A Single Dad Babysat For A Night. He Didn’t Know His Client Was A Millionaire Who Falls For Him
The Unexpected Sitter
Drew balanced his three-year-old daughter Daisy on one hip while trying to wipe peanut butter off her nose with a napkin in the other hand when the doorbell rang. “Hold on Bug,” he muttered, setting the half-made sandwich on the counter and heading to the door.
This was his first gig in weeks after quitting his job to take care of Daisy full-time after her mom bailed without warning. Money had gotten tight.
His best friend had thrown him a lifeline: a last-minute babysitting job for someone in the city who needed a sitter overnight. It promised good pay and no drama.
When Drew opened the door, a tall woman stood there in a beige trench coat and heels. Her dark hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail and a large black tote hung from her shoulder.
She didn’t smile, not at first. “You’re Drew Keller?”
“Yeah, and you must be…” He trailed off, blinking. She was stunning in that intimidating, out-of-my-league kind of way.
“Sorry, you Dia Zayn,” she said simply, glancing past him into the apartment. “You’re watching my nephew Milo.”
Daisy peeked out from behind Drew’s leg holding a stuffed elephant. Dia’s expression softened for a second.
“I didn’t know there’d be another child.” “No no she’s mine Daisy she’ll be with me the whole time of course.”
Dia crouched, meeting Daisy’s eyes. “Hi Daisy I’m Dia you like peanut butter?”
Daisy gave a shy nod. Drew exhaled.
“So um Milo?” “He’s already asleep in the guest room I had my assistant drop him off early.”
“I just need someone to stay the night and keep an eye on him. He gets up early.”
“Breakfast is already prepped in the fridge. There’s a list of allergies and numbers on the counter.”
Got it. Drew nodded, easy enough.
Dia straightened, eyes flicking to his worn t-shirt and frayed jeans. “You’ve done this before?”
“I’ve been a dad for 3 years. Babysitting feels like a vacation.”
That made her laugh, short and unexpected. “All right well I’ll see you in the morning.”
She turned to go, heels clicking down the hallway, and Drew shut the door gently behind her. “All right Daisy,” he said lifting her up, “time to finish that sandwich.”
“Then we’re on movie duty.”
When Drew woke up at 6:00 the next morning, both kids were already awake, giggling over cereal and cartoons. Milo, a sweet 5-year-old with wild curls and a dinosaur obsession, had hit it off with Daisy instantly.
Dia walked in exactly at 8. Her hair was still damp from a shower and she was dressed down in jeans and a soft-looking sweater with no makeup.
Drew blinked. She looked different, real.
“Wow,” she said looking around. “They’re both alive, no fires.”
“Milo’s a good kid,” Drew replied. “And Daisy’s obsessed with him now.”
Milo ran over. “Auntie D daisy showed me how to make a peanut butter tower!”
Dier raised an eyebrow. “Should I be scared?”
“Probably,” Drew said, grinning.
She looked at him for a moment. “You’re good with them.”
“I kind of have to be.” “No I mean…” She hesitated.
“You’re patient. Most guys I know can’t handle a spilled juice box without losing their minds.”
Drew shrugged. “After what Daisy and I have been through, spilled juice isn’t the end of the world.”
Her eyes flicked to his for a moment. Something shifted.
“Well thank you for everything. I’ll send the payment by the end of the day.”
“You can just give it to me now if that’s easier.”
She paused like she hadn’t expected him to ask that. “Sure, wait here.”
She walked into the guest room and returned with an envelope. Drew opened it casually and froze.
It was thick, very thick. He pulled out a stack of cash.
“This is uh way more than I usually get.”
“I pay what the night’s worth,” Dia said simply. She then added, “and I liked how you handled Milo.”
“Still this is a lot.”
She tilted her head. “You don’t know who I am, do you?”
He blinked. “You said your name was Dia.”
She smiled, a small amused thing. “I run Zayn and Co. It’s a media investment firm.”
“I’m on the Forbes list twice.” Drew stared.
Dia laughed. “That’s the face everyone does.”
“That you’re a millionaire?”
She shrugged. “Give or take.”
Daisy tugged on his jeans. “Daddy can Miss Dia come to the park with us?”
Dia looked startled, then she looked at Drew. He hesitated.
“You’re welcome to, it’s just the playground down the street.”
