He got out of the truck and proceeded to walk up the steep driveway to the front door. He had a feeling about the type of family he was interviewing based on the home and the nice Prius parked in the front yard. The man was probably a CEO or doctor. Maybe even a professional athlete. The woman was more than likely a socialite. They might have three kids, including the screaming baby he could hear from the outside.
He looked around the front yard and saw that it was neatly trimmed.
A gardener.
There weren’t any toys out in the front.
Strict parents.
To his left, he saw what appeared to be the maid’s quarters.
Rich parents.
He rang the doorbell and shoved his hands in his pockets as he rocked back on his heels.
The large front door opened and a Black woman carrying a screaming infant greeted him.
“Hello?” Tiana tried to comfort Tyson while giving the same attention to the gentleman before her.
Kieran looked down at a piece of paper. “Tiana Morris?”
“Yes?”
“Hello, I’m Kieran D’Amato.” He wanted to shake her hand and not be rude but the woman before him seemed to have trouble of her own. “I’m here for the nanny interview?”
Tiana kept rocking Tyson, hopefully to calm him but the infant seemed to rebuff each movement. “You’re Kieran?”
“Yes,” The man stated once again.
Tiana had been up all night attending to Tyson and now some attractive man was in her face, applying for a nanny position. She’d missed work due to Tyson being fussy; there was no way she could’ve gone in looking and feeling the way she was. She was convinced she had not gotten enough sleep and was suffering from illusions. When she saw the name Kieran D’Amato on the list of applicants, she falsely assumed she would be interviewing a woman. “Come in.”
Kieran stepped into the palatial estate but didn’t look around. He was focused on the child before him. “Allow me, please?” He offered.
“Be my guest,” Tiana unloaded her son onto Kieran.
Tyson was screaming so hard, Kieran thought his little lungs were about to burst. “Do you have any hard vegetables in the refrigerator? Like carrots and celery?”
“Sure, follow me.” Tiana quickly walked to the kitchen and pulled out a carrot. She gave it to Kieran, who placed it against Tyson’s gums. Within a few seconds, Tyson quieted down. “How did you do that?”
“I can tell a teething baby just by the screams,” Kieran cooed. “If you had something bursting through your gums, you wouldn’t care for it, either.”
Tiana smiled for the first time that morning. She had been up all night and was pretty sure she looked as bad as she felt. The man before her was strikingly handsome and she wished she’d put a comb through her hair. She would have, had she known
he
was coming over. “You don’t look like a nanny,” Tiana noted. Kieran looked more like a Hollywood stuntman than someone who loved to watch kids for a living.
“I’m the owner of Fits and Giggles, the place your assistant called for a nanny. I came here to check out the environment before I sent one of my girls over here.” Kieran made eye contact with Tiana and slowly rocked Tyson to sleep. His voice was low and authoritative. “I have a license, child care certification, and several references if you want to check them out. Looks can be deceiving.”
Tiana thought back to her wedding day. Everything was perfect. Her Vera Wang gown. Her MAC makeup. Her Jimmy Choos. Her Neil Lane jewelry. Christopher was dressed in Hugo Boss along with his groomsmen. There were over 400 guests and every table had a miniature wedding cake on it. Christopher promised her forever. That was only three years ago. “Tell me about it,”
she cleared her throat, “I guess I should formally introduce myself. I’m Tiana Morris and that’s my son, Tyson. It’s just the two of us here.”
Kieran felt like an idiot. He completely miscalculated his estimates by a long shot. No White family of five. No snobby socialite of a wife. No other children. Just a young and wealthy Black single mother. He was confused and impressed at the same time. “Pretty big home for just the two of you.”
“I planned to have more,” Tiana thought about all the plans she had for her life. Everything was supposed to happen in order: graduate from college, have a career, fall in love, get married, have babies, and live happily ever after. At least five out of six wasn’t so bad. “But things happened.”
“You don’t need to explain. It’s none of my business.” Kieran gently rocked Tyson.
Tiana grinned. Kieran was surprisingly respectful. She had already made her decision and didn’t want to meet with the other applicants. “So when can you start?”
