I plant my hands on my hips, waiting for Sofia's response to my accusation.
"Oh, just admit it already. You're cheating on Lee Know."
Sofia grimaces for a moment...then smirks.
"Look at you, so self-righteous, pretending you have the moral high ground. A bit hypocritical, don't you think?"
"Uh...I don't know what you're talking about!"
"Oh, please. Cut the high-and-mighty act. I know you're not as innocent as you pretend to be. You might think I'm oblivious, but it just made you careless."
"How long have you known?"
"Does it matter? I'm not here to catfish over Min-ho. I'm a businesswoman. So let's make a deal. Here are my terms... You don't reveal my secret to anyone, and I won't have you fired and sent back to the States without a single job prospect."
"Is that suppose to scare me? You know I'm not trying to be a nanny forever, right? So what if you somehow give me a scathing reference despite not being my boss."
"Oh sweetie, you misunderstood. You can nanny to your heart's content. I don't care about that. But I will have you blackballed from any business owned by or affiliated with my little empire. That's a lot of labs."
"Lee Know won't let you do this, especially after I tell him about your little...indiscretion."
"Let me be clear. If you don't take this deal, Lee Know will have to weather a scandal the likes of which you've never seen before. Not to mention the fact that it'll ruin the merger, and Lee Know will have to watch Robin seize the throne, leaving Mason and Mickey with nothing. Then, just when you all think your lives have gone back to normal...BAM! My tearful tell-all will hit the shelves and ruin everything all over again."
I'm seething. How could someone be this...callous?
"So you see, you really don't have much of a choice. Not if you care about Lee Know and his kids as much as you claim to. I'll give you a chance to think about it. Bene? "
Without waiting for a response, Sofia strolls out of the room. A couple days later, I'm still trying to shake off my confrontation with Sofia as I fold my laundry.
"If I take the deal, I lose. If I don't take the deal, I still lose and Lee Know's life is ruined. What the hell am I supposed to do?"
I go over my options again and again, taking out my frustration on my clothes until...
"...What did those poor shirts ever do to you?"
"Lee Know! I didn't see you there."
"Sorry, didn't mean to sneak up on you. I just haven't seen you much in the last few days and wanted to check in."
"Everything's great. Mason and Mickey are having a blast, and I think I'm finally over my jet lag."
"Glad to hear it... That's always tough to beat."
Lee Know crosses his arms, leaning the doorframe.
"I hate to burst your bubble, but you should know that Sofia's family just arrived in town."
"Paolo and Tony? They aren't staying here, are they?"
"No, thank God. They have their own accommodations elsewhere. But they do expect to have lunch with me, Sofia and the boys today. Which means..."
"I have to go too, to watch Mason and Mickey."
"Only if you feel comfortable. I can ask Carter to step in if you don't want to see Paolo again. After what happened last time..."
"No, it's part of my job. I'll come. But I can't promise to hold my tongue if Paolo says something out of line again."
"I wouldn't ask you to."
Lee Know steps closer, gently bracing his hands against my shoulders. I close my eyes for a moment and exhale as he massages my tense muscles.
"Feel good?"
"Mm. A little lower."
I moan softly as he rubs the stress out of me, until my head lulls back and I almost forget about everything, but I can't escape the outside world forever. After a moment, I step out of his reach, breaking the spell.
"(Y/N), are you sure you're okay?"
"Yup! I better get the boys ready for lunch. See you soon!"
I rush out of the room, feeling the weigh of Lee Know's gaze on my back. An hour later, I'm at the Russo's other villa, sitting with the boys for lunch.
"I can't believe we get a whole table to ourselves? Isn't that cool, (Y/N)?"
I glance over at the grown-ups' table, where all the other adults are seated.
"Honestly? It's super cool. I wouldn't want to sit anywhere else."
"So when do we get to pull our pranks?"
"Let's hold off on the pranks for now..."
A server brings me and the boys our plates, and they tuck into their meal. While they're thoroughly distracted, I lean over to try to hear the conversation at the other table.
"Thanks again for letting us stay at your estate, Mr. Russo." Lee Know says.
