The Billionaire's Nanny

Chapter 13

"Your wife?" I asked in shock. 

"Ex-wife," he corrected sharply.

I knew something had happened with her, and after my first interview with Mia, I just assumed she had died. It never did occur to me that they might have gotten divorced.  

"I thought she was dead." I blurted, not meaning to sound so nosy. 

He chuckled humourlessly. "I wish that were the case." 

We stood there motionless, Lucas still had his hands wrapped around my waist and I still had my hand on his chest. I could not help but wonder what kind of dumb woman would leave such adorable kids and this beast of a man, that was not only sexy but also super-wealthy, and actually cared about his family. It was a dangerously good combo.

I opened my mouth to say something, but he beat me to it. He released his grip on me and took a few steps back. 

"Forget I said anything." The Lucas I knew was back. His shoulders were rigid, and his eyes were cold. His voice was back to the authoritative and commanding tone, and he put his hand in his pocket, making him look more superior than he usually did. 

"Forget about everything that happened tonight. I did not mean any of it. Just please never lie to my kids again." his voice was firm and demanding. Without waiting for my response, he pivoted to the door. 

I did not know what it was but at that moment, I felt the urge to end the meaningless hate between us. I rushed around and spread my hands out to stop him from going through. 

"Please wait," I said as he tried to walk past me. I knew my small hands would do nothing to stop him if he really meant to go through, but a girl could try. 

"Please just listen to me for a few seconds then you can leave," I said, still trying to stop him. 

He stopped and looked at me from my hair to the flip flops I had on. He considered my request for a second and finally spoke. "Two minutes," he said in a gruff voice. 

"Look, I know that you may not like me, and you probably wish I was not your kid's nanny, but please can we just come to a truce. I mean, if we can put our differences aside just for now, for the kids." I said with pleading eyes. 

He barked out a loud laugh. "Why would I want to do that?" 

"Because I know that you don't really hate me, and the truth is that I do not hate you either. The kids mean a lot to me, and I know that can not even begin to compare how much they mean to you. If we keep fighting, it will only affect the kids negatively, and I know you don't want that."

He seemed to consider what I said, as he stroked his chin slowly with one arm crossed over his broad chest. When he did not say anything, I continued. 

"I'm not saying we have to be friends overnight, I'm just saying to respect each other and at least talk to each other when the kids are there. When we are alone, you can do whatever you want, ignore me, avoid me, whatever as long as I know it's not affecting the kids." 

He was still quiet, and I bit my lip silently willing him to understand. 

"And if it does not work?" he finally asked.

I gave my answer some thought and finally came up with something. "I'll leave." he looked shocked at my answer, but I quickly continued before he spoke. "The kids are at that point now, where everything around them will affect them, and I would hate to be the reason they are not responding well in their social lives. If we try this out for a week and there are no new results, I'll help you and Mia introduce the kids to someone you approve of before leaving." 

"Why would you do that, you'll be jobless if you quit." 

I did not bother reminding him that I was not jobless before this job, and I was always welcome at the hotel where I worked, instead, I gave him the most important reason for me. "The kid's welfare means more to me than just a job. I'll sort myself out so don't worry." Apart from Celine, I had never been so attached to anyone before. I really liked the kids and it would truly hurt me any harm come to them emotionally.

"Okay," he said finally. "I'm willing to give it a try." 

I squealed excitedly—inwardly. 

"Thank you so much, Mr. Maxwell." 

"You can call me Lucas now, I don't actually mind," he said casually. 

"Um okay...Lucas." I tested his name out on my lips, and suddenly I wanted to know what it would feel like moaning his name, crying his name, or screaming his name while he did many bad things to me. 

NO the voice inside my head said firmly. He was my boss, and we just took the first step in improving our relationship. I was not about to ruin that by brain f*****g him, even though I had been doing that even before we met for the first time. 

"Alright, Chris, I'll see you later. I have an early meeting tomorrow, so I'll only be back for dinner." 

"Yeah, goodnight, sleep tight." it felt weird saying that to him, but I was not about to make that obvious. 

"Yeah." he brushed past me and walked through the door. 

The second the door closed, I let out a sigh of relief I did not know I had been holding. 

"Well, not that he's not here I can think about f*****g him," I said to the empty room.   

*** *** *** 

The next few days passed in a blur. I only saw Lucas for dinner, he seemed to be really busy this week, and I was quite certain it was not because he was avoiding me. He had been super polite all week, even in the kid's absence, which was surprising to me. He was respectful and stopped looking at me creepily. 

