Chapter 1: The Interview
Sophie
I smoothed down my navy dress for the hundredth time, trying to ground myself in the simple motion. Here I was in one of Chicago’s most prestigious high-rise buildings.
The building stretched toward the clouds like a glass sword. Its upper floors lost in the morning mist. I clutched my portfolio tighter. I felt the edges of my college transcript dig into my palms through the leather folder. These papers were my ticket to a new life. Or at least that’s what I kept telling myself.
My best friend Hazel had laughed when I told her I was applying to be a nanny for a billionaire. “From escort to nanny? That’s quite the career change, Sophie.”
But she didn’t understand. This was my chance to build something real. Something that didn’t require me to wear a mask or pretend to be someone else.
“Miss Landsburgh?” A woman in a crisp white blouse and pencil skirt approached me. Her heels clicked against the marble in a precise rhythm that somehow made my own stance feel clumsy. “Mr. Montfort will see you now.”
I followed her to a private elevator, my heart pounding so hard I was sure she could hear it. The doors were polished to a mirror shine, and I caught my reflection. Pale face, dark blonde hair pulled back in a neat bun, minimal makeup. I looked nothing like Luna, and that was exactly the point.
“62nd floor,” the woman said, swiping a keycard. “Mr. Montfort’s private elevator.”
Of course he had a private elevator. I’d done my research on Alexander Montfort. Everyone in Chicago knew about him. Thirty-nine year old billionaire. He’d expanded his family’s real estate empire into tech and renewable energy. Widowed young, raising two kids alone. The tabloids loved him. But he rarely gave interviews and was notorious for guarding his privacy.
As the elevator rose, I recited molecular structures in my head, an old habit that always calmed my nerves. C₈H₁₀N₄O₂, caffeine. God, I could use some right now. C₆H₁₂O₆, glucose. Simple. Predictable. Everything my life wasn’t.
My organic chemistry professor would probably have a heart attack if she knew what I did on weekends. Star student by day, escort by night. But tuition didn’t pay itself, and my mom’s medical bills kept piling up despite the insurance. I swallowed hard. I pushed away thoughts of the hospital rooms. The way my mom’s hands had trembled as she signed another payment plan.
The elevator doors opened directly into the penthouse, and I had to remind myself to breathe. Floor-to-ceiling windows transformed an entire wall into a living portrait of Chicago’s skyline. Lake Michigan stretched out like liquid silver under the morning sun. For a moment, I forgot my nerves in the sheer beauty of it all.
Then I heard children’s laughter, pure, uninhibited joy echoing through the vast space. My heart lifted. This was why I was here. Not for the glamorous penthouse or the impressive salary, but for that sound.
“Daddy, look what I drew!” A little girl’s voice rang out, followed by the patter of running feet.
“Inside voice, Layla.” came a deep, authoritative response that made my spine straighten automatically.
I turned toward the voice and found myself facing Alexander Montfort. The photos I’d seen online were a poor substitute for reality. He was tall, I had to tilt my head back despite my heels, and every inch of him radiated authority. His dark suit probably cost more than my entire wardrobe (Luna’s closet not included). But it was his eyes that caught me off guard. Steel gray and completely distant.
An eight-year-old girl with dark curls skidded to a stop beside him, clutching a drawing. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, curiosity replacing her initial surprise. Behind her, a smaller boy, six years old, according to the job listing, peeked around his father’s leg. He had the same serious eyes as his father, but his held a shyness that made my heart melt.
“Miss Landsburgh.” Alexander’s voice was cool and professional. “I see you’ve met my security team downstairs.”
It wasn’t a question. Everything about him suggested a man who left nothing to chance. He probably had my entire background investigated. Even before I stepped foot in the building. My pulse quickened. What had his investigation found? How deep had they dug?
“Yes, sir.” I managed to keep my voice steady, even summoned a smile. This job would change everything. A steady income, regular hours that would let me finish my degree. Maybe even enough stability to finally leave the escort service. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
“Layla, Caleb,” Alexander addressed his children, his tone softening. “Why don’t you show Miss Landsburgh your playroom while I review her paperwork?”
