Nanny and the Alpha Daddy

Nanny and the Alpha Daddy
#Chapter 34: The Exhibit
Moana

I couldn’t bring myself to avoid Ethan’s exhibit after he had asked me to go so many times. So, after putting Ella to bed, I went to Selina with my hand on my stomach and a frown on my face.

“I’m afraid I might have contracted food poisoning,” I said, feigning illness. “Can you keep an eye on things if Ella wakes up? I’m going to go to urgent care.”

Selina frowned, looking at her watch. “Do you need a driver?” she asked.

I vehemently shook my head. “No. It’s okay. I’ll call a cab.”

“Well… Alright,” she said, pursing her lips. “Be careful.”

After that, I put on a simple dress that could pass for urgent care attire if anyone were to question me, and flagged down a cab outside of the penthouse.

Just as I suspected, the art gallery was packed to the brim when I arrived. As I got out of the cab, I felt a lump rise in my throat; all of the other patrons seemed to be dressed lavishly, which made me feel incredibly out of place.

There was a line with a bouncer to get in. I stood in line, patiently waiting my turn.

“Name?” the bouncer said, eyeing me up and down suspiciously as I walked up to him.

“Moana Fowler,” I replied.

The bouncer narrowed his eyes at me before scanning his list for a painstakingly long moment. “You’re not on the list,” he said. His voice was gruff and indifferent, and before I could say anything else, he waved me away to let the next person in.

“But I have an invitation from Ethan,” I replied, clutching my purse nervously as I stood to the side.

The bouncer, not even bothering to look at me, simply scoffed. “I highly doubt the artist personally invited a human. Quit wasting my time and get out of here. You can come back to view the art tomorrow, when it’s open to the public.”

“Actually,” a familiar voice said from behind the bouncer, “I did invite her. Come on in, Moana.”

stepped out from behind the bouncer, resulting in a chorus of murmurs making their way through the line of people waiting. The bouncer’s eyes widened, and without another word, he stepped

his hand on

I looked around at all of the wealthy-looking people

with a few of the patrons here, but feel free to take a look around. And have a glass of champagne, too.” He reached out, taking a glass of champagne off of a

nodded, watching as Ethan disappeared

sip of the champagne for courage, I made my way into the gallery so I

back of the gallery, creating an atmosphere that almost

slowly walked around, not speaking to anyone — not that anyone would have spoken to me, either — with my glass of champagne in my hand as I closely studied each and every piece of artwork. Each piece seemed to fit into a similar theme,

gallery, and no one else seemed to notice it; but I did. I felt entranced by the depiction of a young boy, staring out at the

from behind me, breaking me out of my trance. I jumped a bit at the sound of his voice, not realizing that I had been standing in front of the painting for

my face flush. “Yes. I think this one might be my

Ethan replied. “I haven’t given

to look at the painting. There was a bit of a silence before Ethan spoke. “Did

bit nervously as I reached into my purse and pulled out a single, folded piece of paper and held it out to Ethan. “It’s not much. Just

from me and opened it. I watched with anticipation, feeling my heart rate quicken as he carefully studied my drawing. It was the same drawing that I had been working on in my bedroom the night that Edrick told me

is stunning. You