I also showed him the same level of respect, and on Wednesday evening, after he put the kids to bed, we even had a civilized conversation alone in the kitchen. We talked about how each other's day went, and he found my joke about Abby wanting to turn into a vegetarian, amusing. He actually f*****g laughed. 

Occasionally, my mind drifted to my supposed doppelganger.  I knew I had no right to judge her, seeing as I did not know why things happened that way, but f**k who leaves such an adorable set of twins. I might not vie for Lucas, but sis have you seen these kids? I had only spent a couple of weeks with them, and I was already addicted to them. 

All I know is if I have kids that adorable and a husband that looked like a f*****g movie star with more wealth than I could need in a lifetime, I'm not going anywhere. But then again, people make their own choices, and I could not blame her without knowing the full story. 

It was Saturday, and the kids and I were at the mall. Summer was approaching fast, and the kids needed new stuff. Abby had been whining about a new dollhouse she wanted, and Aiden needed new science kits. I needed a few new clothes and some yarn to knit. 

Abby was a little upset that Lucas did not come with us, but that soon washed away as we approached the mall. Aiden though did not seem to enjoy seeing so many people at once and he clutched my hands tightly all through. 

Another perk of working with the Maxwell's was that Lucas insisted every expense be put on his black card, mine included. Despite my many protests to pay for my own stuff, he still gave me his card before he left for work this morning. 

We spent the entire afternoon at the mall. By the time we were ready to check out, I had my hands full with so many shopping bags. Most of which were filled with new toys and clothes and shoes for the kids. I only had one bag with a few clothes and some yarn for me. Thankfully, the salesman at the counter offered to have them delivered to our address, which took a major burden off me. 

"So kids, had fun today?" I asked as we walked to the parking lot where Benard was supposed to be waiting for us.

"Yes," they squealed happily if I was not holding both their hands I know they would have been jumping for joy. My heart throbbed with joy to see them so happy, and soon enough, I was grinning with joy. 

"Thank you for bringing us to the mall Chris," Aiden said, and I crouched down to give him a big hug. 

"Anytime buddy." 

"Hey, what about me," Abby whined. 

"Of course little princess, come here." I wrapped them both in a hug and kissed both their foreheads, before getting back to my feet and continuing our walk to the lot. 

We reached the lot just outside the mall, but there was no sign of Bernard. 

"Hmmm, that's strange. He was supposed to be waiting for us." I opened my phone and checked the message I sent to him minutes ago. He had not received it yet. 

"Kids, I think we would have to wait a few more minutes for Benard. He's not here yet." I explained. 

"Ugghhh," Abby whined. 

"Do we have to stand here and wait for him?" Aiden complained too. 

I could tell they were tired. They had been out with me all day, and although they had a lot of snacks throughout the day, they were still kids. It was evening and Benard was not here yet, even I felt an aching sore on my heels from walking all day. 

I looked around thinking of what to do next. I looked at my phone once more, but still nothing from Bernard. Maybe he was stuck in traffic. An idea pooed up in my head. 

"Kids, there's a park nearby, why don't we walk there, and relax there while we wait for Benard." 

"Okay," they chorused together. 

A short walk later, we stretched out on the bare grass, Aiden and Abby on either side of me as we searched the sky for constellations. 

"What are constellations?" Aiden asked. I was happy to see that he pronounced it right, proof that the alphabets and blending session we had every day was having some positive effects.

"Well," I said, pushing them closer so they were both resting their heads on my outstretched arms. "constellations are a group of visible stars that form a pattern when viewed from Earth. They can take the shape of a man or a woman." I explained. 

"And a dog?" Abby asked curiously. 

"Yes Abby, even animals." 

"Can it also be a car?" Aiden asked. 

"Well, it can be in the form of an inanimate object too, like a crown or a microscope too."

"That's super cool," 

We spent the next few minutes pointing out different constellations, and after a while, I decided to change the topic. 

"So who would like to speak to aunt Mia when we get home?" I asked and before I finished asking the question, I could feel their excitement. 

"I will." they chorused happily.

"I miss aunt Mia so much," Aiden said. 

"Aunt Mia has never been gone for so long, even when mommy left," Abby said in a sad voice. 

"Your mommy left you?" I asked shocked, at both the fact that she did that and that they even knew such deep stuff at such a young age. 

"Hmm-hmm." Abby nodded. Beside me, Aiden stiffened but did not say a word. "Daddy told aunt Mia that she left because she did not love us." 