Layla bounced forward and grabbed my hand without hesitation. Her small fingers were warm and sticky. Probably from whatever art project she’d been working on. “Come on! I want to show you my science kit. Do you like science? I’m learning about volcanoes!”
The tension in my shoulders eased. This, at least, was familiar territory.
“I love science,” I told her, genuinely smiling for the first time that morning. “I’m actually studying chemistry in college.”
“Chemistry?” Layla’s eyes widened with the kind of pure enthusiasm only children can muster. “Can you make things explode?”
“Layla,” Alexander warned, but I caught something in his expression. A flicker of amusement, maybe even warmth. It vanished so quickly I might have imagined it.
As the children led me toward their playroom, I felt Alexander’s gaze following me. I straightened my spine, channeling some of Luna’s confidence. Luna would know how to handle a man like Alexander Montfort. Luna would meet his gaze without flinching, would know exactly what to say.
But I wasn’t Luna here. I was just Sophie Landsburgh. Chemistry student and potential nanny. Trying to build a life that didn’t require aliases or late-night hotel meetings.
The playroom was a child’s paradise. One wall was lined with books, another with art supplies. A child-sized laboratory setup occupied one corner. It was complete with safety goggles and a real microscope. In the center, a massive dollhouse stood next to a train set that would have made my younger self green with envy.
“This is where we do experiments!” Layla announced, pulling me toward the lab corner. “But Daddy says we can only do them when adults are watching. Are you going to be our new nanny? Ms. Peterson was nice but she didn’t know about chemistry.”
“Well, I…” I started, but Caleb cut me off, speaking for the first time.
“Do you know about space?” His voice was soft but eager. “I like stars.”
“I do know about stars,” I told him, kneeling down to his level. “Did you know that stars are actually giant chemistry experiments? They’re like nature’s laboratories.”
Both children’s eyes widened. I launched into a simplified explanation of stellar nucleosynthesis. I used terms they could understand. I was so engrossed in their questions that I didn’t hear Alexander approach.
“I see you’re already teaching my children about nuclear fusion.”
I jumped slightly, turning to find him leaning against the doorframe. How long had he been watching? His expression was still unreadable, but something in his posture had changed. He seemed more relaxed, though no less intimidating.
“I hope you don’t mind,” I said, standing up. “They asked about stars, and it seemed like a good opportunity to teach…”
“Your credentials are impressive,” he cut in, straightening. “Bachelor’s in Chemistry, nearly completed. Dean’s List. Multiple recommendations from your professors.” He paused, and I held my breath. “But what interests me more is how quickly my children have taken to you. They’re usually quite reserved with strangers.”
I glanced down at Caleb, who had somehow ended up holding my hand. “Children can sense when someone genuinely enjoys their company,” I said softly. “It’s not something you can fake.”
Something flickered in Alexander’s eyes. Before I could decode it, his professional demeanor was back in place. “The position requires living in,” he said. “There’s a separate apartment on the floor below, fully furnished. You’d have weekends free. Your schedule would align with the children’s school hours. Leaving you time for your studies. The salary we discussed over email includes health benefits. As well as a completion bonus when you finish your degree.”
My heart stuttered. It was more than I’d dared hope for. A safe place to live, away from the temptation of weekend work. Regular hours. Benefits. It sounded too good to be true.
“When can you start?”
The question caught me off guard. “I... you mean I got the job?”
“Unless you’ve changed your mind?” One eyebrow arched slightly.
“No! I mean, yes, I want the job.” I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I can start whenever you need me to.”
“Monday,” he said decisively. “My assistant will email you the contract and necessary paperwork. I assume you’ll want the weekend to move your things in?”
I nodded, mind already racing. I’d need to talk to Hazel, figure out what to do about our shared apartment. And then there was the other matter. I’d have to tell her I was done with weekend work. No more Luna.
“Welcome to the family, Miss Landsburgh.” Alexander’s voice was formal, but it was also warm.
I left the penthouse that morning, hoping I would be able to do a good job and keep Luna out of sight.
