Jenna’s POVI became much more curious when Sarah hadn't got back to me yet. I tried her number but she wasn’t picking up which enraged me further. “How dare she ignore my calls? Didn’t she know that I hate whenever she is not picking my calls?” I yelled out in frustration, resisting the urge of throwing my phone against the wall angrily. My patience kept wearing off as every second ticked by and I paced around my room, wondering who Amelia was and why I felt so uneasy after meeting her. When Sarah wouldn’t pick up my calls, I brought out my phone again and texted Eddie, telling him that we needed to meet and talk. I made it sound so urgent and then stared at my phone, waiting for his response but he didn’t read the message and didn’t text me back.“What? Is he ignoring me as well?” I yelled out in frustration and ended up throwing my phone against the wall. I kept smashing the things in my room, scattering the whole place. The room echoed with a sickening crack. A picture frame, o
Eddie's POVI moved closer to Amelia, pinning her between my front and the countertop. She stiffened immediately, her shoulders nearly rising up to her as she tried to slip out from our hurdle, but I didn't let her. I wrapped my arms around her and rested my head on her shoulder. "Amelia…" I tried to speak, but she did not let me. "No, Eddie. Please do not say anything. This was all a mistake."My head rose up in shock and I stared at her hard, unflinching profile.What on earth is she talking about? Isn't she just mad that I had picked up Jenna's call and interrupted our time together? "What on earth are you talking about Amelia?" I asked her, bringing my confused thoughts to life. She heaved out a heavy, deep sigh even as she continued to stare unflinchingly at the wall opposite us as though her life depended on it. I waited for her response. "Please let me go," she eventually said softly. I stared at her in disbelief. "No, Amelia. What is going on? Why are you acting like thi
Eddie's POVPerhaps witnessing Jenna's toxic behavior even though they had never met in person was making Amelia try to protect herself, I had thought to myself. It was something I understood and could not blame her for. However, as I looked at her tense figure, I had to admit to myself that Amelia was telling the truth and truly had no feelings for me. That she had only been carried away just like she had said and our kiss had meant nothing to her. The thought of that being true made my heart beat fast and made my chest hurt as though someone had taken a hammer to it. I took a deep breath and nodded softly. "I'm sorry, Amelia," I simply said before walking out of the kitchen. I picked up my briefcase, jacket and tie from the floor of the massive living room where they had been lying haphazardly and headed straight to my roomI took a detour to Chloe's room to check up on her. Pushing open the door, I was met with the soft glow of her nightlight, casting dancing shadows on the wall
Amelia's POV"You did what?" Blaire yelled out in shock. It was two days after the kiss and everything that had happened later with Eddie. Blaire and I were in a small cafe not far from the hospital, catching up. Her outburst caused people in the cafe to look at us and we both smiled sheepishly. "Shhh…" I told her. She ignored my warning. "You made out with Eddie?!" She asked again, this time in a mock whisper that still managed to carry across the room. Her voice held a teasing edge, but beneath it, I knew she was genuinely surprised. After all, I had declared that I had no feelings for Eddie and could work for him without anything happening between us. Oh, how my lies have come back to bite me in the butt, I thought sardonically to myself. "Well," I stammered, feeling the heat rise further. "It wasn't exactly a planned make-out session, more like a...heat-of-the-moment kind of thing.""A heat-of-the-moment kind of thing with Eddie?" Blaire pressed, her smile widening. "Spill th
Eddie's POV"You did what?!" James asked, his voice carrying through my large office. The air conditioner hummed quietly in the background, a constant white noise companion in the sterile silence of my office. Unlike the usual CEO havens I'd seen in movies, with plush carpets and mahogany desks, mine was a monument to clean lines and modern efficiency. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city sprawling beneath us, a concrete jungle I'd somehow managed to tame and turn into my personal kingdom. But even in this temple of glass and chrome, I'd managed to sneak in a few personal touches.I rolled my eyes at his outburst. "Why don't you say that one more time? I don't think my secretary outside or even the doorman heard you."He smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, I just can't believe you kissed Amelia," he said. I had just told him about everything that had happened between Amelia and I. James was my male secretary, but he was also my best friend. Very few people knew about
Jenna’s POVI hummed happily after telling Sarah to tip off the media that I would be getting back with Eddie. I left the room so that she could clean the mess I made and then I walked to my wine room, took my favorite wine. The door to the wine room shut with a soft thud, the click echoing slightly in the empty space. I hummed along to a tune only I could hear, a private melody celebrating my masterfully orchestrated plan. Sarah, would be sending the press release any minute now and I knew the media would do justice to the information.Curling myself onto the plush couch in the living room, I swirled the deep red wine in my glass, the anticipation sparkling brighter than the ruby liquid. Eddie's face filled my mind, the surprise, maybe even a hint of disbelief. I almost choked on my wine as I imagined how his reaction would be. The media would have a field day. The 'it' couple's dramatic reunion – it practically wrote itself.I wondered how Amelia would react if she saw the news as w
Amelia's POVBlaire and I walked hand in hand on the way from the cafe to the hospital. As we walked and the closer we got to the hospital, she must have noticed that my mood changed because she squeezed my hand and asked what was wrong. I let out a heavy breath. "I don't really know. I guess I'm just tired of visiting mom in the hospital. I know I shouldn't complain especially since she seems to be doing so well lately. The doctor says the chemotherapy is taking effect and they have high hopes of her recovering. I just…" I trailed off, unable to find the words needed. "Miss her being your mom and not a patient," Blaire completed. "Yeah, I guess that's it…"She also let out a breath and looked up at the sky briefly as we continued walking on the sidewalk. "I understand what you mean, Amelia. Your mom is my mom as well and it hurts me to see her in that hospital bed everyday. She tries so hard to not let us see how much she is struggling and how much pain she is in.""It's the litt
Amelia's POVMom turned to the window, a wistful look in her eyes. "It's been a while since I've been outside. Fresh air would be lovely."We exchanged glances with Blaire, a silent excitement building between us. Turning back to my mother, I gave her a reassuring smile."Alright, then it's settled," I said. "Let's see if we can convince Dr. Williams to let you out for a couple of hours."Blaire was the resident doctor in charge of Mom's treatment, but could not make a decision such as letting my Mom out for a couple of hours on her own. Hence, we had to go talk to her superior and the consultant.We found Dr. Williams in his office, reviewing charts with a frown etched on his forehead. He looked up as we entered, his expression softening when he saw us."Amelia and Blaire" he greeted us, gesturing towards the chairs across his desk. "What can I do for you today? Blaire, you're off today, aren't you? I would think you would choose to spend your day off somewhere else other than the 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