The Billionaire's Pixie

Clever Mrs. Blackwood

That manipulative blonde model was a genius. She knew what she was doing when she glued herself to my side and made sure she smiled prettily for the camera. I was tempted to send Nina’s husband after her since the woman feared him.

It was my problem so I needed to solve it.

A security team escorted me to the Merigold office. It was too much but dad wanted me to be careful. I went along with it, the ride to the office without worrying about getting harassed by the press gave me time to think of a move.

Nothing came to mind, I was drawing a blank here.

Grace was a manipulative genius, I wasn’t on the same level as her. I couldn’t send Jacob Blackwood after her but I could ask his opinion about this. I’d pay Nina and her husband a visit tonight. That was if my dear sister didn’t decide to show up to speak her mind.

She did have a strong opinion when it came to my dating life.

Arriving at the office I was welcomed by my father. Climbing out of the car dad was glued to my side and walked with me into the building. Dad didn’t look happy despite the smile plastered on his face. He was smiling prettily for the camera too.

Maybe I was the only one who didn’t know how to play the game. Grace was right, Nina and I were probably the weird ones. Born into this life of riches and fame and behaving like outsiders.

Once inside the building dad turned to look at me, “Seriously?” He asked.

"I'm not dating her," I stated firmly, not wanting my family to think I'd ever go there with that awful woman.

Dad looked relieved which was a first to me. He didn't have a strong opinion about my dating life, unlike my dear sister. I didn't know what made him disapprove of Grace. She was picture perfect I could admit to that. I didn't like her but she just wasn't my type.

“What’s with that look.” I gestured to his face.

Dad rolled his eyes, walking with me to the elevator bank.

“There is something about this woman which doesn’t sit well with me.”

Dad wasn’t wrong, Grace rubbed me the wrong way too. I did find it hilarious since dad never met the woman in person. He was a good judge of character despite his weird admiration for Blackwood.

“You never met her.” I reminded him.

The glare which dad threw me reminded me so much of Nina I couldn't help but laugh. That didn't sit well with dad either. He was being serious and me laughing right now annoyed him. I couldn't stop though.

I threw him an apologizing look, “Sorry, I was just reminded of Nina.”

Dad’s eyes softened, “She’s my daughter.” He muttered.

“That she is.”

The smile that spread across dad’s face made me smile too, “You’re a bit of both, you know. Sometimes you remind me of your mother, other times I see a lot of myself in you.”

“Nina is more like you.” I agreed.

The elevator arrived, dad and I stepped aside to let people step off the car and then stepped inside. It made me smirk when I noticed that people were hesitant to step inside when they spotted dad and me. We both flashed them an inviting smile, hoping we didn’t scare them off.

They still didn’t step in though, letting us ride the elevator together.

“I guess they’re afraid we might just bite.”

Dad chuckled, “If that’s true I’m sure no one ever dares to ride the elevator together with Jacob.”

That surprised me. Dad rarely joked around when it came to Blackwood. He adored the man, respected him too. The only time I saw him pissed was when the s*x tape leaked and dad worried for Nina’s sake. Nina, however, took it quite well.

Eventually, dad let it go.

“Blackwood does have this air around him.”

Dad glanced at me, “I thought you two are getting along.”

"We are," I confirmed.

“So?” Dad asked, “Isn’t it about time you also refer to him in a friendly manner?”

“This is me being friendly.” I reminded dad, “Blackwood knows.”

Dad nodded, letting it go. He knew better than to push either Blackwood or me about this subject. Nina’s husband made the first step which was very mature of him. I couldn’t keep hating him and since he was good to my sister I had to be friendly with him.

He proved again and again that he wasn’t going to hurt my sister, so I’m sure eventually we could become close, I suppose.

When the elevator arrived at our floor dad's phone rang. He immediately answered the soft tone he used and the warm look in his eyes told me that it was either mom or Nina. Dad glanced at me which confirmed to me that Nina just called him to discuss my situation.

She was such a mother hen these days. I wondered if I acted the same way when she started dating Blackwood. Maybe I was even worse. I can’t recall.

I raised an eyebrow in question at dad when his look changed. He narrowed his eyes on me, eying me suspiciously. I felt like I was eight years old again and did something wrong. I wanted to confess even though I had done nothing wrong.

Letting dad finish his conversation with Nina I headed to my office. The man was on my trail, talking quietly to my sister. I left him to it and got ready to start the day. There were tons of things I needed to do, my schedule was packed.

Grace sure picked a great time to manipulate the situation to get some press going for her.

Horrible woman.

While firing up my laptop and getting comfy in my chair, dad took a seat across me. He got comfortable too, ending his call which left him eying me as if he wanted to ask me deep philosophical questions this early in the morning.

Nina blabbed to him about my situation with Tinkerbell.

It had to be.

