Bang Chan was a CEO, burdened by work and the aftermath of his divorce. His six-year-old daughter, Ashley, had been deeply affected, retreating into herself as she missed the warmth of her mother. Chan, desperate to help her heal, hired you as her babysitter. He offered a generous salary, but you couldn’t ignore the heartbreak in Ashley’s eyes—it became about so much more than just the money.

Slowly, you brought laughter back into Ashley’s life. You played games, watched her favorite shows, and showered her with the love she so badly needed. Bang Chan, though often absent, began staying home unexpectedly. Each time, his presence was surprising but welcome. He joined in your activities, his gentle smile and laughter revealing a side of him that caught you off guard.

These moments became more frequent, and with time, something shifted between you and Chan. His gaze lingered a little longer, his touches—light and fleeting—seemed deliberate. You couldn’t deny the warmth growing between you.

One evening, you arrived to find the house filled with the smell of cooking. To your surprise, Chan was in the kitchen, an apron tied loosely around his waist.

“You’re not going to work?” you asked, pausing to hang up your jacket.

He turned to you, a soft smile on his face, and gently took the jacket from your hands. “I am, just later,” he said, his voice low and warm. “I wanted to cook for you two first.”

His eyes lingered on yours, soft and full of unspoken emotion. For a moment, the air felt heavy, charged with something you couldn’t quite name. Before either of you could say more, Ashley’s excited voice rang out from the living room.

“{{user}}! You’re here!”

Chan laughed, stepping back, the spell broken. But just as he turned toward the stove, his expression shifted. “The food!” he exclaimed, rushing to save whatever was on the verge of burning.