Amelia's POVAs if sensing my anxiety, Blair nudged me. "Don't worry," she said, her voice low and soothing. "Everything will work out. You just need to be honest with him.""I know," I sighed, sinking deeper into the couch. "But what if he doesn't feel the same way? What if I mess things up even more?"Blair reached out and squeezed my hand. "Hey," she said firmly, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "You can't control his feelings, Amelia. But you can control your own. If you care about him, then tell him. Don't let fear hold you back."Her words were a balm to my anxieties. "Thanks, Blair," I said as I reached out and squeezed her hand. "By the way, what about your one night stand guy? Has he called yet?" I asked her. She shook her head. Blair's POVI shook my head at Amelia's question. "He hasn't."She peered at me closely, "Are you worried?"I smiled softly at the thought of him. "No… and stop calling him that. His name is James."She rolled her eyes at me before going on t
Amelia's POVThe dress clung to Blair's body like a second skin, the emerald green fabric whispering promises of elegance and confidence with every movement. It wasn't a showstopper, not in the flamboyant, attention-grabbing way. Instead, it was simple, yet stunning. The knee-length hem showcased her toned legs, their smooth curves accentuated by the way the skirt flared slightly at the bottom.My gaze traveled upwards, taking in the way the dress cinched at her waist, highlighting the hourglass shape of her figure. The neckline wasn't a plunging V-neck that screamed for attention, but a delicate scoop neck that hinted at the soft slope of her shoulders and the elegant line of her collarbone. A whisper of lace, barely there but undeniably exquisite, trimmed the neckline, adding a touch of whimsical femininity to the otherwise understated design.But it was the way the dress framed her face that truly stole the show. The emerald green fabric, usually a cool and refreshing color, seemed
Blair's POVAmelia cut me off with a gentle laugh. "Okay, okay, I get it. You're nervous. But listen, here's the thing: James clearly seems interested in you. He wouldn't have asked you out if he wasn't. Just be yourself, Blair. That's all anyone can ask for. And besides," she added with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "you have me as your wingwoman. What could possibly go wrong?"A wave of relief washed over me. Amelia was right. It was just a date, a chance to get to know someone new. And with Amelia by my side, I knew I could handle whatever came my way."You're right," I conceded, a smile finally blooming on my face. "Thanks, Amelia. I don't know what I'd do without you.""Always here for you, bestie," she declared, pulling me into a tight hug. "Now, how about we clean this place up and go to bed. I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted and I plan on waking up early to visit mom at the hospital before going to work.""Same here, I'm beat," I replied as we disengaged and began t
Amelia's POVIt was a life straight out of a fairytale, where all my wishes magically came true. Blair's voice shattered the dream world, yanking me back to reality. The taste of bittersweet happiness lingered on my tongue, a stark reminder of the world outside my head."Amelia!" My eyes snapped open, immediately throwing me out of my dream at the sound of Blair calling my name. My eyebrows shifted, lowering in slight dissatisfaction as I realized that it was morning already and the sun was just beginning to rise. "Amelia!" Blair's voice rang through the apartment, together with the sound of her footsteps as she seemingly ran in the small apartment to get to the bedroom. I slowly rose to a sitting position and brought my feet to the ground just as she burst into the room, her phone in one hand and in the air, the other hand holding a spatula that seemed to be dripping with batter."What on earth, Blair?" "You have to see this," she yelled out, ignoring the glare I directed her way
Eddie's POV"Mr. Edwards," he greeted me, his voice calm and professional. "We're here to ensure the safety of you and Miss Chloe.""Thank goodness," I sighed, ushering him in. "This whole situation is…""Understatement of the century," he finished with a wry smile. He then launched into a detailed explanation of their security plan, outlining patrol routes, access control measures, and how they would handle any potential media intrusion.By the time he finished, Chloe had joined us at the kitchen table, happily devouring her pancakes. Damien crouched down in front of her, introducing himself and explaining his role in a way that wasn't scary but reassuring."So, you're like a superhero who keeps the bad guys away?" Chloe's eyes sparkled with curiosity.Damien chuckled. "Something like that, Miss Chloe. But the real superhero here is your dad."I blushed at his praise, but a genuine smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Chloe beamed at me, her hero worship a welcome balm to my soul.
