LUNA’S POV

“Smile like you actually enjoy being rich, people!” bulong ko sa sarili ko habang nakasilip sa viewfinder ng camera ko.

Nandito ako ngayon sa Grand Ballroom ng Diamond Hotel, Isang charity gala para sa mga elite, Hindi ko sana tatanggapin ang event na 'to kung hindi lang dahil sa pamimilit ni Timothy Sabi niya, magandang Idagdag ito sa portfolio ko bilang freelance photographer.

“Luna, darling! Ayusin mo ‘yang mukha mo, Para kang papatay ng tao sa talim ng tingin mo sa kanila,” sita sa akin ni Timothy habang may hawak na baso ng champagne, Nakasuot siya ng isang makinang na silver blazer na halos sumilaw na sa mga guests.

“I’m working timmy, Hindi ako nandito para makipag plastikan sa mga taong ang tingin sa pera ay parang tissue paper lang,” sagot ko nang hindi inaalis ang mata sa camera.

“Ang sungit mo Naman, Kaya ka hindi nagkaka boyfriend eh, Masyado kang cold,” hirit pa niya bago rumampa palayo para makipag tsismisan sa mga socialites.

I rolled my eyes, I don't need a boyfriend, I need a perfect shot, Inikot ko ang lens ko, naghahanap ng subject na hindi mukhang bored o fake At doon ko siya nakita.

The heavy double doors of the ballroom opened, and the air seemed to get colder, Isang lalaki ang pumasok na matangkad,intimidating and wearing a suit that probably cost more than my tuition, Pero hindi ang suit ang kumuha ng atensyon ko, kundi ang aura niya, He looked like a king who hated his own kingdom.

Sa tabi niya may isang bata, mga ten years old siguro, na seryoso rin ang mukha pero may bahid ng pagkalito sa mga mata.

Click.

Hindi ko napigilan ang Sarili ko, Kinuhanan ko sila ng litrato, The contrast was beautiful, the powerful man and the observant boy, Pero nakalimutan ko ang isang rule, na Huwag gagamit ng flash kapag seryoso ang subject.

The bright white light flickered, and suddenly, the cold, sharp eyes of the man turned toward my direction.

CLARK’S POV

I hate these events, the fake laughter, the smell of expensive perfume masking even more expensive lies and the constant prying eyes of people who want a piece of the Anderson Empire.

“Dad, can we leave early?” Noah whispered beside me, he was tugging at his tie, looking just as uncomfortable as I felt.

“Thirty minutes Noah, We just need to show our faces,” I replied, my voice low and authoritative, I kept my hand on his shoulder a silent promise of protection.

I was scanned the room, looking for Ethan, he told me he’d be here, but his lawyer duties probably held him up, I was about to turn toward the VIP lounge when a sudden flash of light blinded me for a split second.

My instincts kicked in My jaw tightened and I looked toward the source of the flash, Usually, photographers would flinch or apologize when they caught my glare but not this one.

Standing by a marble pillar was a young woman, She was wearing a simple but elegant black dress that contrasted with her pale skin, Her dark hair was styled in a messy but chic bun but it was her eyes that caught me they weren't filled with fear or admiration they were defiant.

She slowly lowered her camera, her expression remains unreadable cold and maldita.

“Who is she?” Noah asked, noticing my gaze.

“A distraction,” I muttered, though I couldn't look away.

There was something about the way she stood her ground, like she was challenging me to say something, She didn't look like the typical socialites here, She looked like a storm wrapped in a quiet night.

I started walking toward her. I didn’t know why, but I wanted to see if that cold mask of hers would break if I got closer.

“Dad? Where are you going?” Noah followed.

I didn't answer. I just kept my eyes fixed on the girl with the camera.

LUNA’S POV

He was walking toward me Great Just great, The CEO looking guy was approaching with a stride that screamed trouble. Timothy saw this from afar and I could see him mouthing, "Good luck, girl!" before hiding behind a buffet table Coward.

I didn't move, I adjusted the strap of my camera and stood tall If he wanted a fight because of a photo, I’d give him one.

Nang makalapit siya, amoy na amoy ko ang bango ng mamahalin niyang cologne at ang bigat ng presensya niya He was much taller up close.

“Did I give you permission to take my son’s photo?” he asked, His voice was like a deep rumble of thunder smooth but dangerous.

I tilted my head, giving him my best sarcastic smirk. “This is a public event Mister And as a hired photographer for this gala, I take photos of anything or anyone that looks interesting Is that a problem?”

His eyes narrowed, The tension between us was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

“Delete it,” he commanded.