"Please, call me 'Papa'. "
"You don't have to keep thanking us, Min-ho. You're practically family." Sofia fake smiles.
"What about me? I'm practically family too, but I still had to book a hotel room." Robin blurts out.
"You're practically Min-ho's family, Robin, not ours. Don't tell me I have to explain the difference."
"Robbie's always been a little slow." Tony chuckles.
"Children, please. Let's focus on the business at hand. How have the merger meetings been going?"
"There have been doubters on both sides, but I'm relieved to say our due diligence reviews cleared." Sofia answers her dad.
"Now everyone can see that this merger is best for all of us." Lee Know adds.
Lee Know glances over at me, and our eyes lock.
"Right, it's good because your stocks get a boost. Investors are bound to be excited when two industry giants come together, and it'll give a bump to those stabilized Lee numbers."
"(Y/N), have you been paying attention to Wall Street?"
"Only so much as it pays my bills."
"A woman who pays attention to stocks? Well, I never..." Paolo says with surprise.
"I'm sitting right here, Papa."
"And you know my mother also tracks market trends closely."
"That's not the same. You were brought up in this world. (Y/N) is...well, a nanny."
"But am I wrong?"
"Well, no. The flatline should spile soon..."
I sigh and return to my meal, not sure how much more of this I can take. After I finish eating, a server comes to collect the plates. Mickey tugs excitedly at my elbow.
"(Y/N), can I have a dessert? I ate all my veggies!"
"Fine by me, but ask your dad."
Mickey runs over to the other table and throws himself over the arm of Lee Know's chair.
"Can I have dessert, Dad?"
"What would you like, Mickey? Your favorite is chocolate and peanut butter, right?"
Sofia got his name and favorite dessert right? Since when?
"Wait, I want dessert too!" Mason shouts.
"How does a fruit tart with extra apples sound? Assuming your father approves..."
"As long as I get one too, I'm okay with it."
"Of course. Anything for you, boot-bear. Tony? Dad? Anything for you...?"
"Nothing for me. I've got to stay sharp for my afternoon meetings." Paolo answers.
"It's just sugar, Pops."
"Sugar is the gateway to lethargy, Tony. And don't call me 'Pops'. "
At Sofia's command, a server disappears to fetch dessert for everyone, and the boys return to the kids' table. While we wait for dessert, Paolo leaves, and I'm finally able to breathe a sigh of relief...until Robin waves me over to take the empty seat at the table.
"Come join the big leagues, (Y/N)."
"Thanks. So, Sofia...did you finally make flashcards for the twins? You know their names now and everything."
"I've always known their names!"
"Just now which twin they belonged to." Robin throws in.
"While it's true that I've been distracted from my role as their future stepmother in recent months, I've realized that this is one of my many jobs now. And you know I always excel at work."
Just then, the tray of desserts arrives. I pick the Apple Tart. I take a bite, savoring the crunch of the crisp, buttery crust, paired with the sweet apple flavor.
"I can see why this is your favorite, Mason."
"Can we have seconds?" he asks.
"Don't push your luck, kiddo."
Soon, all the dessert dishes have been picked clean, and the mood at the table is almost cheerful. At least Paolo isn't here to sour this. I'm just about to tell the boys to get ready to leave when Sofia turns to them.
"You two want to grab some Italian cream soda with Aunt Sofia? If your tummies still have room, that is..."
"We always have room for dessert!" Mason yells.
"And cream soda, whatever that is!" Mickey adds.
"Oh, I was going to take them back to the villa..."
"I've got them, (Y/N). You can have the afternoon off. Unless Lee Know needs you for something..."
"Uh, no, I don't have a problem with (Y/N) taking the rest of the day off."
"I'm gonna get a vanilla one!" says Mason.
"Bo-ring! I'm going lime, all the way!"
"Maybe this would be a good time for the twins to bond with Uncle Tony and Uncle Robin too?"
"Why not? If I'm lucky, there'll be a hot girl working the counter or something." Tony says.
"I'm in. Lee Know, you coming?" Robin asks.
