What's Wrong With Being An Omega Nanny?-Chapter 148: Just Thirty Minutes!

Chapter 148: Just Thirty Minutes!
Jace exchanged a quick glance with Ethan, his eyes carrying that subtle "I told you so" look he couldn’t quite hide.
He had known deep down that Viktor wouldn’t let him see Elias... not easily, anyway. At least Viktor had just said no outright, without the violence Nathan had shown last time, strangling him and nearly ending his life. He shivered at the thought of that day. He thought his life was going to end, if not by strangling, maybe it would be due to the powerful Pheromones that were blocking his lungs.
Jace’s hand tightened around the chicken bag, the warmth from the food seeping through but doing nothing to ease the chill of rejection. He felt a mix of disappointment and nervousness, his stomach twisting. He’d come all this way, hoping for a chance to talk, to maybe fix things or at least clear the air. Now it felt like the door was slamming shut before he even knocked.
Ethan stepped forward, his voice calm but pleading as he tried to smooth things over.
"Viktor, come on. Jace won’t stay long... I promise. Nothing’s going to happen between them. Elias isn’t even interested in Jace like that. It’s just a friendly visit, that’s all."
Jace nodded quickly, his cheeks flushing a bit under Viktor’s steady, unreadable gaze. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other, clutching the bag tighter. "Please, Viktor sir. I brought chicken for him. It was something he enjoyed a little because he craved it every time. Thirty minutes, tops. I won’t cause any trouble."
Viktor stared at the bag in Jace’s hand, the faint smell of fried chicken wafting through the air, mixing with the homey scent of the safe house living room. The twins were still painting in the corner, their brushes swishing quietly, oblivious to the tension. Viktor didn’t know why he’d said no so fast. It wasn’t because Elias was feeling down and avoiding everyone—Viktor knew Elias well enough to guess that hearing Jace’s voice might actually pull him out of whatever mood he was in after the Corleone visit and Lila’s comment about real parents.
Elias would probably open the door with a small smile, thank Jace for the food, and invite him in to chat like old times. The thought twisted something deep inside Viktor—a sharp, unfamiliar jealousy. He didn’t want Jace to be the one who lightened Elias’s day, who made him laugh or forget his worries. That should be him.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair, trying to push the feeling down. It wasn’t rational, but it was there. "Hold on," he said finally, his tone still firm but less cold. "I’ll call someone to take you up." He paused, fixing Jace with a serious look. "But thirty minutes only. No more. And if I hear anything’s off, you’re out and never allowed to come close to him again."
Jace’s face lit up with a relieved smile, his shoulders relaxing as hope flooded back. "Thank you! Really, I won’t overstay. I promise."
Ethan clapped Jace on the back lightly, grinning. "See? Told you he’d say yes."
Viktor didn’t respond to the thanks or the grin. He turned to the small intercom speaker mounted on the wall near the entryway and pressed the button. "Lila, come down here for a minute. I need your help."
Ethan’s eyes widened at the name, a fond smile crossing his face. "Lila? How’s she doing these days? Been a while since I saw her."
Viktor poured himself a glass of whiskey from the side table, the amber liquid glugging softly. He offered one to Ethan. "She’s great. Troublesome as usual and always giving me attitude."
Ethan took the glass, furrowing his brows in genuine confusion. "Troublesome? Lila? Come on, she’s never troublesome. She’s the sweetest kid I know."
Viktor smirked, taking a sip that burned pleasantly down his throat. "She hates me. Always frowning when I’m around, like I stole her favourite toy or something."
Ethan laughed softly, swirling his whiskey. "That’s rough. Kids can be picky about who they warm up to. Give her time... she’ll come around."
The whiskey dribbled a bit on Viktor’s shirt as he nearly choked when Lila entered the room. She looked annoyed at first, her small face scrunched up, probably thinking Viktor was calling her down for some boring chore or to scold her about something minor. But her expression changed instantly when she spotted Ethan standing there. Her eyes widened with pure joy, and she ran over, throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. "Uncle Ethan!"
