Chapter 3 FINALLY, A JOB!

BELLA ADAMS

***

Here I am, back in my room, sitting on the edge of my bed like I've done a hundred times before-but today feels different. My mind is a blur, looping the same question over and over.

What happened last night?

Not in fragments or faint impressions. I mean really-what happened after I pulled him? Did he put me in bed? Did he change my clothes? Or worse... did we?

God.

I buried my face into the pillow, the fabric cool against my burning cheeks. My hands gripped the sheets like they might hold the truth, but they only gave me silence.

Who told you to drink so much, huh?

I sighed, rolling onto my back and staring at the ceiling like it owed me an answer.

A soft knock interrupted the silence, followed by Nanny's warm voice from the kitchen.

"Bella, come fast, baby! The breakfast is getting cold."

I slowly peeled myself off the bed and trudged into the kitchen. The scent of warm buttered toast and eggs tried to lift my spirits, but I wasn't in the mood. Nanny placed two plates on the table and sat across from me, her eyes already scanning me like a detective who smelled guilt.

I kept my head down, poking at my food, hoping she'd ignore the bags under my eyes or the way my voice might crack if she asked anything-

"Will you tell me?" she finally said, her voice calm but firm.

I glanced up with a nervous laugh. "Tell you what?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You very well know what I'm talking about."

"Umm... no, I really don't," I tried, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, hoping to look innocent. I wasn't fooling her.

"Don't you dare act innocent, Bella."

"I'm not trying to act anything," I mumbled, keeping my eyes on the toast like it held my salvation.

She leaned forward, grabbing my arm. "Don't tell me your first was that Steve. BELLA, I SWEAR I WILL KILL YOU."

My heart leapt to my throat. "Nanny! Stop! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

She narrowed her eyes at me, then released my arm with a sharp huff. "Then who was it?"

I swallowed hard and shook my head. "It wasn't Steve."

She sat back in her chair and gave a dramatic sigh of relief. "Okay. Then tell me-was he handsome? Young? Tall?"

"Oh my God, will you stop?!"

"Come on now, don't be shy. Again? Sweet Jesus, how many rounds did you go? Did he use protection? He better have or I'll-"

"Seriously, what is wrong with you?!" I gaped at her.

She only smirked, clearly enjoying this way too much.

I pushed my plate away, groaning. "Anyway, I have an interview soon. It starts at nine."

"Oh? What kind of job now?"

"It's a babysitting job. I got a notification last night. I figured-why not give it a shot?"

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, the teasing finally giving way to concern.

"Yeah, Nanny. I need to do something. We have to move soon, and I won't let you live on the streets because of me."

She gave me a small, sad smile. I leaned over and kissed her cheek. "We'll be okay. I'll make sure of it."

I stood to leave when-of course-she couldn't help but toss one more grenade.

"So... what did you do this morning? Did you guys do it again?"

I spun around. "WHAT is wrong with you?!"

She grinned. "You're glowing."

"I'm glowing from embarrassment, Nanny! I freaked out, okay? I thought I seduced a complete stranger, and he must think I'm some reckless drunk. So I ran away. I left a thank-you and a sorry note and just... left."

She blinked at me. "You ran away?"

"Yes! What was I supposed to do-ask him for breakfast?"

She sighed dramatically. "Bella, you are hopeless."

I grabbed my bag and rolled my eyes. "And yet you raised me."

"God help me," she muttered. "Take care."

"Bye!" I called out as I left. "And no gossiping with the neighbors!"

"I am the neighbors," she shouted back.

---

Later That Morning – Parker Enterprises

The cab stopped outside a towering glass building that scraped the sky like it belonged in some glossy billionaire magazine. Parker Enterprises, the plaque read. This wasn't just some babysitting gig-it looked like I was about to be interviewed by royalty.

I walked in, clutching my bag tightly against my chest. The lobby was sleek and expensive-marble floors, gold accents, a crystal chandelier that twinkled in a way that said, you don't belong here.

