The CEO'S Forbidden Secret

Chapter 03

~~~NEXT DAY~~~

The beeping of her phone pulled Tessa out of her half-sleep. She groaned, dragging herself up from bed like a zombie.

Her screen blinked with a familiar name - Ashley.

"Morning, my beautiful queen. Hope you had a wonderful night of horror - sorry, I mean, cool fantasy 😁. Anyway, haul your gorgeous self out of bed and meet me at our favorite restaurant. Love, Ashley 💋"

Tessa couldn't help but smile at the message, even though her body felt heavy from everything that happened the night before. Then she glanced at the clock and gasped.

"Oh my God, I overslept! Mia's probably at school already."

She rushed out of her room - only to stop at the sight of a folded note taped to her door.

> I made your favorite for breakfast. Eat and stop thinking about it, Tess. I love you.

Her heart softened. Mia always knew.

Tessa smiled faintly and sat down to eat the meal her sister had prepared. The food was simple, but the love behind it hit her harder than any seasoning could. Just as she picked up her fork, her phone buzzed again.

"Don't stand me up, Miss Chaos."

Tessa rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Pushy as ever," she murmured before grabbing her bag.

~~~MIDWAY RESTAURANT~~~ 12:30 PM

Tessa walked in and spotted Ashley instantly - bold red lipstick, oversized sunglasses indoors, sipping iced Americano like she owned the place.

"That was such a lovely good-morning message," Tessa teased, sitting opposite her.

The waiter approached, notepad ready.

"Just water, please," Tessa said.

Ashley glared. "Ignore her. We'll have your signature dish. And make it extra good - she looks like she needs therapy in a plate."

The waiter chuckled and left.

"So," Tessa said, folding her arms. "What's with the early-morning emotional blackmail?"

Ashley leaned forward, her eyes glinting. "Your sister called me this morning."

Tessa froze. "Mia called you?"

"She said you came home early last night and wouldn't talk about it. So, being the responsible best friend that I am, I did some digging-"

Tessa groaned. "Ashley..."

"-and I found out you got fired."

"You should seriously get a degree in Detective Drama and Unnecessary Snooping," Tessa muttered. "Why drag me here? I've got job applications to send, rent to pay, and a sister to feed."

Ashley's voice softened. "I know, babe. But tell me what happened first."

Tessa sighed and recounted everything - from Kingsley's arrogance to that slap that ruined everything.

Ashley's mouth dropped. "Wait- the Kingsley Voss?!" she practically shouted.

"Keep it down!" Tessa hissed, swatting her arm.

"That's disgusting!" Ashley whispered loudly. "If I were you, I'd have given him more than a slap. I'd have flipped him into next week."

They both laughed, but the sound was tired - relief mixed with exhaustion.

Ashley leaned back, sipping her drink. "Anyway, forget that arrogant bastard. I actually called you because I found you a job. A good one. No stress, great pay."

Tessa raised a brow. "What kind of job?"

"A nanny position."

Tessa blinked. "A what?"

"A nanny," Ashley repeated cheerfully.

Tessa groaned. "Ashley, come on. I can barely keep up with Mia, and now you want me to babysit someone else's spoiled brat?"

Ashley smirked. "I knew you'd say that... until you hear the pay." She paused dramatically. "Twenty thousand AUD a month. Plus full accommodation, meals, transport - the works."

Tessa's jaw dropped. "That's... that's twenty times what I made at the bar! Who the hell pays that much for childcare? It sounds like a scam!"

Ashley folded her arms. "Wow. So now I'm the type to lure you into scams?"

Tessa bit her lip. "Wait - you're serious?"

"Completely. And the family's real - filthy rich, but super private. I already put in your name since I know you don't talk nonsense or run your mouth like half the people I know."

Tessa's eyes welled up despite her best effort to stay composed. "Ashley..."

Ashley grinned. "Don't you dare start crying on me, woman."

"I'm not crying," Tessa said with a wobbly smile. "Just... thank you."

Ashley waved her off. "Please. Save your tears for the interview tomorrow. That emotional-mess vibe might help you land the job."

Tessa laughed, finally feeling the weight in her chest ease - just a little. "I love you, Ash."

