“And what do you know about babies?”

“Life doesn’t always go as planned, and that’s okay too.”

…

~ Austin ~

“What do you think is going on down there?” Vivian’s voice rang out, interrupting my thoughts.

“I have no idea,” I replied, taking a final sip of my wine. I considered ordering another glass but decided against it. It was late, and I needed to read to Keren before heading to bed.

“Should we go over to find out?”

“Sure,” I replied. We had finished our dinner, and I could use the excuse to head home a bit early. So, why not?

I swiped my card at the cashier point at the edge of the staircase, and we finally headed down. The scene we’d heard about earlier slowly began to unfold before me.

…

“The food is too spicy! I can’t bear it!” a young lady in a tight-fitting dress screamed, pointing accusing fingers at a waiter.

“But ma’am, that’s what you ordered.”

“I didn’t! The only reason you keep insisting is to blackmail me, so stop the pretense already. It’s not funny.”

“But ma’am—”

“Please, Cassy… that’s enough. You’re making a scene.” Her boyfriend, standing behind her, gently pulled her back in an attempt to calm her, but it was no use. She spun around sharply to face him.

“What do you mean I’m making a scene? We paid for this overpriced meal! And it turned out to be nothing but average!” A chorus of gasps followed her outburst, and even Vivian exchanged a glance with me as we watched the drama unfold.

“Enough! Let’s head home!”

“But, but—” Her face was as pale as a sheet as she was dragged out by the man… who couldn’t be older than 23. Could we attribute this to youthful behavior, or was it something different?

…

“I must say, that was really intense!” Vivian said on our way out of the restaurant.

“Indeed.”

“Did you bring your car?”

“Yes, why?” I paused to look back at her, and the surprise was unmistakable on her face.

“Can I ride with you? My place is just around the corner.” I didn’t reply immediately but quickly glanced at my wristwatch, which read 8:32. As Nana’s words rang in my head.

“Never leave a lady stranded. Especially not one you’ve gone on a date with. Make sure she’s safe and sound… before heading home.”

“Okay.” I pulled out a remote key from my pocket and tapped the button three times, starting the engine of my car.

“A BMW?” The surprise in her voice was evident. It seemed she was one of those who assumed that criminal lawyers weren’t as wealthy as corporate lawyers.

“Yes,” I replied as I got into the car, and Vivian followed me inside. I drove out of the restaurant in silence and into the streets. I silently prayed the silence would last, but she broke it with her sudden question.

“So… should I be expecting a call from you?”

Why couldn’t she just stay quiet? “No,” I replied curtly. Why would I want to follow up with someone I just met and wasn’t interested in?

“But I thought we had—”

“Chemistry?” I didn’t need to look at her to see her nod.

“There was no chemistry, Vivian. You need to accept it as it is.”

“But Grandma said—”

“Her words aren’t mine. I get the final say, not her.”

“You are so mean, Austin! No wonder you haven’t found a partner since Joana lost her life and your twin sons!”

“Enough!” I stopped the car at an intersection before the estate where she lived, unable to listen to her any longer. “Now get out.”

“But, Austin—” She stared at me, her eyes wide in shock, as if the rumors she had heard about me had finally been confirmed.

“Now!” I watched as she panic-stricken found the handle of the door, opened it, and hastily packed her things before alighting.

“Goodbye!” she spat, slamming the door shut.

Ignoring her, I started the car and drove toward a convenience store to grab some groceries for Keren.

“Almond milk, peanut butter…” I read the labels as I moved from granola bar to granola bar.

Eventually, I gathered all my items when a lady bumped into me… and, unsteady from the impact, she fell flat into my arms.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry,” she said, scrambling to lift herself from my body and repeating her apology in a shaky voice.

“It’s okay…” I dusted myself off, doing my best not to gaze into those emerald eyes that reminded me so much of Joanna.

I picked up my basket and was about to leave when I caught her staring at its contents.

“What?”

“Well… I’m sorry, but… I think you might have mixed up your items.”

“And what do you mean by that?”

“Well… from the items you have, it seems like you’re getting baby goods, but coconut milk? That’s definitely not something a baby would enjoy.” She spoke quickly, as if scared of my reaction, and quickly added, “I mean… it could lead to an allergic reaction.”

“And what would you know about babies?” I shot back, rather sharply. The lady in front of me couldn’t be more than 22, so how could she claim to know more about babies than I did?

“Well… it’s general knowledge, I guess…” She cowered, her voice trailing off as she realized she might have overstepped.

“And what do you suggest then?"

“Soy milk…” I glanced at her basket, which contained bread, eggs tomatoes, and lettuce, before looking back at the granola aisle filled with various types of milk in cartons. I grabbed a carton of soy milk and nodded at her.

“Happy now?” I asked, staring at her. Just then, my phone rang in my pocket before she could respond.

I looked at the screen and felt alarmed when I saw Keren’s nanny’s ID displayed.

“Is Keren alright?” I asked before she could say anything.

“Yes, sir…” Her voice sounded different, almost as if she had been crying.

“But what’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I have no choice but to quit.” My heart sank at her words. Why would she suddenly quit when she had barely spent a month as Keren’s nanny?

“Why would you do that? Did something happen?”

“Yes, sir… I just received news that my mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and is in a hospital in Vermont… I must go see her immediately.” I closed my eyes tightly, trying to shake the memories from my head.

“Okay… when will you be leaving?”

“In a few hours, sir. I have booked a 7 AM flight for tomorrow.”

“But why would you quit so suddenly?” I wanted to ask, but I held myself back. I understood her predicament too well, and I hated it.

“Okay.”

“I’m really sorry, sir…”

“Alright.” I ended the call and proceeded to call my grandma.

“Nana, Joyce quit.” I said before giving her a chance to respond.

“I know. She called me… You’ll just have to find another nanny for the little girl.”

“What do you mean another nanny? As if a good nanny is easy to come by! Remember, it took us a whole week to secure Joyce.”

“Well, do you have another solution?”

“Not at all! And you are definitely not helping, Nana!” I hung up in annoyance before she could reply.

Only then did I realize that the girl from earlier was still standing in front of me. “And why are you still here?”

“I’m sorry, sir… but I couldn’t help eavesdropping on your conversation—”

“Last I heard, eavesdropping isn’t a course taught at New York University.” I replied, noticing the logo on her cap.

“I’m sorry, but I—”

“I’m done with this conversation!” I started to walk away, but then I heard her speak loudly and clearly.

“I could be your daughter’s nanny until you find a replacement!" I turned back in shock at her audacity.

“You said what?” I couldn’t believe my ears. How could she randomly volunteer to be my daughter’s nanny? Did she even know what that entailed? 

…

A/N: Austin Hook is quite something. What do you all think of him?