57

Chapter 57

Adrian’s POV

It's 4:30pm, Pink was back from school already, and here I was, in the kitchen trying to make a snack for her when my phone rang. I nearly poured the flour away. Thank God. Darcy’s name showed up on the screen. My heart skipped.

“Hello?” I said, trying to sound calm.

“Adrian.” His voice was warm but tired. “I’ve got bad news. I can’t make it tonight for the shopping trip.”

My stomach dropped. “Oh. Is everything okay?”

“Just work problems. The Tokyo deal’s a mess, and I need to stay here to fix it. Leo will take you and Pink instead. I'll give you my black card, use it for whatever you need.”

“Darcy, I can’t use your card. That’s…”

“Yes, you can.” His tone softened but stayed firm. “Get something beautiful for the gala. Something that makes you feel confident. Don’t worry about the cost, the black card would serve its purpose.”

His words made me feel happy. “Okay.”

“How’s Pink? She was quiet this morning.”

“She’s good. Excited to shop. She’s been telling me that her princess dress would be green in colour. I've heard that like countless times."

Darcy chuckled calmly. “Of course she has. Let her pick whatever she wants. And Adrian?”

“Yes?”

A short pause. “Are you okay? You sound... different.”

My breath caught. Does he feel I was thinking about him since last night? Could he hear it in my voice?

“I’m fine,” I said immediately “Just nervous about the gala.”

“Don’t be. You’ll be beautiful. You always are.”

The words hit me hard. I couldn’t even speak for a second. “Thank you,” I finally whispered.

“I have to go. The black card’s in my room, at the top drawer on the right. Get it before you leave.”

“Your room? Darcy, I can’t just—”

“Yes, you can. I said you could.”

“Okay.”

“Have fun shopping. I’ll see you in the evening after shopping.”

The call ended, but I stood there holding the phone on my chest and it raced faster.

You’ll be beautiful. You always are.

The words sounded in my head as I went upstairs.

---

I’d been in Darcy’s bedroom before. That night we got intimate and he carried me to his room. Now, walking in here feels strange. But he’d told me to.

The room was neat and masculine—dark wood, white sheets, tall windows. It carried his scent: warm, sharp, familiar.

I opened the nightstand drawer. The black card was there, just as he’d said. But beside it were a few magazines.

I picked up the card, but one of the covers caught my eye and froze me.

It was Darcy. Shirtless. Leaning against a desk, all muscles and intensity. A “sexy CEO” photo shoot.

My mouth went dry.

He looked powerful, confident, and so unfairly beautiful. I touched the page with my finger. I shouldn’t have left immediately, but I couldn’t, the picture attracted me deeply. Then, I tore out the page, and put it in my pocket.

Maybe those days that I'd be horny and missed him too much, I could look at it. Pretend.

Looking at his bed, I pictured him here, in this room, on that bed. His body on mine, his mouth traced all part of my skin, his voice saying my name...

“Adrian!” Leo’s voice came from downstairs. “We’re running late!”

I jumped, cheeks burning. “Coming!” I called, pocketing the black card. Then I went to my room at once and hid the picture in the closet.

---

The shopping district was fillèd with less people and bright. Filled with people who looked expensive. Leo parked in front of an upscale boutique and opened my door.

“Mr. Rodrigo said to spare no expense,” he said. “Whatever you need.”

Pink practically bounced beside me as we walked in. A smiling saleswoman greeted us the second Leo flashed the black card.

“Welcome! What can I help you with today?”

“We’re shopping for the charity gala,” I said. “Something for me and something for her.”

“Wonderful! Follow me.”

For the next hour, we tried on dresses. Pink tried at least five—each more sparkly and over-the-top than the last.

“Mommy, look at this one!” she called, spinning in a pink glittery gown.

My heart twisted. “Pink, I’m not…”

But the saleswoman smiled. “Your daughter has great taste.”

I should’ve corrected her. But I didn’t. I just smiled. “She does.”

