𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑

By the time I got home, I was exhausted. The events of the day had drained me emotionally, and all I wanted was to take the day off and collapse into bed. After kicking off my shoes and setting my keys on the counter, I headed straight for the shower. The hot water was like a much-needed escape, soothing the tension in my muscles. I stood there for longer than I meant to, letting the steam fill the bathroom, my thoughts drifting back to the little girl I found earlier, Amira.

She'd been so scared, and I was glad I had been there to help. But her father... How he'd looked at me when he arrived, the intensity in his eyes had been hard to shake. He wasn't like other parents. There was something about him that made me feel like I had stepped into something far more complicated than just a lost child.

I turned off the water, dried off, and threw on an old pair of pajama shorts and a T-shirt. The apartment was quiet, and after the chaotic day, I welcomed the silence. I made myself a quick dinner, just a sandwich, and some chips, and ate it while half watching some mindless TV.

By the time I finished eating, I felt like I could barely keep my eyes open. I brushed my teeth, crawled into bed, and let the warmth of the blankets pull me to sleep.

Hours later, a sound broke through the peaceful darkness. My phone was ringing. I squinted at the screen through my sleepy eyes. It was 3 a.m. "Who the hell would call at three in the morning?" muttering to myself. Without checking who it was, I answered, hoping it wasn't an emergency.

"Hello?" I croaked, my voice thick with sleep.

"Kurianna, This is Raden" The deep voice on the other end was unmistakable. It was Amira's father.

I sat up straight, fully awake now. "How do you have my number?"

His tone was calm, "From the first time you called me, remember?"

"Right from the first time," I murmured. " Is there any reason why you are calling me?"

There was a brief pause on his end, but when he spoke again, his tone was still calm, but firm. "I've made a decision. You're hired."

I blinked, still trying to process the fact that this was happening. "Wait, what?"

"You're hired," he repeated, more slowly this time. "To be Amira's new nanny."

I rubbed my eyes, trying to make sense of it all. "I—um, I didn't even apply for the job."

"I know," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "But you've already proven you can take care of her. I trust you, Kurianna."

I wasn't sure whether to feel flattered or alarmed. "Raden, this is sudden. I— I don't even know if I'm—"

"You don't have a choice," he interrupted, his tone final. "This isn't a request, it's a decision. I need someone I can trust with my daughter. That person is you."

My heart pounded in my chest. His words hung in the air, heavy with an intensity that left no room for argument. There was no question in his voice—just certainty, and the weight of authority that made it clear this wasn't up for debate.

"What about my other job?" I stammered, still trying to find a way to make sense of this.

"Consider it handled," Theo replied smoothly. "I'll make sure you're compensated well beyond whatever you're making now. But from now on, you work for me."

I sat there, trying to wrap my head around what Raden had just said, my heart still racing. As I opened my mouth to ask more questions, his voice came through again, firm and unwavering.

"There's one more thing," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You'll be living in the mansion. I don't want anyone else watching over Amira. You'll move in tomorrow."

I swallowed hard. "Raden, I don't even know you. This... this is a lot."

"I know it is," he said, his tone softening ever so slightly. "But I'm not asking for your permission, Anna. I'm giving you a job—one that you're more than qualified for. And Amira needs someone like you. I won't let anyone else be responsible for her."

My mind raced, a mix of fear, confusion, and something else I couldn't quite name. This wasn't just a job offer; this was a command. And something told me that saying no wasn't an option.

"Okay," I whispered, barely believing the words coming out of my mouth. "I'll do it."

I sat there, trying to wrap my head around what Raden had just said, my heart still racing. As I opened my mouth to ask more questions, his voice came through again, firm and unwavering.

"There's one more thing," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You'll be living in the mansion. I don't want anyone else watching over Emily. You'll move in tomorrow."

I blinked, completely taken aback. "Wait, what? Move in? Tomorrow?"

"Yes, tomorrow," Theo said, as though it were the most logical thing in the world. "I'll have my people come by in the morning to help you pack and bring your things to the mansion. I want you here, full-time, with Amira. No exceptions."

My mind reeled. I had never agreed to anything like this, and now, not only was I suddenly Amira's nanny, but I was expected to live in Theo's mansion—a mansion filled with security, wealth, and a man who seemed to have an iron grip on control.

"I—Raden, I don't even know if I can—"

"You can, and you will," he interrupted, his tone brokering no protest. "I need your address. Send it to me tonight."

I swallowed hard, staring down at my hands, which were now gripping the phone tightly. This was happening too fast, and I felt like I had no control over any of it.

"You'll be well compensated," he added, softer this time as if trying to ease the weight of his command. "And you'll have everything you need here. Just send me your address, and we'll take care of the rest."

Before I could say anything else, the line went dead. I sat there in the darkness, the phone still pressed to my ear, trying to process the whirlwind that had just upended my life in a matter of minutes. I sat there for a moment, staring at the screen, trying to wrap my head around what had just happened. I'd gone from a quiet evening in bed to being thrust into a life I didn't understand, with a man who seemed far more dangerous than I realized.

I dropped the phone onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

I didn't have a choice.

I was hired.

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