by Lulu Pratt
Nathan clears his throat several times and takes a deep breath. “Yes, sir. I’ve seen it.”
“That’s a problem. There’s nothing I can do about the photo, but I want you to take whatever you need from my emergency account and make sure that no one will leak Jade’s identity. The cost is a non-factor. I don’t care if they hound me, but I want her left out of it. I’m lucky they didn’t get a clear shot of her face.”
“Like I said before, I’ve got it covered. Ms. Sinclair is in good hands and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her information from getting into the wrong hands.”
Even though I pay Nathan handsomely to be available whenever I need him, I think he deserves a bonus for all the extra work I’ve asked of him lately.
We say our goodbyes, I take a quick shower, and grab my briefcase as I make my way out the door and down to my car. Amelia has been calling nonstop, demanding I come in and take care of some of the paperwork I’ve been blowing off for these past week. In truth, I think she just wants help battling the influx of phone calls coming in.
“Take me to the office, Ed,” I say.
He nods and closes the door once I’ve settled into the back seat.
I wait for him to get into the driver’s seat. “Last night, did you see any photographers hanging around the gallery?” I ask.
Ed glances up at me in the rearview mirror. “No, sir. I saw the picture first thing this morning and I hate that it happened, especially on my watch. While I’m no Nathan, I do try to look over your shoulder when we’re out, Mr. Jordan. If I would have seen anybody hanging around taking photos, you know I would have gotten rid of them for you.”
“I know,” I say, acknowledging his use of my formal name, a clear indication of the seriousness if I’d missed it in his tone.
I sigh and stare out the window for a few moments before my vibrating cell phone grabs my attention. The number isn’t saved, but the digits do look vaguely familiar.
“Hello?”
“Well, hello there,” says a seductive and inviting voice.
My jaw tenses immediately and the urge to throw my phone out the window causes my fingertips to tingle.
Magdalene.
“Hello, Magdalene. How can I help you?”
“It’s been a while,” she says. “I thought I would give you a call and see how things are going.”
I loosen my tie and shake my head. “Great. Everything is great.”
She must have seen the photo and put the pieces of the puzzle together, because there’s no way this is a coincidence.
“What have you been up to lately?” she asks.
“Not much,” I say. “Listen, I’m heading into my office and can’t really talk right now. I’m doing well, and I hope you are too. Take care.”
I end the call before she has the chance to utter another word.
Shit.
I’ve been lucky up to this point but I think that’s about to come to an end. I need to get my hands on a DNA sample from Jacob as soon as possible. The least I can do is ensure Jade he’s not my kid. That should at least give her a silver lining.
What if Magdalene says something to Jade before I do?
I reach for my phone and consider dialing Jade’s number. Even though I don’t have the paternity test, I can still explain what went down with Magdalene. But I really don’t want to come clean without the proof. I know the minute I mention our past, the timeframe will come off suspicious. Before Jade has a chance to suspect anything or jump to conclusions, I want to have all the answers available.
For now, I’ll have to bide my time until I get the information I need, or until Magdalene says something. How did I get mixed up in such a mess? The tabloids and gossips sites will have a field day if they find out about this faux love triangle.
We pull up in front of my building to a sea of reporters posted outside. I’m met with a firestorm of questions as soon as I open the car door.
“Who’s the mystery lady?”
“Is it serious?!”
“Are you officially off the market?”
“Mr. Jordan!”
I keep the expressionless look on my face as I wade through the reporters, microphones and cameras.
“Make sure you all do not cross this line!” I hear Ed yell behind me as I turn around to face the crowd. I point down at the clearly marked line indicating where my private property ends and where the public property begins.
I made sure a long time ago to clearly indicate how far the press can come onto my property and the second one of them crosses the line, they’ll be arrested for trespassing without question.
I stroll into the building without giving a statement about the picture or my relationship status.
They’re like vultures, so I know they’re going to keep hanging around, fighting for the tiniest morsel of information.
Amelia meets me at the elevator as soon as it opens to my floor. Her face is red and she’s fanning herself with a stack of papers.
“Thank goodness you made it!” she says, out of breath. “This stress is giving me hot flashes, and I’m in no mood for any of this nonsense today. Did you get rid of the swarm of reporters downstairs?”
“No,” I answer absentmindedly, walking into my office as I struggle to focus my mind on business. “I did show them the line though.”
Amelia shakes her head while rolling her eyes. “You and that damn line. You do realize that just keeps them off your property, but doesn’t make them go away, right? I can’t even make it out the building for lunch without them surrounding me with questions.”
I smile as I set my briefcase down on my desk. Amelia has been around for several of my media explosions in the past, so I know she’s familiar with the drill. I also know she’s using them as an excuse to order food for delivery from her favorite restaurant.
“Well, Amelia, I can’t handle the thought of you missing your lunch because of those reporters, so why don’t you order something on your company card,” I say.
I catch the smile on her face out of the corner of my eye.
“I already have.” she says. “You go have a seat so you can start reviewing those proposals I put on your desk.”
“Yes, ma’am. You’re the boss,” I say.
