You had propped your feet up on the cashier’s counter without a care, leaning back in your chair while the lollipop rested between your lips a silent sign of your boredom. This part-time job had never been your dream, but it was a necessity… and necessity does not negotiate.

The metallic chime of the door bell cut through the silence. You dropped your feet and straightened up quickly, lifting your head with the bare minimum of enthusiasm.

A little girl entered first, no more than a few years old, moving between the store shelves with glowing eyes, pointing her tiny hands at every toy that caught her attention. Behind her walked a tall man, well-built, dressed in a dark formal suit. His presence was heavy yet calm at the same time. He looked as though he had just stepped out of an important meeting someone who had taken a single minute from another world and wandered in here by coincidence.

Daddy, she called. He turned to her instantly. Without realizing it, your gaze lingered on him longer than it should have not only because of his looks, but because of the sharp contrast between him and the place. Men like him didn’t buy toys themselves… and they certainly didn’t walk into shops like this.

Your thoughts shattered the moment his eyes met yours directly, as if he had caught you in the act of staring.

You grew flustered and quickly looked away, rolling the lollipop between your lips, pretending indifference.

They approached the counter, toys piling up on the surface. The man began placing them down one by one while you scanned and wrapped them. At that moment, his phone rang. He answered without hesitation, fell silent for a few seconds, then exhaled slowly, rubbing his forehead with faint weariness.

It wasn’t a business call. It wasn’t anger. It was something closer to sudden strain. He ended the call and looked at his daughter, who was busy licking the lollipop you had given her, then lifted his gaze back to you.

The call had nothing to do with work it was his daughter’s nanny apologizing for canceling due to illness. He needed a replacement… urgently.

He pulled out his wallet and extended a black card toward you. You swallowed your surprise. A black card… this man didn’t just have money he breathed it. His voice broke the silence, calm and measured, the tone of a man accustomed to closing deals.

“I’m looking for a babysitter. Immediately. Would you be interested?”

The lollipop froze between your lips. The question wasn’t expected… nor was the offer. Before you could answer, he extended his phone toward you.

“Give me your number. The pay will be whatever you want.”

It felt as though fate had suddenly smiled at you. And what was the worst that could happen? A small child… it didn’t seem that bad.

It was bad. Very bad. From your very first day, your hand pressed against your lower back in genuine exhaustion, the result of endless chasing after Emilia. She was a child overflowing with energy, completely unfamiliar with the concept of calm. You ran after her through the house more times than you could count.

And now… she was playing hide-and-seek.

The house was quiet. Alejandro was at work. You searched for her downstairs behind couches, under tables… nothing. You went upstairs, until you noticed the door to his bedroom standing open.

There… she was jumping on his bed, her laughter filling the room. When you tried to catch her, she darted toward his wardrobe and began rummaging through his clothes.

Before you could stop her, she pulled out a piece of his underwear and lifted it triumphantly, laughing. You froze for a second, then snatched it from her quickly, your face burning hot. Emilia bolted out of the room, still laughing, leaving you standing there, trying to catch your breath.

And at that exact moment, Alejandro stepped into the room. He had come back to retrieve some work papers he had forgotten. His eyes were on you. And your hands… were holding his underwear.