Page 9 of Love Me Not

But I needed to know.I didn’t know how much longer I could hang on with her plaguing my mind.

“Lux?Is your internet breaking up again?This is why we need you in the offic?—”

I cleared my throat; I had totally forgotten I was on a call with Dominic.I hadn't listened to at least the last 20 minutes.My mind started drifting as he was going on about some possible reconstruction of the main floor and offices and how it would affect productivity.

I think he also mentioned that they were overcharging us?I had no fucking clue.Something you’d think as CEO I’d be worried about.

“I’m here,” I said.“I’ll look over the contracts when I get in tomorrow.”

Tomorrow, yes.That was the plan.What I should be focusing on instead of daydreaming about my one-night stand.

“What?You’re coming in so early?What about Bella?—”

As if she heard it, there was a loud thud outside my office.Then another.It sounded like she somehow knew exactly where I was and was throwing it directly at my back.The only thing protecting me was the wall that separated my office from the backyard.

She better not be playing target practice with the statues again.

“I have the nanny coming tomorrow,” I said, rushing the words out.

“It’s only been a week since you fired the last one.Are you sure?—”

“I’m sure,” I answered with a huff.I was already standing, trying to get out of the meeting as fast as possible.“She’s trying to run them off.And it’s working, so I threatened to sue the nanny company.They said they’re sending me their best.”

I had work piling up.A lot of the stuff was hard to do at home, especially with Bella needing me all the time.I didn't blame her after what she’d been through.I just didn't know how to help, even though I desperately wanted to.

It wasn’t just my duty.I loved her.And her mother.

He let out a chuckle.

“Best of luck.I’ll see you then.”

“See you.”

I set down the phone with a sigh and stared back at the message on my computer, pausing for just a moment to try to think about the consequences of what I was about to do.

And then there was another thump.

I pushed my chair back and made my way out through the quiet house.My shoes squeaked against the marble floors.I had bought this house a few years back after realizing that it wasn't reasonable for me to be living in some random apartment when I had the money to build my own.

So that's what I did.But it felt a little lonely.The only thing brightening up the place was an eight-year-old with a shit-ton of grief and no outlet for it.

When I finally reached the open living room, I paused, taking in the sight in front of me.

Both Bella’s personal chef and driver were standing by the large open sliding door, peeking out at the little girl.They were not nannies, something they had warned me about, but they also seemed to have warmed up to Bella, so they took it upon themselves to step in while I was finding a new one.

I appreciated them.

They stiffened when they heard me walk up, both turning their heads to look at me.I saw a mix of panic and exasperation on their faces.

“I tried to offer her snacks, but she threw them at me,” the chef murmured, the evidence of her action splattered all over her apron.I noticed a few red splashes on her thick black hoodie.Usually, she was pretty good about not getting it on her clothes, being a professional and all, but she must've been hurrying to try and meet Bella's needs.

“Send your stuff over with mine to the cleaners,” I told her.

She stood straight, her ears turning red.“No need, sir.”

“Then you send it yourself and send me the bill.No negotiating.”

I looked at her driver.

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