“No,” I answered simply.

The small boy beside him gasped softly, looking back and forth between us For the first time in a long time, someone dared to say 'no' to Clark Lucien Anderson. And I, Luna Alessandra Collins, was just getting started.

LUNA’S POV

"No." yun lang ang sinabi ko pero parang tumigil ang mundo sa paligid namin, Ramdam ko ang pagpigil ng hininga ng mga taong andito sa event. No one says 'no' to a man who looks like he owns the city.

"What did you say?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave lower It wasn't a question of confusion it was a warning.

"Sabi ko, no, I’m a photographer I don’t delete my work just because someone’s ego is a bit too fragile," sagot ko, I crossed my arms over my chest, still holding my camera firmly.

He took a step closer, towering over me I could smell the faint scent of sandalwood and expensive whiskey. "You have no idea who you're talking to, little girl."

"And you clearly have no idea that 'no' is a complete sentence Mister," I fired back my sarcasm dripping like honey.

"Dad, she’s just doing her job," singit ng batang kasama niya, the boy looked at me with curious, observant eyes, He didn't look annoyed he looked impressed.

Bago pa makasagot ang tatay niya, isang pamilyar na boses ang nagsalita.

"Clark? Luna? What the hell is going on here?"

Napalingon kami, Walking towards us with a confused and protective look was my brother Ethan, He was adjusting his cufflinks, looking every bit the high profile lawyer that he is.

"Kuya," tawag ko, sabay lapit Kay kuya.

"Ethan," bati naman nung Clark, pero hindi pa rin inaalis ang matalim na tingin sa akin.

"Magkakilala kayo?" sabay naming tanong ni Clark.

CLARK’S POV

I felt a surge of irritation and confusion Ethan Collins, my closest friend and legal counsel, was looking at this defiant girl like he knew her every secret.

"Clark, meet my younger sister, Luna Alessandra," Ethan said, placing a hand on the girl’s shoulder. "Luna, this is Clark Lucien Anderson My best friend and my biggest client."

The silence that followed was deafening, My sister? This bratty, cold, and beautiful photographer is Ethan’s baby sister? The one he spent years talking about while she was studying abroad?

"Sister?" I repeated, my voice flat.

"The one and only," Luna muttered, rolling her eyes. "Small world too small, if you ask me."

"Luna, be polite," Ethan cautioned, but there was no real bite in his tone He knew his sister better than anyone then he turned to me. "Pasensya na Clark, She’s been living in the States for too long, Nakalimutan na yata ang Filipino hospitality."

"I didn't forget it, Kuya I just don't give it to people who demand things like dictators," Luna said, looking directly at me.

I clenched my jaw. "She took a photo of Noah without permission, Ethan."

"I was capturing a moment Kuya, It’s called art. Something your 'client' clearly doesn't understand," she added, her voice laced with that annoying, yet intriguing, sarcasm.

Noah stepped forward, looking up at Ethan. "Tito Ethan! It’s okay, the photo was actually cool, I saw it on her screen."

LUNA’S POV

Tumingin ako sa bata na si Noah, He was the only one in this conversation who seemed to have any sense. Ngumiti ako nang bahagya sa kanya a rare genuine smile that I only reserved for people I actually liked.

"See? Even the kid has better taste than the father," pabalang kong sabi.

"Luna Alessandra!" saway ni Kuya Ethan, pero nakita ko ang bahagyang pagngisi sya, He knows I’m a handful.

"It’s fine, Ethan," Clark said, his voice cold but his eyes doing something else, He was scanning my face, as if he was re-evaluating everything he thought he knew about me a minute ago. "I didn't realize your sister was this colorful."

"Colorful? I’m black and white, Mr. Anderson, Just like my photos," I retorted.

"We’ll see about that," he replied.

The way he said it sent a strange shiver down my spine It wasn't fear It was something else a spark of something dangerous.

"Anyway," Ethan cleared his throat, sensing the thick tension. "Clark, we still need to discuss that nanny issue for Noah. My office tomorrow?"

Clark nodded, but his gaze drifted back to me for a split second before he looked at my brother. "Tomorrow. Let’s go, Noah."

He didn't say goodbye to me. He just turned around and walked away, his presence still lingering in the air like a heavy mist.

"Ano 'yun, ha?" Tanong ni Kuya Ethan nang makalayo na sila. "Bakit mo inaaway ang best friend ko?"

"He started it," I said, checking the photo I took earlier In the picture, Clark looked human protective and stoic.

I looked at the screen and whispered to myself, "Good luck sa susunod nating pagtatagpo, Mr. CEO. You're going to need it."

