9

Chapter 9: Adrian's POV

After Darcy left my apartment, I packed my small bag, and the next day I took a cab to the location I was given.

The morning sun was brighter today shining through the huge windows of the Rodrigo mansion.

I stood at the front door, holding my old bag, not looking too much at all the fancy decors.

The expensive marble columns stretch up to the ceiling painted with angels and gold.

The chandelier light was hung on the living room ceiling. Perfect

This is like my dream have come true for me.

Yesterday, I felt empty,my pillows filled with tears because I didn't get this same job. I thought my life was ruined. Now I was in a palace, about to start a job that paid me well.

A tall man in a perfect suit walked toward me. "Ms. Martinez? I'm Luke, Mr. Rodrigo's head of security. I'll show you to your room."

I followed him through halls filled with expensive art hung perfectly on the wall. Everywhere was clean. beautiful. Perfect.

So different from my world. The feelings that I didn't believe here creeped in but I shaked it off.

"Your room is here," Luke said, stopping at a heavy wood door. "Mr. Rodrigo wanted you near Miss Pink's room."

He opened the door. I stepped inside and caught my breath. The room was thrice bigger than my whole apartment. It had a large bed with silk sheets, comfortable chairs, and windows showing a view of the perfect gardens that went on forever.

"This is my room?" I asked quietly, putting my bag on a rug that probably cost more than a car.

"Yes. Your bathroom is through that door," Marcus said. "Miss Pink's room is next door."

Before I could think more about the fancy room and everything in it, I heard running feet in the hall. A familiar voice called my name.

"Adrian! You came back!"

Pink ran through the doorway excited to see me. Her dark curls bounced as she jumped in my arms.

I caught her quickly, as we hugged each other, something in my chest felt warm.

"Hey, sweetheart," I said, smiling while I kneel down to her level. "Did you miss me?"

"I missed you so much!" she said, as her hands touched my face. My eyes feel wet. "Daddy said you were coming to live with us! Is it true? Are you really staying here?"

"I'm staying," I said, feeling happy.

This little girl accepted me with my flaws. Someone actually needs me.

"Miss Martinez." Darcy's voice cut through our happy moment. I looked up and saw him at the entrance. He wore another suit that fits him well, his dark hair neat.

"Mr. Rodrigo," I said, standing up while holding Pink's hand.

"I see you're here. We need to talk about the rules," he said, his voice means business. "Leo will be here soon. He'll be your companion while you work here."

"Companion?" I asked, though I knew what he meant.

"Your bodyguard," he explained, his face serious. "Like I said yesterday, you'll be watched at all times. Leo will go with you everywhere, both here and when you leave the property."

His words hurt. Each reminding me of my status—an ex-convict, someone that can not be trusted. But I nodded. "I understand."

"You can't leave the property without my permission and supervision. No phone calls without Leo there. No secrets. Pink's safety is all that matters."

Each word felt like a small cut, but I kept my face calm. "Of course."

Pink pulled on my hand, not noticing the tension between her father and me. "Adrian, do you want to see my playroom? I have a dollhouse, big as a real house, come see!"

I replied at once, "I'd really love to see it," I said, happy for the distraction.

Darcy moved aside as we walked past him. I felt his eyes watching us as Pink and I walked down the hall. She was excited about all her toys. She talked about it one after the other.

The day went by in a cheerful rush. Pink was a different child. She was full of energy, talking nonstop, always holding my hand.

We played with her big dollhouse, read books in a library larger than any bookstore, and had a tea party in the garden where she made me sit next to her.

Leo came in the afternoon—a very big man with kind eyes and a gentle manner that didn't match his size. He complied to his job simply, explained without judging me, and stayed close by whenever Pink and I were together.

"He seems nice," Pink whispered to me during our snack.

"Very nice," I agreed, though having him watch us still felt bitter.

That evening, we ate together in the dining room—a huge space fit for important dinners.

Pink sat next to me, telling me what her favorite foods were, her favourite colours.

"I love Pink, purple,"she said, "what's your favourite colour?"

"I like blue colour," I smiled

"Daddy loves red," she whispered

"Alright,"

"Will you read me my favourite book?" she asked after dinner.

Her smile made my heart feel full. "Yes, I will."

Darcy didn't join us for dinner, and I didn't bother. I'm sure he regrets hiring me? Or he's waiting for me to make a mistake so he could firm me instantly?

Pink's bedtime routine was detailed but sweet. We brushed her teeth together. She wore pink bear pajamas, and got into her bed. Her room was every little girl's dream room. Its soft colors and a canopy bed from a fairy tale.

"This one," she said, picking out a book with the title-- the princess and her dragon friend.

As I read her favourite Pink curled under her soft blankets, her left hand on mine while her head on my shoulder.

By the time the story ended, she was asleep.

I carefully covered her with blankets, moved the hair that covered her face.

"Goodnight," I murmured before leaving her room.

The luxury of my room still felt so unreal. I took a bath in the warm water that i mixed with rose that helped me relax my tense muscles.

I was almost asleep when I heard it— Pink was crying in the next room, then a fast footsteps in the hall.

Suddenly my door opened and Pink rushed in. I saw tears on her face and her small body shook.

"Ms Adrian! Some people are in my room!" she cried,climbing up my bed right into my arms. "Monsters."

"Its a bad dream" I said calmly holding her. "You will be fine"

"They were big and want to take me away!" she cries into my shoulder.

"Monsters will not take you," I promised, lying her back on the pillows as she was still holding me. "I'm here sweetheart, and I'm not going anywhere."

"Really?"

"Really. Should I sing to you?"

She nodded on my chest. Then I sang her a lullaby, the song I learned from my dead mother.

Pink's breathing became calm as I touched her hair gently and told her she was safe.

"They can't find me here," she said sleepily. "The monsters."

"No, the monsters won't find you," I said. "You're safe now"

As she fell asleep in my arms, I was at peace that she's okay with me. I'd missed staying with children. The simple joy of comforting a child, of being needed and trusted.

I saw movement at the door and looked up. Darcy stood there, closer to the doorway.

He wore pajamas, which made him look younger and normal, he looks different from the man that wore suit

His face showed calm understanding, but it quickly disappeared. Then he left. No words.

The moment left me uneasy. There had been something in his face that looked almost like... want? Hurt? I wasn't sure, but it was clear that seeing Pink come to me for comfort had affected him.

Was he jealous? Worried? Or was there something more he hasn't talked about?

I held his sleeping daughter, looking at the empty doorway, I couldn't shake off the feeling there was something Darcy Rodrigo was hiding.

That secret he was hiding was about me, and about the strange connection between us.

Darcay, I'm determined I am going to find out what it was.