Chapter 4 Unraveling the morning

Lila lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and regret. The events of the previous night swirled in her head like an unfinished puzzle. What actually happened? She remembered the club, the drinks, and the strange man who'd approached her. And then, there was him-the man who had saved her from what could have been a disastrous mistake. But the details were blurry, and that frustrated her. She remembered feeling hot, her body fevered from the alcohol, and how she'd stripped off her clothes. But beyond that, the night was a fog.

Did anything happen between us? she wondered, her chest tightening at the thought. She couldn't shake the unease gnawing at her, the uncertainty of whether her innocence had been lost in a moment of vulnerability. Just then, a voice came from the dining room, interrupting her thoughts. "Oh, dear, come out! Breakfast is ready," Nanny Vivienne called warmly, her voice full of love as usual. Lila sighed, forcing herself out of bed. Stay calm, act normal. She couldn't let Nanny know how shaken she was. Composing herself, she walked into the dining room with a smile plastered on her face. "Good morning, Nanny," Lila said, sitting down at the table, the aroma of fresh croissants and coffee filling the air. "Good morning, sweetheart. So," Nanny said, her eyes twinkling with curiosity as she placed a plate in front of Lila, "how did it go yesterday? Did you manage to see Max? What did he say about the job? Any progress?" Lila's stomach twisted at the mention of Max. She hadn't told Nanny about his advances yet. "No, Nanny... Max has nothing to offer," she replied, poking at her food. "But I did get a different job offer. I'm going for an interview today at 10 a.m." "Really?" Nanny's face brightened. "That's wonderful, darling! What kind of job?" "Babysitting," Lila said, trying to sound casual. "Babysitting? Well, it's a start. I wish you all the luck, my dear." Nanny smiled warmly, though a hint of concern flickered in her eyes. "Nanny," Lila hesitated, her heart pounding, "I... I need to tell you something about last night." Nanny's smile faded, her brows knitting in concern. "Go ahead, Lila. What happened?" Lila took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "After I left Max's place, I went to a club to clear my head... and I drank. A lot. I don't even remember how much, but I got really drunk, and... a man approached me. He tried to take advantage of me, but another man... he stepped in, stopped him, and took me to his house. I woke up there this morning, and..." Her voice wavered, "I don't even know if anything happened. I mean, I was undressed, but I don't think we-" Nanny gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, Lila! That's... that's horrible! What? Your first time was with a stranger?" "Nanny," Lila's eyes filled with tears, "it wasn't my fault. I was drunk, and... I don't even know if we did anything." Nanny's face softened with sympathy. "Oh, darling, I know it wasn't your fault. You were in a vulnerable state. But, did you talk to him? What did he say when you woke up?" Lila shook her head, biting her lip. "I didn't give him the chance. I left as soon as I woke up. I didn't want to be seen... I just panicked." Nanny reached across the table and gently squeezed Lila's hand. "Don't feel bad about it, sweetheart. It wasn't your fault, okay? What's important is that you're safe. Now, go get dressed for your interview and put this behind you. Everything will work out." Lila gave a small nod, wiping away her tears. "Thanks, Nanny. You're right." An hour later, Lila arrived at Vanguard Enterprises, the towering building looming over her like a giant. Her breath caught in her throat as she took in the sight of the luxurious, glass-covered skyscraper. This place is incredible, she thought. It was the kind of building that screamed power and success-a stark contrast to the simple life she had been leading. As she stepped inside, the lobby was bustling with people, and the air smelled of polished wood and fresh coffee. Lila's eyes swept over the other candidates sitting on the sleek, leather couches, all dressed in designer suits and immaculate makeup. She glanced down at her own simple dress, feeling a wave of self-doubt wash over her. I must look so out of place, she murmured to herself, tugging at her plain clothes. How can I compete with them? Her name was called, and Lila straightened, taking a deep breath as she walked into the interview room. As soon as she stepped through the door, her heart nearly stopped. Sitting behind the large oak desk was him-the man from last night. The one who had saved her. Her pulse quickened, her face flushing red with embarrassment. No... no way! "Good morning, sir," Lila managed to stammer, her voice shaky. The man-Dante Versailles-looked up, his cold, piercing eyes locking onto hers. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of recognition in his gaze. "Good morning," he replied, his voice smooth and commanding. "How are you today?" "I'm... I'm fine, sir," Lila replied, her throat dry. "I... I just wanted to say, I'm sorry about last night. I wasn't myself. I was drunk, and-" Dante raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a slight smirk. "Mmm... I see. You know, I can't risk giving a job to a drunkard. Especially not someone who'll be taking care of my son." Lila's heart dropped. His son? She hadn't known he had a child. "Sir, I'm not a drunkard," she stammered, panic rising in her chest. "Something really bad happened yesterday, and I just... I didn't know how to deal with it. I went to the club to drown my sorrows, but I'm not always like that. Please believe me." Dante leaned back in his chair, watching her closely. "And why should I believe you?" Lila's eyes welled up with frustration. "Because... because you can give me a trial. Let me prove myself. If I fail or... or screw up, you can fire me. But I'm not the person you saw last night. I swear." For a moment, silence hung between them, and Lila could feel her heart pounding in her ears. Finally, Dante stood, his tall figure towering over her as he walked around the desk, standing only a few feet away. "There's something about you," he said slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Something that makes me want to give you a chance." Lila's breath caught in her throat. Is he serious? "But," he continued, "I won't tolerate any mistakes. You'll be working directly with my son. If I even suspect you're not fit for the job, you'll be out. Understood?" "Yes, sir!" Lila said, a mixture of relief and nerves washing over her. Dante nodded and called his secretary, who promptly entered the room. "Miss Lila Beaumont has been hired to babysit my son. Provide her with the rules and the paperwork to sign." Lila glanced down at the documents the secretary handed her, her eyes scanning the rules and conditions. But what made her eyes widen in shock was the salary printed at the bottom of the page. $7,000 a month? Her heart skipped a beat. Dante noticed her reaction. "What is it?" he asked, his voice still as calm and steady as ever. Lila blinked, shaking her head quickly. "I'm sorry, sir. It's just... the salary. It's more than I expected." Dante raised an eyebrow. "Too much?" "No!" Lila exclaimed, her cheeks flushing. "I mean, no, it's perfect. Thank you." "Good," Dante said curtly. "You start tomorrow. Don't be late."