Ashley smirked. "Of course you do. I'm amazing."

Tessa chuckled softly, but inside, her heart whispered a silent prayer - that maybe, just maybe, this was the one break she and Mia had been waiting for.

~~~THE DAY AFTER~~~

Tessa stood frozen before the towering mansion, clutching her bag to her chest. The iron gates had barely closed behind her, and already the sheer size of the place made her feel small - like she'd stepped into another world entirely.

It's not like I haven't seen wealth before, she thought, but this... this is a kingdom.

The guards led her up the marble steps and into the grand foyer. Chandeliers hung like falling stars, polished floors gleamed brighter than her future, and elegant maids moved with quiet precision. One of them, a woman in her late thirties with a calm smile, stopped and turned to her.

"Hi, I'm Teresa," she said. "You're the one applying for the nanny position, right?"

Tessa nodded quickly.

"The young miss can be... quite the handful. She's sweet when she wants to be, but also moody. If she doesn't like you, you'll know. If she cries because of you..." Teresa's smile faltered. "Well, I hope you packed fast legs."

Tessa bit back a nervous laugh. So basically, a tiny dictator.

Teresa motioned toward the living room. "You can wait here. The boss will be down soon."

As soon as she left, a soft giggle echoed through the hall.

"Auntie!"

Tessa turned just in time to see a small blur of curls and sunshine running toward her. The girl was breathtaking - big hazel eyes, chubby pink cheeks, and the kind of innocence that could melt stone.

"Oh-hello there," Tessa knelt down, smiling without realizing. "I don't think we've met before."

The little girl tilted her head. "You're not Aunt Teresa. Who are you?"

"I might be new around here," Tessa teased. "Don't you like new people?"

The child studied her face for a second, then broke into a grin. "You're so pretty! My daddy likes pretty ladies too. He's always on TV with them."

Tessa chuckled softly. "Is that so? Then I'm honored to make your list of pretty people."

The girl giggled and twirled.

"What's your name, little sunshine?"

"Luna!" she announced proudly.

"Aww, Luna. That's the perfect name for a cutie like you. Can I call you my little bunny?"

Luna gasped. "Bunny? But bunnies are rabbits!"

Tessa shook her head playfully. "No, bunny is my special nickname for adorable girls. I used to call my little sister that too."

"You have a sister?" Luna's eyes sparkled. "How old is she? Can she come play with me? It's so boring here sometimes."

Tessa's heart softened. "She's grown up now, but I can play with you every day - if you'll let me."

"Of course I will!" Luna squealed, throwing her tiny arms around Tessa's neck.

Tessa laughed, hugging her back. "You're too cute for this world."

Before she could say more, a deep male voice echoed down the hall.

"Luna!"

The little girl gasped. "Oh no, it's Daddy! He doesn't like me talking to strangers." She quickly pulled away. "See you later, Miss..."

"Tessa," she whispered with a smile.

"Bye, Miss Tessa!"

Luna turned - and ran straight into a tall figure entering the room.

"There you are, little husky," the man said, scooping her into his arms. The familiar smooth baritone froze Tessa's blood.

"Daddy, I made a new friend! Look, she's so pretty. Do you like her too?" Luna asked eagerly.

Kingsley's voice faltered mid-sentence as his eyes lifted - and collided with Tessa's.

Her pulse froze, disbelief washing over her face.

No. Not him. It can't be.

The man standing before her - the one holding the cute little girl - was none other than the arrogant, untouchable man who'd ruined her life just days ago.

Kingsley's expression shifted from surprise to something unreadable - dark, assessing, almost dangerous.

Tessa blinked, her throat tightening.

"Kingsley Voss?" her thoughts screamed. No way that spoiled, heartless man is this sweet angel's father. Mia never mentioned him having a daughter.

Their eyes locked - unblinking, heavy with unfinished words. Fate must have been laughing, watching how their worlds kept colliding like this.

But one question burned louder than all the rest-

> Since when did Kingsley Voss - the untouchable billionaire, the media's golden idol - have a daughter no one knew about?

And why, of all people, was she standing here... applying to be her nanny?