Mia couldn't stop staring at Mark. She didn't know if this was an illusion or if it was real life. Her heart thudded loudly in her chest and she became stiff all of a sudden as sweat trailed down from her head. Her body suddenly became warm inside, and she could only take a deep breath to calm herself down. She could even hear her heart beat.
She felt like life was trying to punish her as she hoped that the gentleman didn't recognize her or, it wouldn't be the man from that night.
“Are you alright?” Mark, who noticed her sudden change in behavior, gave her a worried gaze as he observed her closely.
Mia's lips parted, but there were no words coming from it. Her major concern was his voice, which sounded really familiar.
Her eyes widened in shock, and she swallowed the lump that was in her throat. The man in front of her was the same man she had a one-night stand with. It has to be, but what proof. She didn't see his face clearly that night else, she would have known or, rather, be sure.
“Is anything the matter?” Mark's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, causing her eyes to divert to him.
She gulped and took a deep breath, so she could at least be able to talk to him, properly.
“Yes sir, just nervous. That's… all.” She stammered, trying her best to give him an assuring smile when, in reality, she was still feeling very uncomfortable.
“I hope he doesn't recall me.” Her eyes darted around as she adjusted herself on the seat the butler had earlier assigned her to.
She bit the corner of her lips and tried to steady her breathing.
“How could destiny play games with her like this?” She tapped her feet constantly on the floor, trying to balance the anxiety in her body.
She could feel her chest tighten, allowing less flow of oxygen into her body due to how she felt at the moment. Furthermore, she knew that once the man recalls her, there was no way she would get the job. What was he going to see her as.
The position in which the man was seated wasn't helping her at all because she was staring directly into those brown, shiny eyes.
Mark, on the other hand, was also in thoughts. His brows remained furrowed, and he stroked his chin a couple of times as he thought.
He knew that voice from somewhere, but the question remained, 'from where?'
As he ransacked his brain, he asked himself, “Where have I met this girl before?” And he tried not to make it too obvious that he had met her before.
Mia, who noticed his silence, decided to speak to the little girl who was playing with her gown. Her father had told her not to speak to visitors except she was asked to contribute.
“How are you now, sweetie?” Mia asked the little girl who was sitting beside her father.
She knew that the girl might not have experienced physical injuries, but she was such that the fall must have caused something because of how she hung on the tree for so long.
“I'm fine, I just…”
“She's the one you'll be taking care of.” Mark interrupted his daughter from speaking any further. He wasn't sure he trusted this lady in front of him, since her identity seemed blank in his head.
He gazed at Mia, and his expression caused her to gulp loudly.
“I've gone through your file and…” He picked up the file that was on the table and went quiet for a while.
“Why is he making me feel more uncomfortable?” Mia asked as she raised her head and tried her best to stay calm.
“You're supposed to take care of my daughter. And I need a nanny for her, but…” Mia gulped when she heard his voice again.
“You seem too young for the job.” And Mia's heart shattered into a million pieces and the words don't count your chickens before it hatch slammed in her face.
She had a feeling that the man had found out who she was, and he was trying to let her go.
“But sir…” She would rather not give up and go back on the street, looking for a job where pervert men were waiting for her.
She shook her head, trying to forget the event with the manager of the clothing store.
“I'm grateful you saved my daughter's life, and I'll never forget it, but…” Mark had begun speaking again, and as Mia listened, she promised herself not to let this opportunity slide to her.
“Sir please.” Mia dropped to her knees and placed her hands in a pleading manner. She tried to hold back the tears in her eyes, and thankfully she did. It's not for herself, but for her brother. She promised to give him a better life, and must by any possible means. She doesn't mind, as far as she can afford to get him anything.
“Sir, I promise, I'm not too young for the job. Do not decide due to my age or my little stature. I have a younger brother at home and I look after him very well. When he falls sick, I take him to the hospital. Even this job is for him. So, he would be able to finish his studies. And I can afford to buy him anything he wants. Please sir.” She kept pleading.
Currently, Mia didn't care who the man was. She didn't care if he was the man she fucked that night, all she cared about was him saying, “You got the job.”
“I might be small, but I'll take care of your daughter, I'll protect her and make sure she is safe.” Mia pleaded.
“Yes dad… She is really nice and remember she saved me even when she didn't know my identity. Give her a chance, dad, please…” Eunice pleaded alongside Mia.
From her little chat with Mia the other day, she could tell that Mia is a simple, free minded person.
Mark gazed at his daughter Eunice and then at Mia, who was still kneeling on the ground with her eyes closed.
Eunice, on the other hand, moved closer to her father and hugged him tightly.
“I promise to be the best daughter in the world if you employ her. I like her daddy, I want her to be my nanny.” She whined, tugging her father's clothes gently.
“Eunice, I'm still thinking about it.” Mark whispered.
“Don't think about it, Daddy, just say yes. Please…” Eunice gave him the pleading stare, he couldn't resist.
“Fine.” He turned his gaze from his daughter to Mia, “Miss?” He called, and Mia slowly opened her eyes to gaze into his brown eyes.
“Sir.” Mia replied, pressing her lips into a thin line as her fingers played with each other.
“You're hired.” Mark's words caused Mia to jump up on her feet. Her breathing became stable and her tightened chest became free as a victorious smile plastered on her face.
“Thank you so much, sir. I won't disappoint you, I promise.” She moved back to her seat, “Thank you, young miss, for believing in me.” She smiled at Eunice, who was now feeling fulfilled.
“No need to thank me, you deserve it.” She said, winking at Mia, who couldn't help but smile.
“So, there are some things you need to know.” Mark's voice grabbed her attention, causing her to focus on him.
“For you to be my daughter's nanny, you have to stay here with her, so you can attend to her every needs.” Mark raised a brow at Mia before asking the question, “Can you do that?”