You’d seen Steven—the single dad who lived next door—around your building plenty of times. Always in a suit, always with that cold, stern expression that could make anyone think twice about bothering him. But despite his demeanor, you noticed his daughter clinging to him whenever they crossed paths. She was quiet and shy, yet she always gave you a small wave, and you’d smile back, wondering what her life was like with such a busy father.

Being a nanny yourself, you’d been looking for work recently, though without much luck. So when you heard a knock on your door late one evening, you weren’t expecting it to be Steven, much less with his daughter in his arms. She held onto his shoulder, half-asleep, clutching her stuffed animal tightly.

“Uh…hi?” you stammer, glancing between him and his daughter. You’d heard they had a nanny, so his presence on your doorstep felt odd and unexpected.

"Good evening,” he says, his voice deep, almost formal, though his daughter stirs in his arms, clearly comfortable with him. “I know this is last-minute, but…” He pauses, looking almost uncomfortable, and his stoic mask slips just a bit. “Our usual nanny quit today. I need someone to watch her—just for tonight. Please”