Amelia’s POVI told my father that I was enjoying my job and he was happy that I had no complaints. Although I could clearly see that the expression lingered on his face, he seemed content to take my words as they were. I was worried about him as well. He looked more haggard and exhausted than the last time I had seen him. I knew Mom's illness was taking a huge burden on me and I made a mental note to pay more attention to Dad and his health as well. Flying around constantly for business, only to come home and spend sleepless nights at his wife's bedside was most definitely not the healthier way to live. I took a seat beside him and told him not to worry about Mom."Don't worry about Mom," I said. He offered a tired smile, the worry lines on his face deepening. "The doctors said she's out of the critical phase. She's strong, Dad. She'll pull through this."Dad nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Mom's peaceful face. "I know, Amelia. I know she is. But seeing her like this..." His vo
Amelia’s POVI picked up Eddie’s call and then he asked about my mom’s welfare. I replied to him mom was feeling better and I explained to him that I was on my way to pick Chloe up from school. “I should have relieved you of the stress of picking her up but I have a lot of work to do at the office,” he said.“It’s fine plus it’s part of my job description to pick Chloe up after school,” I said.“Thank you so much, Amelia and let me know if there is anything I can do to help with your mom’s bill,” he said."And also, my driver has officially resumed work so he will soon be at the hospital to pick you up before you both go on to pick up Chloe from school."I wanted to protest against that, but then realized it was most likely for Chloe's sake. Chloe was the daughter of a wealthy socialite and an even wealthier businessman. The young girl probably did not even know that there was something like a public transportation system. I thanked him and then hung up after. I quickly texted Blair
Amelia’s POVReaching the pick-up line, I spotted Chloe's bright red backpack bouncing excitedly. A wave of affection washed over me."Amelia!" she squealed, throwing her arms around my legs as I reached her."Hey there, munchkin!" I laughed, scooping her up in a hug. "What did you learn today?"Chloe launched into a detailed explanation about her art project, a collage of her favorite things. "And what about Louis?" I asked teasingly as we walked back towards the car waiting. She rolled her eyes in a way that reminded me of her father. "We're so over," she declared, an adorable pout on her face. I gasped dramatically, resisting the urge to laugh out loud at the five-year-old precocious girl. "Why? What did he do?" I asked as we got to where John had parked the car. “Good evening, Mr John,” Chloe greeted the driver.“Evening, Miss Chloe. How was school today?” He asked her.“Fine, I broke up with my boyfwend,” she replied to him curtly. "Boyfriend," I automatically corrected. J
Amelia’s POV“That’s my mom!” I heard Chloe yelling out loud, pointing towards her mother among the celebrities walking in. “What?” I asked, looking so surprised and before I could say anything, Chloe yanked her hand out of mine and ran towards her mother. I yelled out her name in shock, watching with my heart in my throat as the little girl expertly weaved between the crowds to get to her mother. I then watched as the two hugged each other and cameras stuttered, each media representative taking pictures of them. I stood at a side watching them and just then, Chloe pulled on her mother's hands, pointing at me. Her mother bent down to her level to hear whatever Chloe was saying. She nodded once and then rose to her feet, turning to face and the two began to approach me.“Mom, this is Amelia, my new chef and nanny. She is me and daddy's friend,” Chloe proudly said. “And Amelia, this is my mom,” Chloe said, smiling. She hesitated over her next words, putting her hand to her chin. She
Amelia’s POV The moment Jenna had thrown her bag at me so rudely while still managing to maintain an air of elegance and charm in the presence of all the paparazzi and her adoring fans made me fume as I lied to both Mr John and Chloe that I was fine. To make things worse, Chloe couldn’t stop talking about her mother and everything she had bought for her. But she was just a little kid, excited that her beautiful mom had bought her many things and toys. I could not fault her for that. And so I could only watch her in silence and finally we arrived home.I got out of the car and led the still-giddy Chloe into the house. Dancing around like a kid on sugar high, she yelled out happily that we should go to the kitchen to cook. Despite my bad mood and my anger at her mom, I could not deny that seeing her dance around so happily made me feel a little bit better. She stumbled but quickly righted herself again before I could say anything. I put my hands on my hips and narrowed my eyes at her
Amelia’s POVPerhaps because I had thought of him while cooking, I dreamt about Eddie when I was asleep. It wasn't the sleek, polished Eddie of the present, but the one from just before the cracks began to show in our relationship. The Eddie who still had a sparkle in his eyes, but a flicker of something else had begun to cloud them – ambition, perhaps, or a restlessness that hadn't been there before.It wasn't the sleek, polished Eddie of the present, but the one from just before the cracks began to show in our relationship. The Eddie who still had a sparkle in his eyes, but a flicker of something else had begun to cloud them – ambition, perhaps, or a restlessness that hadn't been there before.We were in our tiny apartment, the familiar scent of old books and stale coffee clinging to the air. I sat curled up on the worn sofa, a half-written story sprawled out on my lap. The rhythmic tapping of my pen was the only sound that broke the silence.The front door creaked open, and I look
Jenna's POVThe club was loud and deafening and for the first time in a while, I was bored and sick of it. I watched with a disdainful gaze as my castmates and other celebrities indulged in alcohol, drugs, men/women and strippers. We were celebrating the wrap-up of the shooting of my new movie, but I could not get my mind off of the bratty, smartass that I had met earlier in the day, the one that called herself my daughter's new cook… or was it, nanny? I was not even sure anymore. A male stripper danced close to me, his junk bouncing up and down right in front of me. He turned around, showing me his detectable ass, making me chuckle slightly. However, I did not play into his hands. I would have if I hadn't been in such a bad mood. And it's all that new nanny's fault. I thought to myself snarkily. The rhythmic bass throbbed around me, a dull counterpoint to the annoyance buzzing in my head. Every pulsating beat, every drunken shout, seemed to mock my growing discontent. Here I was, c
Amelia’s POVEddie and I smiled at how Chloe ran into her room. I asked her if I should follow her into her room to tuck her in but she rejected my offer, telling me that she was a big girl and could tuck herself in. I laughed out loud after hearing what she said and then Eddie asked me to take my seat beside him after making sure that Chloe was fast asleep.I did as he said and wondered what he wanted to talk about. He stared at me for a while without saying a word and as I was about to say something, he hushed me up with a kiss. His lips were so soft and I craved for more. He kissed me deeper and then I started reciprocating his kisses. Just then I thought about how Chloe had caught us hugging each other earlier and I had to pull him away.“What if Chloe sees us?” I asked shyly. He stared at me and then asked if I was ready to accept him back into my life.“I met with your ex-wife today,” I blurted out. “What? Where? When? How?” He asked, looking so surprised.I explained to him ho
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