“There are two entry ways to the second level.”
The staircase led to a long hallway, which led to a massive living room where leather couches, loveseats, and chairs occupied the space as well as a large fireplace and one of the biggest TVs I’d ever seen. Floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked Central Park blew me away. But the one thing, the one thing that excited me the most in the entire room, was the baby grand piano that sat in the corner by the windows.
“You have a piano,” I said with a hint of excitement in my tone.
“Yes. You can play it any time you want. Now, follow me.”
I followed him towards the back of the room where there was another hallway. To the right was a bathroom. To the left was a wall of closets and straight ahead was his office.
“This is my home office where I spend most of my time when I’m home.”
“Is that all you do, Oliver? Work?”
He looked at me with a smirk. “Yes. I’m a very busy man.”
“Sounds tedious.”
He gazed at me for a few moments and then looked away, leading me up another flight of stairs.
“This is your room,” he said as he opened the door on the left. “Go ahead and take a look around.”
I walked inside and inhaled deeply. This room was bigger than my whole apartment. The walls displayed a deep taupe color that complemented the white moldings around the room. A beautiful deep purple and taupe patterned comforter graced the king-sized bed. The opposite wall contained a gas fireplace with a sixty-inch TV mounted directly above it. Each side of the fireplace contained built-in cabinets with drawers and shelves behind the doors. Sitting in front of three floor-to-ceiling windows sat a chaise lounge in the same deep purple as the comforter and a large desk sat in the corner. I could never leave this room and be completely happy.
“Wow. This is beautiful.”
“I’m glad you like it. Around the corner is the large walk-in closet and the bathroom.”
We walked down the hall and stopped at Sophie’s room; a beautiful pink room fit for a princess.
“Okay. That concludes a tour of the house.”
“What about your bedroom? Or don’t you ever sleep?” I asked with a smile.
“My room is further down the hall and around the corner. But my room is off limits. The only people who are allowed in there are the maids.”
“Okay.” I nodded my head.
“Let’s go into my office so we can discuss in more depth the job and your responsibilities.”
Chapter 6
Oliver
I led Delilah back to my office and placed my hand on the small of her back as she entered the room before I shut the door. She looked pretty in her navy blue capri pants and blue and white striped short-sleeve sweater. Her brown hair was long and wavy and she was only wearing light makeup. She wasn’t painted, she wasn’t plastic, and she wasn’t fake. She was carefree and she could sing like no one I’d ever heard before.
“Please have a seat,” I spoke as I sat down behind my desk. “Sophie is a troubled child and she needs guidance. She can be physically abusive and she goes into fits of rage. She’s antisocial and doesn’t respond well with other children. I blame her mother for that.”
“May I ask how long Sophie’s lived with you?”
“Six months.”
“But she’s five years old. Obviously, you saw this problem before now since you’re her father and you’ve helped raise her the last five years.”
“Delilah. I never had much contact with Sophie prior to her coming to live with me. I didn’t want children and her mother knew that.”
She looked at me as confusion swept across her face. “Are you saying that you never saw her or spent time with her?”
“You need to understand that I am a very busy man. My work and my company take precedent over anything else.”
“Sophie isn’t a thing. She’s your daughter, Oliver.”
“Delilah. This is not up for discussion anymore. You are in charge of Sophie. You are to make sure her needs are met. Now, can I trust that you’ll do just that?”
She looked down as she nodded her head.
“Excuse me a moment. I think Sophie and Clara are back.” I got up from my seat and went down to the kitchen.
“How was your trip with Clara, Sophie?”
“It was okay.”
Clara looked at me with a stern look on her face. “She had a meltdown in the middle of the store and then threw a jar of salsa on the floor.”
“I’m sorry, Clara. Sophie, come up to my office with me. Someone is here to see you.”
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“Well discuss it later,” I said in a stern voice.
She followed me to my office and smiled when she saw Delilah sitting there.
“Delilah!” She ran over to her and grabbed her hand.
“Hey, Sophie.” She tenderly smiled and gave her a hug.
“What are you doing here?” Sophie asked.
“Sophie, I’ve hired Delilah to be your new nanny. She’ll be moving in tomorrow.”
Her face lit up as if she had just heard the best news of her life. “Okay. Can you teach me to sing?” She smiled at her.
“I sure can.”
“Now go on up to your room and I’ll be up shortly to discuss your punishment for your behavior with Clara.”
She walked out of my office with her head down.
“What did she do?”
“Clara said she had a meltdown in the middle of the store and then threw a jar of salsa on the floor.”
Delilah let out a light laugh. “Sorry, but I remember my sister doing that once.”
“That type of behavior is inexcusable and will not be tolerated. I think I need to make an appointment with a therapist.”
“Don’t be rushing off and sending her into therapy, Oliver. She lost her mother and she’s acting out. She’s starving for attention and you need to find out what the root of her problem is. For my sister, it was my mom’s lack of parenting and attention. Let me work with Sophie and see what I can do. Sometimes a little love is all it takes.”