CLARK’S POV

"I don't care how much it costs, Sebastian, Find me someone I can trust," I snapped into my phone while staring at the piles of documents on my mahogany desk.

"Clark, chill It’s hard to find a high level nanny on a two hour notice, The previous one quit because she said you were 'too intimidating, Her words, not mine," Sebastian’s voice crackled through the speaker, followed by his signature dry chuckle.

I rubbed my temples. Vivienne was out of the country for a fashion gala, and my usual staff were tied up, I had an emergency board meeting that could last until midnight, and I couldn't leave Noah alone with just the security team.

"I need someone who won't cry when I look at them and someone who can actually handle Noah’s questions," I muttered.

Just then, my office door opened, Ethan walked in, looking remarkably relaxed for a man whose best friend was on the verge of a corporate meltdown.

"Problem?" Ethan asked, sitting on the leather chair across from me.

"The nanny situation Again," I sighed, dropping my phone. "I have the merger meeting in three hours, and I’m empty handed."

Ethan leaned back, a mysterious smirk playing on his lips. "You know I might know someone. Someone who isn't afraid of you, Someone who needs a bit of 'structure' in her life while she's on break from her blogging gigs."

I narrowed my eyes I didn't like that look on his face. "Who?"

"Luna."

LUNA’S POV

"Absolutely NOT."

I flipped the page of my fashion magazine and took a sip of my iced americano, Nandito kami sa condo ni Kuya Ethan, Kararating lang niya galing sa opisina ni Clark at heto siya ngayon, binibenta ang kaluluwa ko sa lalakeng 'yun.

"Luna, listen. It’s just for a few days while Clark fixes his schedule, Noah likes you, He told Ethan that you were 'the cool girl with the camera," Kuya pleaded.

"Kuya, I'm a photographer and a Mass Comm student, umuwi Ako dito para mag fucos sa gusto kong Gawin, Hindi para maging yaya sa anak ng best friend mo," pabalang kong sagot. "At tsaka, yung tatay nung bata? He’s a jerk, Isang tingin pa lang niya, parang gusto na niyang i-audit ang buong buhay ko."

"He's just protective Luna And besides," Kuya Ethan smirked, knowing my weakness. "He’s willing to pay three times the standard rate Plus he has a darkroom in his basement An old hobby of his father’s. Completely equipped You can use it for your photography project."

I paused A darkroom? Sa panahon ngayon na digital na ang lahat, mahirap makahanap ng matinong darkroom para sa film photography projects ko.

"A darkroom?" I asked, trying to keep my voice indifferent.

"State of the art, High end enlargers, complete chemicals the works," Kuya added smelling victory.

I sighed, closing my magazine. "Fine, But let’s get one thing straight. I'm not wearing a uniform And the moment that CEO speaks to me like I’m one of his employees, I’m out, Deal?"

"Deal," Ethan grinned. "Get your bags, His driver is downstairs."

CLARK’S POV

I stood by the grand staircase as the front door opened, I expected a professional looking woman Instead  in walked Luna Alessandra Collins.

She was wearing high waisted denim jeans, a cropped white shirt and her ever present camera bag slung over her shoulder She looked less like a nanny and more like a headache.

"You're late," I said, checking my watch.

Luna stopped, looked at her own bare wrist and then back at me. "And you're still grumpy, Good to know some things don't change in twenty four hours."

Noah came running down the stairs his face lighting up the moment he saw her. "Luna! You're really staying here?"

Luna’s entire demeanor shifted, The cold, sarcastic girl vanished, replaced by someone surprisingly warm as she high fived my son. "Hey kiddo, Yeah, for a bit Ready to take some better photos than your dad's ID pictures?"

Noah laughed a sound I hadn't heard much lately, I cleared my throat, regaining their attention, "My house, my rules Collins, My staff will show you your room. I’ll be back late Don't break anything."

Luna looked at me her eyes defiant as ever. "Don't worry, Mr. Anderson. I’m great at handling fragile things Although, I’m not so sure about your ego."

I felt my jaw tighten, This was going to be a very long week.

"Noah, go to your room, Luna a word," I commanded.

Noah scurried off, leaving us alone in the massive foyer, I stepped closer, intending to intimidate her into silence, but she didn't flinch, She stood her ground, her scent something like vanilla and rain filling the space between us.

"If I hear one complaint from Noah, you're out," I whispered.

"And if I hear one more command from you without a please I might just accidentally delete those boring corporate files on your laptop," she whispered back, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

She gave me a mock salute and headed upstairs, leaving me standing there, speechless in my own home.