6

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…