Chapter 1: A Cold Heart
"So as we were discussing, our monthly numbers are looking great, but we need to focus on expanding our market..." Ryder Lynn instructed. Ryder, at the mere age of 28, was a self-made, successful businessman. Dressed in a well-tailored black suit with soft brown hair, he was a handsome man. But there was more to him than what met the eye. He was cold man, even ruthless at times. Back in high school, he was the school sweetheart. But life afterwards turned him stone-cold. It started in high school with a small crush, which would turn out later to be the love of his. Unfortunately, that love was never reciprocated...and it hit him hard. At first he thought he would get over his crush on Marley Rose. That didn't happen. The further Marley slipped away from Ryder, the more he pined for her. It was never easy to see her with another. He never understood why she picked Jake Puckerman over himself. Ryder tried to reject his feelings all through high school. He tried to move on, but to no use. He tried dating but all he could over think about was Marley...and all she could see was Jake. After graduation Marley and Jake were still together and that was when it hit him. She was never going to be his and he was wasting his time thinking about a love that was never meant to be. Why love when there's no point? So he closed his heart off to love. And as if that wasn't enough to kill him on the inside...the day the he received Marley and Jake's wedding invitation sent him into a personal hell. He knew that any last chance at being with Marley was completely over. He didn't attend the wedding...he wasn't strong enough. Ryder graduated from college, never experiencing life to the fullest. When he thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. Shortly after he began his business, he got news of his parents' death. Both Karen and Alan Lynn passed away in a car crash because of a drunk driver. Ryder's view of the world being a cruel place was only emphasized. He lost his faith in God and his heart turned to stone. He became unkind and even merciless at times. As his wealth accumulated, so did his ego. Losing faith in love, he began to believe that money and power were what measured a man. He never had a real relationship because he didn't believe in love anymore, but he was still a man with needs. It wasn't uncommon for him to sleep with random women only for them to leave the next morning. He lived in a mansion, but it was so lonely. Only occasionally when his sister, Elizabeth, came to visit with her toddler son, would there be some life in the large house. Two years ago, Elizabeth was diagnosed with cancer. It was terminal and as a single mother her concern was her young son of four, Liam. One month has passed since Elizabeth died. She left Liam in the hands of hands of her younger brother. Ryder had been hurt one too many times and the passing of his dearest sister was almost too much to handle. But now he had Liam to take care of too. He tried to forget his cold self when dealing with Liam but he couldn't help it anymore. Every time Ryder looked at Liam, he was remained of his lost sister, which reminded him of everything else he lost. His mother. His father. Marley. He was always busy and tied up with work he barely had time for Liam. And even if he had the time, he wasn't exactly great with kids. He couldn't get Liam to eat or sleep. Michael, a friend of Ryder's who worked for him, offered for his wife Nellie to watch Liam during the days while she was in between jobs. For a month it worked. But now Nellie was working and Ryder needed to find someone to watch Liam full time. Someone who could live with Liam so he didn't have to worry about him anymore. He needed a nanny. He had been looking for a little over a week now, but it was to no use. Most applicants was turned off but Ryder's cold personality and were too afraid of him to want to consider living in the same house as him. He needed a nanny, fast.
"I expect these reports to be completed by Friday. Now leave," Ryder instructed his employees harshly.
All the employees left expect for one. Michael, Ryder's only real friend, stayed back.
" Hey man, look I know you're looking for someone to take care of Liam. Nellie's sister knows this girl who's been looking for work and she really needs the money. I was wondering maybe you were interested in considering her?" Michael asked.
"Right now, I'm willing to try anything. I can't get Liam to eat or sleep and I can't keep missing meetings for it. I can't handle it anymore. Tell her to come by my house tonight around 7. I'll give her a quick interview," responded Ryder.
He pulled up to the grand house in his Mercedes Benz at 6:30. Ryder came home to find the house quiet and empty...like always. The maid was watching Liam for the day. He knew Liam would be upstairs. He never came out of his room. He just sat in front of his mother's picture sobbing quietly.
Upstairs in his grand bedroom, he took off his suit jacket and loosened his tie. He walked to Liam's room down the large hallway filled with expensive pieces of artwork.
"Liam. Come downstairs. It's time for dinner," Ryder tried to convince Liam.
"I don't want to eat," replied Liam not turning around to face his uncle.
"You have to eat eventually! I don't have time to keep begging you! What do you want from me!" Ryder was losing control of his temper fast.
Liam was in tears now. He turned around to look his uncle in the eyes.
"I WANT MY MOMMY! BRING MY MOMMY BACK!" Liam shouted at Ryder.
Ryder stared at the child with pity, but soon he flared up with anger again. He was this young boy, asking for dead mother. This was anything but easy on Ryder. Ryder left and made his way downstairs. He wasn't hungry anymore. He told the butler that he wouldn't be eating tonight. Just then the doorbell rang. He remembered that the girl was dropping by. He just wished that she would say yes. He just needed someone to take care of the little boy.
He approached the door. He opened the door. He stood there shocked. Never did he think this day would come.
"Y-you?" he asked flabbergasted.
"Ryder? I...I..." Marley stuttered in just as much shock as Ryder.
"Get out," Ryder said harshly. He couldn't stand to see her face.
"Ryder please! Please give me a chance! I need this money! I have nowhere to go! I have nothing! Please!" Marley was on the ground begging now. He was crying looking up at the cruel man hoping he could change his mind.
"I don't care. I'll find someone else. Just leave," he replied coldly.