Kieran wasn’t planning on being a nanny when he had employees to do that for him. “I’m no longer a private nanny, Ms. Morris—”
“Tiana,” she corrected.
“Tiana,” Kieran grinned, “so I don’t know how I would be of service to you?”
“I don’t trust many people, Mr. D’Amato.”
“Kieran,” he offered.
“Kieran,” Tiana replied. “The last nanny I had I found sleeping with my husband. I would prefer a male this time around. You can rest assured that I won’t make any advances toward you.”
Kieran masked his disappointment. He
wanted
Tiana to make a move. He was so used to the other mothers throwing their tits in his face and wearing the skimpiest of clothing, trying to convince him to give them discounted rates. If they couldn’t get the discounted rate, they wanted Kieran to be their side project whenever their husbands weren’t home. Kieran knew his appearance was half the reason why so many mothers gave referrals to his business. The other reason was because his child care was the best in Los Angeles.
Still, Kieran sympathized with Tiana. She was a single mother trying to juggle both life and business—a feat incredible for anyone no matter what income level they were. Kieran knew by accepting the gig, he was on the verge of breaking a personal rule. However, he was about to make an exception just for Tiana. He felt an overwhelming need to protect her and Tyson already. “Anytime.” Kieran replied as he held a sleeping Tyson.
“What about your business?” She asked.
“I can handle things from a distance. I don’t need to be in the office all the time and I have great people who I trust working for me,” Kieran rubbed Tyson’s back. “I can start today if you want.”
For the first time, Tiana took stock of the gentleman before her. He was tall and muscular with dark hair and a five o’clock shadow. He completely filled out his simple attire of a dress shirt and slacks. Kieran was tall, well over six feet, and his presence commanded attention at all times.
His eyes were an intense dark that contrasted with his tawny skin. She could smell his cologne and felt her body perspire. There was an electric magnetism between them—sensual, sexual, and intense—and they had barely spoken to each other.
Besides his gorgeous looks, Kieran already showed a warmth and love to Tyson that Tiana hadn’t seen from her ex. She had already taken a liking to her new nanny. “I would like that.”
****
Zoe smirked. “You’re so mean to me, Kieran.”
“You know you love it,” he smiled.
“So how did that lady check out?” Zoe folded her arms. “She’s legit, I’m assuming? Not a snobby housewife like you thought?”
Tiana checked out just fine. Kieran learned at an early age to check out a woman without being so obvious about it. She was stunningly beautiful with rich, mahogany skin. She had a smile that lit up the room and made her almond eyes sparkle. Her soft brown hair cascaded in long, luscious waves down her back. She had a trim waist, and perky breasts that made Kieran stand to attention. Her simple attire of yoga pants and a tank top hugged her body. She had the beauty to match the brains.
He normally would’ve given the position to one of his employees and certainly didn’t need the money. But he was instantly attracted to Tiana and adored her son already. Even when he left her home, he had an urge to turn around and stay there. Kieran lightly swallowed his feelings. He was breaking a personal rule—the only rule he had—when it came to child care. He would have to be more careful. “She’s legit,” was all he could reply with.
“Well, let me know if you need anything, Kieran,” Zoe left his office.
After Zoe left, Kieran redirected his focus on Tiana. He made a call to one of his friends at the police department and pulled Tiana’s private file. He only wished he had done his research on her before he went over to her home. No, it wasn’t a home. It was a mansion. Eight bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a basketball court, gym, and Olympic-sized pool and jacuzzi. A three-car garage that housed a Prius.
She drove a Prius. Not a BMW. Not a Mercedes. A Prius.
She earned her fortune through her blood, sweat, and tears. Upon graduating from Howard University magna cum laude with a bachelor’s in finance, she completed her MBA at USC. She briefly worked for an investment firm before she left to start her own and amassed her enormous fortune. She was well-respected in the financial sector and was a monthly contributor to a lifestyle magazine, giving out financial tips and advice to other Black women. She was commonly referred to as the Black Suze Orman.
