62

Chapter 62

Adrian’s POV

The charity gala date was tonight, and because of it, Pink came home early from school. At least to rest for a while, eat before we start preparing for the gala party. She was too excited to sit still during the ride with Leo.

“Ms. Adrian, do you think Grandma and Grandpa will like my dress?” she asked for the tenth time.

I smiled at her through the mirror. “They’ll love it, sweetheart. You’ll be the most beautiful girl there.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

Exactly 4:30pm, in her room I helped wear the glittering pink dress she’d chosen herself. Every ruffle and button had to be perfect. The details of that dress was stunning.

“There,” I said, stepping back. “You look like a princess.”

She twirled, her skirt spinning. “I feel like one too!”

I laughed and braided her hair, tucking in tiny white flowers. When I finished, she looked at herself and grinned.

“Now you have to get ready,” she said. “We have to look pretty together.”

“Alright, twenty minutes,” I promised.

In my room, the blue dress hung waiting. It was a midnight blue dress, soft and flowing. This is the most beautiful thing I’d ever owned in my entire life. I never had money to buy all these things for myself.My hands shook a little as I wore it on. It hugged my waist, the fabric falling around my body like water.

I barely knew the beautiful woman in the mirror. Confident. Beautiful. Like I belonged in a world that wasn’t mine.

But I pushed that thought away. Tonight was for Pink and Darcy — not me.

AfterI applied a simple makeup and a loose updo, I went to get Pink.

She took a quick breath when she saw me. “Ms. Adrian! You look so pretty!”

“Thank you, Pink. Ready?”

“Yes!”

We walked downstairs as I held Pink’s hand. Darcy stood down stairs, waiting in a black suit, looking breathtaking. His eyes got extremely wide open when he saw me.

He stared, silent, he lacked words and then said softly, “You look… beautiful.”

Heat rushed to my face. “Thank you.”

Pink tugged on his hand. “Daddy, don’t I look pretty too?”

He smiled down at her. “You're most beautiful, sweetheart. The prettiest girl there.”

“I got something for everyone," he said, taking a box from the table. It was an expensive emerald necklace and a smaller bracelet.

My breath caught. “Darcy, is this not too much?”

“No, it isn’t,Adrian, you're worth it” he said. “Let me help you wear it, Adrian.”

Before I could refuse it or argue he was fast enough, to fasten the necklace around my neck, his fingers brushing my skin. A chill ran through my body. The cool emerald necklace rests pretty on my neck. Beautiful.

He leaned close, his warm breath touched my ear. “You’re beautiful,” he said,“Tonight. I want you”

I froze. My pulse raced as heat flooded my chest. Pink was right beside us.

Then I remember yesterday's kissing and romance. The way he knew what exactly I wanted and gave it to me without hesitation.

I forced a steady tone. “Thank you for the necklace.”

He stepped back, eyes dark. “You’re welcome.”

Pink held up her wrist. “Can I have my bracelet now?”

Darcy smiled and knelt to fasten it. “Of course, princess.”

---

Outside, a black Mercedes-Maybach waited. The driver opened the door and waited, I helped carry Pink into the vehicle. The seats were red leather and smelled of faint cedar. And of course Darcy.

Darcy sat near me, he was close enough that our thighs touched. Pink was excited and chatted a lot about seeing her grandparents,

Ms Adrian, will we see Grand ma and Grand party?" She asked

"Yes Pink,"

"Yeah... yeah...," she said, excited. She continued talking with her dad.

Then my focus was gone. All I could feel was Darcy — his warmth, his scent, his nearness.

Every time the car turned, our shoulders touched. When our eyes locked on each other. His eyes. Steady. Intense. Hunger within.

I looked away, blushing. But my mind went back to yesterday. When his hands were on me, his mouth, the way he made me lose control in a second.

And this morning, in the kitchen. That kiss.

Pink had caught us.

