Chapter 5 – Adrian's POV

I won't lie, Mr. Darcy Rodrigo was the kind of man who could make every head turn the moment he entered a room. Tall, commanding, and dangerously handsome, he was exactly the type that made women lose their breath.

But I don't care; love and attraction are useless to me. That was the reason why I was jailed, and my so-called boyfriend, Martins, the man I loved and cared for for three years, abandoned me to die. I even got married to my cousin Amelia; this was so disheartening.

I also had to remind myself firmly that I wasn't here for the looks.

I wasn't like the other ladies who were dying about the way he looks; the way they all pretended and pouted as if this was a catwalk beauty pageant made me nauseous instantly. I wasn't here to catch a rich husband or chase his money. I was here because I had no choice.

This job wasn't about luxury. It was survival.

And if I didn't get this job, I'd have nowhere else to go. Homeless. And worse was that the police might come after me again.

I knew how parole worked. They were watching me somewhere. That was why they didn't install an ankle alarm on me, and the only reason they did that was because I was good and I didn't cause them any trouble while in jail.

So yes, this job was everything. My only chance to stay free.

That prison reminded me of everything I fought so hard to forget. My dead child, so I don't want to go back. So I had to work for myself to give myself a good life.

Then I saw her.

Something strange happened when I saw his little girl. There was something about his daughter's presence that stayed with me. I couldn't understand, but I felt deeply connected to her.

Mr. Darcy himself looked just like people described him. Cold. Powerful. Unreadable.

His face was calm but cold. He's just like a man who wouldn't raise a voice to control everything.

But I felt like I had met him before, but I didn't remember where exactly, and it made me uncomfortable.

Then beside him was the man who'd taken our names earlier. He wore a fitted black suit. Neat.

He stepped forward. With his strong face, I guessed he was Darcy's assistant.

"Good afternoon, sir. These are the final applicants for Pink's nanny position," he said politely.

That's when I learned her name-Pink. So that's her name, I thought. It's a sweet name for a serious-looking little girl sitting pretty on her father's shoulder.

Darcy nodded slightly; his cold eyes were still on me, and it felt like forever, making my anxiety worse.

Before anyone else could speak, the first woman in line jumped out of her line.

"I have three PhDs," she announced proudly. "Psychology, Education, and Business. I can take care of Pink... and of you."

When she was done mentioning all the certificates she'd acquired in life, she moved close to Darcy, acting like she was adjusting her blouse to show more of her chest.

Shameless. What is she thinking? Seducing Darcy to help her get the nanny job?

Was this really how they thought they could become a child's nanny? by seducing her father like cheap mistresses? Yuck!

Darcy didn't react. His face didn't even twitch. He just looked away, unimpressed.

Then came the second woman. She smiled confidently, applying a quick layer of lip gloss before speaking.

"Childcare runs in my family. My mother was the nanny for the president's children," she bragged, biting her lip.

Darcy stayed silent, but little Pink clung to his shoulder and shook her head hard. Her lips pouted, her face full of stubbornness-she clearly didn't like the woman.

Looking at everything, I got worried. If it was this child that was picking who would be her nanny, then I had no chance at all.

I compared myself to these rich women who were well-dressed and found out I was nobody. Just an ex-convict in a plain dress with nothing but a wrinkled certificate in hand.

Still, I couldn't stay silent. Let me try.

Then, it's my turn. They were in front of me. It suddenly feels so hot here regardless of the massive air conditioners giving cold air in the office. My palms were sweaty. My throat was dry, but I had the courage to look Mr. Darcy in his eyes.

I began, "I don't have fancy degrees," I said, my voice shaking but steady with time. "But I cared for many children all my life. I worked in a small daycare where we handled many children and even took care of my younger cousins."

His face didn't even soften a bit.

But I continued, pushing through the nerves. "I know how to take care of children's tantrums, comfort them, and read bedtime stories, scraped knees-all of it. I don't have many qualifications or certificates, but I can promise you that your daughter will be safe and loved in my hands."

Then I looked at Pink. Her big eyes met mine, and I felt that pull again; everything around me went quiet. It felt like she could see something inside me-something familiar.

"I need this job, sir," I said softly. "Please. I love kids, and I'll take care of her very well."

Behind me, the women snickered.

"She's so desperate."

"Does she think tears will help?"

I ignored them. Pride didn't matter anymore. What mattered was that little girl.

That was when Mr. Darcy finally spoke with his voice deep and firm, the kind that made everyone fall silent.

"Thank you all for applying," he said slowly. "But this decision is not mine to make."

We all froze.

He adjusted Pink in his arms, his tone softening a little. "The only rule is simple: that Pink will choose who she wants as her nanny."

The room filled with shocked murmurs. My heart started pounding. A three-year-old was about to decide our fate.

Darcy turned to his daughter. "Pink," he said gently, "are you ready to choose the person you want?"

Pink nodded eagerly, holding his shoulder tightly.

He carried her to the first woman. The woman smiled sweetly, bringing out her arms to carry her. But Pink frowned and shook her head hard in disagreement.

Rejected.