A few years prior, she married hip-hop producer Champagne Cris in what was described as hip-hop meets Wall Street. They were currently involved in an acrimonious divorce, fighting over her fortune.
She has trust issues.
Kieran understood why Tiana was insistent he should be her nanny, and not one of his employees. He had a feeling Tiana probably would’ve hired whoever he sent to her home if he hadn’t made the visit. But he had a policy to check out the residence before he sent his employees over. He wanted to make sure his nannies were going to a place that was safe for them and the children they were caring for.
Kieran tossed the file aside and began making arrangements to spend his next several months—
or years—at Tiana’s home. He felt uneasy about the assignment already. It was going to be hard to keep his personal feelings separate from his professional side.
TWO
“Your working schedule is from seven a.m. to seven p.m., with weekends off. You will have full access to the house as long as you don’t bring any friends over. If they want to visit you, they are more than welcome to see you at the guest house,” Tiana walked throughout the house with Kieran, who was holding Tyson. “You get paid twice a month, on the first and fifteenth, and you’ll get bonuses pretty much whenever I feel like it.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kieran nodded.
“And please,” Tiana turned around, “don’t call me ma’am. You’re older than I am and that’s just weird.”
Kieran flashed a warm smile. Tiana was only a couple years younger than his thirty-four years.
“Okay, Tiana.”
Tiana began walking again and led Kieran to his new residence. “If you need supplies, just let me know and I’ll give you money for what you need. Don’t spend too much because I will research if it’s something we really need or you’re just being ridiculous.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
“Your rent and board is included in the salary. You’re responsible for your own groceries. I have a gardener who comes by once a week for maintenance and the maid comes on Tuesdays.” Tiana opened the doors to Kieran’s new home. “Welcome home.”
Kieran stepped inside the guest house and looked around. It had several bookcases along the wall along with pictures of old Hollywood figures such as Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and the Rat Pack. It was already warm and inviting with modern furniture. He walked through the home and it noticed it had two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and it was fully furnished with very nice furniture and electronics. The kitchen was very impressive with all the latest gadgets and probably the biggest refrigerator he had ever seen in person.
The master bedroom had a four post California king-sized bed and candelabras on the walls. It had a romantic feel. All he would have to do was move in, which was fine by him. He didn’t have that much to begin with and wasn’t missing out on anything in his past. “This is very nice, Tiana.”
“Thank you,” she politely smiled, “I hope it’s too your liking. If there’s anything you need, just let me know.”
“It’s perfect,” Kieran’s Staten Island baritone boomed throughout the home. “It really is. It’s a great place.”
“Thank you,” Tiana took Tyson away. “I’ll leave you to get settled. I’m sure you have a lot of stuff you’re moving in.”
“I have a few boxes but I should be in by the end of the day.” Kieran replied. “I’ll let you know if I need anything, though.” He warmly smiled.
Kieran’s smile was infectious and Tiana smiled back at him. “I hope so.”
****
Her impending divorce was ruining Barbara’s reputation.
For many years, Barbara prided herself on being the example for all women alike. She had the class of Diahann Carroll, the intellect of Phylicia Rashad, and the style of Beverly Johnson. And thanks to her daughter’s generous bank account, Barbara was on her way to being wealthy like Oprah Winfrey.
But Tiana’s choice in divorcing her husband set Barbara’s dreams back. A divorce meant her lifestyle wasn’t perfect. Her
life
wasn’t perfect. Everyone would be looking at her family and wonder why anyone should listen to them. She couldn’t bear to be the joke of her society friends.
Not with all she went through trying to learn how to be more presentable.
Dr. Cho, a world-famous plastic surgeon, did her liposuction. Dr. Michaels, the best breast doctor the rich could buy, uplifted her girls. Ms. Joseph, a high-profile hairstylist, added tracks to her hair, creating her luscious and long mane. A personal stylist styled her and kept her wardrobe up to date.
Barbara arrived at her daughter’s estate and pulled up in the cul-de-sac driveway. She got out of the car and was greeted by Tiana. “I’m glad to see you drop by, Mother.”