Viktor stared, the spill forgotten for a moment as whiskey soaked into his collar. Lila smiled... actually smiled wide and genuinely... hugging Ethan like he was her favourite person in the world. Viktor had only seen her light up like that around Elias, or sometimes the twins when they played games, or occasionally his sisters when they spoiled her with treats. Never around him. She was always polite but distant, frowning or rolling her eyes when he tried to talk to her. And now, here she was, beaming at a Voss? Ethan hugged her back just as tightly, lifting her off the ground a bit.
"Lila! Look at you... getting so big! How’ve you been?"
She pulled back but kept holding his hand, her voice full of excitement. "I’m good! We’ve been doing well. We made a video yesterday with the twins and me cooking! It was fun."
Ethan ruffled her hair. "A video? You’re a star now?"
Lila giggled. "Yeah! Elias tasted it and said it was perfect."
"That’s enough now," Viktor cleared his throat, adjusting his stained shirt awkwardly. "Lila, I need your help. Take Jace here to Elias’s room."
Lila’s smile faded a touch as she glanced at Viktor, but she nodded seriously, like a little adult on a mission. "Okay." She turned back to Ethan, waving. "Bye, Uncle Ethan! Come visit more often!"
Ethan waved back, still smiling. "I will, kiddo. Promise."
Lila grabbed Jace’s free hand— the one not holding the chicken—and led him upstairs, her small steps were quick. Jace followed, glancing back at Viktor with a grateful nod.
Viktor watched them go, then turned to Ethan, dabbing at his shirt with a napkin. "Ignore the kid stuff. Let’s get to business. The war between the Mafias... normally these things drag on a month or more with back-and-forth, but with Corleone’s help now, we end it in under a week."
Ethan froze, his glass halfway to his lips again. "Corleones? The Corleones? As in Marco Corleone?"
Viktor nodded proudly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "The one and only. The old man himself came here today."
Ethan looked around the room, lowering his voice even though they were alone. "How? They’re... untouchable. No one gets that kind of backing."
Viktor leaned in, his voice matching the secrecy. "All thanks to Elias. He saved the old man’s life at their palace. Donated blood and everything."
Ethan’s eyes widened, then he smiled warmly, shaking his head in admiration. "Elias is full of good luck, huh? Pulling strings like that without even trying. Saving the head of the Corleones? That’s huge."
Viktor nodded, pride mixing with his earlier jealousy. "Yeah. He’s special." He set his glass down, leaning forward with interest. "So, the plan is simple... But I need your full cooperation"
Ethan extended his hand. "My full cooperative? You have it?" Viktor shook it firmly. "All of it. What’s the move? How do we wrap this war fast?"
Viktor released the handshake, his expression turning strategic. "Good. We’ll talk about the details in my office. It’s quieter there with no interruptions."
They headed down the hall, Viktor leading the way.
.
.
Meanwhile, Lila stopped outside Elias’s door on the upper floor, the hallway quiet with soft carpet underfoot. "This is it. Knock yourself." She gave Jace a serious look, like a guard on duty.
Jace thanked her softly, watching her skip away down the hall. He exhaled deeply, gripping the chicken bag tighter, his heart racing.
His hand hovered to knock, then dropped as doubt crept in. He sighed, steeling himself again. When he raised it once more, the door swung open suddenly... bare-chested Elias stepping out, towel around his neck as he’d just showered.
"Is that fried chicken? I smell it."
Jace froze completely, his cheeks burning bright red at the unexpected sight. Elias stood there casually, hair damp, skin still a bit flushed from the hot water. Feelings Jace thought he’d buried rushed back full force... the crush he’d tried to move past hitting him like a wave. He swallowed hard, looking away quickly.
"Y-yeah. For you. I bought the spicy kind."
Elias took the bag, smiling warmly as the smell filled the hallway. "Thanks, man. Come in? Don’t just stand there."
Jace bit his lower lip, nodding as he stepped inside. The room was large with expensive decorations. He exhaled deeply once the door closed, hoping these thirty minutes would be worth it... and maybe mend something.