Chapter 4 RYAN PARKER

BELLA ADAMS

***

Today is my first day at work, and I'm standing in front of the house again - his house. My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted the strap of my bag. It wasn't the job that made me nervous. It was the thought of seeing him again. Mr. Liam Parker. My boss. The man I may or may not have slept with. God, I still don't know.

There's one thing I forgot to ask him yesterday. It's been eating at my brain since last night. I don't know how to bring it up, but I have to. If I don't, I'll probably blurt it out at the worst moment... like when he's standing too close again and my brain decides to stop working.

I pressed the doorbell.

A woman in a uniform opened the door. Her hair was neatly tied into a low bun, and she wore a crisp navy apron.

"Yes? Who are you?" she asked, eyeing me with polite caution.

"I'm Bella Adams. Mr. Parker hired me as a babysitter for his child."

Her expression relaxed immediately. "Ah, yes. He mentioned you last night. Come in."

I stepped inside and froze.

Oh. My. God.

I must've been too panicked the last time to really see the house. Because now? Now I couldn't look away. The moment I crossed the threshold, I forgot how to breathe.

It was breathtaking-like something out of an interior design magazine, or a high-budget drama where people drink aged whiskey in silence and betray each other with a single glance.

The foyer alone was grand enough to make me feel underdressed. The ceiling stretched up two floors, with a modern chandelier hanging down in elegant loops of soft gold and glass, like it was floating in the air. It didn't even look like a chandelier-it looked like moving art.

A wide staircase with polished dark wood and gleaming metal rails curved to the right, leading up to the second floor. The walls were painted in soft greys and creams, with black frames showcasing abstract art I definitely didn't understand but somehow admired.

To the left was a sunken living room, layered with plush white rugs and sleek furniture in shades of charcoal and ivory. The couches were curved and perfectly arranged around a black-glass coffee table, which held a vase of real orchids-real, not fake plastic ones like the ones I had at home. And at the far end of the room, casually sitting like it was no big deal, was a black grand piano.

Who just has a piano like that in their house?

I caught myself gawking and forced my jaw to close.

"Please wait here. I'll go call Sir," the woman said, snapping me out of my trance.

I nodded, trying not to look like a tourist on her first day in a new country. She disappeared upstairs, and I took a few cautious steps inside, soaking in everything. This place was too perfect. Too quiet. Too... untouchable.

She came back a few minutes later. "Sir has already left for work."

"Oh," I said, deflating a little. "Okay... um, what's your name?"

"Maria. And you're Bella, right?"

"Yeah. You can call me Bella," I replied with a friendly smile.

"Alright, Bella," she said, a little softer now. "Come. I'll show you to the child's room."

We walked through the hallways, our footsteps soft against the polished floors.

"What's his name again?" I asked, realizing I'd forgotten to ask Mr. Parker during the interview.

"Ryan," Maria said. "But just a heads up... you probably won't have too much to do. He's a very quiet child. Keeps to himself most of the time. No friends, no outdoor play. He'll have a tutor visit him daily-that's already arranged."

I nodded. "Oh... that's kind of sad."

Maria paused in front of a white double door. "We're used to it now. This is Ryan's room."

She left after giving me a polite smile.

I slowly pushed the door open and stepped inside-and my heart immediately melted.

His room was adorable in the most calming way. No bright clashing colors or overwhelming chaos like most kids' rooms. It was minimal, organized, and clearly decorated with thought. The walls were a soft, misty grey with little white dots scattered across like stars. In the corner was a small bed with a canopy hanging down in light, flowing fabric. The bedding had star prints and a few cushions shaped like animals-a zebra, a sleepy cloud, and what looked like a sleepy koala.

Near the bed sat a grey teepee with a mat and a few pillows inside. A plush monkey hung off the top, and I smiled at the playful detail. A large white tiger plush lay on the floor near a small rug with a black-and-white pattern, and a wooden train track looped lazily across the center of the room.

There was a toy airplane on the rug and a little white cardboard playhouse nearby with printed letters. Storage bins and hanging pouches were labeled neatly. It was soft, cozy, and so peaceful... but also a little lonely.

I looked around and finally spotted him-Ryan-sitting quietly in the corner, pushing toy cars back and forth on a wooden board. He didn't even flinch at my entrance. Just stayed focused on his cars like I wasn't even there.

I cleared my throat gently. "Hey, I'm Bella Adams. Your dad hired me to be your babysitter."

Nothing. Not even a glance.

Okay...

