Beauty and the Billionaire

Chapter 4

"You mean you had no idea the son of your employer is Jayden Rex, the CEO of Rex corp?" Regina had asked later that evening when she arrived and met Claire in the living room watching TV.

Claire gave an exaggerated sigh. "How could I have possibly known, Regina?"

"Claire, everyone knows him. You've been living under a rock, else you should have recognized him when you first met. Coupled with all of that, you also broke his car windscreen," Regina continued as she dug into a box of pizza.

Another sigh from Claire. "I didn't think that through," she admitted. "And now I owe him for the windscreen from a salary I haven't even made yet."

"At least he let you keep your job. He could have asked his mother not to employ you. That's nice of him, don't you think?" Regina shrugged.

"He is not nice," Claire snapped. "He is nasty. Surely he can afford to fix his own car's windscreen. Why do I still have to pay for it?"

"You broke it," Regina pointed out.

Claire let out a long-suffering sigh, her mood not improving as she leaned back, regarding the TV disinterestedly.

"They say he is even hotter in person," Regina commented thoughtfully. Claire refused to respond to her.

Regina turned to watch Claire for a bit. She headed for Claire and hugged her mop of black hair. "I know you're in a bad mood, but look on the bright side, you got the job. You were so nervous this morning, but you finally got the job. And you have a guaranteed income for the next three months by which time you would have found another job."

"You're right," Claire admitted.

"So what is he like?" Regina mumbled as she took another bite of a pizza slice in her mouth. "I can hardly believe you will get to see one of Chicago's most eligible bachelors at least every week and you are still complaining. Jayden Rex is so hot. He's always on the cover of Forbes and other lifestyle magazines that evaluate the life of the wealthy."

"He might be all that," Claire said, "but he is also very bad-mannered, arrogant and condescending. He hates my guts and the feeling is mutual. And anyways, I'm only going to concentrate on my job and get my debts off my neck. No use harbouring dreams of grandeur."

Regina closed the pizza box and dropped it on the table.

"I met Henry today," Regina anounced. "He asked me out. We're going out tomorrow night."

Claire looked confused for a bit. "Who?"

"Henry, Anita's brother," Regina replied guardedly.

"Oh," Claire said. "Anita who stole my boyfriend in final year-"

"-Claire-"

"-How does Anita these days anyways? I haven't heard from her in recent times," Claire said.

"I know you two have history," Regina said, "but her brother's different. He's a nice guy."

"I know Anita's the demon," Claire said. "I even heard she's broken up with Harvey now or they're on a break or something."

Regina sighed. "Claire, you have to let go. Harvey was not the right guy for you. Anita just showed you that. Good riddance."

"Good riddance," Claire said quietly.

Throughout the nasty break-up, Regina had been with Claire, supporting her and Claire had her to thank. She was happy to see that Regina was finally getting some happiness too.

"Do you like Henry?" Claire asked then.

Regina shrugged. "Yeah. But we're taking it slow- see where it goes."

Claire nodded. "Make sure to have fun on your date tomorrow. I have my spare key."

Regina smiled at her. "Awww, Claire is so mature."

"I'm not mature," Claire said quietly. "Don't ever bring Anita to this apartment. I might have gotten over what happened but I still loathe her."

Regina laughed as she left Claire's couch and headed for a drink of water at the kitchen.

Claire was at the Rex family house the next morning and if she'd been awed by the boutique company yesterday, she was practically speechless when she arrived the residence.

The ridiculously huge sum of money she'd been offered yesterday seemed like an overcompensation for something, she had thought, but seeing this masterpiece of a home, Claire realised that it was easy for Mrs Kimberly to give such offers when she practically came from money.

Claire watched the large grounds as she made her way inside. Lawns of well-tended grasses and flowers spread across the premises dotted by topiary art on shrubs and flowers.

The main building was majestic and huge, strong pillars holding the front of the building and the porch.

Claire made her way to the porch in an office skirt and blouse tucked into her skirt and a tote bag on one arm, cappuccino in her other hand. She had woken up late today again- only just getting used to the new schedule she would be operating on- one where she actually worked. She hadn't had time for breakfast and she'd quickly grabbed a snack and cappuccino coffee on the way.