Lee Know looks at me, but I don't meet his eye.
"I think I'll hang back. I don't want to intrude on all your bonding time. Besides, I've got some paperwork to finish up before our morning meeting."
"Then we'll just meet you two back at the estate. See you later..."
Sofia winks at me as she leaves with the others. I don't know how I feel about that. But I try to push aside all thoughts of Sofia as I turn to Lee Know.
"You didn't have to stay with me, you know. You could've gone with them."
"I know, but I meant what I said. The boys'll never bond with Sofia if I'm standing over them the whole time."
Lee Know leans forward, and the air around me shifts.
"Honestly, I'm pretty worn out. I was thinking of grabbing a drink to unwind before heading back to the villa."
"And where exactly are you going to find this drink?"
"Easy. We're surrounded by some of the best wine in the country... And Tony dropped the key to the wine cellar when he got here. What do you say? Unwind with me?"
I can think of a few ways we can help each other unwind...and some include having our mouths on more than just wine glasses.
"I say...lead the way."
I slip down into the musky cellar with Lee Know, absorbing the rustic, romantic atmosphere. Trailing my fingers over the shelves, I grab a bottle at random.
"1787 Lafite. Damn, these grapes were crushed literally centuries ago."
Lee Know takes the bottle from my hands and examines it more closely.
"Ah. The domain of Baron Rothschild."
"Friends of yours?"
"Acquaintances, at best. We go to the same events, but old money versus new? We've got nothing in common."
"So you'd never catch them drinking wine with their mistresses."
"I wouldn't be so sure."
Lee Know's expression sobers.
"But I don't like when you call yourself that."
"It's what I am, isn't it?"
I try to keep my tone light, but I'm not entirely sure I succeed.
"(Y/N)..."
Suddenly, a loud POP startles us apart. Lee Know blinks down at the cork in his hands.
"Whoops."
"So much for making it to year three hundred, Lafite."
"It's too late to go back now. Shall we...indulge?"
"It'd be a shame to let good wine go to waste."
Lee Know chuckles, then pours a glass for each of us.
"Are you gonna show me how to do all that fancy-shmancy wine tasting business?"
"If you'd like. First, you want to swirl the glass... Get your nose in there, and tell me what notes come floating your way."
"Mmm...I can only smell...you."
My eyes drift up to Lee Know's. He seems even closer than he was a moment ago...
"Your scent is intoxicating."
He swallows hard.
"Sometimes I can swear it lingers on my bedsheets at night... On my hands when I haven't even touched you..."
Suddenly, Lee Know pulls me into his arms and crashes his lips against mine, bringing a sharp relief to the craving in my body.
"We shouldn't..."
But even as I protest, I open my lips to him hungrily, easily...my resolve crumbling as the kiss deepens.
"...Don't stop."
"Never..."
I'm only distantly aware of the wine bottle clattering to the floor as Lee Know pulls me against him, his lips brushing against mine, softly, teasingly... I reach for him, slipping just below his belt, and I can feel just how ready he is for me... I gasp as his hands slide under my clothes to cup my breasts.
"Lee Know...I want..."
"Tell me what you want, (Y/N)... Whatever it is, it's yours."
"I want your mouth on me."
Lee Know lets out a low curse as he pulls back far enough to meet my gaze.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes..."
His hands are on me in an instant, delving underneath my clothes and exploring every inch of my body as he reveals it... Once I'm bare to his gaze, he helps me onto the nearby table, guiding my legs open so he can stand between them. He steps forward and starts kissing a delicious path down my neck...
"This feels--Ah! Amazing, but...it's not quite what I had in mind."
Lee Know's eyes darken mischievously as he leans back. But his hands continue to stroke my sides, stroking the fire within me...
"Oh? And what were you thinking?"
I smirk at Lee Know, then hold his gaze as I pull my panties to the side, revealing myself to him.
"I was thinking you could use your imagination."
"Oh my God..."
Lee Know drops to his knees as his fingers trace up my inner thighs, gentle but unmistakably hungry. He lowers his lips to me, his tongue swirling around my center. I stiffen at the delicious tremor that runs through my body.