The second woman tried next-same result. Pink's pout deepened, her little face full of disapproval.

One by one, she rejected every single woman in the room. Gasps spread through the hall. If all these women were rejected, it's not possible to accept me.

Then Darcy stopped in front of me. I was scared. Nervous. My heartbeat got loud, and I could hear it in my ears, or maybe he could as well.

I could barely breathe.

Everyone in that room didn't believe that Pink rejected and dismissed all the classy, wealthy, and well-dressed women one by one, even those ones that shamelessly tried to seduce her father just to get in the position of being her nanny.

Then it was my turn.

Sweat moved down my back and my forehead. My breath caught in my throat in anxiety.

I already knew. Of course no one needs to remind me that if these women couldn't win her heart, how could I?

Pink looked at me for a long time. Her eyes locked on me. And then, to my surprise, she gave out a sweet smile at me.

I never knew she could smile like that. Her smile was pretty and sweet. I smiled back at her at once. It warmed my soul, and I was no longer anxious or afraid.

Darcy's eyes shifted between us. "What about her, Pink?" he asked quietly. "Do you want her to..."

Before he could finish, Pink nodded eagerly and reached her little hands out to me.

The room went silent for a while. Everyone in that office, the women especially, opened their eyes in shock as she picked someone who wore cheap clothes and didn't put on expensive perfumes and jewelry.

I froze, looking at her in disbelief as she opened her arms to me-trusting, calm, like a child reaching for her mother.

She chose me.

I blinked my eyes twice, still shocked, and couldn't believe her reaction.

I carried her on my arm, so happy she allowed it. My mind raced on so many thoughts about why she chose me of all the people standing here. Why did she reach out for me to carry her?

All I knew was there was a connection.

But...

Wait... did she seriously do that!?

Chapter 6

Adrian's POV

The jealousy of other women's eyes were burning holes in my back but I didn't care. Carefully I carried her on my chest, smoothen and my joy knew no bounds.

I looked at her and the smile on her face made me calm for the first time since I came to this company. She was the only person who smiled at me.

When she rested her little body on mine, something inside me cracked open. I felt a strong connection between us. She fits in so well like she belonged to my arms. She held me with love and utmost care.

It's been three years since I felt like this. Love. Warmth. Kind. I thought I'd buried all those thoughts with my daughter, the one I lost at birth. And if life had been kind with her, she would have been the same age as Pink by now.

The memories hurt like a sharp knife pierced my heart. I swallowed the thoughts and decided to treat Pink as my own even if this means just a job. The past would remain in the past. I'd let by-gones be by-gones.

I would not drown myself in memories I couldn't change. Instead, I hugged Pink tightly, I smiled and said softly,"Hi, sweetheart. My name is Adrian."

Pink looked up at me, her wide eyes glowing, and before I could blink, she pressed a sweet little kiss on my cheek.

The humming in the room stopped as the room went silent. I froze. Stunned.

My eyes widened in shock, the warmth of her kiss lingered to my cheeks and I felt like crying, but then I forced myself to smile back at her.

I didn't care about the whispers anymore. I didn't care about the jealousy glares from the other women. At that moment, I felt like it was just the two of us in the room and every other person was invisible.

It felt like Pink and I were the only two people in the room.

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Mr. Darcy's personal assistant watched closely, his lips parted in astonishment... and his face twisted in shock. Even Mr. Darcy, his boss whose face has always been so strict and unreadable, had softened.

He stared at the both of us amazed. And his gray eyes lowered slightly-for the first time ever since I came in here, he smiled. Then he masked up immediately and noticed he's loose guarding.

"This is the first time Pink has ever let someone get this close to her," Darcy said, quietly, disbelief heavy in his deep voice. "She never allows strangers near her. And she kissed you?"

His words trailed off, but the astonishment in his tone was clear.

The assistant nodded, just as surprised as his boss. "Yes, sir. This is... unprecedented."

Pink didn't care about everyone's surprise. She giggled happily, tangling her little fingers in my long hair, playing with it like she knew me and I couldn't help but laugh with her. The sound was new to my ear

"You like my hair, huh?" I teased gently. "Well, I'll let you, just don't pull too hard."

She chuckled softly and hugged me tightly.

Darcy's cold composure finally broke since I entered that intimidating building. He stepped forward, his voice calm but decisive."Well, Miss Adrian, it seems the choice has been made. You are hired."

Then the words sank in my heart, " Did he just say I'm hired?"

For the moment, tears filled my eyes because I couldn't believe it. "Thank you Sir," I whispered, my breaking "I promise to take care of Pink."

My heart jumped for joy upon hearing that; it felt like a dream come true. Happiness and relief flooded inside of me like a heavy burden had just been removed from my head.

Then he turned to the other candidates and said to them, "Thank you all so much for applying for this job ... but Pink has chosen her nanny. You may all go now."

Finally... I didn't have to go back to prison after all! Pink clapped her little hands, clearly sharing in my joy. After everything I've been through, this felt like a second chance, maybe a miracle. Beneath the joy, I was still afraid because he didn't know yet, he didn't know I'd been to prison.

