He Chose the Mafia Princess, So I Chose Her Father Chapter 06
My professor found the tutoring job for me.
“Private family,” she said. “Eight–year–old boy. Excellent pay. They want someone who understands sensory processing and doesn’t treat the child like a
problem to solve.”
The salary could cover my mother’s next treatment.
I applied without asking for the family name.
Three days later, a black car took me through iron gates on the North Shore.
The estate beyond them looked less like a home and more like a country that had declared independence. Stone walls. Security cameras. Men with guns beneath winter coats.
I should have known.
I didn’t.
Six candidates waited in a formal living room. One came out of the interview crying. Another called the child spoiled.
When my name was called, a silver–haired butler led me into a bright playroom and locked the door behind
me.
A boy sat on the floor with a box of wooden blocks.
Felix Carbone was eight. Black curls fell over serious
eyes. He did not look at me when I entered.
I sat several feet away.
He arranged the blocks red, blue, blue, yellow.
Then red, blue, blue.
The yellow block lay beside my shoe.
I picked it up and placed it on the carpet between us.
Felix watched my hand.
He took the block and completed the pattern.
We continued without speaking.
After ten minutes, he pushed the box toward me.
It was not a miracle.
I had not healed him with one smile.
I had simply paid attention.
The butler returned.
“Felix dismissed the other candidates within three
minutes,” he said. “He appears willing to let you remain.”
“That’s a promising beginning. Not a guarantee.”
The man’s expression warmed slightly.
“His father would like to meet you.”
He led me upstairs.
The scent of cedar reached me before the study door opened.
I stopped walking.
No.
Corrado stood behind a massive desk, reading a file.
He raised his eyes.
For once, the most controlled man in Chicago looked surprised.
“Miss Ward was selected without access to the client’s identity,” the butler said. “Felix accepted her.”
Corrado closed the file.
“Leave us, Aldo.”
The door shut.
I folded my arms.
“Before you ask, no, I didn’t follow you.”
“I wasn’t going to ask.”
“You thought it.”
“For half a second. Then I remembered my staff value their lives too much to manipulate the applicant list.”
That was almost an apology.
“I’ll go.”
“Felix wants you to stay.”
“Felix doesn’t know what this will turn into.”
“Neither do I.”
His honesty stopped me.
Corrado came around the desk.
“My son has not tolerated a new tutor since his mother died. You walked into that room and did in ten minutes
what specialists have failed to do for months.”
“I handed him a yellow block.”
“You noticed he needed it.”
He stopped close enough for my body to remember the car.
“The position is yours if you want it. Your mother will
be included on the employee medical plan.”
“Was that already part of the job?”
“It is now.”
I should have refused.
Pride was expensive. Chemotherapy was worse.
“I work for Felix,” I said. “Not for you.”
“Understood.”
“And what happens in your car doesn’t happen in this house.”
His gaze dropped to my mouth.
“That one may be harder.”
I turned toward the door before he saw me smile.
Felix waited in the hallway.
He took my hand and looked at his father.
“Tessa stays.”
Corrado’s eyes remained on our joined hands.
“Yes,” he said. “She does.”