“I don’t know, but if it doesn’t improve, she’s going into therapy. It seems that we’re done here. I’ll have Scott drive you home so you can start packing up your things for tomorrow.”
I got up from my seat and was taken aback by her question.
“Why did you come to the Red Room last night, watch my performance, and then leave without saying anything?”
I leaned back on the edge of my desk and stared at her and her beauty. “I didn’t have anything to say. I came because I was curious.”
“Curious about what?”
“Your performance. You were very good. If you’re going to be working for me and taking care of my daughter, I need to know who you truly are. I don’t ever want there to be any surprises or some deep dark secrets that you may be keeping from me.”
“I can assure you, Oliver, that I don’t have any deep dark secrets or skeletons in my closet. I divulged all of my personal information to you during our interview. There’s nothing else about me that you don’t already know.” She got up from her chair and began to walk out of my office.
I could tell she was irritated by what I had said. “Miss Graham.” She turned around. “Thank you for being honest.”
She gave me a small smile and nodded her head. I walked her to the front door and, as she walked outside, Liam was walking up the steps. He smiled and said hello to her before stepping inside.
“Hook, line, and sinker. You got her to work for you. I can say that I’m not surprised. Women love to be in the company of us Wyatt men.” He smiled.
“Contrary to what you believe, Liam, she’s my employee and that’s all.”
“Have you told Laurel yet?”
“Like I already told you, it’s none of Laurel’s business who I hire.”
“If you say so. Are you ready to go play some golf?”
“Yes. Just give
me a few minutes. I have to talk to Sophie first.”
I walked up to Sophie’s room and found her sitting on her bed, holding her Barbie doll.
“Why don’t you tell me why you broke a jar of salsa?”
“I don’t know.” She pouted.
I placed my hand on her leg. “Sophie, that kind of behavior is unacceptable and you just can’t do things like that. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m sorry.” She reached up and wrapped her small arms around my neck.
I hugged her and kissed her head. “Promise me you won’t do it again, sweetheart.”
“I won’t.”
“Good girl. Daddy’s going golfing with Uncle Liam. Clara is downstairs if you need anything. I’ll be back later.”
I got up from the bed and before walking out the door, I turned around and looked at my daughter. “I love you, Sophie.”
“I love you too, Daddy.”
Chapter 7
Delilah
When I walked into the apartment, I went straight to my room and saw a handful of boxes sitting on my bed. I sighed as I opened my closet and started packing my clothes. I was excited to be moving into Oliver’s house and starting my job as Sophie’s nanny, but I was also feeling conflicted about him. Why? I wasn’t quite sure. He seemed very closed off in many ways, even where Sophie was concerned. Here was a little girl who had just lost her mother and had been shipped off to live with a father she barely knew. No wonder she was angry. I’d be too. Hell, I spent a majority of my life being angry for what my mother put me through. Then there was Oliver’s brother, Liam. I got the impression he was more open than his brother. I packed what I could and set the boxes on the floor. As I went to the kitchen, Jenny and Stephen walked in with a few bags from the fruit market.
“Hey. You’re back.” Jenny smiled. “How did it go?”
“You should see his townhouse. It’s enormous and has four floors. My bedroom is bigger than this entire apartment and, the best thing, Oliver has a baby grand piano.”
“Wow. Sounds like you’ll be living like royalty,” Stephen spoke.
“How was Sophie?”
“Apparently, she had a meltdown at the store with the maid and threw a jar of salsa on the floor.”
“Ouch. Sounds like you’re going to have your hands full with that little girl,” Jenny said with a worried look.
“Actually, she’ll probably be a piece of cake. It’s him I’m worried about.”
“With any luck, you’ll have your hands full of him.” She winked.
“I don’t think I like you talking about another guy that way.” Stephen turned and looked at her as he was putting the fruit in the refrigerator.
Jenny slapped him on the ass. “You know I love you, goofball.”
The three of us cooked dinner together and then I went to my room and played my guitar.
****
After getting out of the shower, I walked back to my room and heard my phone ringing. I picked it up from the nightstand. It was Oliver calling.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Hello, Delilah. I would like to send a truck to your place to gather up your things. I’m assuming you have boxes.”
“Yes, I have several.”
“I will send Scott over to pick you up in about an hour and the truck will follow behind. Is an hour enough time for you to be ready?”
“Yes, Oliver, an hour is fine.”
“Good. Sophie is very excited to see you. She’s been talking about it all morning.”
“I’m excited to see her too.”
“I have to go out of town on an unexpected business trip so I won’t be here when you arrive. I’ll be back next Saturday. If you need anything, ask Clara or call my brother, Liam.”
“Oh. Okay. Have a safe trip.”
“Thank you, Delilah. Have a good week with Sophie.”