I sighed and walked toward him, kneeling at his level. His face was turned away slightly, but when I finally caught a glimpse of him-my heart skipped.

He was so cute. His dark hair was a little messy like he had been playing all morning. His cheeks were round and soft, his eyes big and thoughtful.

"Hey. What's your name?" I asked softly, even though I already knew.

He mumbled, "Ryan," without looking up.

Jesus, even his voice was adorable. Like a tiny sleepy angel.

"So Ryan... want to play with me?" I offered, hoping to spark some interest.

He shook his head and stayed glued to his cars.

"Wanna go to the garden?" I tried again.

Another small shake of the head.

Okay, well... that's fine. Maybe he just needs time.

I stood up and walked to a chair, sitting down nearby where I could still see him. He didn't move, didn't speak. Just kept playing like I was invisible.

This job is going to be... boring.

Out of boredom, I pulled out my phone and began searching for apartments. An hour passed-an hour of silence-before I finally found one that seemed okay. A little run-down, but affordable. I bookmarked it to show Nanny later.

I glanced over at Ryan. Still playing. Still silent.

I sighed and asked, "Hey, are you hungry? Want me to bring something?"

He shook his head.

But then... I heard it. The tiniest little grumble from his stomach.

I raised an eyebrow and smirked a little. "Someone's tummy says otherwise."

Still, he said nothing.

"Okay," I said, standing. "I'll bring something for you."

I made my way downstairs to the kitchen. Maria was busy preparing something.

"Hey, um... can I use the kitchen? I want to make something for Ryan. He's hungry."

Maria shook her head immediately. "Oh dear, no. That's not your job. Sir specifically instructed me to handle all his meals."

"Okay... but could you make something now? I think he's hungry. I heard his stomach growl."

She looked surprised. "Really? He never says when he's hungry. That boy barely talks to anyone. He only really speaks when Sir is home."

"Oh," I said softly. "That's kind of sad."

Maria nodded as she began prepping a small plate of food. "It is. We've tried, but he doesn't open up. Only around Mr. Parker."

I wanted to ask more. I wanted to know. But something in me hesitated. I didn't have the right to pry. Not yet. And not when the man I wanted to ask was someone I might've slept with during a drunken night I couldn't even remember.

After what felt like the longest, quietest day of my life, I went back home.

I hadn't seen Mr. Parker once. Not even a glimpse. And the question I wanted to ask? Still stuck in my throat, unanswered.

Nanny called me for dinner. I sat down at the table as she served my plate.

"Nanny, I found a place. Look!" I held up my phone to show her the photo of the apartment.

She studied it carefully, then nodded. "Yeah. It's good."

"You mean it? You really like it?"

"Yes, Bella. It's decent. And cheap enough."

"Oh thank God! I'll call the owner tomorrow before heading to work."

Nanny looked down at her food and sighed. "I'm sorry, Bella. I feel like all this is happening because of me."

I reached for her hand. "Will you stop blaming yourself? You didn't ask for this. We're in this together."

There was a pause. Then I said, "Oh, and guess what? Remember the guy who helped me that night? The one I might've... um... slept with?"

Nanny's eyes lit up. "You mean the one you gave your virginity to?"

I stabbed my fork into the table. "Yes. That guy."

She smirked. "Ooooh. I love where this is going."

"Well... he's my boss."

She dropped her spoon. "WHAT?!"

"Yeah. Liam Parker. My boss. Can you imagine? I slept with my boss. I think. I don't even remember if we actually did it."

"You think? Bella-what the hell does that even mean?"

"I remember pulling him and then he fell on top of me and... then it's all blank."

She covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. "You pulled him? Damn, girl. You get wild when you're drunk. And here I thought you were innocent."

I glared at her.

"You know what the worst part is? He has a son. A very adorable one, actually."

Nanny clutched her chest. "Oh no. That makes it complicated. But still-you can have a chance."

"Have you gone completely mad? He's my boss, Nanny!"

She waved her fork like a wand. "Bosses are hot. Haven't you read those spicy novels? Boss-and-nanny romances? They exist for a reason!"

"I don't know why I even tell you things," I muttered.

She grinned. "Because I make life fun. Picture it-romance, slow-burn tension, forbidden love, a wedding, more kids, a family-Bella! You and him could be the next chapter in one of those books!"

I just got up and patted her shoulder. "You need sleep. Or therapy. Or both."

She pointed a finger at me. "You'll see. One day, it'll all happen."

"Sure. In your dreams."

"Oh and-take the cookies I made for you. In case the rich man starves you again."

I laughed. "Noted."