Darcy had stayed calm, telling her I’d felt sick and he was helping me breathe. A mouth to mouth solution. She’d believed him, asking if I felt better. I held my laugh yesterday so she wouldn't think Darcy was lying to her.

Now, sitting so close to him again, that same dangerous pull returned — a pull I couldn’t fight, no matter how wrong it felt.

---

The gala venue took my breath away. A grand mansion, tall and there were glowing chandeliers. Luxury cars lined the driveway.Then the people who attended were rich. Elegant people.

They moved inside in fitted pretty gowns and sharp suits.

But as I got down from the car, I'd a wrong feeling about the gala party. An odd feeling.

I hate crowds too so maybe this was the problem. I thought.

Darcy noticed. “You okay?”

“Just tensed, there's a lot of people,” I said "I haven't been to a charity gala before."

He held my hand to comfort me, then left it. It helped to calm me down.

“Stay close. You’ll be fine, Adrian.”

Inside, the ballroom glowed with light everywhere. The shiny chandeliers sparkled colours. The music played soft to the ears, and the hall air smelled like roses and champagne. Darcy took us to where his parents were seated. Greeting other guests that had arrived.

His father was tall and intimidating just like Darcy. That was how Darcy got his height. And he looķs just like his mother. The man was in a gray suit, his mother in cream.

“Grandma! Grandpa!” Pink shouted, running to them.

They all greeted, warmly. The woman focused on Pink smiling and tickling her. Darcy’s father didn't even look at me, but then his mother’s sharp eyes found me immediately.

“And you must be the new nanny,” she said, smiling thinly.

“Yes, ma’am. Adrian.”

Her eyes swept over me. “You look a little too beautiful for a nanny. And that necklace… is it a gift? It's beautiful”

“ Yes ma," I said, "Thank you, ma.”

She stepped closer, her voice low. “Don’t think I don’t notice. If I find out you’re sleeping with my son for gifts, you’ll regret it. He’s engaged to Brittany.”

Her words were ice. My blood ran cold. Still, I kept my face calm. “Understood, ma’am.”

She smiled again, pretending nothing had happened just as Darcy returned.

“Everything alright?” he asked.

“Fine,” I said quickly.

We were guided to the center table of the room. I guess it was made specially for family members. Darcy pulled out my chair, and I sat beside Pink. I tried to focus on the music, the food, anything but his mother’s threat echoed in my head.

I don't even know why she said that. Just because she noticed or because I wore something nice most nanny's can't afford. Or is it because of the necklace?

---

As more guests arrived, I realized just how different this world was. Power and money filled the air. Everyone looked like they belonged — except me.

And then she appeared.

Brittany.

The red gown she wore fits her perfectly. It was showing off her legs and cleavage. Brittany is indeed a beautiful woman.

Her hair fell in perfect waves, her smile polished and professional. She was radiant, confident in all ways and she knew it.

She glided through the crowd like she owned the place, greeting Darcy’s parents with warm hugs. They adored her.

Then she turned — and started walking toward us.

My stomach twisted. Darcy’s parents followed her behind, smiling as they walked towards our direction.

I held my chair handle tight, preparing my spirit for whatever that was coming.

But before they reached us, a waiter appeared beside our table, offering Darcy a glass of wine and turned away.

I looked up and froze.

The man’s build, the way he moved, it looked like Martin. But no way. It can't be possible. Martin can't be here at the time not to talk of being a waiter. I doubt it.

My pulse spiked. My throat went dry.

I tried to get a clear look of his face, but he had walked far away from us before I could be sure.

No. It couldn’t be.

But the uneasy feeling in my chest deepened. Something was wrong. Deeply wrong.

---

Darcy leaned close. “Adrian? What is it?”

I forced a shaky smile. “Nothing. Just thought I saw someone I knew.”

But my hands trembled under the table.

All night, I’d been worried about fitting in, about what his mother or Brittany thought of me. But now, none of that mattered.

Because if that really was Martin, then this night wasn’t just about luxury and family.

It was a warning.

And something told me — it had only just begun.

They were in front of us now…