Pink’s smiles made it impossible not to act like she was mine for a while.

“And you, ma’am?” the saleswoman asked. “Found anything yet?”

“Not yet,” I said.

She pulled out a deep blue gown. “This would be perfect on you.”

In the dressing room, I changed into the dress. Stunning. Beautiful.

Looking at the mirror, I swear Darcy would like the dress.

The dress showed my shape, and the skirt moved gently around my legs. I looked… elegant. Confident.

Like someone who belonged beside Darcy.

“Mommy, let me see!” Pink called.

I stepped out. Her mouth dropped as she was surprised “ This is beautiful and You look like a princess!”

“You really do,” the saleswoman agreed. “That color was made for you. It fits you perfectly Ma.”

Then I remembered Darcy’s saying, "Get something that makes you feel confident."

“This is it.I’ll take it,” I said.

Leo handled the payment while Pink looked at accessories. “Can we get earrings too?” she asked.

“Yes baby, of course, let's go get it,” I said, following her.

That’s when I felt it— someone has been looking at us.

Someone was watching.

I saw her at the edge of the shop, staring... She's young, beautiful and should be in her early thirties, well-dressed. Classy.

She was picking out fine expensive clothes from the clothing roll. She didn’t blink.

She didn't even look away when our eyes locked. She wanted me to know she was looking.

“Pink, pick whichever you like,” I said lightly. “I’m here.”

The woman started walking in our direction, her heels clicking on the floor. She stopped very close to me.

“Excuse me Miss...,” she said. Her voice was polite, that was why I listened, but her eyes were sharp. “Are you not Darcy’s daughter’s nanny? The one everyone’s been talking about?”

A chill ran through me. “I... yes. I’m Pink’s nanny.”

“I thought so.” She smiled faintly. “You’ve caused quite a stir. People talk.”

My heart started beating faster. “I’m sorry Ma, but do I know you?”

“No. But I know of you.” Her voice dropped lower. “I wanted to warn you, stay away from Darcy. He's your boss, a big food for big women not for sinking girls playing house and taking care of his child. Doing that doesn't mean you are his. Saturday, the gala party it’s going to change everything.” she laughed.

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

“You’ll see. Things won't go the way you plan. You feel with Darcy you have made it. We'll deal with you. People like you always pretend to be someone they can't be. A wannabe” she sighed

And then she turned and walked away.

By the time I got hold of myself from her insults, she was gone—disappearing into the busy store crowd.

My mind didn't rest, questions raced in my mind. Who was this woman and what did I do wrong? How do I pretend? What's all this insult for?

---

“Ms. Adrian?” Leo’s voice pulled me back. He was holding the shopping bags, with Pink skipping beside him. “Everything okay? You look pale.”

“I’m fine,Just tired.” I lied.

“All done here?”

“Yes,” I said, “Let’s go.” giving them a fake smile.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about that woman’s words as we drove home.

Saturday will change everything.

What did she mean? Did she know something about the threats or was she the one sending those messages? Is she connected to Martin? Or was it someone else?

I took my phone, tempted to call Darcy. To warn him and tell him about the incident.

But what would I say? That a stranger gave me a mysterious warning and threats in a store? He’d think I was overreacting or worse, unstable.

And if he thought I was trouble, he might fire me. I couldn’t risk that.

So I said nothing.

"Can we get an ice cream, Ms Adrian?" Pink said.

"Alright,"

Then we got two cups of ice-cream in their store.

"Thank you, Ms Adrian." She said

"Alright, my baby," I said.

Inside the car...

"Are we done with everything?" Leo asked

"Yes, Leo, let's go home." I said.

Pink sang happily in the back seat, as she licked her ice-cream. Her new dress was packaged well and closer to her seat. I smiled at her when I looked at her again but I tried to hide my uneasy feeling.

Whatever was waiting at that gala, whatever would happen on Saturday, I’d have to face it alone.

I just hoped I’d be ready when it came. I prayed for Pink's safety too. GOD HELP ME.