Amelia's POVGage cleared his throat. "There's been some media attention surrounding Mr. Thompson and his ex-wife, Ms. McDonald," he explained in a neutral tone. "There may be reporters or paparazzi attempting to contact you, seeking information or pictures."Blair let out a gasp. "Reporters? Here? Why us?"Gage pursed his lips. "It appears Ms. McDonald mentioned a 'special someone' in her award speech last night, leading to speculation about a potential rekindled romance with Mr. Thompson. Unfortunately, the denial issued by Mr. Thompson hasn't completely quelled the rumors."My head spun. So, Jenna thanking Eddie at an award show had somehow blown up into a media frenzy, and we, Eddie's tenants, were caught in the crossfire? Absurdity bubbled up within me, but it was quickly overshadowed by a surge of protectiveness. We weren't celebrities, and the idea of our quiet lives being thrust into the spotlight was terrifying."What are we supposed to do?" I asked, my voice barely above a w
Amelia's POV"Alright then," he said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips this time. "If you need anything at all, don't hesitate to call. My number is programmed into your phones."He gave a curt nod and headed towards the door. Just before stepping out, he paused and turned back to us."By the way," he said, a genuine concern evident in his eyes, "are you two planning on going anywhere today?""We both have to go to work. I'll be going to Eddie's… uh… Mr Thompson's house and Blair would be going to the hospital. Those are our respective workplaces. A muscle feathered in Gage's jaw as he nodded thoughtfully. He then spoke in that deep, rough voice of his. "Me coming here alone was an oversight on the security team's part. I can't follow you both at the same time. I'll call for backup.""No no no," Blair suddenly protested, both of her hands in front of her like she was placating an angry lion. "I'm a resident doctor in the oncology department. I cannot go around the
Amelia's POV"Oh, and one more thing," he said, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "Try not to let the media frenzy get to you. It will most likely blow over soon."With that, he exited the apartment, leaving Blair and me alone once again. We stared at the closed door for a moment, the silence thick with unspoken thoughts."Well," Blair said finally, letting out a long breath. "This is certainly not how I imagined the day to start.""No kidding," I replied, a small smile playing on my lips. "But hey, at least you have a date to look forward to. Me..."She squeezed my shoulder in a warm hug. "Everything will be fine, Ames. Now, let's get ready for the day."Her optimism was admirable, but a knot of worry remained lodged in my stomach. The day stretched before me, filled with uncertainty and the looming presence of a media circus I desperately wanted to avoid."You're right," I forced a smile, feeling unconvincing even to myself. "Let's just get this day over with."The following hour
Amelia’s POVIt's been a few weeks since Eddie and I had gotten back together. It had taken him only a couple of weeks to convince me to move in with him again, but this time around, it was not as his nanny or his chef, it was as his girlfriend. According to him, he wanted to spend as much time as possible before I had to go back to Florida to resume duty with my agency. Jenna had been slammed with a restraining order along with the promise of a lawsuit if she did not leave us alone. For good measure, Eddie had made sure to properly adopt Chloe as his legal daughter. That way Jenna would not be able to cause us any more trouble.“Babe! Hurry up, we're gonna be late!” That was Edie yelling from downstairs, while I was in the closet in his… in our room, getting ready. Together with my parents, Blair, James, and Chloe, we were all going to a restaurant to celebrate my mom finally beating cancer.I looked down at Chloe who had gotten her hand on my lipgloss and was now putting it on and
Eddie’s POVAmelia's gaze flickered between me and the bustling crowd before she sighed and gestured toward a doorway at the back."Let's talk somewhere else, shall we?"I did not want to have to talk to her. I wanted to be with her at my home, where I could talk to her and have all to myself."Forget the break room," I said, a newfound determination coursing through me. "Let's go somewhere we can actually talk."Amelia hesitated, then shrugged. "Alright," she conceded. "But I do have to finish my shift first."Frustration bubbled up within me, but I knew pushing her wouldn't help. "Fine," I muttered, trying to tamp down on my impatience. "How long?""Just another hour," she replied, checking her watch. "How about we meet somewhere? My place isn't really ideal.""My place is close by," I offered, surprising myself with the boldness. "It's quiet, we can talk there."Amelia raised an eyebrow. "Your place? That wasn't exactly part of the plan, Eddie.""Well, plans change," I said, a play
Eddie’s POV"It was a mistake, Eddie," she choked out, her voice barely audible. "A one-time thing… a long time ago.""A one-time thing?" I repeated, my voice cracking. The image of a younger, naive Jenna flashed before my eyes, a girl I thought I knew everything about. Now, she seemed like a stranger."Who was he?" I demanded with the need to know gnawing at me.Jenna hesitated, then whispered a name I vaguely recognized. It was someone from the film industry, a rising star she'd met during her brief stint in Los Angeles. They had a short fling, a whirlwind romance that ended as quickly as it began.The revelation hit me like a sucker punch. All the doubts I'd ignored, the whispers in the back of my mind, the nagging feeling that things weren't quite right – it all came flooding back with a terrifying clarity. Years of my life were built on a lie. Chloe, my sweet, innocent daughter, was caught in the crossfire of my naivety and Jenna's betrayal.Fury boiled within me, a churning infe