Chapter 27
JADE
I thought Magdalene’s sour attitude would subside after her buzz wore off, but I was wrong. In fact, her attitude is much worse than it has ever been, and I don’t know why. She’s been a total nightmare lately and I’m starting to come unhinged.
“Make sure my son has enough sunscreen on,” she orders aggressively. “I don’t want him coming home burned.”
Even though her bad attitude is in full bloom, she somehow managed to pull herself together enough to shower and comb her hair. Unfortunately, she hasn’t let the wine go just yet. I know she’s not drunk, but I also know she’s not sober. If this goes on for much longer, I’ll be the one needing a drink just to calm my frazzled nerves.
She has some nerve being so nasty to me. I’ve never come home from an outing with Jacob being burned anywhere. She doesn’t even know what his sunscreen looks like, and what’s with this “my son” business?
“When you come home, I want this place cleaned from top to bottom. All your little outings recently have made you lax in your work, and I’m not paying you to half-ass clean,” she groans.
You are pushing the envelope way too far with all these insults and snide remarks.
I have never in my life half-assed anything, ever. Magdalene seems to be going out of her way to be nasty to me. Part of me wants to tell her off and let her know what’s what, and the other half of me wants to cry. I’m usually very understanding, but Magdalene has been going overboard. I try to chalk it up to her hurt feelings over Heath, but right now she’s just being downright mean to me for no reason.
Maybe she’s jealous I’m going out on dates while she’s stuck at home alone?
I double check Jacob’s diaper bag and push his
stroller out the door and down the hall to the elevator. He coos and blows spit bubbles smiling up at me while beating on the tray in front of him with his Tiffany & Co. rattle.
It’s good one of us is completely oblivious to what’s going on right now. I just wish it was also me.
Today has been a hard one, especially with Magdalene being on the rampage, so I decide to take a break and head to the park. An hour of pushing Jacob in the swing and going down the slide a million times is the welcome break I need before heading back into the lioness’s den.
If anything, Magdalene is the one who needs to be out here getting some fresh air. It would certainly do her some good. Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll get bored and just go shopping.
I don’t really care where she goes. I just don’t want her home when I get back. Her attitude is too much to handle, and I don’t want to confront or ignore her. I’d rather she just left me and Jacob alone as she normally does.
I hate to seem like a tattletale, but maybe I should reach out to Heath and let him know what’s going on. He probably won’t care how she’s treating me, but perhaps he’ll be able to rein her in a little for Jacob’s sake.
I take Jacob out of the stroller, put him in the baby swing, and push him back and forth slowly. He laughs and kicks his feet as I push him higher. It’s been a while since I could spend quality time with him, and this is the break we’ve both been needing.
When Heath dropped him off the other day, he refused to even see Magdalene, demanding that I come get Jacob and his things from the lobby. Talk about crushed, she cried for hours after that happened.
I did my part and retrieved Jacob from his father, but one thing I hate is being trapped in the middle of someone else’s feud.
“It’s not fair is it, kiddo?”
Jacob looks up at me with his big green eyes, poking his tongue between his lips as he blows more spit bubbles.
So carefree and completely detached from the shit storm happening around him.
I envy his innocence so much and wish there was a way to take a piece of it for myself. If I could block this whole situation out of my mind, I would.
My phone rings and I fish it out of my pocket hoping it’s Asher, but my heart clenches tightly in my chest when I see it’s not him on the other end.
I close my eyes and take a deep breath before answering the call. “Yes, Magdalene?”
“Hurry up and bring Jacob home so you can clean this pigsty. I pay you good money to do a job and you’re not doing it,” says Magdalene. “I don’t want to hear any excuses for your laziness, either.”
I stare at the phone in disbelief and prepare to defend myself, but Magdalene suddenly hangs up the phone.
That’s it, I don’t care how hurt she is, I don’t deserve to be talked to like that. I’m going to give her more than a piece of my mind.
I hit the button to call her back, but it goes straight to voicemail. My heart thuds painfully in my chest and I feel a mix of anger and hurt wash over me.
“Let’s go, kiddo,” I say, scooping Jacob up into my arms. “We’ve been summoned back to the lioness’s den.”
I fight to keep my expression carefree as I finish packing up Jacob’s things, but on the inside my emotions are waging war. Tears sting the back of my eyes, but I blink them away, willing myself to present a strong front.
I must maintain my poker face in order to get through this.
Each step I take to the place I’ve called home for months is one more step to uncertainty. Magdalene is in a foul mood, but I won’t just stand by and take it.
I turn the corner and instantly recognize the Rolls-Royce parked in between the buildings.
Asher.
I practically sprint to the car, desperate for what has become my source of happiness over the past few weeks, hoping he’ll be able to say something to make me feel better. As if he’s been waiting for me, Asher immediately opens the door and steps out. I don’t give him the chance to say anything before I fling myself into his arms.
He rubs my back and strokes my hair quietly, allowing me the time and space to unload my feelings as if he could sense my need. A few tears fall, but these are tears of anger, frustration and relentless confusion.
