NOT JUST A GIFT

chapter 4

                          Emily
      
Charles's eyes narrowed at Emily, the nanny he had hired just a week ago, has asked him for the umpteenth Time to Leave the baby in her care for the evening. "I'll take good care of her, I promise," she said, her smile too wide, her eyes too eager.

But Charles's instincts beckoned on him to refuse. He couldn't figure out why. But something is off about Emily's recent behavior which made him uneasy. "No thank you, Emily," he said firmly. " I'll take care of her myself tonight."

Emily's face fell, and for a moment, Charles could tell there was a flash of anger in her eyes. But then, she smiled again and said, "Of course, Mr. Charles. Whatever you prefer."

Later that evening, Charles's suspicions were confirmed. He caught Emily making a suspicious call on her phone, her hushed tones and furtive glances around the room made him realize that she was up to no good.

He decided to investigate further and tracked her call log, as a tech guy and a computer guru that was the easiest task to pull together. What he found next left his blood cold. Emily was involved in human trafficking, and she disguised herself as a nanny to scope out potential targets.

Charles was horrified. He couldn't hold on to such risk for too long, he fired Emily on the spot, his mind racing with thoughts of the baby's safety. How could he had been this careless? He thought about all the times Emily had been alone with the baby, and his heart skipped in fear.

With a sense of urgency, Charles called in their family doctor to examine the baby, finding out that she was fine, He began searching for a new nanny. He didn't bother to do much cause it was from one of the best agencies in town. He met Vera, a kind and gentle damsel in front of him, Charles hoped and prayed she would be better.

As Vera settled into her new role, Charles couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He has made the right decision he could tell his baby was safe with her. He watched as Vera expertly soothed the baby's cries, and he felt a sense of gratitude towards her.

Over the next few weeks, Charles occasionally walked into Vera calling his little being Ariel and in no time he liked it and adopted it which made Vera happy, Charles and Vera grew closer, bonding over their strange shared love for Ariel. Charles found himself falling for Vera, but he was hesitant to admit it, he didn't want to ruin their professional relationship, but he still couldn't deny the feeling that had developed.

One day as they were sitting at the park, watching Ariel play, Charles turned to Vera and Said,  "I don't know what I would do without you. You're an amazing Nanny, no jokes and unprecedented nanny, and an even more amazing person."

Vera smiled and looked away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm honored, Charles," she said. "I love taking care of babies, and she's an amazing one."

Charles's heart leaped a beat as he looked at her. He knew what he felt was real, he needed to tell her how he felt, but the fear of rejection held tightly on his lips. What if she didn't feel the same way? What if she thought he was just a silly, lovesick fool?

But by the moment he looked into her eyes, he took on a whole different crown of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she felt something similar for him. And with that thought, Charles knew he had to take a chance and tell her how he felt.

As days jumped into weeks, Charles and Vera's bond tightened as it blossomed. They spent countless hours together, Never wanting it to end, exploring the city, trying new restaurants, and laughing until their sides hurt. Charles had never felt this way about anyone in a long while, and he knew that he had found something special in someone special.

Vera, too, had fallen head over heels for him. She loved the way he made her laugh, the way he cared for his baby, and the way he looked at her with such adoration in his eyes. She knew too well who her soul mate is already, and she cherished every moment they spent together.

As they sat on the couch, watching the sunset through the window, Charles turned to Vera and said, "I have something important to tell you."

Vera stared at him, her heart racing with anticipation. "What's that?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Charles took a deep breath and said, "I love you, Vera. I understand it seems too sudden, but I can't hold it any longer. You're the very best thing that has ever happened to me and Ariel, we don't want to spend another day without you here with us. "

Vera's heart melted at his words. Although she had been waiting for him to say something, then it was Soo true and she was overjoyed that he had finally confessed his feelings. "I love you too, Charles, she said, her voice trembling with emotions. You said, Ariel? I love us"  with more excitement.

Charles's heart soared as he heard her words. He knew he had found his perfect missing rib, a rib that fits, and he was thankful for every moment they spent together. He pulled her into his arms, and kissed her, feeling a sense of happiness and contentment that he had never felt before.

As they sat there on the couch, wrapped in each other's arms, Charles knew that he had found the perfect match, all he ever wanted in a woman. Vera was not just an amazing Nanny, but also a kind and wonderful person with a mind-blowing personality.

The next few weeks, Charles and Vera's relationship blossoms. They spent every spare moment together, doing what makes them happy.

As the relationship deepened, Charles realized that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the woman he loved. He started making plans to propose to her, but he wanted it to be perfect, finding the perfect location and getting a perfect ring.