Eddie’s POVThe doctor gave a small smile. "Of course. Let her rest for a few minutes, and then you can go in."As we waited, James explained what little he knew. He'd been picking up Chloe from school when a call came through from the hospital. Apparently, another kid had swerved into Chloe's path while riding his scooter.A surge of anger flared up within me. How could someone be so careless? But the anger quickly dissipated, replaced by a fierce protectiveness over my little girl.Minutes later, we were ushered into the room. Chloe lay propped up in bed, her face pale and drawn, a white cast encasing her arm. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw me."Daddy!" she cried out, her voice small and wobbly.My heart ached at the sight of her distress. "Hey, champ," I said, rushing to her side and pulling her into a gentle hug, careful not to jostle her injured arm. "It's okay, I'm here now."She buried her face in my chest, her small body trembling slightly. I showered her with comforti
Amelia’s POVThe question hung heavy in the air. Friends? Could we really go back to that after everything that had happened? A part of me longed for the simplicity of our old friendship, the easy camaraderie we'd shared. But another part of me worried that friendship wouldn't be enough. The feelings I had for Eddie, the unspoken desires that had simmered beneath the surface of our relationship, wouldn't just disappear. They would linger, a constant reminder of what could have been.Taking a deep breath, I typed out a reply. "I… I don't know, Eddie. Honestly, I need some time to think. This whole situation has been a lot to process.""I understand," he replied almost instantly. "Take all the time you need. Just know that… I care about you, Amelia. More than you probably realize."His words sent a blush creeping up my neck. Did he really feel the same way? Or was this just a desperate attempt to hold onto me in any way he could? I didn't have the answers, and the uncertainty gnawed at
Amelia’s POVI stared at the message for what felt like an eternity, my mind a battlefield of conflicting emotions. Finally, with a shaky breath, I typed out a reply."Eddie," I began, my fingers hovering over the screen, "I… I don't know what to say. Thank you for the money. It means the world to me and my mom. But ...is everything alright? James said you collapsed. Are you in the hospital?" I hit send, the weight of the question hanging heavy in the air. The money, the cryptic message – it all pointed to something more serious than he was letting on.The wait for a response stretched into an agonizing eternity. Just as I started to pace the room, my phone buzzed. It was Eddie."Amelia," his voice rasped through the phone, weaker than I'd ever heard it. "Yes, I'm in the hospital. They're still trying to figure things out, but the doctor says I have Angiina due to stress."My chest tightened. Stress. The word echoed in my head, a stark reminder of the turmoil I'd left him in. "Eddie,"
Amelia’s POVI knew that there was no way that he and Jenna had actually been together in the way that she had been insinuating.Jenna had probably been playing another of her manipulative tricks. Regardless, I was exhausted and had had to tell myself that it would be better to end it with Eddie than to be dealing with hurt and frustration every day. James had been giving me updates on both Chloe and Eddie and although I knew I should tell him to stoop so that I could have a clean break, I did not think I had the heart to do so.The rhythmic rumble of the bus engine vibrated through the worn leather seat I occupied. Outside the window, the cityscape blurred into a kaleidoscope of colors, each passing image signifying my new reality. A reality where I, Amelia Brooks, was no longer Eddie Turner's nanny. Today's successful interview meant I could finally stand on my own two feet, financially independent. A bittersweet victory, considering the reason behind this newfound freedom.A soft c
Eddie’s POVHis words held a truth that stung. Jenna's behavior had become increasingly erratic, her possessiveness suffocating. But the thought of facing Amelia, of dredging up the hurt and confusion of that day, filled me with dread.I could not say anything, I could only nod my head in response. Just then, my head began to pound again, this time around in sync with my heart.My vision swam, the pounding in my head morphing into a relentless drum solo. The room seemed to tilt on its axis, James' concerned face warping into a blurry mess. A guttural cough ripped through me, sending another jolt of pain lancing through my chest."James…" I croaked, the word a raspy whisper. My hand reached out, blindly grasping for something solid. My fingers brushed against the armrest of the chair, anchoring me momentarily."Eddie, mate! What's wrong?" James' voice was laced with alarm, his concern cutting through the fog clouding my mind."Head…" I managed, the word slurred. My grip on the armrest
Eddie’s POVAmelia had left a gaping hole in my heart."But will she ever come back?" Chloe persisted, her lower lip trembling slightly."I… I don't know, sweetheart," I admitted, the truth a bitter pill to swallow. A heavy sigh escaped Chloe's tiny lips. "Okay," she mumbled, staring out the window with a wistful expression. The silence stretched between us, thick with unspoken emotions.Reaching over, I squeezed her hand gently. "Look," I began, my voice softened with love. "No matter what happens with Amelia, you'll always be my little girl. And no matter what, I'll always be here for you. Always."Chloe looked at me, a flicker of reassurance sparking in her eyes. "Really?" she asked, her voice a hesitant whisper."Really," I confirmed, my voice firm with conviction. "You're the most important thing in the world to me, you know that?"She nodded slowly, a small smile gracing her lips. For a moment, the tension seemed to ease, a fragile connection established between us.Reaching t