"No! Please! I've lost everything! My house, my money. Please help me! I need this job. I promise I'll do anything. I won't disappoint you," she begged hopefully.
Those eyes. Those same blue eyes he fell in love with over ten years ago. No matter how heartless he was, he couldn't leave her like this. It still killed him to see her crying, just like it did when he was sixteen. She was telling the truth. He could tell. No matter how much he tried to deny it, he still had a soft spot for her. And he needed a nanny too and she was willing to accept the demanding job.
"When can you start?" he questioned without making eye contact.
"Now. I already have all my stuff with me," she answered surprised to hear he was willing to her hire her.
"Come in," he stated devoid of emotion.
"I can't thank you enough..." she thanked him.
She walked in to the grand house behind Ryder. She looked around in awe. The house was gorgeous, but so empty.
"Liam, my nephew is upstairs. If you can convince him to come downstairs and eat dinner, then the job is yours. You will live here. As the nanny, I would expect you to take care of Liam full time and also be responsible for cooking at least one meal a day. In return, I will pay you a decent salary, you eat here, and you live here. He's upstairs in the second room on the left. If he eats dinner, then the job is yours. If he doesn't, then you leave," Ryder explained his terms.
She nodded and made her way upstairs. She was nervous. She needed this job more than anything. If she didn't get Liam to eat dinner, she would be on the streets worrying if she would have another meal to eat. She looked at the boy who seemed to have been crying and upset. Nellie's sister had filled her in on the details and Marley knew that Liam had just lost his mother. He walked closer to Liam and bent down to his level.
"Hey there sweetie," Marley spoke softly, careful not to scare the boy.
Liam looked up at Marley slowly. He looked confused to see new face. He didn't speak though. He turned and tried to ignore her.
"Liam, honey, I know your missing you mother, but you need to eat your dinner."
"NO! I just want my mommy!" he yelled.
Marley's heart broke for the little boy. She knew what it was like to lose her mother. Her mom passed away a few years after her high graduation.
"I know...I miss my mommy too. I lost her too. But you know what? Your mommy would be very sad to see that you aren't taking care of yourself. You wouldn't want to make your mommy sad, now would you?" Marley tried to reason with the boy.
He nodded his head "no" as a few more tears spilled from his eyes.
Ryder was waiting downstairs. So many thoughts were crowding his head. What was she doing here? Wasn't she married to Jake? Then why doesn't she have anywhere to go? Ryder tried to tell himself to stop thinking about her. Now she was just a potential nanny. Nothing else. It didn't matter what had happened to her. His thoughts were interrupted with Marley walking down the stairs hand-in-hand with Liam. He couldn't believe it. She actually convinced him to come downstairs.
She made eye contact with Ryder waiting for him to give her a sign.
"James, bring Marley's things inside and place them in the guest bedroom closest to Liam's," said Ryder to the Butler.
Marley smiled slightly taking this as a sign that she got the job.
Ryder motioned for them to take a seat at the dining table. Marley sat next to Liam and fed him before touching her own food. She was clearly good with children. Ryder looked on. He glad to see Liam finally eating. At least had one less thing to worry about. Ryder finished his food and left to go upstairs.
The maid, Lana, took care of the dishes and cleaning up.
Marley took Liam upstairs. She managed to get him ready for bed. Before putting him to sleep, she thought she would take Liam to say goodnight to his uncle. She knocked on the half-open door of the study. Ryder was on the phone, clearly engrossed in an important conversation.
"What?" he asked sharply.
"I just thought you could say goodnight to Liam. I'm going to put him to bed," hesitated Marley.
"Can't you see I'm busy! Get out!" Ryder shouted at Marley and Liam. Seeing her face enhanced his anger. It took him back to all pining, all the hopeless love he had for her. He hated it. It made him feel weak.
Marley was hurt. She wondered what had made Ryder into this cold man he was now. What happened to the sweet Ryder she shared her very first kiss with? She left the study. All she wanted was for Liam to feel a little better. She put Liam to sleep with a soft lullaby that her mother used to sing to her. He fell asleep almost instantly.
Marley made her way to her new room. It was right next to Liam's. She saw her things were already organizes and settled in. She was exhausted. She decided she would take a shower before heading off to bed. After her warm shower, he slipped on a long white nightgown.
She needed to talk to Ryder. She wanted to know why he behaved so rudely earlier.
She stood outside of his study waiting for him to be done. Finally he put the phone down and left the study only to see Marley waiting for him outside in the hallway.
"Good, you're done. I need to talk to you," she said with more confidence.
"What is it?" he asked.
"What happened to you? Why are you behaving like this Ryder? And Liam? You can't act like that! He's just a kid and he just lost his mother. Right now, he needs love. He doesn't need you yelling," she questioned him boldly.
"This is just the way I am and I don't owe you an explanation. I gave you this job and you should be grateful," he said.
"I am grateful. Trust me. But I'm just worried about you. You're so different," she said.
She was caught off guard as he grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her against the wall. His grip on her arms was tight and his face was only inches from her own as he spoke. He started directly into her deep blue eyes.
"A lot has happened since high school. I'm not the same guy I was when we were sixteen. The faster you get that through your head, the better it will be for you," he told her before releasing her from his grip.
"All I'm asking is that you at least try with Liam. He's your responsibility now and you're his only family now. Goodnight," she said leaving him in the empty hallway.
A/N: Hello readers! I was really excited to finally write this story and I hope you have enjoyed it! Please review because I will only continue if I get enough reviews!