I could hear the sadness in her voice, and my heart hurt for them. They had to go through so much at such a little age. 

"Daddy does not know where she is, and he told aunt Mia he doesn't like her," Aiden added. 

"Oh, honey I don't think your mommy left because she doesn't love you," I said in an effort to console them. 

"Then why did she leave us?" Abby asked. Her voice was a little more than a whisper, and Aiden snuggled into my body with my hand wrapped around him. 

Even for them, this was a very sour topic. Poor kids. 

"Maybe...um...I think," I quickly searched my brain for an answer. "Work. Yeah, work. Maybe she had a lot of work to do." 

"Daddy works too."Aiden pointed out. 

Shit, who knew giving consolation would be so hard. 

"Look kids," I raised them both up and sat on the grass too. "I don't know why your mommy left, but I do know she must love you in her own way, and when the time is right, she will come back." 

Aiden looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up, Abby also had a sad expression on her face. There was a long silence, and I just sat there next to them, waiting to listen to anything they had to say. 

Finally, Abby spoke, twisting her fingers together. "The kids at school don't like us because we don't have a mommy." 

"The older kids say that we separated daddy from mommy," Aiden added. 

"Oh, dear that is not true. You are both really adorable children and anyone that can't see that does not deserve to be your friends." I said brushing my hand over their hairs. "And I don't think your mommy left because of you. That was her choice and you have nothing to do with that." 

They nodded softly but did not seem convinced yet. I reached down and put my arms around them and hugged them. We stayed like that for a few minutes and when I released them, the sadness on their face was replaced by big smiles. 

"Now, let's go, I'm sure Benard is waiting for us now."

I led them out of the park, and as we reached the gate, I dialed Benard's cell, but there was no response. After a few more tries, he still did not pick up the phone.

I let out an exasperated sigh. It was already nightfall and it was not safe for the kids to be out this late. I called Lucas and received the same response—no response. 

"s**t," I muttered under my breath. 

Well, time for plan B.

I stretched my hand out to hail a taxi, but the few that passed by completely ignored my desperate attempt to stop them. 

Oh, come on!

"Chris, it's getting so cold here," Abby said, shivering.  

"Oh honey I'm sorry, I'll try to get us home as soon as possible. I took off the jacket I had on and gave put it around her. Thankfully Aiden was putting on wool jackets with long sleeves. 

"What the f**k am I supposed to do now?" I muttered so the kids would not hear. 

I took out my phone to call Lucas again, but he still did not pick up. An idea to call Emma crossed my mind, but just as I tapped her number on the screen, the phone died. 

"Really?" I breathed in frustration. 

My last option was the subway, but Lucas had forbidden me from using the subway. Right now that was my only option, and I was sure Lucas would understand, given how late it was already. Besides, if no one informed him, he would not have to know and problem solved. 

I crouched down to the kids. "Kids, I need to get you home and Bernard is not picking up his call right now. Your dad is a little busy so he's not taking his call too."

"Then how are we going to get home?" Aiden asked. 

"Well we'll take the subway, it just a few walks from here, and before you know it we will be home." 

"Okay," Aiden said softly and stifled a yawn. 

"Abby, is that fine with you?" I asked rubbing her shoulders. 

"Yes, aunt Mia took us on the subway once and I liked it," she said with a small smile. I could see the tiredness in her eyes. 

"Okay, let's go then." 

With a sigh, I held both their hands and led them to the nearest station. The subway ride was really short and Aiden was already asleep by the time we got home. I lifted him carefully on me, putting his head on my shoulder, and held Abby's hand as we walked into the building. 

The first face I saw when we walked out of the elevator was Lucas'. He sat on the couch in the living room, legs crossed, with an annoyed expression on his face, and I knew I had some explaining to do about why we were home this late. As long as he did not find out about the subway, we would be fine. 

Abby ran inside and dived into her father's lap. "Daddy," she squealed excitedly. This was funny because a few minutes ago, she was too tired to stand on her own inside the elevator.

I walked closer with Aiden still sleeping on my shoulder, I gave Lucas a faltering smile, one he did not bother to return. Okay. 

He put Abby on his lap, and they went through their regular routine. I closed my eyes and prayed she would skip the part about the subway, but as my luck would have it she didn't. 

"... And Chris took us on the subway then Aiden fell asleep," she rattled, in her usual, innocent expression. 

"What?" Lucas said sharply and turned to me. 

Oh s**t.