“How is Nina doing this morning?” I asked, breaking the awkward silence and hoping it would distract dad enough to ensure he wouldn’t bring up the other woman in my life which I had a confusing relationship with.

“She’s good.” Dad answered, “She feels like she’s going to have a good day today. She mentioned she wanted to meet up for dinner. If you can clear up your schedule your sister will appreciate it.”

“We’re meeting up at the hotel?” I asked.

Dad shook his head, “No, she wants to have dinner at their place.”

I glanced at my packed schedule, there were some meetings I couldn’t miss. But I could probably make dinner around eight at the latest. I’m sure Nina wouldn’t mind. She was used to it considering Blackwood was busier than me.

“I can make it around eight, I think.”

“That’s good.” Dad agreed, “Your mom and I will make it around seven.”

Family dinner did sound great, it would help get my mind off this stupid situation Grace put me in.

Dad pointed at me, “Your sister mentioned something quite odd.” His frown told me he was confused which intrigued me.

“What did she say?” I asked, glancing at the confused looking man.

Dad leaned back in his seat, pocketing his phone in his inner jacket pocket and folding his arms across his chest. He was mulling it over, looking at me as if Nina just told him she’s going to give birth to a lifeform from outer space.

"She told me to relay a message to you."

I didn’t like where this was going.

“What did she say?” I asked again, trying to push dad to speak up already.

He narrowed his eyes on me, “Tinkerbell is welcome to join dinner too.”

She was definitely messing with me, evil woman.

“Nina is having a good day.” I said, “I’ll try and make dinner tonight. Tinkerbell will not be there.”

Dad was still confused but I wasn't going to elaborate. Tinkerbell and I weren't that close. I used her when I was having dinner together with Owen and Grace to make the she-devil back off. The message wasn't received considering my current situation.

Back then Tinkerbell didn’t mind, she played along.

I appreciated it but taking her along to dinner with my family was out of the question. I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea.

***

I should have known Nina was up to something. This random family dinner wasn't just because she was having a good day. I was sure that she was thrilled to see us all and spend time with us, but after Grace's stunt, my dear sister had to make a move and a move she made.

All I could do was stare at Amber as she was laughing away together with Nina at the dining table. They were behaving like close friends as if they had known each other for years. When I entered the dining room Nina's eyes trailed to me and a smirk spread across her face.

She knew exactly what she was doing.

How Nina obtained Amber’s number and contacted her was beyond me. My mind wondered to Owen but those two didn’t stay in touch after Nina got married to Blackwood.

Then again maybe Owen wanted to get back at me on some level after the Grace drama.

My life was getting too complicated. Everything was telling me to run, lock myself up in my apartment and start living an isolated life. I could do it, I was sure I could pull it off.

Running away from it all was a weak move though so I had to suck it up and face my reality.

“So glad you could join us.” Nina exclaimed, “Come sit.” She gestured to the chair across from Amber, “I’ll get you your plate.”

As I took a seat across Amber I noticed the amused look in her eyes. She was aware of my sister’s play but went along with it. Maybes he was punishing me too on some level.

All thanks to f*****g Grace.

“Long day at the office?” Amber casually asked.

“You have no idea.” I sighed.

Dad and Jacob were engaged in a lively conversation but I noticed how dad glanced at me from time to time. He was curious about my relationship with Amber. I was sure the man now knew something was going on. Nina was the one who spilled it all by playing her little game.

I’m sure dad shared with mom my little nickname for Amber.

The funny thing was it didn’t seem like mom or dad disapproved of Amber. The atmosphere was great even though it hadn’t been a great day today. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood. Blackwood included.

Nina entered the dining room with a smile spread across her face. She served me a plate of delicious smelling pasta and placed a beer beside my plate.

“I’m sure you need something stronger but you boys can excuse yourselves later and share a drink.” She said cheerfully, the glimmer in her eyes telling me she was having a blast.

Nina sat back down next to Amber and started talking to her again as if those two were best friends for life. I honestly couldn't keep up with the women in my life. When Nina grabbed her phone and asked Jacob to take their picture, both women smiling prettily at the camera I figured what my dear sister was up to.

Smirking I ignored my phone which vibrated indicating I had another message. Nina was playing the same game as Grace. I’m sure she tagged me in the picture saying something like having a great time at family dinner tonight.

I should have known my sister could handle Grace.

Instead of being annoyed with Nina coming up with ploys like these I should go along with it. She was a Blackwood now, she could play these mind games better than Grace. I was sure of it. My sister trailed her eyes to me, flashing me a knowing smile.

I returned the smile, nodding at her silently.

She overwhelmed me by inviting Amber to our family dinner but in the end, she did it to help me out. I couldn't be mad at her for it. Amber seemed aware of the plan too and she didn't complain either.

Maybe things would work out.