Nanny and the Alpha Daddy

Nanny and the Alpha Daddy
#Chapter 31: Photo Op
Moana

The very next morning, I called Sophia as soon as I awoke.

“Sophia, it’s Moana,” I said into the phone. “Do you have a minute to talk?”

Sophia was quiet for a moment. I could tell that she was hesitant; I had just informed her only a couple of weeks prior that I was working for the very man who frightened the orphans, and she no doubt had a suspicion that I was going to ask for something after how he acted.

“Yes,” she finally replied. “It’s good to hear your voice.”

I smiled, relieved that she was at least willing to talk to me. “You, too,” I said. “I know this might seem a bit contrived, but I wanted to ask if Mr. Morgan and I could come to the orphanage today. He wants to speak to you and the children after what happened yesterday.”

“Really?” Sophia responded, sounding a little surprised. “He doesn’t seem like the type to talk much.”

“Really. He wants to apologize.” Sophia was silent again. I grew desperate. “Please,” I said. “I’d really appreciate it if you gave him another chance.”

“Alright,” Sophia finally agreed. “When will you be coming?”

I glanced at the clock. “We’ll be there by noon.”

…

At noon, almost on the dot, Edrick and I pulled up to the orphanage. He was wearing a gray suit and tie that was almost as stiff as his demeanor, which was a sharp contrast from my light blue sundress. It was a scorching hot day; I was surprised that he was even breathing dressed like that.

The driver pulled up to the curb and let Edrick and I out. I glanced over at the Alpha billionaire over the top of the car, noticing how his image seemed to wiggle a bit behind the heat haze coming off of the black car. He took a deep breath and straightened his tie before brusquely turning on his heel and storming up to the entrance of the orphanage as if he was on a mission, where Sophia stood with the children as they waited for him. The children had made a banner that they were all holding, which read: “Thank you, Mr. Morgan!” I couldn’t help but smile as I saw all of the little handprints on the long strip of paper that they held between them.

Sophia, smiling, came down the steps as Edrick approached.

“Welcome,” she said, her eyes squinting in the sunlight. “We’re happy to have you.”

Edrick merely nodded and replied in a curt tone of voice, “Thank you. Where is the photographer?”

Sophia squinted even harder. “Photographer?” she asked.

“Well, I’m here for a photo op,” Edrick said, looking around. “Didn’t you hire a photographer?”

in, placing my hand on Edrick’s arm before he could say anything else that was

scoffed. “You can’t possibly expect cell phone pictures to make it on the front cover of

a disappointed look on her face before looking back up at Edrick. “Perhaps you’re not here for the right reasons, Mr. Morgan,” she said. “While we appreciate your donation, all of

was Edrick who looked over at me with a disappointed look on his face. He stepped away, waving me over to

a photographer?”

“It’s not about the quality of the photos,” I responded, keeping my voice low. “It’s about the message behind them. And I didn’t want to make the children uncomfortable by having

glanced over at the children, who looked like they were broiling in the summer heat. One little girl’s bangs were glued to her forehead with sweat. “Fine,” he said, his

I couldn’t make out from where I stood. She nodded and they walked over to the stairs; Edrick waved for me to follow again, and I did, this time jogging to

behind them while Edrick stood off

girl

to the side with his

here?” another little

said, his face red

Sophia replied. She shot me a pleading look, practically begging me to just get the photo over with so she

with a smile, holding up my phone to take the picture. “On the count of three, say cheese! One,

half of the children smiled at the very most. The other half of the children were either unprepared, too hot and miserable to smile, and the ones that were

without a word, stormed back off in the direction of the car. I mouthed an apology to Sophia, who glared at me angrily from the doorway, before I ran after Edrick and grabbed him by the arm