I waved the thought away, then I carried her to the couch and sat down with her... She sat on my lap, unannounced. Then without warning she started tickling me with her tiny fingers and giggling mischievously.

I gasped, pretending to squirm. "Oh, so you're ticklish too, huh? Let's see how you like it!" I attacked her with light tickles of my own, and she laughed until her face turned pink.

For the first time in years, I laughed too. I felt sheer happiness with her. I couldn't even remember the last time I laughed this way.

Pink was so playful, lively, and filled with so much vibe, and I couldn't help but wonder fleetingly why her father said that she wasn't friendly with strangers. Why was she suddenly so attached to me?

As I watched her, a question formed quietly in my mind. Why me? Why had she chosen me, the one woman who had nothing? She had rejected everyone else. There had to be a reason.

I didn't understand, but I didn't want to overthink it . This was my chance. Maybe fate had given me one more chance to start over and I was not going to waste it.

Darcy's POV

It had been three years since that night with the strange woman. I couldn't forget, no matter how hard I tried.

Three years, I've been searching all over, but each time I tried, it felt like pouring water on a stone...same results.

I have gone through frustration and depression at the same time.

Three years of raising my daughter Pink alone has been the most difficult part of being a single dad.

Trying to be her father and her mother at the same time, reading her bedtime stories, changing her diapers, midnight cries, endless questions-all of that made me go crazy to an extent where I decided to get her a nanny.

Pink needed someone gentle. Someone patient. Someone I couldn't be. That was why I needed a nanny, someone she would actually trust.

But Adrian... I hadn't expected her.

Pink had never taken to anyone before. She wouldn't even let the family doctor touch her without a fight. She's clinging to me, that was why they called her 'Daddy's girl'. And yet, within minutes, she was clinging to Adrian like they'd known each other forever - smiling, giggling, kissing.

Normally I always maintain my calm and composure, but I lost it the moment I watched Pink laugh and play as if Adrian had always been in her life. There was something about this woman. Something about her felt so familiar immediately I saw her.

When she wasn't looking, I got closer to Mark, my assistant, then I whispered, "Find out everything about her. Background, history-every detail."

Mark nodded without hesitation. "Yes, sir."

He was loyal and the only person I could trust with this work. When he left, my eyes were still fixed on Adrian as I watched the way she held Pink to herself and their shocking bond.

She didn't act like just an employee trying to impress her, It was so natural, as if she were her mother.

My daughter's face glowed with happiness, a glow I hadn't seen in years. But just as they were playing, Pink mistakenly pulled at Adrian's shirt, causing the fabric to slip slightly and revealing her neck.

My eyes widened in shock when it was the birthmark on her neck. My eyes narrowed. That mark... I have seen it before!

Could it really be her?

No, not possible.

That was when my mind drifted back to that night three years ago, the one night stand with that stranger...I was still trying to think about that when my phone buzzed in my pocket; I saw an email sent by Mark.I opened it, scanning through the details about Adrian.

Name: Adrian Martinez.

Status: Ex-convict

The word hit me like a punch in my chest.

What? Criminal record!?

My chest tightened instantly as fury surged through me like wildfire. Without thinking, I shoved the phone back into my pocket and rushed to her.

"Adrian," I barked, my voice thunderous. She looked up, startled. Pink was still giggling in her arms. "You've been to prison before? Get the hell away from my daughter!"

Her eyes widened as shock was painted across her beautiful face. "Wait, I can explain... Please, let me explain!" She pleaded, with desperation in her voice.

But anger roared inside me.

"There is no way Pink will stay with a criminal! An ex-convict as her nanny? "I don't care what it is!" I roared. What kind of father do you think I am?"

Adrian shook her head rapidly as tears dropped from her eyes as she held Pink tightly as if refusing to let go as she begged, "Please, I promise it's not what you think. I studied child development in high school, I love kids, and I swear to you, I will take care of her like my own. I love children. I just need a chance... please, sir. I've lost everything already. I can't lose this too. I need this job."

Her voice trembled as she looked at me with so much sincerity; her blue eyes were so gorgeous, and I was almost carried away by her beauty. A pretty lady can still be a criminal, and I could not risk Pink's safety.

"Young lady, hand her over and get the hell out of my office. You're not qualified for this job!" I growled.

Pink whimpered in disagreement as little arms clutched Adrian's shirt like a lifeline. She screamed loudly, refusing to let go.

I struggled forcefully to carry her, but she held Adrian's shirt tightly. The sudden pull caused her shirt to loosen, exposing her bra and her curved breast. She gasped, trying to pull it back quickly with embarrassment that showed in her face.

I froze.

The sight of her bare breast was so intoxicating, I could hear my heart beat increase and my throat went dry. "Fix your clothes!" I ordered roughly forcing my voice to be steady.

I looked away immediately, letting go of Pink's hands. Adrian gasped, quickly trying to cover herself, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

But even as I looked away, I could still picture the image of her breast, her scent, that night in my mind. Her breasts are so flawless and succulent.

And I hated myself for craving to touch her...