The Billionaire's Salvation

JOB OFFER

Vanessa awoke to the sound of the Bose alarm clock on the elegant bedside table. The strains of classical music lulled her into consciousness. Rolling to her side, she pulled the pillow over her head.

Just a couple more minutes she muttered to herself. This bed was divine. It felt so wonderful she hated to leave it. Much better than all of the lumpy mattresses she had had throughout her lifetime.

She stretched like a satisfied feline and smiled to herself as she considered if she married Nicklaus she would forever be sleeping on this heavenly mattress. Getting to sleep every night on this mattress would make marrying Nick almost worth it.

Siting up in bed, she told herself she could get used to this level of luxury. If she said yes to marriage, she would be living in a twelve bedroom mansion where there were two housekeepers and countless other staff to cater to her every need. There would be Bose stereo systems and she would get to eat gourmet meals prepared by a chef.

Vanessa wasn’t swayed by luxury, but she had to admit it would be mighty nice to enjoy.

Rising from the bed, she padded across the luxury carpet to the large shower in the connecting bathroom. She needed to get up early and continue her hunt for a job. On the off chance she was going to stay in New York and accept Nicklaus’s proposal, she needed to find a job. She needed to explore her options. Although he was filthy rich, that was his money, of which she wanted none. She wanted to be financially independent.

She knew Nicklaus would object but she didn’t care. She would stand her ground. The very thought of him made something inside her flutter and flip.

Hunger, she told herself. It had to be hunger or the baby. After she donned a pair of grey slacks which she paired with a pink silk blouse and nude three-inch heels, she headed downstairs and was surprised to see Nicklaus pacing and speaking into a cell phone via Bluetooth in his ear. He wore running shorts and a tank top that showed off his muscular legs and arms. Everything about him oozed strength. “Tell Nathan we’re limiting our domestic expansion until we see what happens with the dollar.”

He saw her and lifted a hand. “Yes, I know Nathan still resents the fact that I promoted Aiden over him. They both serve important purposes. Aiden provides the balance. He provides the fireworks. Tell him I said to think global. I’m working from home this morning. I’ll be in the office this afternoon and will get an update then. Thanks. Bye.”

He immediately turned to Vanessa. “Good morning. Did you rest well?”

She nodded. “Yes, thank you.”

“We have freshly squeezed orange juice, bacon, sausages, pancakes and eggs. I wasn’t sure what you would want so I had the chef prepare a variety.”

She shook her head. “I don't have time to sit and eat. It will only make me lethargic. I need to get on the road if I’m going to complete my errands. I'll grab something at a coffee shop a little later.”

He frowned. “You can’t skip breakfast. What about the baby?”

“I ate late last night, remember. So I’ll grab something on the road,” she said.

He shot her a disapproving glance. “That’s not good nutrition.”

“I don’t think my baby is suffering. I’m taking my prenatal vitamins.” He moved toward her and she struggled with the urge to flee. She was doing her best to keep her gaze fixed on his eyebrows. She refused to look into his eyes, or at his mouth, or at that stubborn chin or at those shoulders. Or lower. Feeling a flush of heat, she stepped backwards. “Better go. See you la—”

“Wait, what errands do you have to do? I can have my driver take you,” he said.

Vanessa stopped abruptly and blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I can arrange for my driver to take you on your errands.”

“That won’t be necessary; I’m quite capable of taking care of myself.”

“I know you are. I’m not disputing that fact. But I would just feel better if you took my driver; he doubles as a bodyguard. That way you will have protection and a buffer if you are cornered by a reporter.”

She shook her head again. “Oh, okay. That makes sense. I will probably just need him for a few hours. I have a doctor’s appointment at 11:00hrs and I want to continue my search for a job.”

He considered her a moment before saying, “great, why don’t you sit and enjoy breakfast while I take a quick shower and we can go on your errands together. I take it the doctor’s appointment is to check on the progress of the pregnancy?”

She sighed, hating him for steamrolling her. “Well, yes, but you don’t have to come—”

His eyes widened in horror. “Don’t have to come? Of course, I would want to come. I don’t think it would be appropriate for my pregnant fiancée to be going to doctor’s appointments by herself. I want to share the experience with you. Please let me.”

The way he was acting you would believe he was the father of her baby, and theirs was a love match.

She sighed. “I’m very healthy. The doctor’s appointment is routine and will most likely be boring for you. Don’t you have to work? And when did I agree to marry you?”

“I don’t think you are going to be able to resist my charms, so stop fighting the inevitable and take pity on me,” he said in a dry tone. “Besides, I have found a solution to your job woes, so I believe a yes to my proposal would be a fitting reward for my hard work.”

She made a face at his imperious tone. Lord help her, he sounded like an emperor.

“What pray tell, is your solution to my job woes?”

"Sit and eat and I'll tell you when I return from my shower." He negotiated.

"No, tell me now and I'll sit and eat." Was her counter offer.

“Fine. I want you to come work for me as my personal assistant. That way you are guaranteed a handsome salary, you get to put that mind of yours to use and we will be spending so much time together working we are bound to get to know each other better, making the trip down the aisle somewhat easier.”

She blinked at him and considered what he had said. It all made sense and would see her life falling neatly in line. 

But she didn't want nor need him swooping in like some fairy godfather solving all her problems. She was an adult who would soon need to care for a helpless baby. She needed to be able to stand on her own two feet and solve her own problems.

Besides, she wasn't a charity case.

Putting her pride aside, could she do it? Could she return to that building? Work in that office where it all happened?

In as much as she wasn’t opposed to working with Nicklaus, she wasn’t sure she was mentally prepared to work in that building just yet. Perhaps in the future, she’d be able to disassociate what had happened with the Ramirez building, but not right now.

Before Vanessa could explain that to Nick, her cellphone rang.

Excusing herself from the kitchen to answer the call in private, she stepped out onto the patio.

“Hello.”

“Hi. Am I on to Ms Anderson?”

“Yes. This is she. How may I help you?”

“Oh, Hello Ms Anderson. This is Susan calling on behalf of Mr Peters of the We Care Pharmacy. Mr Peters was impressed with your interview last evening and would like to offer you the position of Administrative Assistant if you’re still interested.”  

Vanessa paused before responding. Mr Peters had seemed so reserved and uninterested in conducting the interview.  She hadn’t expected to be offered the position. But now that it was an option, she was relieved. This meant she didn’t have to rely on whatever Nick offered. She’d be independent.

But would he understand her decision to not work with him? Did it really matter? He’d promised her he would understand and would respect her decision, whatever it may be. So perhaps this was an opportunity to test him.  

“Ms Anderson?” the caller prompted.

“I’m sorry. I spaced out for a second. Yes, I’m still interested.”

“Great. If you are free today, you can stop by and we’ll have you sign the necessary paperwork and we’ll let you know when you can start.”

“Okay. Thank you. I will stop by around two o’clock this afternoon.”

“See you then.”