The last couple of months had been a paradise for Koutarou. He finally felt like he could breathe again.

You were a dream, taking care of the kids and the house, leaving him able to actually do things again with his life, spend time with his friends, go to the gym, anything he wanted to do pretty much.

The two of you had decided that you’d be best as a stay-at-home, full-time nanny, having your own room and space at his house. So from the time the kids woke up in the morning to the time they went to bed at night, you’d be there for them.

Now it wasn’t to say that now that you were here Koutarou didn’t spend time with his kids, most days when the kids weren’t in school, the four of you would go out on little “family” excursions, to the aquarium, to the zoo, you name it, the four of you did it.

It also wasn’t to say that you didn’t also have a life of your own. Koutarou was probably the best boss a girl could ask for, he was more than happy to give you whatever days you wanted off, let you go out late with your friends, letting you come and go as you please.

It honestly felt surreal. You were living the dream. And sometimes, despite the guilt that came with it, you’d find yourself wondering if this was how it would be if YOU were the mother of the twins… if YOU were Koutarou’s wife.

At first, these thoughts were few and far between, but after the three-month mark, you found yourself thinking of it more and more.

You would find your eyes lingering across Koutarou’s chest as he cooked pancakes for the four of you on Saturday mornings, his shirtless torso rippling with laughter as the kids recounted kindergarten stories from their week. You found your face warming as you greeted him when he came back from the gym, his arm muscles, thick from years of pro-volleyball and physical training, sweat slicking back his salt and peppered hair.

Over time you noticed how your heart would now thump louder when he walked into the room or as you watched him interact with his kids.

You were ashamed to admit the feelings that you held for your boss were far from professional and anything but innocent.

But while you were getting eaten up with guilt, Koutarou was in a very similar boat.