I hung up and a feeling washed over that I wasn’t so sure of. I couldn’t believe that he was going on a business trip for a week and I wouldn’t see him. Why did I care if I saw him or not? I shook my head and sighed. I slipped into a pair of skinny jeans and tucked in the front of my white cotton button-down shirt, leaving the back to hang out. I grabbed a pair of black Vans and began to carry the boxes from my bedroom to the front door.
“Well, this is it,” I said to Jenny with a tear in my eye.
“It’s going to be weird not having you around here.” She hugged me.
“I know. But we’ll see each other all the time still and we’ll talk every day.”
“Bye, Delilah.” Stephen wrapped his arms around me and gave me a warm hug.
There was a knock at the door. When I opened it, two men were standing there.
“We’re here to pick up some boxes.”
“They’re right over there.” I pointed.
I grabbed my large Nike bag and carried it down the stairs. Scott saw me and immediately took it from me.
“Good day, Delilah.”
“Hi, Scott.”
Jenny and Stephen stood at the top of the steps and gave me a small wave. As I climbed into the back of the limo. I rolled down the window. “Love you guys!”
“We love you,” they said in unison. “Good luck!”
Scott pulled away from the curb and I had a feeling I had just said goodbye to the only life I felt comfortable with.
****
Over the course of the week, I settled into my bedroom, got to know Clara and the rest of the staff a little better, and bonded with Sophie. She was a great little girl but burdened with anger and sadness. She was starving for love, much like I was growing up. The one thing I noticed about Sophie was that she was really smart for a five-year-old. She loved to read and to draw. I believed that was her escape from reality as music was mine. I asked her if her father ever read to her and she said only sometimes because he was always too busy.
I hadn’t heard from Oliver all week. Not even a single call or text asking how Sophie was. As I walked into the living room, I found Sophie sitting at the piano.
“Whatcha doing, Sophie?” I sat down next to her.
“Will you play for me?” she asked with sadness in her voice.
“Of course I will.” I placed my hands on the keys and began to play and sing.
****
Oliver
I walked through the door, set my bag down on the floor, and walked upstairs. I stopped when I heard the piano playing and Delilah singing. As she played, I stood there and listened. A feeling washed over me that I shouldn’t have felt. The same feeling I had when I first saw her in the diner. When she finished playing, I softly clapped.
“Daddy!” Sophie screeched as she ran to me. I picked her up and gave her a big hug and kiss.
“Hello, darling. How was your week?”
“It was great. Me and Delilah had fun.”
“Good.”
Delilah got up and walked over to me. “Welcome home, Oliver.”
“Thank you. It’s good to be home. Sophie, it’s late. Go get in your pajamas and I’ll be up to tuck you in.”
“Delilah tucks me in at night.”
“Well, that’s good. How about we both tuck you in?” I set her down.
“Okay.”
I walked over to the bar and poured a drink. “Would you care for one?” I asked.
“Maybe after Sophie goes to sleep.”
I looked at her and smiled. I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she looked as she stood across the room.
“Let’s go tuck her in and then we can have a drink and you can tell me all about your week.”
We both went up the stairs to Sophie’s room and she was lying in bed waiting for us. Delilah walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, pulling the covers up over her.
“Good night, little one. Did you say your prayers?” she asked Sophie.
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll see you in the morning.” Delilah bent down and kissed her.
As soon as Delilah got up
from the bed, I kissed Sophie on her forehead and told her good night. Delilah and I walked out of the room and headed back down to the living room.
“I’m going to get a glass of wine from the kitchen,” she said.
I grabbed the glass of scotch I had previously poured and followed her down. I watched as she took a wine glass from the cabinet. When she reached up, her shirt lifted, exposing her taut, flat stomach. All I could think about at that moment was sliding my tongue around her belly button.
“Here, let me pour that for you,” I said. Our fingers touched when I took the glass from her hand.
She looked at me and then quickly looked away. She had felt something. I knew she did.
Chapter 8
Delilah
My body tensed as his fingers brushed against mine when he took the glass from me. He poured me some wine and gazed at me when I took the glass from him and we touched again.
“How was your first week with Sophie?”
“It was good. There are few things I want to talk to you about.”
He nodded his head and led me back up to the living room. He took the seat in the wingback chair while I planted myself on the leather couch.
“Sophie is an extremely smart little girl.”
“Of course she is. Look at who her father is.” He smirked.
I gave him a small smile as I ran my finger across the top of my glass. “I think you need to have her tested. She reads books that a five-year-old shouldn’t know how to read. Did you know she could read?”
“I see her in her room with books, but I just assumed that she was looking at them. Not actually reading them.”
His lack of parenting was really starting to irritate me.
“Sophie has a love for art. She loves to draw and she told me that she wanted to paint pictures. When I took her to the library the other day, she asked the librarian about art history books. It seems she’s has a fascination with artists. She checked out books on Van Gough, da Vinci, and Monet.”
“Odd for a child. Don’t you think?” he asked.
“No. Not really. I think she needs to express her feelings through art.”