Chapter 5: The Billionaire's Change of Heart
1157 Words
“Have a seat,” I watch her as she settles in a single large chair in my living room.
The baby looks like her; beautiful, but she has my eyes, those freckles, and that hair. Unmistakable. She is one beautiful baby. And so is her mother; large, doe-like eyes with a color similar to the whiskey swirling in my glass, her hair, raven dark against her cinnamon, caramel skin. And she had some meat on her bones for sure. There is definitely a lot to admire. It’s a distraction. And not a welcome one.
“Thank you,” she says in a humble tone, one contrary to the feisty one I had experienced on the elevator. It was certainly amusing. It was certainly hard to hide my mirth at her snappiness, and admitted attraction by it.
“For what?” I lost my train of thought thinking of her physical assets. Everything I say is with attitude at this point, because despite the few pros, I am still overwhelmingly frustrated by the cons of this situation.
“The water.” There’s that attitude again.
“You can check that attitude of yours. I’ve had just about enough of it.”
“I…I’m sorry, I just…I don’t know what this is about, and I’m nervous.”
“You’re right to be nervous. What you did-putting me this compromising position?! And at the worst possible time!”
“It wasn’t my intention. I just want Jasmine to be-”
“Yeah, yes, I bloody know what you want! You want me to make things easier for you because you made the stupid decision of having a child that you can not afford.”
“That is not at all what happened!” In one fluid motion, she swiftly stands to her feet and gingerly places the baby behind her on the sofa. “I had a dam good job! I was at the top of my career! I’d been weighing the options for years prior to the three years that it took me to even make this decision.” Tears begin to mist in her eyes. “I never…could have imagined that this would happen to me-even with all of my preparations, well-thought out decision making.”
“Apparently, it wasn’t that well thought out if you’re sitting here on my bloody couch with nothing to your name but an old car, and a baby.”
A bit harsh, I’ll admit. But it is true nonetheless.
“Look, I…I’m not asking you to take care of me. I’m not even asking you to love her not even a tenth as much as I do. Get a nanny. Let the nanny raise her until I can come get her. You won’t have anything to do with her. You won’t even have to look at her. I just…foster is not the answer for me.”
She’s not a bad person, that much I’ve gathered. I still don’t like her, however and I’m still certain that I don’t trust her. Hard for me to trust anyone after what Princess did to me.
“Sign this.” I slam a few sheets of paper on the table.
“Wh-is this a contract?” She looks at me in bewilderment.
“NDA,” I said. “If I’m going to take care of this kid, I’m going to need reassurance that this won’t get out. I’m not claiming a child that I didn’t ask for.”
She looks over it with rapid eyes, nodding as she does. “I-I won’t, I promise!” She immediately signs the papers. “I promise as-as soon as I get a job, I’ll come back and get her and we’ll be out of your hair-”
“You’re not going anywhere.” I quickly clarify. “I’m not hiring some stranger to be in my business. “You’re going to stay here, and take care of that child. On your own. As far as a job, it’s nothing special, but you will get paid a hefty amount, enough to get you out of here in a few months. Maybe less.”
“What?!” her eyes widen with excitement. “I-thank you! Thank you so much!”
“Don’t get too excited. You’re not too good to clean up after others are you?” I ask, and admittedly, I could have been a bit less condescending when I did.
“No-no, I’ll do anything! Jasmine is my only concern.”
“Hm, good.” I grab the contract after she finishes signing it. “Come on,” I’m not a fan of this part. As we make our way to the other side of the apartment, I begin to explain the rules. “Just because you’ll be staying here does not mean that you have carte blanche to do whatever you want. You take the back elevator when you leave.”
“How? I don’t have a key-”
“I’ll give a temporary code each morning.”
“Oh.”
“Is that a problem?”
“Maybe for you?” she says. “It seems tedious. I don’t want to cause trouble-”
“You’ve already done that.” We reach the bedroom. “Here’s the spare. Bathroom inside, towels and washcloths inside. Fortunately, for you, the washer and dryer is on this side of the apartment. I don’t expect to see or hear,” I glance at the little one. “Much of either of you, if this goes right. Any questions?”
I expected none. Until I saw the look on her face.
“What is it?” I ask impatiently.
“W-Jasmine…she…I mean, I’m grateful for everything. I…who’s going to watch her while we…are not here?”
Did not think of that.
“I will take care of it…make sure she’s ready in the morning.”
“If…if you have a childcare plan, why not-”
“Are you really further questioning my kindness?”
“No-no, I’m sorry. I…I’m sorry.”
This woman!
I inhale and then exhale to keep patience intact. “I’ll bring your things up. Just-”
“You don’t have to do that. I can-”
“I said…I will do it. You…take care of the child.”
*******
I watch him leave. He’s clearly irritated, and has a lot on his mind. I don’t blame him. “Thank you!” I yell after him. He stops and takes one final look at me. “Thank you so much.” I reiterate. I hope he knows how grateful I am.
He simply nods and heads off in the opposite direction.
I want to cry. I’m so happy. I walk towards the bed with Jasmine in my arms. I sit down and just stare lovingly into my daughter’s eyes.
“It’s not home just yet baby…but it’s a start. I promise. Everything’s going to be okay.”
Great novels start here
- Writer