She was done with her doughnut and currently drank her cappuccino as she made her way to the door.

She was about to knock on the door when someone pushed it open in a haste and she bumped straight into him.

On impact, the lid of the cappuccino flew open and it's contents spilled on the crisp white shirt of the bumpee.

Claire's gaze moved from the splotch of stain on the white shirt she faced to the eyes of the person she'd bumped into. Jayden looked annoyed.

He cast a look at the stain on his shirt and then at Claire. Claire stifled a gulp.

"I am so sorry," she started.

"Can you look where you're going?" Jayden snapped angrily, his voice rising higher with each syllable. "Coming to your workplace at quarter past eight and bouncing in with a cup of coffee. Exactly what work ethics do you have?"

"I'm sorry, I obviously had no idea that I would bump into you- or anyone. Can I help you launder it. No?" Claire said in confusion, watching the hideous stain spread on the shirt. "I'm really sor-"

"-Shut up," Jayden said heading the opposite direction as he removed his suit and hung it on an arm and began to undo his tie as he headed for the grand staircase.

Someone was coming down the same stairs. It was Mrs Kimberly. "What's all the commotion about so early this morning? What happened?"

"Your grand daughter's babysitter happened," Jayden snapped as he made his way up the stairs.

Claire met Mrs Kimberly at the foot of the stairs.

"Allison," Mrs Kimberly said sternly. "I said eight, and you're here close to nine o'clock. You're making your own rules now, aren't you?"

"I apologize ma'am," Claire said. "It won't happen again."

"Subsequently, you will have to come here earlier," Mrs Kimberly said. "You will be here at seven to ensure my grand daughter has her bath, is dressed and fed. For your working hours you will be in charge of her and I won't tolerate incompetence. I'm paying you well, am I not?"

Claire nodded.

Mrs Kimberly beckoned on a maid close by. "Bring Amy downstairs."

"Yes ma'am."

The maid turned to go upstairs.

Mrs Kimberly gave Claire about five sheets of paper with words printed on them. "The rules I said you have to follow and a list of Amy's allergies."

Claire nodded as she took the paper and skimmed through it.

"I'll ask people to check how well you're taking care of the child. If you're struggling, I might have to replace you," Mrs Kimberly said as the maid that had earlier been sent to bring Amy came downstairs with the little girl.

"Amy, " Mrs Kimberly said as the little girl got closer to her.

"Good morning granny," Amy said cleaning her eyes.

"In the future, don't let her sleep this late, " Mrs Kimberly said, turning to Claire. Claire nodded, taking a mental note of that.

"Now Amy dear, granny has to go to work at the fashion company. You be good and listen to your babysitter, okay?" Mrs Kimberly said, patting the little girl's head.

"But I want to go with you granny," Amy replied casting a suspicious look at Claire.

"No, my dear," Mrs Kimberly said. "Granny has to work. You'll distract her. Now stay with your babysitter and listen to her. When Granny's back, she'll bring you lots and lots of chocolate."

Not quite content with the bribe, Amy whined. "No, I want to go with you."

Mrs Kimberly glanced at her watch as she threw Claire an impatient glance. "Take care of this. Your work has commenced."

As Amy whined and screamed to go with her granny, Claire held her back trying in vain to calm her until her employer's car backed out of the premises.

When Mrs Kimberly was finally out of the residence, Claire turned to Amy who was quieter but was apparently not any happier.

" All right, let's take you to the shower to have your bath," Claire announced then.

Amy pulled her hand from Claire's grip and ran away.

"Amy!" Claire yelled after her. "Stop! Where are you going?"

Amy ran towards the kitchen and out to the side of the house that had the garden.

Claire followed her in her office skirt and flats and while she passed by the grand staircase, she caught sight of Jayden at the top watching her for a bit, but not saying anything. But she was too busy to give it much thought. Her ward was on the run.

A few minutes later while Claire stood by the garden area, she heard the sound of a car revving to leave- most probably Jayden's. She still hadn't found Amy.

How long had it been? She asked herself. It seemed like she'd expended a month chasing the little mischievous child. Claire heaved a huge sigh. She did not sign up for this.