Every woman waiting near me looked like she had just stepped out of a fashion ad. Hair curled, lips glossy, nails perfect. I glanced down at my own outfit-simple blouse, jeans, and flats-and felt like I'd shown up to a gala in pajamas.

Still, one by one, those girls came out of the interview room looking defeated. Shoulders slumped, faces pale. Some didn't even look back.

Then, finally-

"Miss Adams?" a woman called. "Please come inside."

I stood on shaky legs and followed her down a long hallway. My palms were sweating.

We entered a large office that was nothing short of majestic. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a panoramic view of the city, bookshelves that belonged in a museum, and-

My heart dropped.

There he was.

Him.

The man from the club.

The man I drunkenly clung to.

The one I might have-no, please God-not slept with.

Fuck.

He was sitting behind a giant mahogany desk, looking like every sin wrapped in a tailored suit. His sea-blue eyes flicked up to me. He smirked.

I was so doomed.

"Olivia," he said, not taking his eyes off me, "please postpone the other interviews. I'll need some extra time with this one."

My eyes went wide. Why? Why did he want more time? Was he going to drag me out for humiliating him last night?

"Best of luck," Olivia whispered with a wink before exiting.

I gulped.

"Please take a seat, Miss..." he glanced at my file, "Adams."

I sat across from him, my knees practically knocking. He leaned back in his chair, watching me like a cat watches a very stupid mouse.

"So, how are you feeling, Miss Adams?" he asked, voice as smooth as silk but with a sharp edge.

"Umm... I-I..." I stammered.

"You look nervous, Miss Adams. I don't appreciate nervous people."

I bit my lip and looked down.

He stood and walked toward me. Slowly. Purposefully.

Then, he leaned against the desk in front of me, so close I could smell his cologne-expensive, like cedarwood and danger.

Before I lost my nerve, I blurted, "I'm really sorry. I was drunk last night, and I lost my mind. I know it was stupid. I don't usually drink, but I was hurt and-look, I called you a kidnapper, and I'm so sorry. And thank you for saving me, seriously, because I don't know what would've happened with that bartender. I promise, I'm not... that kind of girl."

He bent down to eye level, his voice low. "And what kind of girl are you, Miss Adams?"

"I-I..." I couldn't breathe.

"What am I thinking you are?"

"C-Can you please stop coming closer?"

"Why? Last night, you pulled me."

I stood quickly, heart pounding. "That was the alcohol, not me."

He smirked. "Give me one reason I should hire someone like you to take care of my child. What if you get drunk again? What if you do something reckless-with him around?"

His child. So he was a father.

A strange ache formed in my chest. I didn't know why, but hearing that made my heart hurt.

"I promise I won't. I'll take good care of your child. Please. I know I messed up our first impression, but I'm not usually like this. I need this job."

He looked at me for a long time before finally nodding.

"Fine. It's not your pleading, Miss Adams. It's because I believe you might just be the kind of person who can handle him."

I exhaled in pure relief. "Thank you. Thank you so much, Mr...?"

"Parker. Liam Parker."

"Thank you, Mr. Parker."

He straightened, hands slipping into his pockets. "There are rules."

"Rules?"

"Rule number one: You will never lay a hand on my son. Ever. Rule two: Don't disturb my privacy. Rule three: There are prohibited areas in the house-don't test me by entering them. Rule four: You don't take him out without permission. Rule five: No entertaining any men here. Friends, boyfriends-none."

I blinked. "Got it. And the work hours?"

"9 AM to 7 PM. Every day. Except Sunday."

"Okay," I nodded. "And... salary?"

"Five thousand."

My jaw dropped. "Sorry, I-can you repeat that?"

"Five thousand, Miss Adams."

"That's... a lot for a babysitter."

"I don't think so."

I blinked in disbelief.

"You start tomorrow," he said. "Be on time. Or don't bother coming again."

I nodded.

He smirked. "I assume you remember the address?"

I nodded again, this time with a tiny smile.

Yes. I remembered.

And just like that-

I finally had a job.

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