The cool breeze of early autumn brushed through the bustling streets of the city, carrying the sweet scent of blooming chrysanthemums and the faint hint of a coming storm. Lin Rose adjusted the straps of her worn-out backpack, the weight of textbooks pressing against her back as she made her way through the crowded streets. The city was alive, filled with people rushing to meetings, shopping, or simply navigating their busy lives, but Rose's pace remained steady and determined. She had no time for distractions.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her out of her thoughts. She fished it out and glanced at the screen. Another reminder—babysitting job at 5 p.m.
It had been a long day filled with lectures, assignments, and a pile of overdue work. Rose's dreams of becoming a counselor seemed like a distant fantasy sometimes, especially with the pressure to support herself through college. There were moments when she felt utterly exhausted, and today was one of them. But there was no room for self-pity in her world. She had a job to do.
"Focus, Rose. Focus," she muttered to herself as she quickened her pace.
When she arrived at the address, she stopped for a moment to stare at the building in front of her. The towering skyscraper loomed over the street, its glass windows reflecting the setting sun. The penthouse where she was supposed to work wasn't just any ordinary apartment—it was part of a complex known for housing the city's elite. She'd been here a few times already, but it never failed to take her breath away. The luxurious marble floors, the state-of-the-art elevators, and the air of wealth that practically radiated from the walls.
"Get a grip, Rose," she whispered under her breath, walking toward the entrance.
The lobby was sleek and modern, with polished stone floors and high ceilings. A receptionist, dressed in a perfectly pressed suit, greeted her with a smile that was just a bit too perfect. "May I help you?"
"I'm here for the babysitting job. I'm Lin Rose," she said, trying to sound more confident than she felt.
The receptionist didn't seem to register the name right away but nodded politely. "Mr. Han is expecting you. He's upstairs. The elevator is to your right."
Rose nodded, following the instructions. The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and she stepped inside. The moment the doors closed, she felt a wave of discomfort wash over her. This was not her world. She didn't belong in places like this, surrounded by affluence and perfection. Still, she had a job to do, and she would do it well.
When the elevator doors opened to the top floor, Rose stepped out into the hallway. The contrast between the sleek, modern architecture and the warmth of the family-oriented atmosphere of the penthouse was startling. She could already hear soft music playing in the background, faint laughter and the sound of small footsteps echoing from behind a door.
The maid opened the door before she could knock. She was a middle-aged woman, with a polite and welcoming smile that seemed to brighten the otherwise cold atmosphere of the penthouse. "You must be Lin Rose," she said, her voice soft yet professional. "Please, come in. Mr. Han has asked me to show you to the child."
"Thank you," Rose replied, stepping inside.
The interior of the penthouse was just as extravagant as she'd expected—expensive furniture, minimalist décor, and enough space to make it feel like an art gallery more than a home. It was clear that the Han family didn't spare any expense.
As they moved through the hallways, Rose couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with discomfort. Everything was pristine, perfect, almost to the point of feeling sterile. The maid led her upstairs to a room at the end of the hall.
"This is where the child is. You can stay in here with him until Mr. Han returns," the maid explained.
Rose entered the room, her gaze immediately falling on a small, brightly decorated play area with soft toys scattered about. The little boy, probably no older than five, was sitting on the floor, stacking blocks. His face lit up when he saw her.
"Are you here to play with me?" he asked, his innocent eyes wide with excitement.
Rose smiled warmly. "I'm here to make sure you're safe while your dad is out. We can play, but I'll be keeping an eye on you."
The boy, whose name was Jasper, nodded eagerly and began showing her his toy blocks. For a moment, Rose allowed herself to relax, letting the stress of the day fall away as she engaged with the child. She loved this part of the job—the pure joy of spending time with a child who saw the world in such a simple, untainted way.
As they played, time seemed to fly by. Jasper's laughter filled the room, and Rose found herself smiling despite the heaviness in her chest. It was moments like this that reminded her why she'd chosen this path—to make a difference in people's lives. Though she often felt like she was swimming against the tide, moments like these made everything worth it.
The sound of the front door opening interrupted her thoughts. She stood up, ready to greet Mr. Han, but her gaze froze when she saw him.
Standing in the doorway was Han Zeke—tall, confident, and dressed in a sleek black leather jacket that only added to his brooding aura. His sharp features were set in a near-permanent scowl, and his eyes, dark and piercing, seemed to size her up instantly.
"You're the babysitter?" His voice was low, smooth, and laced with indifference.
Rose swallowed, trying to mask her discomfort. "Yes, I'm Lin Rose. I'll be taking care of Jasper until you return."
Zeke's gaze flicked from her to his son, who was now jumping up and down, thrilled to see his father. Zeke ignored the child's enthusiasm and walked past Rose without a second glance. He didn't even bother acknowledging her presence.
"Don't mess up," he muttered over his shoulder, his tone dripping with arrogance. "I don't have time for mistakes."
Rose felt a twinge of irritation but kept her voice steady. "I'm sure we'll be fine. You don't need to worry."
Zeke paused for a moment, his back still to her, and let out a soft chuckle. "You really think you can handle this? Babysitting a child in a place like this? You're not exactly the type to belong here."
The words stung, but Rose bit her lip and forced herself not to respond. She was used to this—being judged by her appearance, by the way she carried herself. People like Zeke saw her as nothing more than a temporary solution to a problem they couldn't be bothered to handle themselves.
"I'll do my job," she said firmly, though the sting of his words lingered.
Zeke didn't respond. Instead, he turned to Jasper, who had rushed to him with a wide grin. Rose felt a pang of something—maybe jealousy, maybe longing—as she watched the brief moment of fatherly affection. It was clear that Zeke wasn't completely detached from his son, but his cold demeanor told another story.
"Be good, Jasper," Zeke said shortly, his voice softer when speaking to the child.
With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Rose alone with the boy once again.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Rose exhaled slowly, letting her shoulders relax. Zeke's presence had left a strange tension in the air, and she couldn't shake the feeling that this job would be more complicated than she had originally thought.
"Are you mad at my daddy?" Jasper's small voice cut through her thoughts.
Rose blinked, taken aback by the question. She looked at the child, his innocent face full of curiosity.
"No, not at all," she replied softly, crouching down to his level. "I'm not mad at your daddy. He's just... busy."
Jasper seemed satisfied with the answer and went back to his toys, leaving Rose to reflect on the strange encounter. She couldn't help but wonder what made Zeke so cold, so distant, especially toward her. Was it just her job, or was there something more behind that icy exterior?
Whatever the reason, Rose couldn't afford to think too much about it. She had a job to do—and despite the strange encounter, she was determined to make sure Jasper had a safe and happy evening. Little did she know, this was just the beginning of a much more complicated and emotional journey that would challenge everything she knew about herself—and about the enigmatic man she had just met.