"Yes..."
I grab the back of his head, desperate for an anchor as his frenzied lapping pushes me higher and higher until finally...
"...Lee Know! "
Lee Know rises to his feet as I bask in the afterglow. I settle back in Lee Know's arms, leaning my head onto his shoulder.
"I wish we could just stay down here. Forever."
Lee Know runs his hand up and down my arm. He sighs.
"Me too."
I close my eyes and let myself indulge in this cuddle, this feeling...unable to help wondering why nothing is ever easy anymore. The next evening, after putting the boys to bed, I'm in my room when I hear a sharp tapping on my door. Only one person could be behind that sound. I brace myself as I go to answer it.
"Sofia...hey."
"So? Have you thought about my offer? Or are you just going to keep avoiding me in an attempt to buy more time?"
"Yeah, my thought is that Lee Know's too good for all of this. He deserves to be loved by his fiancée, not bartered away."
"What a sweet notion, but let's reframe the issue in reality, shall we?"
I exhale through my nose, feeling completely cornered.
"This is so messed up! How can you be so willing to take everything away from Lee Know just to get what you want? I thought you considered him a friend."
"Sometimes business requires sacrifices, even friendly ones. But I wouldn't allow you two to continue your little tryst until the wedding if I didn't feel some affection for him. Although obviously, you'll have to stop after we're married, for appearance's sake."
"Wow. How generous."
I hate it, but I've known what my answer would be since Sofia first propositioned me. It's not like I wasn't planning to sneak around with Lee Know anyway.
"Fine. You have a deal. But you know I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Mason and Mickey. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you don't ruin their lives."
"Keep your end of the bargain, and I won't have any reason to. Now, I think I'll go for a nice, long walk. It's a beautiful night, and I'm sure I won't be back until late. You should take advantage of it while you can."
Sofia breezes from the room without another word, and I sink onto my bed. I close my eyes, attempting to push away all thoughts of Sofia and her deal. I feel so antsy and wound up.
"I need Lee Know. He's in his room right now, probably fantasizing about me...and I basically have Sofia's blessing."
The more I think about her offer, the angrier I get at the audacity of it.
"Sofia might have me beat in the boardroom. She might be making headway with the twins. But Lee Know is where I always win. And she's not gonna stop me from blowing Lee Know's goddamn mind tonight."
There's a hint of trepidation as I slip through the quiet villa toward Lee Know's room...
Act normal, (Y/N). You're just...looking for a glass of water! In your boss's room! Late at night!
I glance around, then take a deep breath and knock on Lee Know's dor. I hear shuffling from the other side, before it swings open to reveal Lee Know almost completely bare before me.
"(Y.N), I wasn't expecting you so late. Is everything okay?"
"Can I come in?"
"Of course."
Lee Know steps back to let me inside. I take in the room, noting that there are no signs of Sofia's belongings anywhere. I didn't think they were sharing a room here...guess this confirms it.
"Are you alright?"
I turn, and my eyes travel slowly over Lee Know's body... I step closer, heart pounding hard.
"No. But I will be."
Mustering all my courage, I surge forward, kitting my fingers behind his neck and drawing him into a kiss. He stiffens for a moment in surprise, but his arms quickly wrap around my waist as he surrenders with me.
"Feeling bold tonight?"
"Something like that. I need to make my fantasies a reality."
Lee Know sucks in a breath, his eyes darkening.
"Does that mean you were...just now...?"
"I think about you every night as I lie in bed...but it was torture knowing the real thing was just down the hall."
Lee Know's lips find mine again, and he all but devours me. I pull back breathlessly, giving him a small shove until the back of his knees bump up against the mattress, and he takes the hint to sit down.
"So demanding..."
"You're damn right. Now...are you going to be a good boy for me, or will I have to punish you?"
Lee Know's tongue darts out to lick his lips.
"Tell me what to do."
"First things first...undress me."
Lee Know reaches for me, his breath softly escaping through his parted lips as he reveals my bare body inch by inch.
