyes. "But Mason, you don't want your teeth to fall out, do you?"

"I don't care. I'll just get new teeth, probably!"

"That's true," Bianca said, nodding seriously. "You can get new teeth...but you won't be able to eat any candy until then."

Mason's eyes widened. "No candy at all?"

"Not even a single piece," Bianca replied.

"Fine!" Mason shouted, running off after his brother.

Ken chuckled, shaking his head. "Nicely done," he said, his eyes glinting with admiration.

"I'm just getting started," Bianca replied with a smile.

Ten minutes later, she had settled a heated argument over who got to wear the red pajamas and helped pick out a bedtime story. Finally, both boys were tucked into bed, their energy replaced by sleepy yawns. Ken leaned down to say goodnight.

"I like Ms. Martins, Dad," Jason whispered, his voice heavy with sleep.

"Yeah, can we keep her?" Mason mumbled, already half-asleep.

"We'll see, boys. Sweet dreams."

As Ken and Bianca returned to the den, he gave her an impressed look. "No one has ever managed to put them to bed on the first try. I usually have to step in and negotiate a deal."

Bianca smiled. "Well, I have something those other nannies didn't—chemistry."

Ken's gaze lingered on hers for a moment, and the air between them seemed to thicken.

Finally, he chuckled. "That's true. I haven't interviewed anyone else with a chemistry degree. Follow me—I want to show you something."

Bianca followed him down the hall, her eyes wandering to a framed photo on the wall. It showed Ken in a wetsuit, holding a surfboard, smiling beside another man.

'Is that Ken?' she thought. 'I didn't know he was such a thrill-seeker...I'll have to ask him about it later.'

She realized Ken had stopped walking and was looking at her. "Sorry," she said quickly. "I wasn't trying to snoop—it just caught my eye."

"No need to apologize," he said, his tone warm. "Would you care to step inside and share a nightcap, Ms. Martins? After all, if you're going to be Jason and Mason's nanny, I should get to know you...and you should get to know me."

Bianca felt her pulse quicken at the way his eyes held hers. "I appreciate the offer," she said, her voice steady. "But it's getting late. Maybe another time."

Ken nodded. "Fair enough. Then there's just one final thing…"

He led her to a bedroom at the end of the hall. The room was cozy yet elegant, with soft gray walls, a queen-sized bed dressed in crisp white linens, and a large window overlooking the city.

"This would be your room," Ken said. "If you want the job, it's yours. You can move in tomorrow."

Bianca's eyes widened. "Really? Oh my god, thank you!"

Without thinking, she threw her arms around him in a hug. For a brief moment, she felt the solid warmth of his body against hers, and her face flushed.

"I hope you'll excuse me, Mr. Schuyler," she said, stepping back quickly. "This opportunity means so much to me."

Ken smiled, his gaze softening. "Think nothing of it. And considering we'll be sharing close quarters, I think you should start calling me 'Ken.' Assuming, of course, I can call you 'Bianca.'"

"Of course," she replied, smiling. "I can't wait to move in and get to know you and your family...Ken."

---

The next morning, Bianca was packing up her belongings when her best friend Roselyn walked in. Roselyn was petite, with curly black hair and a knack for bold fashion. Today, she wore a bright yellow jumpsuit and oversized hoop earrings.

"So," Roselyn said, plopping onto the bed. "The money's great, the kids are great, and Ken is...great. What's the catch?"

"There's no catch," Bianca replied, smiling. "It's the perfect gig while I figure out what to do post-grad."

Roselyn raised an eyebrow. "Okay, but how hot is he? Like, on a scale from 'warm coffee' to 'lava spill'?"

Bianca laughed. "He's Tabasco, Rose. But he's my boss, so nothing's going to happen."

Roselyn grabbed her phone. "Let's see what the fuss is about."

Bianca rolled her eyes as Roselyn typed "Ken Schuyler" into her phone's search bar.

"Damn," Roselyn said, her eyes widening as she scrolled through photos. "This man is fine. Look at him at that charity gala—tuxedo perfection. And here he is shaking hands with the mayor… The jawline, the hair... He's like something out of a billionaire romance novel."

Bianca laughed, grabbing a pair of sneakers from her closet. "I told you. But, again, he's my boss. Totally off-limits."

"Yeah, yeah. Sure, sure." Roselyn's tone was teasing until her eyes suddenly froze on the screen. Her playful smile faded.

"What is it?" Bianca asked, straightening up.

Roselyn hesitated, then turned the phone toward Bianca. "Uh, you're going to want to see this."

Bianca's stomach twisted as she took the phone. On the screen was a headline from StarGossip: "Billionaire Ken Schuyler Tying the Knot?"

Her heart dropped. "What?!"

Roselyn scrolled down to the article. "It says here that Ken's rumored to be engaged. Apparently, he's been seen having dinner with some woman at all the fancy hotspots. They've even got pictures."

Bianca scanned the article, her hands trembling slightly. The photos showed Ken at an upscale restaurant, sitting across from a stunning woman with sleek blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. In one of the pictures, they looked cozy, leaning close to each other over candlelight.

"It's probably just gossip," Roselyn said quickly. "These tabloids love to stir up drama."

Bianca's mind raced. Engaged? He didn't mention anything about a fiancée. Why wouldn't he say something if he's hiring a live-in nanny?

Roselyn studied Bianca's expression. "Hey, don't overthink it, okay? You're his nanny, not his girlfriend. Whatever this is, it doesn't have anything to do with you."

Bianca nodded slowly, but the knot in her stomach refused to loosen. She managed a weak smile for Roselyn. "You're right. It's none of my business."

But as she folded the last of her clothes into a suitcase, one thought kept echoing in her mind: If Ken really is engaged, then why does it feel like there's something between us?

She shook her head, trying to push the idea aside. The job was too good to pass up, and she couldn't let her feelings—or a tabloid headline—get in the way.

By the time Bianca finished packing, she was more determined than ever to prove herself in her new role. But as she prepared to leave for Ken's penthouse, a new question crept into her thoughts.

'Who exactly is this mystery woman...and why does it feel like I'm walking into something far more complicated than I expected?'