“What’s wrong, baby?” he asks, after a few moments. His term of endearment makes my breath catch. I can feel our closeness, the intimacy both welcoming and overwhelming.
I lean back to see his face and he moves his thumb to wipe away the last few droplets of tears on my cheeks.
“Magdalene,” I blurt out. Her name springs forth from my lips like venom from a snake.
Asher sighs and drops his shoulders. “What happened? What did she say?”
I shake my head and sniffle a bit. “It’s really not so much what she said, but more so how she said it. Granted, she has said some pretty mean things lately, too. She’s being so nasty, and I haven’t done anything that I know to set her off.”
Asher’s jaw flexes and his expression grows cold and distant. He opens his mouth for a moment before waiting a few seconds and closing it without an explanation.
“What?” I ask. “What is it? You look like you want to say something.”
He smiles down at me, but I’ve been with him long enough to tell a real smile, and this one is obviously fake.
“I want to talk to you about something, but now isn’t the time,” he says, motioning to Jacob. He leans down and tussles Jacob’s hair, sending his long curls bouncing all over the place.
“Hey there, buddy,” says Asher. He then picks up a fallen hair from Jacob’s top with a smile.
Jacob shakes his elephant-shaped rattle around and babbles loudly in response. His excitement is so obvious, I regretfully wish I could spend time with just the two of them. Heath never seems to have a true connection with Jacob, and I naturally want that for the boy I’ve grown to love so much, but that’s not Asher’s obligation, so I force myself to let it go.
“I’ve got to go before Magdalene blows a fuse,” I say, excusing myself. “Wish me luck.”
Asher gets back to his feet and wraps his arms around me again. “Don’t worry yourself over Magdalene. Drop Jacob off and leave for a moment to meet at my place. I need to talk to you about something important. I’ll wait for you in the lobby over there.” He points to his condo building as he speaks.
I close my eyes and nod. “You’re my real-life knight in shining armor,” I giggle.
Asher smiles and shrugs his shoulders. “I don’t know about that, but I do try my best to be what you need,” he says. “Go on upstairs so you can hurry back down.”
I pull back from his embrace and exhale deeply. “Okay, I’ll be right back,” I say.
While I’m not a fan of confrontation, I firmly believe there’s a time and place for it. The conversation I need to have with Magdalene is long overdue. I’m a damn good nanny and she needs to respect me as the woman raising her son.
I go back and forth in my head several times as I attempt to cover all the bases of the hypothetical argument we could possibly have. There’s nothing worse than being so upset you’re too tongue tied to get your point across and I know that’s inevitable if I don’t prepare myself. One thing I know is that I have several points to get across and I want them to be as clear and concise as possible.
After the elevator ride, I stop the stroller just inches away from the door and start the search for the keys in my purse, but the door flies open before I find them.
Magdalene stands there, her arms crossed over her chest with her face covered in deep scarlet red splotches.
“I saw you,” she says, pointing her finger in my face.
I push the stroller by her, determined to keep my cool, refusing to let her under my skin. “Excuse me?”
She points her perfectly sculpted acrylic-coated nail with its nude polish to the window. “I saw you down there with my ex,” she says. “You two were hugging and kissing right in front of my son.”
My blood starts to boil
as the heat rushes to my cheeks. “I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, because the man I was just with downstairs is not your ex,” I say, my voice rising with each word. “Obviously, you’ve been hitting the bottle a little too hard today, and your vision is blurred.”
If she wants to play dirty, then we can do that. I know exactly how to fight fire with fire, and I refuse to hold my tongue any longer.
Magdalene folds her arms back over her narrow chest as she smiles confidently. “The only thing that’s obvious is how stupid you are. Asher Jordan is my ex-fiancé. You can even ask him yourself if you don’t believe me. While you’re at it, ask him his real reason for getting close to you, because I know for a fact he tried to be with you so he could get close to Jacob. He’s been hounding me about us getting back together to be a family, and this is probably the only way he thought he could do it. I talked to him recently,” she says, holding up her phone’s call log to my face.
Sure enough, Asher’s number is right there in her phone.
“He wants to prove he’s Jacob’s father so we can get back together. He’s pathetic to think that screwing my nanny would make a woman like me jealous.”
The blood that was boiling in my veins suddenly turns ice cold. I heard exactly what Magdalene said, but I’m having a hard time digesting it. Is this what he wants to talk to me about? Thinking back, I wonder if she was indeed his real target.
Maybe she’s who he was looking for the first day I spotted him with the telescopes, but I just conveniently inserted myself in the way.
Magdalene laughs and pushes her hair behind her ears. “It’s all starting to come together for you, isn’t it? He used you to get to me, but it didn’t work. I told you, men like him use women like us as pawns. You came in here night after night, probably thinking you really meant something to him. Now you know the truth.”
I stumble backwards a little and struggle to catch my breath. My lungs fill slowly as a huge weight sits on my chest, making each inhale a painful but necessary labor.
This must be what he wanted to talk about. There are too many coincidences floating around for this all to be an accident. How do you “accidentally” move into the building next door to your ex?