"You're so beautiful..."
His whispered words trail over my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I grip the back of Lee Know's neck and draw him between my breasts. My head lulls back as his tongue lavishes my skin, licking and teasing his way to one of my taut nipples before he takes it in his mouth.
"Oh my God..."
Unable to take it anymore, I push him back onto the bed until we're both at the headboard, my thighs trapping his hips.
"Now, touch me and don't hold back. Show me how much you want me. I need to know your passion is only for me."
Lee Know rakes his fingers down my back, scratching just enough to make my nipples tighten, my body desperate for more friction. And he gives it to me. He grips my waist and presses me down as his hips buck up.
"Is this what you wanted?"
His hands delve into my hair, guiding my mouth back to his. My lips meet with an animal intensity, and I can hardly keep up.
"Yes..."
"I could cum just looking at you, (Y/N)."
"You better not."
My lips crash against his, tongues tangling together. I slide my hand down between Lee Know's legs, slipping under his boxers. I moan as I feel how hard and hot he is.
"I'm already close..."
"Good. So am I."
He groans as I pump my hand, his hips bucking up to meet mine.
"(Y/N), I need..."
"Me too."
I stroke him one last time, the position him at my entrance, teasing myself with his member. I lower myself onto him, biting back a moan and savoring how he fills me up.
"Lee Know..."
His hands slide up my chest to cup my breasts, then tease my nipples. I clench my inner muscles at his touch, and he curses softly.
"Please, (Y/N). I need you to move..."
I lift my hips...then plunge down hard.
"Yes..."
Lee Know's hands find my hips, and he helps me find a steady unrelenting pace.
"That's it... Ride me, (Y/N)."
I brace my hands against his chest as I bounce, biting back my moans as the pleasure builds quickly.
"So...close..."
I trail my hands down my body, and Lee Know's eyes are glued to their movement. I pinch my nipples, then move lower, circling my center.
"Oh God..."
The friction is enough to lose my rhythm, my hips moving with a mind of their own as I chase the sensations toward the edge.
"Yes...yes..."
"Let go, Lee Know. I want to feel you cum..."
A powerful shudder courses through his body as he throws his head back and cries out.
"...(Y/N)! "
His orgasm triggers my own, and I back uncontrollably against him as the ecstasy crashes over me...
"...Lee Know! "
Eventually, the tremors subside into a soft, warm glow. We lie side by side, both of us panting heavily.
"That was..."
"Yes. Yes, it was."
Lee Know threads his fingers through mine, and we lay like that for a while, staring up at the ceiling together. After a moment, a thought occurs to me, and I start giggling.
"What's so funny over there?"
"Nothing, it's just...I just realized this is the first time we've done that in a bed."
"That's what happens when you're so irresistible."
Lee Know chuckles, leaning over to kiss my bare shoulder.
"I wish you could stay here with me tonight..."
"But I can't."
I shake the though of a certain fiancée from my head and offer Lee Know a small smile in return.
"Though maybe I can stay long enough for round two?"
"God, yes."
Lee Know rolls over until his body covers mine, and I let myself get carried away in his arms again as the night wears on.
A week later, a new routine with the boys takes hold, and luckily, I haven't crossed paths with Sofia in a few days. I've just returned to the villa with Mason and Mickey from an afternoon of touring a nearby castle when...
"Boys! Come in here! We've got some great news! "
"What does Aunt Sofia want now?" Mason groans.
"I wish I know..." I reply.
I lead the boys into the living room just as Sofia pops the cork on a bottle of champagne with Lee Know!
"What's the occasion?" I ask.
"Should you tell them, Lee Know? Or shall I?"
"Uh, you go ahead."
"Lee Enterprises and Russo Industries have officially merged!"
"Hooray?" Mickey says not sure if that's something he should be excited about.
"I should think you'd show a great deal more enthusiasm than that, young man. Your future is set in gold! Anyway, we were so excited about the news that we decided to move up the wedding date to celebrate!"
"What!"
"That's right. Lee Know and I are going to tie the knot right here in Italy in two weeks!"