Chapter 5

Brayden’s POV

The morning light spilled over the hospital driveway as Luca and I waited for Penelope Lorenzo to finish her discharge process. I had instructed Luca to handle the hospital fees first thing this morning. It wasn’t a question of cost; it was about resolving the mess I’d inadvertently caused.

Penelope finally appeared, her steps slow and hesitant. She was clutching her bag tightly, her wary eyes darting from me to Luca and then back to the car.

“Miss Lorenzo,” I said, gesturing toward the black sedan parked by the curb. “This way.”

She hesitated, her fingers tightening around the bag’s strap. Then, with a barely audible sigh, she stepped forward and slid into the back seat. I followed, sitting beside her. Luca, as always, took the driver’s seat without a word.

As the car pulled away, I felt her shift uncomfortably in her seat. Her silence was heavy, but I didn’t mind waiting.

Finally, she cleared her throat, her voice uncertain. “Um…”

I glanced at her. “Yes?”

“What kind of job…” she started, her words slow and careful, “requires me to go to your house?”

I smiled faintly, though she couldn’t see it under my mask. “You’ll be a nanny.”

Her head turned toward me sharply. “A nanny?”

“Yes,” I replied evenly.

She blinked, clearly processing the information. “You mean… for your child?”

I nodded.

“You have a child?” she asked, her tone laced with surprise.

“Yes,” I said simply.

She looked down at her hands, visibly trying to piece it all together. “And… your wife?”

“There’s no wife,” I said bluntly.

Her head snapped up. “Oh. I didn’t mean to assume…”

“It’s fine,” I said, cutting her off. “I’m used to people assuming.”

She looked back out the window, her fingers nervously fidgeting with the strap of her bag.

After a long silence, she spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if… what if your daughter doesn’t like me?”

I smirked, leaning back against the seat. “She’s four years old. She doesn’t have complex tastes. Besides, with your personality, I doubt that will be a problem.”

“My personality?” she asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

“Yes,” I said matter-of-factly. “You’re kind, resilient, and fiercely determined. All traits that would make you a good fit.”

She didn’t respond, but her cheeks flushed slightly. She turned her gaze back to the window, avoiding my eyes.

The rest of the drive was silent, save for the hum of the engine. Luca focused on the road ahead, his steady hands guiding the car through the city streets.

When we arrived at the estate, the towering iron gates opened smoothly, revealing the sprawling mansion beyond.

“Here we are,” I said as Luca brought the car to a stop in the circular driveway.

Penelope stepped out slowly, her eyes widening as she took in the size of the property.

“This way,” I said, gesturing toward the front entrance.

We had barely taken a few steps when Luca called out from behind us.

“Don. Giovanni,” he said, his voice cautious.

I turned to face him, immediately on alert. “What is it?”

Luca hesitated, his gaze flickering briefly to Penelope before returning to me. “It’s about the file, sir.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What file?”

“The file I left on your desk yesterday,” he said, his voice dropping. “It’s… gone.”

“Gone?” I repeated, my tone sharp.

Luca nodded, his expression grim. “I’ve searched everywhere, sir. It’s not in the office.”

My jaw tightened. The implications of a missing file, especially one containing sensitive information, were not lost on me.

“Do you have any idea how important that file is?” I asked, my voice low and coming out dangerous.

“Yes, sir,” Luca said quickly. “I’m doing everything I can to locate it.”

“You better Find it!” I ordered, my tone icy. “Now.”

Luca nodded and turned away, heading towards the car.

I turned back to Penelope, who was watching the exchange with curious eyes.

“Go ahead inside,” I told her, softening my tone. “Someone will show you to your room.”

She nodded hesitantly and walked toward the front door.

As she disappeared inside, I clenched my fists, my mind racing. Whoever had taken that file had no idea the storm they were about to unleash.

Penelope’s POV

Sitting in the back seat of the sleek black car, I tried my best to remain calm, but my heart wouldn’t stop racing.

This man, Brayden Giovanni, was an enigma. From the moment I woke up in the hospital and saw him standing there, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was someone I should be cautious of.

His presence was overwhelming—silent, yet demanding attention—and the mask he wore only added to the mystery.

When he said I was to be a nanny, my mind went blank for a moment.

A nanny? For his child? I thought someone like him would have a picture-perfect family—maybe a wife, a few more children, and a life far removed from mine.

But when I asked about his wife, his answer threw me off completely. “There’s no wife,” he’d said.

I didn’t mean to pry, but I couldn’t stop wondering why.

A man like him—a man who exudes power, wealth, and authority—shouldn’t have a reason to live alone. Unless… unless there was more to his story than he let on.

I wanted to ask more, to understand the man who had upended my life in the strangest of ways, but I stopped myself. What right did I have? I was just a girl trying to survive, dragged into his world by pure accident.

Just as we were about heading inside his luxurious mansion, His driver, Luca, called out to him. The tone of his voice was hesitant, almost nervous.

I watched as Brayden turned to him, his body language stiffening. The way Luca explained the situation—something about a missing file—only fueled my curiosity.

I had no idea what was in that file, but judging by Brayden’s reaction, it was important. His voice dropped, low and menacing, and for a moment, I felt a chill run down my spine.

This wasn’t the same man who had offered me a job moments ago. This was someone dangerous, someone who commanded fear and respect with just a glance.

As he and Luca continued their conversation, I felt like an outsider in a world I didn’t belong to.

Whatever kind of man Brayden Giovanni was, it was clear he operated in a realm far beyond my comprehension and I better not step on his toes…

Else—